Welcoming In 2015, Daikoku PA Style
The Magic Of Daikoku

My first time at Daikoku PA was during a very memorable school night in 1993. I rolled in with a few friends of mine, one of whom had ‘borrowed’ his father’s brand new Mercedes-Benz 600 SL. I had lost the call to ride shotgun so I had to sit horizontally across the tiny rear seats, but the somewhat uncomfortably cramped ride was all worth it. I didn’t know it then, but the short drive from the south side of Tokyo to the Yokohama Bay Bridge and that first experience of Daikoku would sort of shape a lot of the future choices I eventually ended up making. Fast forward 22 years, and I’m still coming back to this place! Over that time I have seen it change – from the redesign and resurfacing that was done a little while back, to the evolution of the cars themselves and modifying tastes. But one thing has always stayed the same. Daikoku PA has always been a hub – a meeting point for those that have a thing for cars, a place to meet or make friends and share in the passion that brings us all together.

The first meeting of the year at Daikoku is one of the best. It has a different energy to most of the other gatherings that are held here – perhaps due to people being in the midst of a few quiet days to celebrate the coming of another year. They are more relaxed, less stressed, and up for a bit more fun and banter than usual.

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While you can always be sure that a meeting happens on the second day of the year, you never really know what is going to drop by and when. So although it was extremely difficult to get out of bed, I tried to be there nice and early. And despite temperatures still below freezing, there were already a fair few cars parked up in the lot when I arrived.

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They included a little gathering from a Yokohama-based hot rod club.

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The guys were out on a cruise for the morning and had stopped by to wait for a couple of more members to join their convoy.

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One thing you can always count on at the first meeting of the year is variety. Name any car and there’s a good chance you might see it on this very special day at Daikoku. While VIP machines are usually few and far between however, I did see this nice and smooth Lexus SC run in and momentarily struggle with the tiny little ramps that divide the two areas of the PA.

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BMW’s popularity continues to grow in Japan and amongst a nice little group of Alpinas there were some tasty M cars lined up. E46, E92 and F82 – which one would you take home?

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If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen that I came across a spotless RUF CT the other day in Tokyo. RUFs are pretty rare even in Japan, so I was surprised to see another one parked up at the meet.

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Sat in between a 930 drop-top and a 997 4S, it certainly stood – although the color probably had something to do with that! The badge on the back said ‘CTo’ – one I have never seen or heard of.

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The classic Porsche scene is really beginning to pick up here in Japan, and it’s slowly but surely driving prices of these older cars up. As always with 911s, first of all it’s nice to see where they’ve come from (this 930 Carrera was from the US) and then see how they’ve been personalised by their owners.

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I haven’t seen this M’s Machine Works tuned and maintained 930 Carrera 3.0 since a very wet July 7th night back in 2012. It seemed out of place at the 7s Meeting in Umihotaru, but it looked spot-on sitting in Daikoku amongst such a variety of cars.

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This car does a lot of things right – classic Porsche perfection personified in metal.

The Movement Begins
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It wasn’t long until the hot rods started to crank their lightly-silenced V8s into life.

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It was time for them to move on, maybe to hit up another parking area on the Wangan, or perhaps to drive back to Yokohama and drop by the Mooneyes Cafe…

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Looking at this 308 I couldn’t help but marvel at how ageless this iconic Ferrari shape has become – not to mention at the meticulous way that it had been looked after all these years.

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Its compact V8 sitting transversely in the back also made me wonder about its modern cousin – the 458 – and how the move to forced induction is going to go this year. 2015 is set to be one interesting year for the prancing horse!

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Porsche will be releasing the RS version of the 991 GT3 – an even faster, more capable track beast for the road, that will deliver more than 500hp if the rumours are to be believed. That’s going to be one hell of an epic naturally aspirated flat six!

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Away from the higher end of modern day supercars, there was quite a few others car to check out, starting off with this little Mini Clubman spotting a quartet of Cibie projectors.

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Here’s one car I’m really looking forward to trying out soon. I haven’t driven a decent front-wheel drive hatchback since I test drove a Mugen-tuned Civic years ago, so I really need to experience the RS Megane.

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Sunny wagons are pretty rare cars no matter where you are in the world, but what set this one apart was the Team Yayoi Sakura wheels it was sitting on. There’s much, much win going on here!

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No Japanese meet is ever complete without a Lotus Europa!

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We’ve seen this 996 GT3 a few times before at Daikoku, and it appears as though the Cup Car look is evolving with many more carbon fiber body panel additions. I wonder if the owner carries a big single-nut torque wrench for the hubs?

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I’m always getting told off by Speedhunters readers for not giving Subarus much love any more. It’s true – blandness and a sheer lack of innovation when it comes to their high-performance models has made me lose interest, which is frustrating as I still love and respect what the brand used to stand for. But still, it doesn’t mean I won’t show gems like this STI S204 when I come across them!

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Mazda Luce? Hell yes! There’s not much speed being hunted here, but there’s no denying it’s one of those oddities from the ’80s that you just can’t help but take a closer look at. This angular HC generation was the final car to wear the Luce name in Japan.

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As the morning progressed the supercars started to roll in and all attention shifted to the top half of the parking area. This area is reserved for trucks, so cars being parked up usually gets the police at the Daikoku PA station (yes, there’s a cop shop at Daikoku!) pretty annoyed. But they seem to turn a blind eye for this meeting. Mind you, with this particular day of the year being the only one that you don’t see trucks out on the streets of Japan, there is no need to save the spaces.

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It didn’t take much longer for some proper metal to arrive – or should I be saying carbon fiber and Kevlar?

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The Car Guy club pretty much took over the party, showing up with a nice selection of high-end supercars.

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It’s not often you get to see three Aventadors parked up next to each other, but Car Guy has been gaining a lot of momentum of late. They’re a group of supercar owners that strive to get together as often as they can, spreading the word that if you are lucky to own some of these cars, then you should make the most of them and enjoy them as much as you can.

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Seeing everyone at Daikoku PA flood over to the check out the arrival of the supercars, I stepped away for a little bit and waited by the off ramp that brings you down into the parking lot. There were still iconic machines rolling in, like this Porsche Speedster that had driven all the way from Ibaraki.

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930 Turbo. Do I need to say more? Oh actually, yes I do… Damn you America for forcing manufacturers to put big accordion bumpers on cars in the ’80s! There, done.

Enter The P1
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A few minutes after the commotion had quietened down, it started all over again as Kimura-san, the man behind Car Guy, arrived with the car he’s been waiting two years for.

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Seeing it’s not really the right sort of season to be going camping with his F40 and BBQ-ing on the car’s exhaust, he’s got this new ‘Eco’ car from the UK to enjoy over the winter months.

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Not a bad little ride, right? Jokes aside, the McLaren P1 is one of the most beautiful cars I have seen in a long time. It even makes the LaFerrari seem almost predictable in its design! Its organic lines, the way everything is there for a purpose gives it an impossibly intimidating presence. Every picture I’ve seen of the car up until the weekend has made it look black, but in reality the color is a dark metallic purple.

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Kimura-san was cool enough to show off the car to any one that came over to check it out.

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He lifted the driver’s side door so we could all drool – I mean look – inside the spartan cabin. It’s pretty much a carbon everywhere sort of deal.

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He then hit the race button and the P1 – like one of Batman’s crime-fighting jet-powered cars – transformed, lifting up and tilting its big carbon fiber rear wing, while the car’s suspension dropped a few centimetres.

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The rear taillights are the perfect example of how LED technology should be used. Genius!

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One guy we all know thanks to his participation in some recent viral videos to come out of Japan is Morohoshi. This guy and his cars just wouldn’t work in any other country, but his persona and what he does with his Lamborghinis seem to be a perfect match.

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It all strangely and curiously works. Why? Because Japan.

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His pink car from the 2014 GoPro video almost makes a regular Diablo look sedate!

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There is only so much opulence one can take, so it wasn’t long before I snuck back to check out some more relatable machines. There was a huge turnout of guys that had rolled in from the various US military bases around the city in their cars.

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Included was this very fresh looking Hachiroku, which I’ll be taking a closer look at very soon.

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There was an unexpected addition to the BMW lineup that pulled in pretty late in the morning – this bone-stock E24 M6. There have only been three generations of this big powerful coupe, but like every other M car it has grown and been on the receiving end of a massive engine (a 5.0L V10 in the E63) and then traded NA for forced induction and a slightly smaller power plant (a V8 twin turbo in the F12)

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Is there anything cooler than a white Testarossa? No, of course not! Now that these cars are strangely looking cooler than ever, it had even more of an impact as it made its slow entrance into Daikoku.

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Coolest car of the day? Easy – this 1976 first-gen Golf GTI. It just sat there and made a statement, emphasising just how big and overly complex cars have become in the best part of 40 years.

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I couldn’t get over its condition, totally stock but not a scratch or dent on the thing, and with an equally immaculate interior.

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I can’t help but finish things up with a final image of the Car Guy P1. For hours, it was the unofficial centerpiece of the gathering, and set just the right sort of tone for the year we have ahead of us here in Japan. It might be close to 22 years that I’ve been coming to Daikoku PA, but somehow I’m pretty sure I won’t ever stop returning…

Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: speedhunters_dino
dino@speedhunters.com

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1

variety is the spice of life In this article.....

2

A pink Enzo?? Thats a shame..

3

Surprised you didn't address the "pink" elephant in the room...  great coverage as always Dino,  happy new year!!!

4

Is this an annual new years day meet? If so, what time would things generally kick off?

5

Is this an annual new years day meet? If so, what time would things generally kick off? I'll be in Tokyo over christmas/new years 2016 and would love to hire a car and attend.

6

@Chris if you read the article you would see its on the 2nd... and it starts very early and evolves over the day

7

How come the P1 is LHD?

9

Is that a Fiat Uno behind the Lexus SC? In Japan? How come? And why? Just....wow. Absolutely right about the Ferrari Testarosa. Is looking cooler every year until will touch the F40 and the GTO. There, I said it and believe it.

The P1, truly a very nice car indeed.

10

poo on supercars...not hating tho =P

11

And you didn't even take a pic of the Fiat Uno? Vergognati! Haha

12

speedhunters_dino There is a few parts that i love about this article. The start where you bought up your first time at Daikoku PA 22 year's ago. The hot rods looking different to alot of ones you see around the world. And last but not least that really clean Ferrari F50. I agree about the P1 being beautiful and how it makes the laferrari look "almost predictable in its design". But by the end of it all that F50 just stole the show in my opinion.

13
EricSeanDelaney

Wait, the guy who had the P1 here is the same guy that took the F40 camping? That man is a contender for the most interesting man in the world.

And I like there was no mention of the pink Enzo, just some shots of in the background.

14

That P1 is GORGEOUS ! As always, great coverage Dino !

15

Hey Dino did you study in japan?

16

JoeWhaler The P1 was only ever made in LHD.

17
speedhunters_dino

ILOVEDRIFTING Last few years of high school

18
speedhunters_dino

RideOrEatCake Thx!

19
speedhunters_dino

EricSeanDelaney Same yes. Pink Enzo? No, don't see it....

20
speedhunters_dino

DjaranJones speedhunters_dino Nah, the Golf did :)

21
speedhunters_dino

@Dom Haha, I tried a blurred action shot, and miserably failed. Glad someone spotted it

22
speedhunters_dino

greenroadster Fiat Uno Turbo? Why? #becauseawesome in a way that only FIAT knew how back in 1985

23
speedhunters_dino

@FlushPoke Pink? Nah, sorry don't see any pink cars ;)

24
speedhunters_dino

Nico Leone Quite!

25
ChristopherAnderson1

Hey Dino, you refer to a couple of late 70s, early 80s 911s on the first page as "930," but the 930 designation is specifically the Turbo (as in the last picture of the second page).

The '74 to '89 run (with the accordion bumpers) is often referred to as G-series, G-model, or just second generation. The 930 was a specific model within that generation.

26

Definitely a great way to bring in the new year! Thanks for sharing. Having paid quite a bit of attention to the development of the hot rod scene in Japan over the last decade (via many articles, rather than actual experience) I'm surprised to see that the Yokohama club that showed up had cars that would essentially all be classified as "street rods." Were there any of the raw, retro-style hot rods so common in Japan, on the lot this time around?

27

speedhunters_dino EricSeanDelaney  The pink Enzo was sitting next to the P1 in all your photos!

28

At the end of the day, Japan remains the reason Speedhunters exists. Japanese car enthusiasts are the OG Speedhunters, they've taught us to really love and appreciate different marques, automotive styles and sub-cultures, and to really enjoy our cars. The anti-trailer queens. The photo with Ferrari 308 sums it up, and the "Car Guys" sentiment proves it.

Last but not least, is it just me or does the photo with three Aventadors evoke an '80s feeling? Must be the angular lines - in both subject matter and nearby architecture. Also, it's true there's nothing cooler than a white testarossa, if only the owner would've kept the front lip unpainted. And love that bone-stock Golf, I miss cars like that and don't think I'll ever own anything newer, once exposed to them.

29

SRT FTW speedhunters_dino EricSeanDelaney I think Dino is refusing to acknowledge its existence, being Italian and all that... 

Just like there are no V8 swapped GT-Rs in the world. Right?

30

I love your reports from this meet, somehow its the start of the season even for us far away northerners and your stories let us know that its time to start finishing whatever we are working on in our garages because spring, is just a few months away.

31

Dino, you have failed me! You didn't give a full on picture of the that red Evo 8/9 next to that 991 GT3! U0001f600

32

I thought the whole point of Speedhunters is to showcase car meets which show the different directions car owners go with they modifications/builds. The pink Enzo totally embodies this and deserved to be covered or at least mentioned. It seems personal preferences are more important than being professional.

33

RussClarke  I kinda like the pink Enzo. There I said it. I've seen pictures of plenty of red ones.

34

Rad! Just rad! Thank you for bringing us this coverage!

35

Dino, please tell me you're going to Roppongi on the 8th!!!

36

I was thinking the other day... wher did all the vw's went.... at least here´s one of them.... great post by the way!!!

hope to see more about the vw this year! 

Saludos!

37

Totally digging the Pink Enzo and the Morohoshi Diablo, not often I see someone finally choose a wacky colour for a supercar outside of Forza!

38

Sorry don't want to be rude but none of the 911's in the first chapter were 930's. The 930 model number was specific to the turbo model only, like the white one at the end of the second chapter.

39

someone needs to get over to yokohoma with a potato and start filming this stuff

40

4 door mk1 golf gti's are extremely rare! Most don't even know they exist! Japan has it all!

41

BEAUTIFUL POST AND WRITE UP!

42

them Y ankie plates =p

43
speedhunters_dino

JoeyDaCadillac Thank you :)

44
speedhunters_dino

danielbfpc Hence why that was my favorite car lol

45
speedhunters_dino

mnchk1987 Gracias!

46
speedhunters_dino

3nigm4 RWB?

47
speedhunters_dino

@SW1 My pleasure

48
speedhunters_dino

RussClarke There's a shot in there :)

49

speedhunters_dino 3nigm4 Yes :)

50
speedhunters_dino

LukeEVOVIII Ahhhhhhh

51
speedhunters_dino

apex_DNA Yes, Japan IS the best. Full stop

52
speedhunters_dino

gliebau Most of those guys are probably holding on for the Razzle Dazzle

53
speedhunters_dino

3nigm4 speedhunters_dino I'll be there with Larry

54

New life goals.

55

btw awesome photo Dino

56
Gianluca FairladyZ

That's crazy... But in a good way? Are these daikoku meets something like once in a month or do they meet lets say every friday or saturday? Good work by the way

57

i didn't even noticed the pink enzo

58

apparently there were a few more cars during the New Year meet too. But yeah... can't believe I'm in Tokyo and I still missed this. Not having any public transport to Daikoku kinda sucks really. (same with Tatsumi PA) Anyway, not sure if you are going to the RWB meet at Roppongi or the All That Low! x Super Street meet at Odaiba on the 8th, but I'll be heading out for both those meets anyway. If worse comes to worse, hope to meet up with you at TAS speedhunters_dino!

59
Gianluca FairladyZ

speedhunters_dino greenroadster  This was the time when Fiat was cool! "was" cool...

60

speedhunters_dino mnchk1987 Hope to see Some hunting in México this year !

61

Subaru bland? Are you referring to recent models? Like the grb chassis to current models or are you referring to anything made after the GC chassis? What do you think Subaru should do to fix its blandness?
Besides the skyline gtr,what is your favorite car and what is your favorite classic Japanese car?
Great article. I always love reading what you post Dino. Keep up the great work!

62

speedhunters_dino RussClarke agreed, disappointed there was no love shown for the Pink Enzo....

63

Thanks for sharing the S204 Dino :D

64

Very nice photos...It would be cool to see more of the 80-90s Lambos

65

speedhunters_dino   Do you use a polarized lens?  What are the benefits if so?  Noticed some polarization in the glass of many of these shots.  Also, is that guy sitting on the pink lambo the same guy from all GoPro/Mayhem videos? He seems to be everywhere!

66

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67

Will there be any meet for saturday? Going to tokyo for Auto Salon

68

Uhg that P1 is to die for.

69

#becausejapan

70

You really did a great job at capturing the subtle variations of the P1's color scheme. I've noticed some of them had that paint scheme and though im not a fan of purple, this variation of black is absolutely stunning. Adds such an incredible depth to the car, which already possesses such an incredible flow!

71

Michael Atwell Coolest guy of the year for me right now. Just makes it look easy and not kitsch or costume like.

72

Any pics of that chevy truck?

73

I think we can all agree... Dino has an awesome life he is living. Taking part in such experiences and able to share them with all of us at this level is amazing. 
I always enjoy his event coverage and photos.

74

What is the best day and time to visit daikoku dino? I went there tonight at 11 there was 25+ cars but not like this

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