Editorial Awesomeness: Motor Head Issue 005

Paper will always remain paper, no matter what. Over the last decade the web has really reinvented the way we get clued up in anything from the latest news, to the thing we all love the most here, cars. We are all now used to seeing awesome content from each corner of the world, presented to us at an impressive pace. It’s always there, from multiple sources and for the most part free to all end users. But most car guys out there, no matter how much they see online will always continue to check out magazines and books. The tangible quality of a well laid out publication is something we can take our time to appreciate, slowly read cover to cover and store away for future consultation.

You may remember that I’ve talked about Motor Head magazine in the past, it is by far one of the most awesome “mooks” currently on sale in Japan and one that I have been checking out ever since the first issue about a year ago now. A mook is what the Japanese call a “magazine-book,” usually released every few months and having a special quality, both editorially speaking and of course relating to the print. Today the new issue of Motor Head, number 005, has hit the shops in Japan, again yet another impressive selection of stories coupled with the usual high level of photography…

…and even a DVD. It’s not every day that you see a Porsche 962C driving around on the streets so the guys at Motor Head wanted to get the readers more involved…

…showing them this awesome car in action. They teamed up with Maiham Media to direct the film of which you can see a short little sneak preview below:

The full web-version with English subtitles will be released next Monday.

Seeing Motor Head and Speedhunters seem to have a similar appreciation for car culture around the world it was inevitable that we would cross paths in some form or another. From this issue you will find my Speedhunters column on the first few pages of the magazine, my little space where I can freely talk about anything car related, offering a Speedhunter’s perspective of the JDM scene to Japanese readers.

The Motor Head crew often travels to other countries to find gems to feature, like this wild Champion Motorsport Turbo S RSR.

More closer to home they met up with Otsuka-san at The Check Shop to check out his new 997, which he has given a Cup car feel to!

The road racer theme continues with this awesome 458 Challenge which Ferrari specialist RS-D has managed to make road legal!

Dig deeper through the mag and you will run across two faces that represent the epitome of the JDM world; Kato-san of Liberty Walk and Nakai-san of RWB, an awesome feature called “Life is racing.”

Its not often you see a 599 GTO drifted like it was a D1 car. This is the S & Company demo car, drifted the other weekend at Centrair during the D1 round.

Even if you can’t read Japanese, Motor Head serves up superb photography, like this picture taken by staff-photographer Maruo Kono…who you can actually see in the shot enjoying a refreshing garigarikun ice cream.

You can always expect to see some nice kyusha cars (historical/vintage cars), and in this new issue they stop by Rocky Auto to check out the RB26-powered S30 track car.

There is always tons of American content in every issue, a scene that is very popular with Japanese readers. 005 has a special tribute on Shelby and his cars.

If you are in Japan make sure you check out this new Autumn issue of Motor Head, for those abroad who are after a copy you can pick one up via the overseas section on the San-ei-shobo website.

Motor Head Magazine Blog

-Dino Dalle Carbonare

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1

Can you give us the ISBN?  Its the quickest way to get it to come up on that website for ordering from abroad. Awesome write up. Its true, as much virtual content is available I always find myself in the magazine sections trying to find something to buy. The speed hunters book will be a no brainer.

2

Can you give us the ISBN?  Its the quickest way to get it to come up on that website for ordering from abroad. Awesome write up. Its true, as much virtual content is available I always find myself in the magazine sections trying to find something to buy. The speed hunters book will be a no brainer.

3

Can you give us the ISBN?  Its the quickest way to get it to come up on that website for ordering from abroad. Awesome write up. Its true, as much virtual content is available I always find myself in the magazine sections trying to find something to buy. The speed hunters book will be a no brainer.

4

Wish I could read Japanese. Looks very difficult though!

5

Wish I could read Japanese. Looks very difficult though!

6

Wish I could read Japanese. Looks very difficult though!

7

Got quite a few car mooks, they are very cool. Still learning kanji though.
(And still can't stay away from the magazine racks each month ).
(Super Street, Performance Imports and Retro cars).
Great article !!

8

Got quite a few car mooks, they are very cool. Still learning kanji though.
(And still can't stay away from the magazine racks each month ).
(Super Street, Performance Imports and Retro cars).
Great article !!

9

Got quite a few car mooks, they are very cool. Still learning kanji though.
(And still can't stay away from the magazine racks each month ).
(Super Street, Performance Imports and Retro cars).
Great article !!

10

Looks like a great publication. I find it a little bizarre that the book is written in Japanese yet a lot of the headers are written in English? The last thing I need in my life as ANOTHER source of car related media (be it print or online!)

11

Looks like a great publication. I find it a little bizarre that the book is written in Japanese yet a lot of the headers are written in English? The last thing I need in my life as ANOTHER source of car related media (be it print or online!)

12

Looks like a great publication. I find it a little bizarre that the book is written in Japanese yet a lot of the headers are written in English? The last thing I need in my life as ANOTHER source of car related media (be it print or online!)

13

 @Robo_No1 A lot of Japanese publications are like this. Super Common. Actually, a lot of Japan is like this. 

14

 @Robo_No1 A lot of Japanese publications are like this. Super Common. Actually, a lot of Japan is like this. 

15

 @Robo_No1 A lot of Japanese publications are like this. Super Common. Actually, a lot of Japan is like this. 

16

That's an incredible looking magazine, will try pick up a copy for sure!

17

That's an incredible looking magazine, will try pick up a copy for sure!

18

That's an incredible looking magazine, will try pick up a copy for sure!

19

@yukiyan_m 頑張れば買えるさ絶対に☆

20

@yukiyan_m 頑張れば買えるさ絶対に☆

21

@yukiyan_m 頑張れば買えるさ絶対に☆

22

Looks absolutely great! Sweet post!

23

Looks absolutely great! Sweet post!

24

Looks absolutely great! Sweet post!

25

Very cool! If only they made it in English for international reading!

26

Very cool! If only they made it in English for international reading!

27

Very cool! If only they made it in English for international reading!

28

looks like a cracking "mook"!! if only i can read Japanese!!!

29

looks like a cracking "mook"!! if only i can read Japanese!!!

30

looks like a cracking "mook"!! if only i can read Japanese!!!

31

Offf!! That picture of Kato-san and Nakai-san looks iNTENSE!!!! Wonder if MH ships to US

32

Offf!! That picture of Kato-san and Nakai-san looks iNTENSE!!!! Wonder if MH ships to US

33

Offf!! That picture of Kato-san and Nakai-san looks iNTENSE!!!! Wonder if MH ships to US

34

Damn, wish I knew how to read Japanese.

35

Damn, wish I knew how to read Japanese.

36

Damn, wish I knew how to read Japanese.

37

And then I understand better why I started studying Japanese this year ... : D

38

And then I understand better why I started studying Japanese this year ... : D

39

And then I understand better why I started studying Japanese this year ... : D

40

And then I understand better why I started studying Japanese this year ... : D

41

This is irresponsible Dino, this is like bringing 10 bottles of vodka to an alcoholics anonymous meeting or throwing a couple kilos of something into a rehab centre. We are addicts. I can stretch my magazine budget a little right? *Mini angel and devil versions of myself appear on my shoulders, conversation ensues.* 

42
speedhunters_dino

 @majik16106 Had a look, there doesn't seem to be one.  I hear issue 5 will available from today on the publisher's web shop

43
speedhunters_dino

 @jzx81 Neither can I...I've been checking out car mags since I was a little kid and I don't think I'll ever stop!

44
speedhunters_dino

Now THAT is a good idea!!

45
speedhunters_dino

 @Fg2_FrAn They do, just hit the link at the bottom of the story 

46
speedhunters_dino

 @Fred4 It's a good addiction to have though...maybe LOL

47

I want a copy!

48

well it looks like ill just be looking at the pretty pictures when I get my copy

49

Can anyone explain clearly how to order it? I can't make it work...

50

All this talk about Japan and fall reminds me of the epicness of the uniglo campaign http://www.uniqlo.com/calendar/fall/

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