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Thread: Cars, Coffee and California...

  1. #511
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    At just over 24 hours back from Japan, before I get to updating on the Karuizawa leg of the trip wanted to chronologically keep this thread up to date. The Falcon is an absolute dream wheel. However, it's not the only one. Dan had a real love of F.A. Porsche's pd division and he and I often discussed the amazing design behind their exceptional products (folding sunglasses, a black chronograph in 1972. The compass watch collaboration with IWC. Then the Titan, made of titanium. In 1980!). I remember well when pd and momo did a collaboration on a steering wheel. information is not abundant but there were 2-3 models. The most common was a 360mm but with two separate ways of markings on the spokes. There was also a drop spoke version, expected but not confirmed as a 340mm. The design brief was to make a stunning wheel with no stictching. The way Momo manged to create the connection is phenomenal. It does feel like one piece of smooth leather. The leather horn pads and horn buttons don't survive on most versions so was very pleased to track this down on YJA...




    Also, while I was away, here are a few sneak peaks that were posted and shared as Nico was hard at work at them and Kevin felt he'd do a brilliant job by posting and making me feel a bit homesick






    Soon on to the Karuizawa update...

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  3. #512
    1,000 rpm - releasing the clutch Keilani's Avatar
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    Thank you for all the live streaming during your Japan trip. I'm already saving up to go next year. Happy you had a safe and fun trip. Cant wait for the Karuizawa update .

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  5. #513
    5,000 rpm - there be torque here! MaRcOp01o's Avatar
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    Nice updates Pete! I also am saving up for next year. We should all have a Mazda Roadster Reunion at Karuizawa. I would like to meet all you maniacs.
    Follow the Builds
    1993 Eunos Roadster B-spec by Mazdaspeed
    http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread....819#post222819
    1993 Mazda Miata LE
    https://mazdaroadster.net/showthread...233#post244233

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  7. #514
    Admin / Pit Boss / Miataholic Phatmiata's Avatar
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    in for the Japan trip photos!!

    also seeing that Revlimiter A/C control setup zoomed in on your photos now makes me want to order one, ugh, and its a pain in the butt to take off that Nielex setup to get back in the A/C panel area, but man yours looks amazing

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  9. #515
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone speedypenguin's Avatar
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    That steering wheel is so unique and amazing.
    My Eunos Roadster, Jazz

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  11. #516
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Keilani View Post
    Thank you for all the live streaming during your Japan trip. I'm already saving up to go next year. Happy you had a safe and fun trip. Cant wait for the Karuizawa update .
    Haha, glad you enjoyed it. I've never live streamed and can't stand the sound of my own voice but a few other roadster nuts had asked me very kindly if I would so had to give it a shot. I'm so glad it doesn't get saved as my restroom incident at the Nismo HQ does not need to be ever seen again.

    Quote Originally Posted by speedypenguin View Post
    That steering wheel is so unique and amazing.
    Thanks Brian, your compliments are always appreciated!

    Quote Originally Posted by MaRcOp01o View Post
    Nice updates Pete! I also am saving up for next year. We should all have a Mazda Roadster Reunion at Karuizawa. I would like to meet all you maniacs.
    I actually found your MS shift know but in my excitement to pick it up didn't realize the leather had split and was missing pieces

    Quote Originally Posted by Phatmiata View Post
    in for the Japan trip photos!!

    also seeing that Revlimiter A/C control setup zoomed in on your photos now makes me want to order one, ugh, and its a pain in the butt to take off that Nielex setup to get back in the A/C panel area, but man yours looks amazing
    It was a custom Adam made to match my DJR tribute gauges. So very pleased with that collaboration! And now, on to the Road to Karuizawa...

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  13. #517
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    The Road to Karuizawa 2019


    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

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  15. #518
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    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…



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  17. #519
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    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.

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  19. #520
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    The next morning, I wrapped up some work calls (8am Saturday is inconveniently 4pm PST) 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.

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  21. #521
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    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.

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  23. #522
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    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

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  25. #523
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    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





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  27. #524
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    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

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  29. #525
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift oldgrayleather's Avatar
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    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. Haha!

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