In the event you caught our mega gallery coverage from the 2023 Japanese Classic Automotive Show (JCCS) last week, you’ll already know just how amazing it was.
Marina Green Park in the center of Long Beach, California hosted the 18th annual event, with over 10,000 spectators and 100s of cars on display. Selecting just just a few builds to focus on on this JCCS 2023 highlight post was never going to be a simple task, but we are able to’t argue with Darrien‘s selections. Let’s kick things off with something old style…
Jared Perry‘s Datsun 521 scooped the JCCS 2023 ‘Best Datsun Truck’ award, and it isn’t hard to see why. There’s beauty in simplicity, and thru quite a few select parts Jared’s truck has been reimagined in a really cool way.
The complete Rocket Bunny Pandem 521 kit from the mind of Kei Muira adds a deep front lip, side skirts and rear bottom sections, plus in fact bolt-on fender flares. The latter were very essential for what Jared had in mind for wheels.
Enlisting the skills of custom JDM wheel rebuilder LOVE20BEE in Arcadia, California, Jared had a set of vintage Carving Wilcox ORT1 wheels (manufactured by Work) rebuilt with huge barrels that bring their specs out to fifteen×12-inch -51 offset.
The wheels are wild and the fitment is impeccable when the Datsun is dropped to the bottom on its Air Lift Performance-based air suspension setup.
You’ll have noticed the ultra-rare deck topper out back, but what in regards to the right-hand drive conversion? We’d like to take a better have a look at this 521, so hopefully we are able to make that occur within the very near future.
Next up is one other award-winner – this time the recipient of the JCCS’s new-for-2023 ‘Best NSX’ accolade.
Chad Castelo‘s NA1 1991 Acura NSX definitely lives as much as its MUGN CEO license plate, because it’s packed filled with oh-so-desirable Mugen parts.
Starting outside, there’s a Mugen front bumper, Mugen side steps, a Mugen rear bumper spoiler and underwing, Mugen rear wing, and a Mugen hatch and duct.
We are able to’t forget the wheels either – staggered 16×8-inch and 17×9-inch Mugen M7s fitted with Yokohama Advan AD08R tires.
There’s more of the identical inside with Mugen NSX JGTC Kevlar race seats, a Mugen N1 race steering wheel, Mugen race pedals and a Mugen Formula shift knob.
While we don’t have an engine shot to share with you, know that under the rear cover is the NSX’s original 3.0L DOHC VTEC V6, which is now packing more performance courtesy of a Science of Speed twin-turbo kit. Management comes via an AEM EMS, and the engine package is backed up by an NSX-R close-ratio transmission.
With a KW V3 coilover suspension kit and added air cup system, this Acura has all the shape and function.
The Imola Orange NA2 Acura NSX on Mugen MF10 wheels parked next to Chad’s NA1 is a really cool construct too, however it’s considered one of that automobile’s owner’s other construct that we’re going to take a look at next.
Jason Haradon’s 1994 Honda Civic Si took home JCCS 2023’s ‘Best Honda Civic’ award, a formidable feat for a automobile that was built greater than five years ago. It just goes to point out how much truth there’s to the saying ‘do it once, do it right’.
The Civic was originally purchased as a rolling body, but with stunning Glasurit Mineral Blue paintwork already laid down over its metalwork. Jason, who’s well-known in Southern California Honda circles for his long-owned DA Acura Integra, had a transparent vision for the EH3 Civic hatch, and executed the ’90s-style construct perfectly.
As a little bit of blank canvas, the Civic was reengineered from the bottom up with quality components and stunning attention to detail.
Sitting in an ultra-clean bay, the B18C5 engine was built around a brand latest DC2 Integra Type R block with a B16B Civic Type R cylinder head. The Mugen valve cover finishes it off perfectly.
Previously the Civic wore Mugen MF10L wheels in front of its blue Spoon Sports front calipers, but for JCCS 2023 it was sitting pretty on vintage Mugen NR10Rs.
Other newer additions include the Spoon Sports carbon fiber front lip, Spoon carbon fiber mirrors and Spoon carbon fiber hatch spoiler. You gotta find it irresistible!
Finally, we’ve got a automobile that’s just arrived on the scene – GReddy Performance Products‘ ‘GR33′ BCNR33 Nissan Skyline GT-R.
We don’t know a complete lot about this construct, but what we do know is that it’s the newest in a line of fantastic cars that have emerged from GReddy USA’s workshop in recent times.
Despite using modern parts and technology within the construct, the GT-R manages to still look largely late-’90s/early-’00s era correct on the surface, which only adds to its appeal for us. Which means a full suite of GRacer aero parts – the front bumper, front lower lip spoiler and side skirts included – plus a set of timeless Nismo LMGT4 wheels to drag every little thing together.
Under the hood is an RB26-based engine construct featuring an enormous single GReddy turbocharger, and certain every little thing else the Trust catalog has to supply.
The 2023 SEMA Show is just across the corner, so hopefully we are able to learn more in regards to the GR33 there.
Brad Lord
Instagram: speedhunters_brad
Photography by Darrien Craven
Instagram: _crvn_
This Article First Appeared At www.speedhunters.com
