Yokomaku-san & VeilSide’s New Chapter

If you take a step back and look at everything Hironao Yokomaku has accomplished in his career, you quickly realise how wild of a ride it’s been for him.

And now, the VeilSide founder is back, using his decades of experience in a new approach to car customisation.

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Yokomaku-san started his first tuning business in his 20s, and throughout the 1980s was single-handedly building drag cars for events held at Sendai Hi-Land and Central Circuit’s main straight. Back then it was all about the Nissan L-series engine. First he was extracting as much power as possible from carburetted NA versions, but Yokomaku-san soon progressed and began experimenting with forced induction, fuel injection and nitrous oxide.

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Yokomaku-san was, and still is an engine builder at heart, but in 1990, with Japan in the midst of its economic bubble, he stepped his game up and opened VeilSide to offer a lot more. Yokomaku’s customers wanted to go fast, but at the same time they wanted their cars to look the part. His idea was to craft custom body kits for popular JDM performance cars, starting off with the usual bumper, side skirt and spoiler package. Ultimately though, this evolved to complete conversions with a unique, identifiable style.

For a decade, this methodology went hand in hand with Japan’s drag racing, high speed trial and street racer movement. Then, at the beginning of the 2000s, VeilSide famously hooked up with the Fast & Furious movie franchise.

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It then went a little crazy for Yokomaku-san. VeilSide’s newfound fame outside of Japan saw a slight shift in direction; think Pimp My Ride Ibaraki-style, but using brand new luxury cars as a base.

On my second or third visit to VeilSide’s HQ in Tsukuba city, Yokomaku-san threw me the keys to a Bentley Continental and an H2 Hummer. I was confused, but the overseas tuning magazines I was shooting for at the time couldn’t get enough of it. Back then, I even shot a pink Mini and a Dodge Magnum for the VeilSide catalogue.

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The Fast and the FuriousTokyo Drift brought what I’d probably call the final wave of international success for VeilSide. The company’s ‘Fortune’ RX-7, NSX and 350Z were also the last cars I shot.

When the orders for Fortune kits eventually began to dry up, things weren’t looking great financially for Yokomaku-san. Personal issues made the situation even tougher, and the business was wound right down. Over the course of a few years, the bodyshop was closed, a number of demo cars were sold off, and VeilSide’s iconic showroom became a makeshift workshop.

The New VeilSide
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But now, at the age of 60, Yokomaku-san is back. Or at least he’s trying to become relevant in today’s customisation world, beginning with a VeilSide ‘complete car’ version of the A90 Supra – the VFS90R.

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Building VeilSide back up will be no easy feat for Yokomaku-san, but he believes there are customers out there who want a real bespoke look for their cars.

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And with every exterior panel except the roof having been redesigned with this A90 conversion, you’re definitely getting something special.

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Let’s get the price out of the way first. The FRP version of the conversion will cost you ¥2.4m in Japan, which with the yen having devalued in recent months equates to around US$18,500. Go for the carbon fiber version and the cost goes up to ¥3.0m, or the equivalent of US$23,300.

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That doesn’t include the cost of the deep-dish Veilside 20-inch wheels, which measure 10-inch wide up front and 12.5-inch at the rear. These take 255/35R20 and 345/25R20 rubber, front and rear respectively.

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There’ll definitely be no issues with traction.

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For ultimate functionality and looks, Yokomaku-san has put this first customer car on air suspension.

Girth For Days
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At the rear the pumped hips have added substantial girth, so much so that the car now measures a whopping 2,073mm (6.8ft) across!

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While the front fenders are direct replacements for the stock items – moulded partly with the hood, which is dictated by how the front end of the A90 is structured – the rears are massive bolt-on over-fenders that extend right into the side skirts and doors.

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The rear bumper gets a redesign too, with a contrasting lower section that gives the visual look of a diffuser. I quite like the integration of an F1-style fog light.

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HKS supplied the titanium exhaust system, which is not crazy-loud, but does enhance the sound of the boosted straight six as well as giving a snappier punch to the crackles and pops on overrun. Otherwise, the engine in this car is stock.

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While I was snapping away, Yokomaku-san grabbed his first shots of the finished car himself.

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I have to say, the VeilSide A90 looks far wilder in person than any image can convey. The proportions are exaggerated in every direction, but somehow it all comes together cohesively.

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My favorite piece has to be the extended ducktail spoiler that kicks back high above the hatch.

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The VFS90R won the ‘Dress Up’ category at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January, which is a big deal and the best possible way Yokomaku-san could make a comeback.

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By customer request, the car’s other modifications have been kept simple.

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You’ll find an embroidered VeilSide logo on the stock seat headrests and branded padding for the seat belts.

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Lift the hatch and you’re greeted by the air suspension system’s compressor, tank and control unit.

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While the Veilside VFS90R is not going to appeal to all A90 owners, I find it great that a wild conversion like this is still a thing.

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The design brings back some of that ’90s VeilSide magic that I think the modern customising world lacks right now. I’m really interested to see what else Yokomaku-san comes up with, but as he confirmed to me, VeilSide’s future will definitely include a complete car conversion for the new Nissan Z. And, like with all of his other creations, Yokomaku-san will use his own hands to do the initial shaping work. It’s the VeilSide way.

Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
dino@speedhunters.com

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42 comments

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1

Warning: Non-conformist opinion below. Read at your own risk.

Personally I think veilside is not great. IMO their only good looking kit is their mercedes SL kit, everything else is downright ugly.
That includes the goofy RX7 kit. Are we really going to tell ourselves that looks good just because it was in a nostalgic movie?

2

Why don't you make something better or are you just a purchaser of other peoples' work?

3
takumifujiwara13954

There's nothing even special with the Mercedes SL kit, other than looking like a modified version of the SL65 AMG Black Series.

The Fortune RX-7 though... That's a proper conversion kit. I also enjoy the Premier 4509 Supra kit (the on with Bentley grille and Audi lights).

4
Senator Chinchilla

I agree the RX7 Veilside was awful, especially the rear. He's done more than a few kits I really like, but its hit or miss. I like what he did with the new Supra, I just don't like the new Supra. Its just weird and melty and oddly shaped.

5
Sarah Elizabeth

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6

As usual, it's extreme.
Some angles it looks weird, others it looks fantastic; need at least a couple of days (maybe way more than just a couple) to suck it all in and have a final decision.

7

What are they doing here that LB is not already doing and are doing better than anyone else?

This is just generic 2022 tuning. Extreme add-on fenders? Check. Fat lip offset wheels? Check. Exposed rivets? Check. Stanced on air suspension? Check. On top of this, the is based on a car that has not fully lived up to its nameplate.

This isn't the early 1990's anymore. Bolting on some combat kit isn't going to cut it for long. Selling nostalgia is only going to get them so far. Otherwise VeilSide be the equivalent of the 40 year old dude who peaked in life when he scored the winning touchdown during his highschool football game.

Author8
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Sure if you break it down in simple terms they are all doing the same thing. Styles are different though.

9
takumifujiwara13954

What are they doing here that LB is not already doing and are doing better than anyone else?


Their kit is still more extreme than what LB does, which are pretty much inspired by 70s and 80s works race cars.

10

Properly dished wheels. That's how you do it.

Author11
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Much dish!

12
Miguel Carvalho

The thing about Velside is that they stopped innovating like they did in the 90´s by the fact their performance cars were top notch and nothing could stop them to hit records.

What I saw here didn´t even gave me that nostalgic feeling that I use to get when I see some articles that you, Dino, wrote some while ago about HKS, Mine´s, Spoon, Ridox and so on.

I´m not hating on the brand (but I really hated the RX7 tho), it´s just my opinion from someone that saw a lot of stuff from back then about Velside. I feel like sorry that they just follow the market but nothing else.

Author13
Dino Dalle Carbonare

I know what you mean, but at the same time I don't think they would have much luck if they were still doing that they did in the 90s. It's all shifted, the true challenge is not only staying relevant but actually having an important presence. Without it business just aint going to work

14

That is - and this from a life-long design aficionado- simply brilliant, exceptional work. Wow. Kudos.

Looks quality too, and well presented in white.

Author15
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Love a bit of positivity every once in a while!

16

Rad!

17

We’ll, this answers a lot of question about what happened to Veilside. Not gonna lie, their R34 with 1300 hp still remains one of my favorite cars from the old days, I could care less what anyone else thinks. I just wish the car had power to go with the looks, that’s what made their cars so interesting to me. The cars design fits the bill, just not for everyone, but that’s Veilside for you. I hope they do well, maybe do a M4?

Author18
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Yeah I agree that power should always be part of it. Will be interesting the direction they will take

19

Very aggressive, wide, and a touch of class. The wheels tie it all together. Unfortunately, most examples who will end up choosing this body kit will skimp on wheels and it’ll look like cardboard cutout body kit. Good article!

Author20
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Thanks, yeah this kit without the right sized wheels will just not work

21

I came back to this article expecting a lot of hate for expressing my... disappointment regarding the state of veilside.
Surprised to find that nobody here really likes the direction they're taking, but glad to see that they can take some notes for improvement.

22

I think the biggest problem is that there are not enough new Japanese performance cars on the scene like it was 15-20 years ago. The other problem is the kits are very expensive. I like the look of this BMW with the Toyota shell (joking lol). I would drive this on the street. Hope the owner gets back on his feet.

Author23
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Yep, big big problem. You can count on 1 hand how many sports/sporty cars are currently available from domestic manufacturers. The main issue is also that there is very little choice on the affordable scale. That prices out younger buyers and thus the momentum of the aftermarket slows. Apparently Japanese cars makers are really convinced that people want hybrid crossovers, vans of every size and now EVs.

24

I like how every time you feature a car on Air Ride suspension you give them a plug with a link to their site, but didn't mention that this car is on a K Sport air set up.

There's only a few mods on this car, so it's a bit sad that you didn't mention one of the other companies who's parts were used just because they're a competitor to one of your sponsors.

Author25
Dino Dalle Carbonare

I think you have answered your own question there. We are indeed partners with Ari Lift (not ride) so that's why we mention them if cars we feature run them.

26

and suddenly dino goes quiet....

27

I realized I put the wrong company in after posting, but still, is it a common practice for you guys to not mention competitors stuff? Is it a part of your agreement that you can't mention parts fitted if it's in competition with one of your sponsors?

I just found it weird, because this car literally only has 3 manufacturers parts on it (veilside, HKS and K Sport) and you quite obviously (to me at least) omitted mentioning K Sport.

28

I like it. It's actualy the first A90 i like, they managed to solve that strange pointy nose by making it even more pointy and adding straight lines. It just flows with the hood and vents and that strake on the middle. Allso the two-tone hood is a nice touch.

29
Embracing Irrelevance

I'm old and therefore scared of everything. All cars and car modifications were better in the past. Everything I've done and experienced in the past is superior to things that are happening now and in the future. I am an individual. No one in the past ever did anything the same way as anyone else. We were all exceptional. I will consistently leave comments on all articles here expressing my disappointment that everything is not as good as I remember it because I am a miserable dork.

30

Being old enough gives perspective on all that is, and for those that aren't stuck as moronic children, gives enough time to see more of the too much there is in the world. Crazy preteen is an age where youtube, reddit, streetview, and jpg deludes one into thinking they know everything and can even open their mouth/move their fingers to vomit an opinion that matters.

Veilside and the extremity of it is quintessential Japanese: the design is INTENDED to fondle the line between a Gundam cartoon and a aero-laden racecar. Everytime I read "hit or miss" it's like, lol kids, you *missed* the point and factually have no idea what Veilside was and now is as a retro-revival. There is a market for this, and it's for the older "children" to connect with the younger "adults", like a vintage Polaroid of dad and son sat on an 80's supra taped on a monitor displaying a 4k insta of som taking old dad for a ride in new Zupra (yes, they are still pretty outdated over there and sexism isn't recognized as toxic yet). If this image doesn't bring warm feelies to you but offends your sensibilities, then you can't "get" Veilside, maybe even Japan as a whole for at least another decade or less. Veilside is how a Japanese car owner (also a massive achievement over there as Thanos-scaring overpopulation has been an issue before Y2K was even considered - again, ya need dat perspective, kiddo) can stand apart and reach into their identity beyond the soul-erasing homogeneity old Japan wants to require young Japan to embrace. It's gotta be LOUDER, CRAZIER, ODDER to even cause a ripple, so there it is.

This isn't my cuppa but compared to how bad Veilside could've botched their revival, I commend the design as cohesive and well done! The Zupra tried hard to bring back what TVR did for us back in the 90's, which already makes it unnecessary and rather useless: prioritizing what a sports coupe needs somewhat. When it comes n/a straight six and manual for less than $60k, as well as sorted out and less plastic + "driver-aided" (aka "slower"), then I will be unable to resist over a now stratosphericly priced Porsches/Corvette/400"Z"/etc with maybe only the Miata and Hyundai manuals (yaris GR, maybe?) to "Keep The Sports Flame Alive" as grandma's latest self driving BEV holds a higher overall speed for less money on the real roads/traffic anyday over your overpriced "sporty Coupe somewhat utility but luxy-plastic" Appliance - please wake up and see the typical "sports car" aren't anything but somewhat shaped to a real sports car that the driver matters. Vote with your wallet.

31

lol whatever buddy. It's not good looking or functional. It's not art if it means nothing and still looks like crap.

32

@dino when will we see an update on your R34???

33

Loving everything about this conversion apart from the accentuated "beak" on the front bumper, I'm not a fan of that feature on the stock Supra so making it bigger isn't gonna win me over. Not that I can afford to beat on a £15.5k bodykit, or an A90 Supra for that matter! Hoping it brings Yokomaku-san the renewed success he deserves.

34

Wow. People don't like this? I'm not really a big widebody fan, but without the exposed rivets on the rear fenders, this would be simply perfect.

35

My thoughts too.

36

Nice car, very well done. I wish him well. He's up in Shimotsuma? Why did I never know that before...? Maybe watching Shimotsuma Monogatari killed any desire to go there. :) But it goes to prove that success can happen even in a place that some consider the butt of the world.

37

I can't help but feel embarrassed for Speedhunters at so many negative comments here, and sigh at the general lack of etiquette that exists throughout today's society. Few think of others these days, when leaving public comments:

No doubt Yokomaku San will see this thread. Veilside has suffered for years from the lack of clients that have the money these days to be able to splash out on his artistry, but that's through no fault of his own. People just have less money to spend, essentially - and many tuning / styling companies in Japan and elsewhere have met similar fates.

I for one applaud Yokomaku san's efforts and hope he can make a success of the new Chapter in Veilside's future.

38

I just can't. Not my taste but someone else might like it. Some it up by my mother taught me if you can't say something nice....

39

What a legend. I'd love to be as cool as him at 60 years old. Car looks sensational and I hope that he's a very proud man at what he's produced.

40

Long live King Yokomaku

41

Looks Great!
But a little bit to expensive to compete with Rocket Bunny etc.

42
@ultimateracingtips

When you said he is trying to be relevant I had mixed feelings.

Veilside and HKS etc are what got me into cars. The industry has changed so much now I don't think what these companies stood for is even commercially viable anymore.

We used to love them because they went racing. Now the scene is bags, social media, general young kid nonsense. These companies were about speed first and foremost then style and no one really cares about that anymore. It's actually reversed.

I don't think they will make any real comeback and I think it's actually a shame they are trying. It dilutes their brand and what they used to represent imo. The car scene sucks now and is full of garbage trends and tik tok accounts. It's really sad imo.

Unfortunately I don't think they will ever be the same company they once were because the industry has simply changed. Times change. This is the way of the world.

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