Category: Close-Up

Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Comparison: Scion FR-S Concept vs. Production

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Now that the Scion FR-S has been unveiled in North America and we’ve had a chance to examine her curves, I thought it would be a cool idea to go back to the FR-S Concept to compare how different the production model came out to be.  Naturally, car companies can’t produce such extreme looking cars for mass consumption; they have to decide on a delicate balance of cutting edge and acceptable, so as not to shy away potential buyers.  I took the following detailed images of the FR-S at the LA Auto Show for us to compare with.  Click past the break to start.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Close-Up: Subaru BRZ Concept-STi

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So, I finally made the quick trip over to the LA Convention Center to attend the LA Auto Show.  While it’s always great to see each manufacturers take on the cutting edge of automotive engineering, I really came to see one car; the Subaru BRZ STi Concept.  Of all the automotive topics discussed recently, Toyota’s predecessor to the now iconic AE86 has been the hottest.  Will it be Toyota or Scion?  What is the actual model name?  Turbocharged or naturally aspirated?  Will it use Subaru’s flat Boxer engine?  For quite awhile, consumers and fans were left in the dark, but finally some light is being shed on the details.  Check out some more shots of Subaru’s new member of the STi family past the break.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Close-Up: J’s Racing CR-Z

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As a follow up to the J’s Racing S2000 Type-GT we featured last week, I thought I’d share the other car on display at the J’s Racing Fair.  J’s Racing recognizes the growing trend of tuning hybrid cars, and when Honda introduced the CR-Z in 2010, they immediately started making parts for the new chassis.  This 2010 CR-Z serves as their test bed and show girl for all their CR-Z products.  J’s has a reputation for creating some pretty wild livery’s, and this car is no exception.  Check out more past the break.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Close-Up: J’s Racing S2000 Type-GT

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Welcome to the most down S2000 ever built;  OK, one of them at least.  JDM Clips recently attended the J’s Racing Fair at Super Autobacs in Tokyo last week to get a closer glimpse at a couple of their machines.  In attendance was their GT-Type wide-bodied S2000 done up in a style only J’s can get away with.  Don’t be fooled though, this AP1 has more than just good looks and a tight body – click past the break to find out more.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Close Up: Mazda 787B

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The Mazda 787B is, without a doubt, a very special car.  This particular model, built in 1991, holds a handful of prestigious accomplishments; mainly that it is the first, and only Japanese manufactured car to ever win the 24 Hour of Le Mans.  It is also the only non-piston car to win, as it is powered by a 26B rotary engine.  At the 2011 Motor Sports Japan show, JDM Clips got a chance to capture the machine in it’s preserved state of championship beauty.  Check out more past the break.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Close-Up: Massimo Power 696 Evolution

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I’ll admit, while there were many great builds at MOD this year, there weren’t too many that were built for full track dedication.  Maybe that’s why this particular one caught my eye as a possible feature.  I really can’t tell you much about it though – I couldn’t find the owner anywhere.  It may be built with the assistance of Massimo Power; a specialist in EVO tuning.  So for a few minutes, disregard my lack of knowledge, grab the popcorn and enjoy the crispy shots I snapped of it past the break.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Close-Up: Sheepy built S2000

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Every once in awhile at these car shows, among the ocean of painted metal, you’ll see something that stands out above the rest.  It could be bodywork, a certain set of wheels, or an engine build.  In this case, it was the engine bay of Sheepy’s S2K that caught my eye.  Ignoring, for a second, all the other meticulously crafted parts, the custom dual wastegate setup alone is hard to miss.  Click past the break to check out some closer shots.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Close Up: Mastermind Odyvia

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There is an unusual amount of controversy about the look of the Odyvia.  Either you love it or you hate it; usually there is no in-between.  In my opinion, the front end looks like a modern version of what the PS13 front end would look like if Nissan were to make the Silvia again.  I especially like the look of the wide-body Spirit Rei aero, and what it does to the overall look of the car.  I ran into the car at the It’s JDM Yo! meet – check out a few more pics past the break.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Close Up: Mugen FN2 (European Type-R)

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Thought I’d break up the photos from the 2011 Mugen Circuit Challenge with a closer look at Mugen’s attempt at the Honda FN2; Europe’s offering of the Civic Type-R.  I remember when this model was released it garnered mixed opinions among the Honda community.  After giving it a few years to soak in however, I think I kinda like it.  Not only is it a very unique chassis design, it seems to be quite rare as well.  Let’s check out how Mugen modified it.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Close-Up: ASM in Orange

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I recently visited the ASM showroom in Yokohama to snag some shots for a ‘Locale’ post, and happened across this orange highlighted AP1 sitting out front.  Simple, but tastefully modified with a choice of ASM parts; tow hook, vented hood, Recaro’s (of course), rear wing and wheels.  The white body makes the orange painted parts stand out even more, and although not my style, doesn’t look too bad.  At least it’s not way overdone.  Click past the break for a few more.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Close-Up: Super GT at TAS 2011

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OK so I lied about the whole ‘no more TAS’ thing; but I never got a chance to post up the Super GT Special.  TAS is a trade show, and what better way to market your product than to slap it on a full blown, competition race car?  There isn’t really, so, to my pleasant surprise, the Salon grounds were sprinkled with Super GT cars; like the Nismo built Motul/Autech GT-R.   Super GT is a fairly unique series that puts excitement first.  Only allowing pit stops during certain time frames, mandatory ballast for winning cars, and intake air restrictors all add to competition.  Click past the break for more Super GT.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Close Up: Yellow Factory EG6

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I think that this may have been the most overlooked car at the Salon; no exaggeration.  I actually did a double take when I saw this because I couldn’t believe an EG6 was at Auto Salon in the year 2011.  Aside from the actual Honda booth, finding a tuned Honda (other than a CR-Z) at this years Salon was like finding a needle in a haystack; if the hay were made out of Nissans and Toyotas.  After drifting blew up, the market obviously gravitated toward S-Chassis’ and the like.  RWD engulfed Honda’s FWD prior dominance and left them to the devoted few.  After I came to my senses I decided that I needed to spend a few moments with this thing.  Check out more past the break.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Close Up: Streets Nissan March

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OK, so I didn’t realize just how many photos that I have to sift through and edit.  I ended up taking close to 20 Gigs this last trip, and I’ve just arrived at my apartment to start sorting them.  I would have had some coverage up sooner, but the last part of my vacation was spent with family.  So while I get some posts of TAS together, I’ll let you munch of this for a little while.  We spotted this March walking back from Autobacs.  It was actually at a Nissan dealership; maybe the owner works there.  It had some tasteful mods, which is fairly common for these kei cars, but since we don’t have these in the states, thought I’d grab some shots.  Click past the break for more.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Close Up: Honda-Tuning/Evasive CR-Z

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With the CR-Z being fairly new, there isn’t really an extensive catalog of aftermarket parts to choose from; especially in the aero department.  However, the CR-Z that Honda-Tuning put together shows that you don’t need that much to make something that looks great.  The C-West lip kit that adorns the outside of the Honda turns the ordinary CR-Z body, into an overall more aggressive looking car.  Click past the break to see what else is up with this car.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Close Up: Type One Type-R

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Next up in my Close-Up series is the bright orange Integra Type-R built by Type-One.  Near flawless paint aside, you can recognize this as a possible race car because of the sticky Advans that are wrapped around the track-worn SSR Type-C’s.  A closer look reveals most of the interior still in-tact; pretty common in Japan because of the abundance of open track events at places like Suzuka, Fuji, Twin-Ring, and Ebisu.  Click past the break for more pics.

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Automotive by Narita Dogfight

Close Up: Spoon AP1

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Way before the build of the iconic Grand Prix White AP2 demo car, Spoon had built their AP1 race car.  The S2000, hailed as one of the greatest roadsters ever built.  It would seem almost sacrilegious for the masters of Honda tuning to not bless one with their precision.  A few years ago I got the chance to visit Spoon and see for myself the craftsmanship that went into this build.

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