Last week when we ran an all-Japan edition of our Thursday Shoutout, there were a few cars which seemed to generate a big response among you guys. One of those cars was this Alfa Romeo 156 submitted by Hiromitsu Kurata from the city of Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture. With that in mind I decided a little spotlight on Kurata-san’s super sexy Alfa might be in order.
When he began the project the car looked something like this and since then he’s turned it into quite a unique machine.
Although the work done to the outside of the Alfa is extensive, the overall feel is still rather subtle. Or at least as subtle as a bright red Italian sports sedan can be…
The body has been enhanced with a number of aftermarket parts including, a Zender rear bumper, side wings from Asso International, and an Auto Giano lip spoiler in the front.
The car is also equipped with an RDMW race prototype suspension and a set of TGF wheels sized 18×8 +30 all around.
The exhaust system comes from Unicorse Engineering, which like a lot of the brands used on the car is Japan-based shop that specializes in Alfas.
Inside, he’s added a carbon center panel, a carbon/leather steering wheel, and an Eclipse HDD navi system – which is pretty much required in Japan.
There’ also a seven-point roll cage thrown in for good measure.
Thanks again for Kurata-san for sharing his car with us, and if you’d like to see more of it be sure to check out his Minkara page.
-Mike
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Very exotic for Japan...but what about the engine? Some GTA parts? Selespeed? Quadrofoglio?
my dad used to own a 156 sportwagon... what a car! the illy sticker inside is so italian... niente come un buon caffè!
@greenroadster Doesn't say even on his Minkara page (I'm half Japanese and can read it all). Guessing there's hardly anything done to it. There is a carbon strut tower bar that wasn't mentioned here, but that's about it for any major, notable mods he's willing to talk about in the engine bay.
I suspect, this car being from Sendai, the radioactive fallout has been messing with this car's DNA. All bullshittin aside, Alfa Romeo is my first love. I think this car looks hideous. The bodykit and rims are corny. All an Alfa needs is a decent drop and some clean wheels. Factory bodykits have been a hit-and-miss for Alfa anyway.
does it say what the side skirt extension are from?
niiice
niiice
nicely styled car...another we never got to see in the US. Don't know much about them (V6?, turbo?). Pesonally, I'd like to see a different set of wheels (BBS LM or LMR, all silver would do well I think), and ditch the smoked tail lights. Front lip and rear bumper are clean, but the sides take away from it's cleanliness. Overall though, I'm sure it's a rare car in Japan too, and doing something different is always cool
nicely styled car...another we never got to see in the US. Don't know much about them (V6?, turbo?). Pesonally, I'd like to see a different set of wheels (BBS LM or LMR, all silver would do well I think), and ditch the smoked tail lights. Front lip and rear bumper are clean, but the sides take away from it's cleanliness. Overall though, I'm sure it's a rare car in Japan too, and doing something different is always cool
Thanks Mike Garrett for featuring the Alfa.
Very nice car.
Thanks Mike Garrett for featuring the Alfa.
Very nice car.
Those are original wheels onnit.. Just sayin.
Looks like a nice Alfa to me.
Those are original wheels onnit.. Just sayin.
Looks like a nice Alfa to me.
(COPIES of original wheels, that is)
(COPIES of original wheels, that is)
i like that! the red trim inside is a bit over the top for me but the outside looks super clean and very well done, nice work!
i like that! the red trim inside is a bit over the top for me but the outside looks super clean and very well done, nice work!
Besides the interior having a little too much bright red trim inside, the car looks amazing.
Besides the interior having a little too much bright red trim inside, the car looks amazing.
I used to have the v6 of these, got written off when a taxi crashed into it. It was parked at my home ;.( It had a lovely singing voice. Nice to see one here on Speedhunters, and i liked mine a lot... but its hard to really LOVE a front wheel drive Alfa ;.( oh well times done changed i suppose.
Pretty sure those aren't original wheels, tho they are reminiscent of the sock GTA wheels.
I think on balance i agree with HSSLTYO about the styling. 'Specially about the red line on the rims... kind of wack, no?
I used to have the v6 of these, got written off when a taxi crashed into it. It was parked at my home ;.( It had a lovely singing voice. Nice to see one here on Speedhunters, and i liked mine a lot... but its hard to really LOVE a front wheel drive Alfa ;.( oh well times done changed i suppose.
Pretty sure those aren't original wheels, tho they are reminiscent of the sock GTA wheels.
I think on balance i agree with HSSLTYO about the styling. 'Specially about the red line on the rims... kind of wack, no?
@HSSLTYO Agreed. I must admit, there are plenty of styles of car that I don't care for, and I understand that. Saying that, this car is most definitely not to my tastes.
@HSSLTYO Agreed. I must admit, there are plenty of styles of car that I don't care for, and I understand that. Saying that, this car is most definitely not to my tastes.
Now I understand that there are styles of modification that I don't care for, but other people do.
Saying that, I would never describe this car as 'subtle'. 'Striking', yes. 'Bright', yes. Not subtle.
I don't want to be discouraging, it's a really nice car. I can appreciate the time, money and workmanship that went into making it. Just not my style.
Now I understand that there are styles of modification that I don't care for, but other people do.
Saying that, I would never describe this car as 'subtle'. 'Striking', yes. 'Bright', yes. Not subtle.
I don't want to be discouraging, it's a really nice car. I can appreciate the time, money and workmanship that went into making it. Just not my style.
Man that looks good, why don't we get them in the US?
Man that looks good, why don't we get them in the US?
Crazy how they're rare in Japan you can buy them here starting at 150 euro the timing belt munchers. Lovely to look at but what a shit car
Crazy how they're rare in Japan you can buy them here starting at 150 euro the timing belt munchers. Lovely to look at but what a shit car
nice but i still think that the Black Avensis also deserves a spotlight!!
nice but i still think that the Black Avensis also deserves a spotlight!!
@tenpennyjimmy Alfa V6s are glorious engines. Wasn't it Clarkson's favorite engine of all time? The new JTS ain't wack neither.
And I don't think those are Alfa wheels either. And yes, the red line is hideous!
@HSSLTYO @tenpennyjimmy it was quite a pity to see the V6 "Busso" replaced by the GM-origin V6 in the 159... the GTAs with the original Alfa engine were incredible rides, altough a bit crazy (do you remember the top gear test of the 147 GTA?).
The Alfas are unique. Love them or hate them.
I sooo wish we had newer Alfas here in the U.S.
Bellissimo !
It looks delicious!
nicely done!
Epic fail.
Epic fail.