POLL: THE BEST OF TOKYO AUTO SALON 2013

UMike Garrett

PJanuary 20, 2013

With as busy as we’ve been over here in Japan lately, it seems like Tokyo Auto Salon was ages ago. In reality it’s been just a week since the show closed, and to finish out our coverage it’s only proper that we poll you guys on your favorite car of the show.

Here are eight machines which we think defined Tokyo Auto Salon 2013-

To make a bold prediction, I doubt there’s anything will top the BenSopra 380SX in this showdown. Based on the feature posted last week, this thing will go down in Speedhunters history as one of the most talked about cars ever.

With the Toyota 86 being the dominant car this year, the TRD Griffon Concept 86 rightfully deserves a spot on this list. We recently shot a full feature on this machine so you can look forward to that soon.

Equally impressive was the left hand drive FR-S from Trust. You can also keep an eye out for a feature on this one as well.

Mugen’s Honda N-One Racing Concept won us over with its unique style and retro race appeal.

Another car that made a big impact in our eyes was the Team Ciociaro Corse Fiat 500 with its wild Aprilia bike powerplant.

RE Amemiya never fails to impress at Auto Salon. This year Amemiya-san and co brought out a wild 20B-powered Lotus Europa. This is another one you can expect to see in more detail soon.

While this year’s show didn’t seem particularly heavy on classics, the Hakotora delivered (no pun intended) in the kyu-sha department.

Last but no least, we have Liberty Walk’s jaw-dropping Aventador. Not that it needed mentioning, but we also have a full feature of this bad boy coming shortly.

Make your pick and discuss below!

-Mike

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tenpennyjimmy 40 pts

The question was about what car "defined the show". I wasn't there so perhaps i shouldn't say anything... but seems to me like it has to be a zn6 build... since there were 90+ of 'em on the floor. And by the same token it really has to be a zn6 with a Rocket bunny kit. Therefore Trust frs.

Personally tho Speedhunters-san, i'd really like to see a proper feature on all the cars in your list above.

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hanablemoore 61 pts

I honestly thought NISSAN was going to be the first to put the VR into a rwd platform like the z34, nonetheless a special edition to take on M3's and AMG's. But the 380sx is a great idea too. I personally like the trust 86 better then the other 86's

VecTT 21 pts

All of them are awesome, I think the 380SX is a bit overhyped, let it show first what can it do, then go crazy all about it (not taking anything away from the car, it's a complete beast and a very original build!). It's a tough call, but my vote goes for the little N-One, I think these old little Hondas deserve more attention and love like this!

Harry Q Allstar 9 pts

N-one...

GalenGlanza 5 pts

Had to be the 380sx, its just mad! The Hakotoro is a close 2nd for me though

Nikhil_P 94 pts

The 380SX...regardless of the fact of whether they will reach their target. I like it because the fact that someone has put a VR38 in it and taken it to the extreme, which if i call correctly hasnt been done...call us 'fanboys' i dont really care and i dont think a lot of other people do either. We appreciate the work and passion that these guys put into the cars they are building!

And like they say.... Haters Gonna Hate!

zamm333 26 pts

Nikhil_P For real, I've waiting on the day someone put that VR in something worthy of it. I'm also glad it was done by some of the best guys in the business.

roryfjohnston 28 pts

Mike- Will you be around for the M&L meeting after the Osaka Auto Messe again this year? I just saw a thing about it on Minkara and can't wait to go.

apex_DNA 85 pts

@roryfjohnston That would be awesome.

Mike Garrett 189 pts moderator

roryfjohnston Yes sir, I should be there!

Great to hear! It will be nice to meet you and hopefully get a pointer or two on night photography. It sounds like the turnout will be even larger this year!

Hesyan 6 pts

i voted for the Hakotora. 380sx is too much for me

personalpoolandspa 5 pts

i love the hakotora. i might be a little biased, though. this is my "hakotora HB". i call it the silvia HB. http://www.flickr.com/photos/68292877@N03/6830471630/in/photostream

jzx81 19 pts

The Hakotora was cool, but was there anymore representation for us Nostalgic car guys ?

(Besides those crazy gx71 wagons).

sean klingelhoefer 386 pts moderator

jzx81 This year there were very few classics unfortunately. There were only two cars in the G-Works booth even, one S30 from Star Road and another of G-Works' own restoration projects. It was definitely an underwhelming year for classic J-Tin fans - I know I was pretty let down as this is probably the area I most look forward to going to Japan for. I gave Mike a few recommendations though and I think he'll probably do some further probing around before he returns from Japan, so keep your eyes peeled.

sean klingelhoefer jzx81 Indeed! Don't worry we'll be balancing out the lack of classics at Auto Salon when I hit the New Year Meeting next weekend!

777 77 pts

i would like to see a feature of the fastest 86/brz in the country, but it appears that actual results don't mean much around these parts

Hanma 51 pts

That TRD concept is looking mighty fine, can't wait for that feature.

And sure that rocket bunny 180 might be one of the most talked about cars, but most of it wasn't good talk lol. Though despite all the unwarranted hype and outrageous claims, it's still the most extreme and creative build on this list. It might not be setting any speed records, but it's pretty bitching none the less. Would've been my vote if I was voting on the cars objectively.

JDMized 166 pts

Hanma LOL. I took some 3300+ pics at TAS. Wait for the NSX Kakimoto :)

K's 53 pts

This selections shit

ryanckstewart 11 pts

The 380sx is just a beast of a motor in an ugly car. We've been doing that in North America for 50 years.

Alex Rios 102 pts

ryanckstewart DAMN.

I vote for the NSX Kakimoto!

JDMized kakimoto racing nsx is a beautiful car.

Mugen’s N-One Racing Concept looks interesting. I think Honda is unto something here.

"...BenSopra 380SX...will go down in Speedhunters history as one of the most talked about cars ever."

I hope not.

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BoostNAbler 6 pts

that 380sx is a masterpiece I mean who would have thought to make a 240sx put a R35 engine in it so it can go like hell at Nardi?c'mon people lighten up and stop hating.

@BoostNAbler The cars that were built to challenge the speed record at Nardi left the Yokohama port this morning. Words on the street told me the 380SX was not at the port :) ("because they couldn't finish the car on time"). For those of you that had high hopes for the Rocket Bunny Silvia, sorry :) Amuse, Phoenix and Top Secret on the other hand will battle it against each other.

JDMized BoostNAbler awww man that was a total waste of a car

BoostNAbler I don't think it was a total waste. I'm sure Dino was told to create a huge buzz about the car (which he did), and if he wasn't told, then he did an excellent job at ruining the outcome.

I actually like the 380SX (asides from the fake carbon roof) but again, Dino managed to hype things up to the extreme and ruined its image saying sh!t that he doesn't even know what he's talking about.

I think the people involved with the car/ project, are intelligent folks, but the car was never designed (the way it looked at the TAS) to challenge any top contender at Nardo.

On the other hand, the true contenders left their project cars in their shop and worked over night to get them done (I witness myself Matsui san from Powerhouse Amuse working on their GT-R and get it ready for Nardo. Same thing about Top Secret).

Anyway, since the 380SX is not expected to make it to Nardo, I am sure Dino will come up with a sugar-coated story about why it didn't make it.

dylan666 5 pts

aventador, come on, who else could take an already amazingly built car and build it all over again to make it even better?

Acc

Fiat 500, as I'm a fan of well executed builds and BECs. You have to experience those at a hillclimb. 20B Lotus gets a close second.

Ian

my exact feelings right here.

otar 18 pts

it was between the 380sx and the hakotora for me. but the 380sx took it (and plus, it is my new background!)

LouisSoon 23 pts

I'm a sucker for that curious Europa

AceAndrew2 19 pts

LouisSoon Me too, looking forward to the feature. Bunch of fanboys voting for the 380SX, pity.

BenS867 10 pts

AceAndrew2 LouisSoon Welcome to fanboyhunters... I might have voted for the 380SX if it was a proven performer, but since they aren't going to Nardi for a while based on what I've read, I'll vote for the super cool Lotus

BenS867 AceAndrew2 LouisSoon "Welcome to fanboyhunters..."

I like that.

midgeman 27 pts

BenS867 AceAndrew2 LouisSoon

Key words: In Speedhunters

I voted for the TRD 86. To me it's the freshest take with performance first and classic livery.

AceAndrew2 LouisSoon Fanboys? Of what, extreme builds and out of the box thinking? Yeah, that's why I read Speedhunters. Get off your high horse and respect the guys that built this thing, I doubt you could change a headlight bulb on your moms VW.

zamm333 AceAndrew2 LouisSoon Jeepers, the angst is overwhelming! Have a look at that Europa? Think that constitutes as "extreme builds and out of the box thinking" does it not?

POLL: THE BEST OF TOKYO AUTO SALON 2013

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