Crazy and cool and it costs them way way more to do this kind of stuff too. They have to have some serious dedication and fortitude to even be involved in this kind of thing over there. And a lot of that stuff is seriously nice. They know how to take stuff to the extreme.
culture? I thought that was like a good bacteria or something they put in yogurt. Oh and since when did we move past the fifties anyway? I'm always the last to know everything.
They seem to "GET IT" much more than a lot of the people on this side of the pond. They take everything they do to an extreme and do a pretty dang good job of it. Just my .02
The Japanese get it, in my opinion!I've seen some of their stuff in car and bike mags and I think they jump in head first.Full immersion in the hobby.I think its a land of contrasts, with their culture/heritage and FULL on modern day life. Nick. Hey Sinticket, I said the same as you almost!
It would be almost impossible to tell. There are sooooo many cool engines from all over the world that we never get to see here in the USA. If I had to make a semi-educated guess, I'd say it's a Toyota DOHC hemi 4 from the 80's, but that's just a guess.
I love looking at any pics of the shows over there. Like everyone else has already said, they push the envelope. And do a DAMN good job of it. We could all get some good inspiration from some of their stuff. Like already said, it cist them ALOT more than it does us.
I believe they had a show on this book it was similar to the Kustom Kulture show in Laguna many moons ago, this art show was in Santa Monica,CA in May http://www.track16.com/exhibitions/2008-05-17-kustom_japan/pr.php
A lot of fascination in China, I go there regularly armed with mags to read on the plane, the guy's I deal with love them. They don't understand the the history or the scene (though they learn quick) I think it is more that it is something different for a culture steeped in control and conformity. A guy I met in Hong Kong called me up last year when he was in the UK (well, his interpreter called) He wanted to see my A coupe, he loved it, because it was different, but did not understand what it was about, he asked if it had 'air conditioning', I said 'yes' and promptly opened the windshield there are 'no' old cars in China and its very expensive to import one, as well as difficult to register and drive one over there..... But I am working on it.. I've been offered jobs there and they always say accommodation includes a garage to build a 'hotarod' in.
Mr. Kitazawa is the owner of a rod shop there in Japan, VICTOR HOT ROD SHOP. The shop has many parts, items and other nostalgic stuff for sale in the front, and a shop on the side for doing work on various cars. Kaz also has some Dyn-o-Mite other rides, one in particular is a 1936 Ford coupe, another flatty powered, ride, and the 29 roadster that I sold to him last spring. Kaz is also a member of the H.A.M.B, but does not post too often. To add to, what sort of person, he and his family are, As you know last spring, when I was having my health problems, Mr. Kitazawa's son sent me in regular mail, a leaf from a tree in Japan, and another, for lack of a better word "MOJO", for my recovery. For that, I am for ever grateful to his son for that token, although we have never met in person. In reading their blogs on his web site from time to time, I see where they have many rod runs over there. There are some really good looking rides. Some they have bought from other rodders here in the states. Some they do their own modifications over there. But all in all, they are a great bunch of people. Something thing that will impress one, that is how much their whole families get involved. Wives, girlfriends, children. Just like us here on the H.A.M.B., they also post about their other activities, their other interests and get togethers. What more can I say about them??? Except my hat is off to those hot rodders in the Traditional ways, our H.A.M.B buddies across the other pond. Best wishes to you Kaz, HellRaiser
Anyone know what's going on with the back of the black car with flames? Looks like a different bumper and lights but what are they?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFQ4Gia2xjE the above link is from 2008 Yokohama Japan the below link is from 2007 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRngX15aNp0&feature=channel_page keep an eye out for Vintage TOrque DVD #4 - it will feature Yokohama Hot Rod Show 2008 Hopefully will be out beginning of summer.........if my computer ever starts working again........ I think the Japanese have a deep respect for most things American.....I have been dealing with Japanese business for about 12 years now and you can find all different aspects of our culture influencing theirs.................
I worked at a strip club in Fukuoka Japan for a while. The owner has THE most beautiful 50 Merc I've ever seen! He used to park it outside the club every night and sometimes it would get more spectators than the girls inside. He often used to leave his keys in it all night and no one ever touched it. The people who run that industry over there aren't exactly boy scouts. Sexy ass car.
America has had involvement with Japan since the end of it's (Japan's) isolationist policy (later 19th century), primarily helping an agrarian economy change to an industrial one. The real beginning of Japan's infatuation with American "pop culture" of the '50's has it's origins in the GI's occupation after the war. Japanese culture honours and admires the victorious, thus the cool rockin' young men from the USA with their love of Hot Rods, coca-cola and Hawaiian shirts, demonstrated how it was to be a "winner". The "Scene" in Japan is alive and kickin', albeit with their own funky slant.
[/attach][/attach] Kaz in his Flatty powered T roadster His 36 coupe in the back ground at one of the get togethers some more of a get together in Japan Kaz is kool!!!!
Do a search for Japanese custom trucks and see what you get!!! You think this paint is wild? Stand by. Gary
Woops, That wasn't Kaz in Ryans first post. But you get the picture of what the scene is in Japan. Sorry Kaz. HellRaiser
I would like to know just how many of these cars were built in the USA then shipped over there? I have seen so many cars go over there with most of that major work done, to be "finished" there.. I'm not hating, just stating some facts.
The Japanese produce some fantastic publications that cater to the wide variety of different interest in all things Automotive. Over the years I have collect many of these. Unfortunatly reading the text is a problem but the photos they contain show so much of the work that is put into what is being built Possibly the best publication I get is Cruisin, a Bi Monthly Magazine. The Current issue arrived in the post yesterday, and has a great coverage of the Yokohama Hot Rod and Custom show.
When it comes to the style aspect, the Japanese most definitely "get it". I remember seeing a Japanese art book, 25-30 years ago...probably wasn't even a hot rod scene there then....the book had a great painting of a '34 coupe rod and it looked more "California" than California, just subtle details that only the most hardcore American hot rod artist would have included.
Yeah, but They do it BETTER. They were doing metal flake and doing 60's show rods before it came back into fashion here.
I got to hang out with Nash and pinstripers Mr G, Ghost and Flattop at mooneyes. Some of the coolest and nicest people I have met. Thier pinstriping is crazy detailed and near perfection.
The Jalopy Journal
