Close-Up: Tec-Art’s AE86 N2 Project

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If you’re a fan of the Toyota AE86, then I’m sure that you will be extremely familiar with Tec-Art’s and what they do.  The fairly small, family run operation out of Yashio City, has grown into one of the more famous 86 tuners in Japan.  By far their most famous build is their AE86 N2 Project; seen here in it’s 2012 configuration.  The project, now over a decade in it’s life, has evolved greatly, I think even greater than Yoshinori Kamata had intended.  It’s no stranger to the track, and it definitely made it’s mark at Tsukuba Circuit last weekend during the live Hot Version shoot.  Click past the break to see this machine in detail.

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Tec-Art’s isn’t only involved in tuning AE86 though.  Their other forte is in vehicle restoration.  Given the opportunity, I’d love to go check out the shop and see what older cars the family is working on.  I think I may add it to my list of places to visit this April.

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With each new year, comes a handful of new modifications to this car, progressing it further and further.  It would be interesting to view it’s lap times for a particular circuit since it’s inception.  I’m sure we’d see quite an improvement.

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One of the most noticeable differences between the years of development are the various rear diffusers.  Many people remember this car with it’s massive diffuser.  Taking it’s place now is a more mild, probably more beneficial carbon piece.  Other, less noticeable changes are there; but it takes a keen eye to spot them.  Like the Takigen (Mugen) rear tailgate fasteners, updated taillights and new side-skirts.

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A closer look at the new, what appears to be, heavily modified diffuser.

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The exposed rivets that hold the widened body pieces together let you know that this was built just for the track.  Specifically the N2 battles that Hot Version organize that bring AE86 tuners together from all parts of the country.  The Work Equip 03’s look great wrapped in the meaty Dunlops.

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It would be hard not to notice this thing on track, let alone in the paddock area.  The purple body draws quite a bit of attention, and has really ended up becoming synonymous to the Tec-Art’s name.

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With the current modifications, the chassis really does a good job of hiding it’s age.

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Imagine the sound of dozens of massively tuned 4AGE’s on Tsukuba, screaming at the top of the 9,000 rpm range.  These battles are quite amazing!

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I think it’s great that their are still companies dedicated to older chassis’ like the 86.  They’re putting in the hard work and time to make sure that as time goes on, historic cars like the AE86 are not only remembered, but put into action as well!  There’s plenty more to come from the Hot Version event at Tsukuba Circuit, so stay tuned.  In the meantime, check out JDM Clips for some video action of the event!  Thanks for visiting!

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