Scattered across Japan is a mythical chain of stores that bring wonder and excitement to all who visit.
‘Up Garage’ reads boldly in blue and red over yellow, a reputation well-known to JDM enthusiasts. But for individuals who think manga is a few latest American political term, a visit to Up Garage seems like visiting eBay Motors in the actual world.
Consider it as eBay circa 2008, back when real bargains could still be found. That’s because Up Garage isn’t your average parts shop. Every little thing here is used – wheels, bumpers, headlights, exhausts, and more. Better of all, no two Up Garages are the identical. So, for those who’re willing to spend the day hopping from branch to branch, you’re certain to search out many interesting parts at a fraction of their original cost.
Shopping at Up Garage is a straightforward strategy to modify your Japanese automobile on a budget, especially for those who drive something popular like a Toyota 86 or Honda Civic. But not everyone wants that easy option regardless of how tempting it’s. Take Kazuma Hara, for instance. While visiting his local Up Garage could make his life much simpler, Hara-san prefers a challenge.
“While you get your first automobile, all you should do is drive to a garage and begin buying tuning parts,” Hara-san says. “But when you should stand out, you possibly can’t use the identical automobile or the identical parts as everyone else. Sometimes it’s higher to take a tougher route.”
And so, he selected something removed from the mainstream – a JW3 Honda Today.
For those who’ve never seen one before, the Today looks a bit like a shrunken EG Civic. That’s no accident; the model was one among Honda’s kei automobile offerings through the Eighties and ’90s, adhering to Japan’s strict mini-car regulations: a 660cc engine and a length under 11.2 feet (together with restrictions on width and height).
Hara-san’s love for the Today didn’t start with the automobile you see here. Five years earlier, when Hara-san was just 15 and still at school, he began racing with one other JW3 chassis.
It could appear to be an obscure alternative, but these cars are low-cost, light (only 650kg), and excellent for honing your race craft. The truth is, they’re even a superb alternative for time attack racing, as Dino discovered in 2023.
Having raced for several years before earning his driving license, Hara-san now needed a day by day driver. And sure enough, one other JW3 Today – this one – soon joined his stable.
“I do know these cars thoroughly from racing, so it gave the impression of an obvious alternative once I had my driving license,” he explains. “The issue is there are loads fewer parts than a Civic or Integra, so if you should create something unique, you’re often required to do it yourself.”
What Hara-san discovered from talking with other JW3 owners is that some parts – just like the engine – are shared with the Honda Beat. This information paved the way in which for Hara-san so as to add more performance-orientated parts including an E07A (MTREC) Beat engine which – although remaining 656cc – has a better rev limit and more peak power than the same variation fitted within the Today.
Engine displacement was increased by a whisper to 700cc and a JB1 Honda Life 4-speed manual transmission with shorter gear ratios was fitted alongside. Then, Hara-san turned his attention to the intake and exhaust.
Three Keihin Flat CR (FCR) carburettors with alloy intake trumpets are fed by the now-removed passenger headlight, while an SS Works exhaust system was one among the few off-the-shelf parts Hara-san could use.
Inside, Hara-san has taken the same path to his old race automobile, stripping the inside and constructing a custom roll cage within the rear. He also seam-welded the body for extra strength and reinforced the engine mounts.
And who doesn’t love an enormous ol’ Stack gauge within the centre of the dash? Completing the inside is a Ciena bucket seat with a Sabelt harness belt, a Momo steering wheel, and a full-size spare wheel within the back.
As for wheels, Hara-san runs several sets, including 14-inch Mugen MR5s wrapped in Dunlop Direzza semi-slicks.
“For the outside, I had a really specific look I wanted to realize,” Hara-san says. “I’ve at all times loved the Japanese Touring Automotive Championship (JTCC) and from an early age, while racing, I at all times desired to make my automobile appear and feel like a racing version. There are lots of Integra and Civics modified in the same way already in Japan, so I didn’t want to simply copy this look and be like others. That’s why I desired to do it on the JW3 Today.”
His favourite JTCC-era automobile, the 1997 Kool Jaccs Honda Accord, can be the inspiration for his Today’s livery. But this isn’t a vinyl wrap – Hara-san painted the green, gold, and white himself, with a friend making the stickers to finish the JTCC look in ‘micro’ form.
“What I like concerning the JW3 Today is that it is simply sold in Japan, so it’s already very unique before you begin customising it,” Hara-san explains. “I could have bought a Civic, got many parts off the shelf and built the automobile in a short time. However it wouldn’t have given me the identical feeling, especially when seeing similar cars that not make you are feeling unique. The entire work on my JW3 Today has been done by myself and in my spare time. To drive jogs my memory of racing once I was younger, and I hope that feeling never goes away.”
Mark Riccioni
Instagram: mark_scenemedia
Twitter: markriccioni
mark@speedhunters.com
This Article First Appeared At www.speedhunters.com
