Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 33

Thread: The Road to Karuizawa

  1. #1
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
    Drives
    '90 Mariner, '92 SB, '91 BRG
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, CA
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    4,874
    Thanks Given
    4,157
    Thanked 3,787 Times in 946 Posts

    The Road to Karuizawa



    Work needed me to be in Tokyo for meetings last week and then another one was scheduled on Monday in Kyoto. With Karuizawa in between it would have been rude not to go, right? Especially since I was giving up my Memorial day weekend. If you opened this post I’m guessing you know what this is about and are interested in seeing the cars. If so, get a cup of tea or mug of coffee and let me boar you with my journey to Karuizawa. *WARNING* This is not just a car feed! I’ve added a bunch of pics and color commentary from the trip.

    If you don’t know, Karuizawa is an annual roadster meet that has been taking place in May since 1993. 138 people attended the first one, nearly 2k cars last year with just over 1,100 this year but only because the parking space was limited. In the original "Ask for participants", it was written: "Please bring the feeling to enjoy the Roadster!". Judging by the attendees that mantra holds true as much today as it did in the beginning. Karuizawa is a ski resort 90 minutes north of Tokyo by bullet train.

    So, at the start of my journey I left Monday and landed Tuesday after 11 hours of flight time from LAX coupled with a 17 hour time change.

    Inflight entertainment helps pass the time.. even if you’ve already watched the particularly movie in question atleast a dozen times or more.

    Get used to not understanding much of what you’ll eat but expect it will taste really amazing.. or atleast completely interesting.

    Always land at Haneda if you can (Narita almost seems more known but it takes a lot longer to get to Tokyo)


    The first thing that always blows me away (after the humidity drains your jetlagged soul) is the cars. From my math, the vast majority, like 83.7%, are cars that have never been exported to the US. The delightful and colorful old school taxi’s…

    …to the new school vans (with a face only a mother could love). They have so very many vans, kei vans are my favorite…


    A few days of meetings and then a work trip to Akihabra to check out the retail environment


    Of course there was a simply beautiful and completely period correct TR6 just nonchalantly driving along…


    And eating in Shinjuku


    Friday was a load more meetings that wrapped so it was time to have a little fun. Some form of social media informed me that Ben (benpopham/ CarMakeCornsUK) was going to be there too so a perfect opportunity to start adventuring with someone that had more experience getting around Japan. We met up to train out to the CMC HQ.

    The only roadster content in my past trips to Japan has been getting out to Corns but I’ve gone every time and its always a delight. A short enough trip from central Tokyo and a wonderful experience with amazing people and a long history back to my earliest HyperRevs and Road&sters. I think Tomoyo said they opened 23 years ago. Looking around the shop is like being on a treasure hunt. There are always so many interesting surprises. Almost came home with a set of NOS tan seatbelts but didn’t want to start too much shopping ahead of Karuizawa. Besides, Tomio was already holding a large package for me that he’d help win on YJA many months ago.

    A little KINOD and RevLimiter repping (gutted I didn’t have a sticker to hand for MR.net.. sorry Randy)


    Behind those secret doors, the hidden treasures didn’t disappoint…


    And there at the side of the building was an 1002. A very pretty one indeed. Such a beautiful color combination…



  2. The Following 10 Users Say Thank You to oldgrayleather For This Useful Post:

    Cermivelli (05-30-2019),fwdtamiya (06-12-2019),JamieH (06-02-2019),LagBlu (05-30-2019),MiataQuest (05-30-2019),Phatmiata (05-30-2019),Roadster7 (05-30-2019),tsingson (05-30-2019),ueru (05-30-2019),vote4pedro (06-01-2019)

  3. #2
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
    Drives
    '90 Mariner, '92 SB, '91 BRG
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, CA
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    4,874
    Thanks Given
    4,157
    Thanked 3,787 Times in 946 Posts
    Tomio and Tomoyo managed to take some time away from work and took the Corns family and I out for dinner about 90 minutes from their HQ. It was a magical place hidden off the beaten path and steeped in history, majesty and beauty…


    Accompanied by such very lovely people in the Corns family…


    And extraordinary food to help enjoy the company even more…




    And then the return trip to Tokyo and back to the hotel after such exceptional food and hospitality with both my belly and my heart feeling over-stuffed.

  4. The Following 9 Users Say Thank You to oldgrayleather For This Useful Post:

    Cermivelli (05-30-2019),fwdtamiya (06-12-2019),LagBlu (05-30-2019),MiataQuest (05-30-2019),Phatmiata (05-30-2019),Roadster7 (05-30-2019),tsingson (05-30-2019),ueru (05-30-2019),vote4pedro (06-01-2019)

  5. #3
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
    Drives
    '90 Mariner, '92 SB, '91 BRG
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, CA
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    4,874
    Thanks Given
    4,157
    Thanked 3,787 Times in 946 Posts
    The next morning, I wrapped up some work calls (8am Saturday is inconveniently 4pm PST on Friday) after which Ben had some plans. His business partner is a Skyline owner which helped inspire our first stop with a visit to Nismo’s Omori Factory.



    Some GTR keys that even make the latest Royal Clover prices seem insane…

    Racekors…

    … and a truly inspired way to decorate a bathroom.

  6. The Following 10 Users Say Thank You to oldgrayleather For This Useful Post:

    Cermivelli (05-30-2019),fwdtamiya (06-12-2019),LagBlu (05-30-2019),MiataQuest (05-30-2019),ozbrock (06-03-2019),Phatmiata (05-30-2019),Roadster7 (05-30-2019),tsingson (05-30-2019),ueru (05-30-2019),vote4pedro (06-01-2019)

  7. #4
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
    Drives
    '90 Mariner, '92 SB, '91 BRG
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, CA
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    4,874
    Thanks Given
    4,157
    Thanked 3,787 Times in 946 Posts
    While in Yokohama, how could we not pass by Racing Service Watanabe.

    Except for the fact they were closed (Saturday + lunch time and all) and that their website is quite explicit about booking an appointment.


    There wasn’t a ton of resistance to our nosing about, Ben ecstatic with the 10” mini correct specs and the deep dish R’s for me. 1968. That has been a long time to have sustained an iconic wheel. Seeing the artisanal craftsmanship to how they manufacture only sold me more. Very kindly though slightly annoyed, we did get a bit of a tour and some attention. When we’d gotten close to over-stayin our welcome, the words “wait here” were uttered. He disappeared and returned with some brochures and stickers and then abruptly sent us on our way.

  8. The Following 10 Users Say Thank You to oldgrayleather For This Useful Post:

    Cermivelli (05-30-2019),fwdtamiya (06-12-2019),JamieH (06-02-2019),LagBlu (05-30-2019),MiataQuest (05-30-2019),Phatmiata (05-30-2019),Roadster7 (05-30-2019),tsingson (05-30-2019),ueru (05-30-2019),vote4pedro (06-01-2019)

  9. #5
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
    Drives
    '90 Mariner, '92 SB, '91 BRG
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, CA
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    4,874
    Thanks Given
    4,157
    Thanked 3,787 Times in 946 Posts
    We then made our way to Autobacs in Shinonome (for those that remember, it used to be a SuperAutobacs but had been “upgraded” to an Apit version. Part Coffee bar, part newsstand and a smattering of car parts). Absolutely loved being somewhere that was a dedicated stop for petrolheads. Reprinted back issues of HyperRev were ¥3180 or above what seems to be the going rate of $25 on this side of the pond.

    The Parking lot and garage was still filled with a wild collection of motors…


    Two Tommy K’s


    And a wild ass custom van

  10. The Following 9 Users Say Thank You to oldgrayleather For This Useful Post:

    fwdtamiya (06-12-2019),LagBlu (05-30-2019),MiataQuest (05-30-2019),ozbrock (06-03-2019),Phatmiata (05-30-2019),Roadster7 (05-30-2019),tsingson (05-30-2019),ueru (05-30-2019),vote4pedro (06-01-2019)

  11. #6
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
    Drives
    '90 Mariner, '92 SB, '91 BRG
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, CA
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    4,874
    Thanks Given
    4,157
    Thanked 3,787 Times in 946 Posts
    After Autobacs we went back to Ben’s hotel to pick up his wares and took the bullet train from Shinjuku station to Karuizawa followed by a short walk from the station to the Karuizawa Prince West hotel. The registration card validated that if fact the next day I would indeed be there…


    After checking in I went outside for a little fresh air. I’d started to stroll around the car park and realized there was a lot of treasures to discover ahead of the show!

    The very first car I saw was a stock mariner that reminded me of where my roadster journey began


    The second was an M2 1001! In fact Gone in 60 seconds spun through my mind many many times over the next 24 hours (the 1974 original of course, not the Nicolas Cage remake)



    Original door pulls still intact!


    Honestly had to pause after that and catch my breath. Had seen two M2’s in less than 24 hours. Little did I know what was ahead of me. Not ten feet from this first one was another 1001. Well loved and used. All the brightwork had a little patina, it wasn’t pristine though certainly not neglected…


    And some other random spatterings





  12. The Following 10 Users Say Thank You to oldgrayleather For This Useful Post:

    Cermivelli (05-30-2019),fwdtamiya (06-12-2019),JamieH (06-02-2019),LagBlu (05-30-2019),MiataQuest (05-30-2019),ozbrock (06-03-2019),Phatmiata (05-30-2019),Roadster7 (05-30-2019),ueru (05-30-2019),vote4pedro (06-01-2019)

  13. #7
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
    Drives
    '90 Mariner, '92 SB, '91 BRG
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, CA
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    4,874
    Thanks Given
    4,157
    Thanked 3,787 Times in 946 Posts
    A hot pink Esqueletto!


    I’ve absolutely fallen for Esqueletto’s NB in part thanks to Goff and his exceptional execution. It was great to see one in person finally. And then a few more.



    A very yellow NA with a unique take on their Zoom fuel lid…



    And a beautifully painted NA with an M2 inspired nose

    Just a couple cars over from yet another real deal


    A common site with many cars that like to display how many meets they’ve joined


    DAMND!

    Further cemented my need for a GV Type II hood

    And a very loyal attendee! (The owner brought his plaque into the Banquet so I had a chance to make lots of hand gestures and smiles and excited comments I’m sure he didn’t understand about how much I appreciated

  14. The Following 11 Users Say Thank You to oldgrayleather For This Useful Post:

    Cermivelli (05-30-2019),fwdtamiya (06-12-2019),JamieH (06-02-2019),LagBlu (05-30-2019),MiataQuest (05-30-2019),ozbrock (06-03-2019),Phatmiata (05-30-2019),Roadster7 (05-30-2019),ueru (05-30-2019),vote4pedro (06-01-2019),Warhammer (05-30-2019)

  15. #8
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
    Drives
    '90 Mariner, '92 SB, '91 BRG
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, CA
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    4,874
    Thanks Given
    4,157
    Thanked 3,787 Times in 946 Posts
    I skipped over it but as I was first leaving the hotel for my stroll, a man with a huge smile came up and said “Oldgrayleather!!!”. It was Kenji. I’d been in touch with him for a while and really enjoyed all his even coverage, the effort he put into finding and caring for his KGW works louvers. An incredibly warm person, he totally looked out for over the whole event trip. At the start, it was wonderful when I finally came across his car in the parking lot.




    It wasn’t until I’d shared it that Garrett pointed out the TD-1001R I missed parked right beside it.

  16. The Following 9 Users Say Thank You to oldgrayleather For This Useful Post:

    Cermivelli (05-30-2019),fwdtamiya (06-12-2019),JamieH (06-02-2019),MiataQuest (05-30-2019),ozbrock (06-03-2019),Phatmiata (05-30-2019),Roadster7 (05-30-2019),ueru (05-30-2019),vote4pedro (06-01-2019)

  17. #9
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
    Drives
    '90 Mariner, '92 SB, '91 BRG
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, CA
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    4,874
    Thanks Given
    4,157
    Thanked 3,787 Times in 946 Posts
    I have really been impressed with the custom work from Car Service Shin-kai when I first caught sight of some of their cars at a prior meet so it was truly special to come across the crew…

    The custom lip fits the custom bumper perfectly. They haven’t modified them to work with an OEM shaped bumper. I asked. Very, very nicely.







    I had the chance to meet the crew the next morning after breakfast and had just about enough help to share my appreciation and respect for their work. I think they understood my enthusiasm and didn’t mistake it for madness.

  18. The Following 11 Users Say Thank You to oldgrayleather For This Useful Post:

    Cermivelli (05-30-2019),fwdtamiya (06-12-2019),JamieH (06-02-2019),LagBlu (05-30-2019),MiataQuest (05-30-2019),ozbrock (06-03-2019),Phatmiata (05-30-2019),Roadster7 (05-30-2019),ueru (05-30-2019),vote4pedro (06-01-2019),Warhammer (05-30-2019)

  19. #10
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
    Drives
    '90 Mariner, '92 SB, '91 BRG
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, CA
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    4,874
    Thanks Given
    4,157
    Thanked 3,787 Times in 946 Posts
    Afterwards checking out the cars, Ben and I made our way to the banquet. Didn’t understand a lot of what was going on (hard to explain a room full of people playing group “rock paper scissors” to win hand painted Miata pillows but seems it was a thing). Hama-san joined our table to add some flamboyance and very kindly help translate and make introductions. Goto-san was also sat with us and eventually understood he owned the original GV demo car (the white one with the type II hood) and still has it.
    Takeshi-san was at the next table and showed us some pictures of his M2 1028 that he found for a price so low I’m still trying to forget about it. He also has another NA, the 10AE that was featured in one of Mazda’s promotional videos and a 124. He’s also trying to get into the lotto for the 30AE

    Katagiri-san was very kind to help make introductions to special Mazda guests: Mr Fukuda (NA designer), Mr Kijima (chief engineer of NB/ NC) + Mr. Nakayama (chief engineer ND).

    Later on we met the four other “English” speakers from Australia ;). Adam, Vincent and Jeff (+ Mrs. Jeff). That made the whole event that much more fun especially with their incredible enthusiasm and energy. Truly wonderful guys.

    And with that it was time for bed and peaceful dreams of Roadster dancing through my head.

  20. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to oldgrayleather For This Useful Post:

    Cermivelli (05-30-2019),MiataQuest (05-30-2019),Roadster7 (05-30-2019),ueru (05-30-2019),vote4pedro (06-01-2019)

  21. #11
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
    Drives
    '90 Mariner, '92 SB, '91 BRG
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, CA
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    4,874
    Thanks Given
    4,157
    Thanked 3,787 Times in 946 Posts
    Watched the parade of cars coming in for a good long time with the event organizers who were helping direct traffic and loud welcomes. Amazing how most drivers had huge smiles and happy waves


    And then through the gate…
    An NB coupe. Perfect!

    And another, ouff


    Actually, no commentary needed is there? Let’s just get these out there…

  22. The Following 9 Users Say Thank You to oldgrayleather For This Useful Post:

    Cermivelli (05-30-2019),fwdtamiya (06-12-2019),LagBlu (05-30-2019),MiataQuest (05-30-2019),ozbrock (06-03-2019),Roadster7 (05-30-2019),ueru (05-30-2019),vote4pedro (06-01-2019),Warhammer (05-30-2019)

  23. #12
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
    Drives
    '90 Mariner, '92 SB, '91 BRG
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, CA
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    4,874
    Thanks Given
    4,157
    Thanked 3,787 Times in 946 Posts




















  24. The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to oldgrayleather For This Useful Post:

    Cermivelli (05-30-2019),fwdtamiya (06-12-2019),LagBlu (05-30-2019),MiataQuest (05-30-2019),Roadster7 (05-30-2019),ueru (05-30-2019),vote4pedro (06-01-2019)

  25. #13
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
    Drives
    '90 Mariner, '92 SB, '91 BRG
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, CA
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    4,874
    Thanks Given
    4,157
    Thanked 3,787 Times in 946 Posts

















  26. The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to oldgrayleather For This Useful Post:

    Cermivelli (05-30-2019),fwdtamiya (06-12-2019),LagBlu (05-30-2019),MiataQuest (05-30-2019),ozbrock (06-03-2019),Roadster7 (05-30-2019),ueru (05-30-2019),vote4pedro (06-01-2019)

  27. #14
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
    Drives
    '90 Mariner, '92 SB, '91 BRG
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, CA
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    4,874
    Thanks Given
    4,157
    Thanked 3,787 Times in 946 Posts
    C Spec baby (sat next to yet another M2 1001)





  28. The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to oldgrayleather For This Useful Post:

    Cermivelli (05-30-2019),fwdtamiya (06-12-2019),LagBlu (05-30-2019),MiataQuest (05-30-2019),Roadster7 (05-30-2019),ueru (05-30-2019),vote4pedro (06-01-2019)

  29. #15
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
    Drives
    '90 Mariner, '92 SB, '91 BRG
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, CA
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Posts
    4,874
    Thanks Given
    4,157
    Thanked 3,787 Times in 946 Posts
    Then at last I finally met the Pit Crew brother’s Daisuke and Vaho who had done a 500km trek with only a little Russian to Japanese translating device and a shared love of the Crew.





    I absolutely love this car and even more in person. And these guys? Brilliant!

  30. The Following 11 Users Say Thank You to oldgrayleather For This Useful Post:

    Cermivelli (05-30-2019),fwdtamiya (06-12-2019),Ihatecars (05-31-2019),JamieH (06-02-2019),LagBlu (05-30-2019),MiataQuest (05-30-2019),Phatmiata (05-30-2019),Roadster7 (05-30-2019),Slampen (05-30-2019),ueru (05-30-2019),vote4pedro (06-01-2019)

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •