Japan has brought out some awesome machines, some of which have been customized to make any gearhead salivate. Not surprising when you consider the car scene in Japan. Just take a look at Japan's underground car scene and some of the customized beasts tearing up the streets. But then, to think about the number of specialist tuning workshops.
Japan is home to many notable tuning companies. Let's take a look at some of the legendary Japanese tuners and their sickest builds (of course, there are many other JDM tuners that could have featured, this is just a tiny sample).
8 Tec Art - Tsuchiya Keiichi's AE86
Tec Art is located in Saitama Prefecture, where Honda has some of its factories. Tec Art is a family-owned shop, known for their Toyota AE86 builds. The 'Drift King' himself, the legendary Keiichi Tsuchiya, teamed up with these guys.
Keiichi Tsuchiya's AE86 is fitted with Work Meister CR01 wheels while sporting the distinctive green-tinted carbon fiber hood. But this AE86 also features a lot of Tec Art's own handmade parts, such as the exhaust. The engine has had an upgrade with a lot of Tec Art's signature parts, along with a new Tec Art suspension system.
7 Advance - Honda NSX
Advance is located in Yokohama. Advance specializes in tuning a variety of cars, but are renowned for the Honda NSX. The NSX offers the awesome handling that inspires the owners of Advance.
Advance has been around since the late nineties, and their work is now known globally. Just need to take a look at their famed yellow 'Flatout' demo NSX with a lot of Advance's signature parts. The interior has everything a driver wants to take on the track, such as full bucket seats and harnesses. The power has been cranked up and this NSX looks mean.
6 J's Racing - Honda Fit
Based in Osaka, J's Racing specializes in Hondas. Take a look at the work on the Honda Fit, standing out not only because of its performance on the track, but also because of J's Racing's signature customizations.
The Honda Fit has been totally repackaged on its exterior with a J's Racing carbon fiber roof and other J's Racing parts, with its interior fitted with a 12-point roll cage and Sabelt 4-point harnesses, not to mention the upgrades to the engine and the J's Racing Custom exhaust system, this is one racing concept car that deserves to be on the track.
5 Powerhouse Amuse - S2000 GT1
For gamers, this S2000 GT1 may be very familiar, and that is no suprise. The demo car was a collaborative effort between Powerhouse Amuse and Polyphony Digital (the driving force behind Gran Turismo). Powerhouse Amuse is located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Powerhouse Amuse's GT-R Phantom is yet another one of their awesome works.
But there is something special about the S2000 GT1. Looking at the design, you can see the focus on the aerodynamics. Mention has to be made of the massive wing with that widened rear. The fenders are unmissable. The titanium exhaust setup, along with what's under the hood, a stroked F20 engine. It makes for one sweet ride!
4 RAUH-Welt Begriff - Tanner Foust's RWB Beetle
RAUH-Welt Begriff specialize in tuning Porsches. Akira Nakai started the company, based in Chiba Prefecture. It was a Porsche 930 that Akira bought and customized which started this awesome journey. He named his Porsche 930 after the beer he loved to drink, Stella Artois. Now RAUH-Welt Begriff are sought out for their extraordinary work, having built some of the sickest Porsches.
Tanner Foust, not only a rally racing legend and world record holder, but also a stunt driver for movies like Need For Speed, collaborated with RAUH-Welt Begriff on his Volkswagen Beetle. With 18-inch Motegi Racing Traklite wheels, modified with an extra 8-inches on its width, not to mention those custom fenders, Foust's Beetle takes on that aggressive yet stylish look.
3 RE-Amemiya - RX7 Type RS
RE-Amemiya are also located in Chiba prefecture, an established tuning company, founded in the mid-seventies, and well-known for their work on Mazdas, like the RX7. The cars modified by RE Amemiya are simply stunning!
This sweet RX7 Type RS certainly showcases their work, with the signature GT AD Kit Widebody, the AD-Hood 9 hood, the Esprit 1700 mm carbon GT Wing, 18-inch Rays Volk Racing TE37SL wheels, not to mention the modified interior.
2 Esprit - NSX
Esprit was founded in the late seventies, based in Suzuka, the same place where the famous Suzuka Circuit is located. Their famous Honda NSX that raced at the Yokohama 2013 World Time Attack Challenge is certainly one of their most popular. It was driven by Tarzan Yamada.
The Espirit NSX can pump out over 800 horsepower with its turbocharged V6, that has all the marks of Esprit with their signature parts. The NSX has been fitted with a carbon fiber bonnet, carbon fiber doors, among other things. Its interior has a custom roll cage and the HP racing, along with all the other racing perks.
1 Rocky Auto - Custom Nissan Skyline
Rocky Auto's Nissan Skyline, with the RB26DE, is one sexy machine. Let's not forget, the carbon fiber hood, the fender flares and the spoilers. Rocky Auto has been a force to reckon with. Based in Okazaki, Rocky Auto is known not only for this sick Nissan Skyline but also their famous Hakosuka, among others.
But this Nissan Skyline from Rocky Auto is only a taste of the Japanese car scene. Not only the number of Japanese tuners is incredible, but the exquisite machines that come from their garages, exemplified by builds like Powerhouse Amuse's S2000 GT1 or J's Racing's Honda Fit.