There are a number of reasons why I’ve fallen in love with Japanese car culture over the past several years, but the one that I keep coming back to is passion. Yes I know it sounds cliche, but stick with me for a moment. There’s a lot to like about Japan’s car enthusiasts, but what I love more than anything is the way in which they completely surround themselves with the stuff they like – the cars, the parts and the culture.
It’s a passion that no language barrier or ocean can hold back.
This is something I’ve been able to experience first hand on numerous occasions, including earlier this year when I had the chance to spend a couple days visiting shops and shooting cars around Aichi Prefecture – or Japan’s Motor City as I’ve dubbed it.
Among the people I had the pleasure of meeting were the guys at Kool Garage Fellows, located in Anjo City. What is Kool Garage Fellows? It’s part workshop and part car club hangout, but most of all it’s a shrine to old cars and kustom culture.
As you can see, there was a decent coat of snow and slush blanketing everything on the particular day we stopped by, but in no way did it dampen the warm and friendly atmosphere you find here.
Kool Garage Fellows does everything from used car sales and maintenance to ground up show car builds, and over the years it has become known as one of Japan’s top custom builders.
Shop founder Yuichi Matsuoka is someone you’d call an otaku for American car culture, and the parking lot outside the garage is packed full vintage projects and unusual imported vehicles.
Matsuoka-san has a very diverse taste in vehicles, and it was certainly one of the most eclectic lineups of cars I’ve ever seen in one place.
I’m guessing there aren’t too many other places in Japan where you’ll find a left-hand drive Toyota Prius parked right next to an early ’60s Ford Econoline van.
Along with machines from the good old US of A, Matsuoka also has plenty of love for Japanese domestic vehicles – as evidenced by this pair of ’70s-era Toyota station wagons among the inventory.
And for a mix of the USA and Japan, how about the Suzuki/GM hybrid known as the Geo Tracker. I can’t recall the last time I saw one of these on the road in California.
Matsuoka-san has actually been merging Japanese and American automotive styles for a long time now. Here’s a photo of one of his early projects: a Mopar muscle-influenced Toyota Crown Hardtop known as Toy-Bee.
Long & LowBut above all, Matsuoka-san and Kool Garage Fellows are known for 1960s-style American kustoms. As I wrote in my story about Nagoya’s custom car scene, each shop has its own specialty and Fellows is the go-to place for these long and low creations.
This is the shop’s 1964 Mercury hardtop – a mild kustom machine which is known as K.A.M.E.H.A.M.E.H.A by the locals.
As you can see, the ’60s-style has been perfected with details like Cragar-made Keystone Klassic wheels with thin whitewalls tires.
A customer project that’s currently in the works at the shop is this Ford.
Even though it’s just a chassis at this stage, you can see that it’s going to be a special machine, with a fully-detailed under carriage, airbags and disc brakes all around. After the Ford is completed, the guys want to bring it to America for the Grand National Roadster Show.
Matsuoka-san’s 1960 Buick is known as The Royal Hawaiian, and it’s another example of the high-level work that Kool Garage Fellows performs.
The big Buick has a cool tropical vibe to it, with palm tree pinstriping and custom upholstery to complete the island theme.
As you might have guessed by now, Matsuoka is quite a fan of Aloha State style. Part of the facility is actually set up as a tiki bar and collectables shop called The Islander.
He even has this awesome ’65 Beetle which is used to help advertise the shop. And yes, I do know it is a little strange to see a Hawaiian-themed car covered in snow!
Aside from the island theme happening in one corner of the shop, Kool Garage Fellows is also home to an incredible collection of vintage American car parts, signage, collectables and more.
These collections can leave an impression that’s just as strong as the cars themselves – and the assortment of nostalgic items I found did not disappoint.
It’s strange that so many of the rare American collectables I find happen to be in Japan, like this old school ‘Orange Krate’ T-bucket model.
Along with the collectables, Fellows’ walls are also lined with plaques awarded at events like the Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show. Given the high level of Japan’s custom scene, these honors are no small feat.
Home Of The StrongersWhat I like most of all about Kool Garage Fellows is that it’s not just a place of business but a car club hangout. Matsuoka-san is also a member of The Strongers Car Club and on nights and weekends club members can be found at the shop hanging out and tinkering with their vehicles. They even host open house meets where cars from all around the area gather.
Here we see Strongers member Masashi Fukuya trying to stay warm on the unusually cold and snowy day that we stopped by.
Fukuya-san is the owner of a beautiful ’47 Chevrolet Roadster known as King Sleeper.
The chopped and slammed Chevy is built with keen traditional taste throughout, and I actually got the chance to ride shotgun in this car when we headed out for a Sunday morning cruise the following day.
And speaking of cruising, the coolest thing about The Strongers is that they drive their cars everywhere – whether it’s a local cruise meet, or a long road trip to Yokohama for the HRCS.
Fukuya-san’s Chevy is actually one of the oldest cars in the Strongers. The club is mainly known for their 1960s customs, and more specifically their choice of unusual platforms.
This beautiful ’62 Pontiac is a perfect example of the Strongers wide and low style.
Another member drives this 1960 Ford two-door Ranch Wagon – an extremely rare model even in the United States. It’s since been slammed to the ground with a fresh set of airbags.
Whether you want to call it a custom or a lowrider, you certainly don’t see many ’68 Pontiac Grand Prixs built like this one. I absolutely love the eclectic automotive tastes The Strongers have. It’s not all Impalas and ’49 Mercs around here.
In the end, my visit to Kool Garage Fellows only helped reinforce my feelings about why Japan’s car culture is so great.
It’s not only that obsession that I mentioned at the beginning of this story, it’s the tight-knit brotherhood that all of these guys share. Kool Garage Fellows: it’s a fitting name for a special place.
Cool cars and great friends – is there anything else you really need?
Mike Garrett
Instagram: speedhunters_mike
mike@speedhunters.com
Their passion for cars is something else. Great article, looked like a fun visit!
Great article, this only heightened my urge to travel to Japan! Also, completely in love with that 62' Pontiac.
More pics of King Sleeper please!!
Otaku is a bad thing to call someone in Japan isn't it? Like a direct insult. I know its different in the west but yeah lol.
Awesome post! The only time I'd like to see bags on a ride if it's on cars like this.
i live very near anjo and was introduced to fellows through a new friend of mine kobayashi makoto, who is a big name in the world of pin striping. i will be getting my 69 Toyota corona imported by fellows along with some other custom work.
Japan seems to get it. The more I see of what Japan is capable of doing and building it is truly amazing. The build some of the best 60s era style lowrider/kustoms around. Hands down some of the most creative and tantalizing paint jobs. Easily I could see these guys cruising around and having fun on American streets. It would be so neat to have such a place like that around me.
A feature on The Royal Hawaiian please? Awesome post!
That Merc'...MORE please! If you have pics of the back, share them with us Mike! Great feature.
when you're looking into the pic of the royal hawaiian... it looks like an overcast day in hawaii... then u see all the snow everywhere in the later pics. crazy how they molded their garage to look the way it does. i love articles like this.
Go #teamSpeedhunters!!
The Toy Bee really caught my attention. I wonder if it's still around
How did you end up in Anjo!? Used to study in Okazaki, Mikawa is great for speedhunting. Check out Auto Land Tsukude next time.
You don't see any Geo Trackers down here in SoCal? You're crazy, they're everywhere. At one point my street had three of them. Awesome story though, Mike! Looks like an cool place to be.
JockThatCamel Hmm. At one point I remember seeing them all the time, but I haven't noticed many as of late.
@Chris Yeah we were going non stop for a couple of days and still didn't have time to see everything. Awesome place!
d_rav Thanks!
RB430 Lots more to come from this trip.
meal stub I will look into that next time I'm in town
donkyyyyyy Agreed, and thanks for the kind words.
@redma61 Yeah, Makoto is a legend.
@Austin Not necessarily - it essentially just means someone who is crazy about something.
matthewyaa Thanks Matthew!
BigNickel Yep, despite the snow and cold it was fantastic.
Mike Garrett JockThatCamel Same thing happened here in Canada. Quite a few for awhile (lowered and lifted) then poof gone.
Rust claimed ours though...
Mike Garrett RB430 Can't wait to see more, thanks again Mike! Always love to see Kool Garage Fellows!
Men after my own heart. One small step for man, one giant leap for men who aren't pussy-whipped by ungrateful dream-killing women.
One small step for man, one giant leap for men who aren't pussy-whipped by ungrateful dream-killing women.
I love the style of the shop a lot. This for me is a dream job, t go and work on cars and fire up the grill I saw in the photo. The doors they have to the shop are really nice as well. I am thing about getting one similar to that one. http://www.aussecure.com.au/roller-shutters