The Autech Owners' Meeting, an annual gathering of enthusiasts for the Nissan group brand, was held in the beachside town of Oiso. It brought fans from all over Japan, driving some very interesting and rarely seen variants of famous Nissan models. The image of the R33 above, for example, is actually a four-door GT-R, something available only through Autech.
This was the first thing I saw as I approached the meet: a gaggle of 'Autech Version' Stagea 260RS – perfect for this month's 'haulers and sedans' theme.
Here's one of the latest Stagea Axis models, looking very assertive on those chromed wheels.
The Stagea is quite a car in any guise, but the Autech Version's air scoop gives away the fact that something pretty special lurks underneath…
An RB26 powerplant, from the Skyline R34 GT-R.
Another view of the latest Stagea Axis – and this is exactly how they arrive from Autech.
The custom front grille really completes the look nicely in my opinion. Fake German plates are still fashionable in some circles here, though aren't allowed on the road.
At the other end of the parking lot there was a sea of Marchs, or Micras as they're known overseas. Most of them were completely stock however.
This one was by far the coolest though – actually the nicest March I've ever seen!
Those flared fenders are perfect! And the colour's not bad either.
Fans of Nissan's most successful driver Satoshi Motoyama were out in force, this kid's kart mimicking the #23 GT-R beautifully – and check out how proud the father is!
The Autech version of the R32 Skyline features distinctive rear lights and a different nomenclature, Skyline 26, denoting the RB26 engine in the car.
Detail of another of the four-door R33 Skylines on hand, of which there were about half a dozen.
Autech's special R33 Skylines also celebrated the 40th anniversary of the model.
There were a few VIP cars there as well, such as this Cedric. Gotta love the hood-mounted wing mirrors.
Note the Stagea wheels, giving the car an updated feel.
Back to the Stagea – I couldn't help it, some of the coolest cars at the meet were definitely these beauties. Plus the fact that this month's theme includes station wagons helped.
Another 260RS, exactly as ordered – including the rear wing!
Here's an example in white, lookin' as badass as a wagon can.
The wheels on this silver Stagea are reminiscent of what you'd see on a Skyline, a nice touch.
Leaving no doubt as to what's powering this one, the remarkable VQ35.
Not sure if this owner's running Nitrous, but if not, he's certainly got a sense of humour!
A 380RS, of which there were a pair in attendance. Not sure if this version of the Z is available overseas, but there are always a few in the parking lots at GT races here.
That RS moniker means so much; it's the most radical version of Z ever offered.
A close-up of the body kit for the 370 Fairlady Z – and of course NISMO wheels.
The event brought out a crowd of hardcore enthusiasts, some from as far away as Aomori (way up north) and Kumamoto in the west.
Stay tuned for a post on the vans that showed up!
– Len Clarke
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
if it's wagovan month there needs to be something featured like shaun carlsons old vr4 galant wagon - I have yet to see anything so sinister actually driving on the road - the sound of it alone was pure thor
The 380rs was never offered here in the states, it'd be much faster than the z34 on the street, strip, and track. I'd love one, with an amuse super leggerra kit.
Stageas melts my brain. Since I've played GT2 . I own a GF Impreza wagon, but Stagea is King of wagons
<3 Micras
How about a spot on Mad Mike's BroDozer.......
if it's wagovan month we need the first super wagon the audi rs2!!!!
OMGS STAGEA! :Q______________________
man i wish i could have one of those.
Stagea with the BNR34 GT-R motor is interesting; All genuine 260RSs had the BNR33 motor and series one Stagea bodywork. Most likely its a swapped RS4, or if its a genuine 260RS its had both a motor and front bodywork swap.
That place must sound like one huge fart cannon exhaust system. Wish people would stop ruining cars with that stuff.
Please, a wallpaper on the second pic and the 260RS with the wing.
In the picture captioned "An RB26 powerplant, from the Skyline R34 GT-R", the RB26DETT is not from the BNR34. More likely a BNR32/BCNR33.
never know those Stagea's were so popular, along with the Nissan 380RS we don't get those cars in the UK.. such a pity really. still we can always import! - Sorry.. although i can see the effort spent, those Micra's are "pug-ugly!"
"In the picture captioned "An RB26 powerplant, from the Skyline R34 GT-R", the RB26DETT is not from the BNR34. More likely a BNR32/BCNR33."
Either would be wrong, it's standard so it's from the factory into the Stag.
"The Autech version of the R32 Skyline features distinctive rear lights and a different nomenclature, Skyline 26, denoting the RB26 engine in the car."
Is also wrong, the taillights are standard R32 sedan tails. The 26 is an NA motor with ITB's & trumpets for anyone interested.