The Blue Bunny
The Best Japanese Supercar

The NSX has gone down in history as one of Japan’s very few ‘true’ sportscars. Before you jump on that statement and begin to unleash the hate, let me at least elaborate on it. You see, over the last few decades Japan has churned out an impressive number of fast and capable cars – some with the potential for more power, which has kept us grinning and enjoying ourselves throughout the years.

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But if you think about it, most of these cars were just enhanced versions of regular production vehicles. You know the drill; develop a chassis that sells well, make two or three variants of it and then publicise it all by creating the halo car of the line-up: a hot-version with a blown engine, wider fenders and some wild color. There’s nothing wrong with that of course – these cars have fuelled our passion for years, after all – but there have only been a few proper, one-off sportscars created by the Japanese automakers.

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And a long, long time ago, when Honda still shared some of its impressive knowhow with us enthusiasts instead of making hybrid city cars, it created the NSX. The idea was to steal sales away from Ferrari and Porsche – a pretty big goal to set itself, but we all knew that Honda had everything it needed to pull it off.

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In theory the NSX was a sublime machine – one developed from the ground up to be the best possible driver’s car ever made by the company. If you’ve ever driven one in anger you’ll know what a sweet and communicative chassis they managed to create. This was an era when Ferrari and Lamborghini chassis and suspension arms resembled poorly-welded garden gates at best, so when Honda came out with an all-aluminium car – that’s the chassis and body panels – the whole world took notice.

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So the recipe was as follows: a relatively light chassis, a handling package tuned by the great Ayrton Senna himself, and what turned out to be one of the most ageless designs ever conceived. What you had was one of the most iconic cars to come out of Japan…

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Ah, but wait – what about the engine? Well, I left that out on purpose. You see, this is where Honda could have, and should have done better. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with the transversely-mounted C30A (or C32A that followed later) – it was a great motor with acceptable power, but it didn’t belong in the NSX. What this car really needed was a V8. The Honda engineers knew it and enthusiasts knew it, but in total Japanese style, the top floor executives at Honda decided to go the V6 route – maybe because they were scared they’d make too big of an impact and attract too much attention.

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It’s precisely for the unique way that it came into the supercar world that the NSX was also one of the most expensive cars to ever come out of Japan. Over the years, this is a car that has held its resale value pretty well too – until now, that is. Kei Miura at Rocket Bunny has been keeping an eye on NA1 prices for some years, because that brain of his never really stops thinking…

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He wanted to create a full body conversion for the NSX for a long time, but patiently waited for the right moment. The car would not only be one of the wildest projects he’d ever embarked on, but also help him go on a tangent and show people that he’s not just all about bolt-on overfenders.

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And seeing that a great car is never complete without actual substance, it’s the back of this SEMA 2014 show car that I’m starting off with. You see those two pipes that stick out from the center of the bumper? That’s a custom GReddy exhaust system designed to go along with the overall feel of the car.

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It’s part of an interesting ensemble of parts that joins up to the once-famous, but now discontinued, Gruppe M supercharger kit. It’s far from inconspicuous, sitting atop of the C30A that powers this car – and seeing the stock heat shield won’t clear it,  also very visible through the see-through engine hood.

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It’s instant confirmation that this NSX must be a true blast to drive; power boosted to around 365hp thanks to low compression forged pistons and an AEM engine management system. See, this is what I was getting at – with a sweet chassis like this, these are the kind of numbers that Honda should have been gunning for!

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This sight is just the sort of thing that I want to see when I show up to shoot a car, because, let’s be frank here – nobody really cares about a widebody, crazy-looking beast of a car with a stock engine! Bear in mind that it would be as painful to shoot as it would be for you to read the feature, but hey, at times it just can’t be helped – especially if the car is new, or if the project is all about shocking and impressing in the aero department. The engine upgrades are matched with a few nice touches in the driveline – namely an NSX-R shorter gear set and a Science of Speed clutch and flywheel upgrade.

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So all of a sudden, this NSX that we saw last week sitting in the Nitto booth at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, become even more special than its looks could ever suggest.

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And boosting the track of the car by pumping out its front and rear made sense.

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And it’s a breath of fresh air to see no bolts or rivets holding on overfender strips. While there’s no question that look has its place on some cars, I’d have to say the NSX is not one of them. This car runs on Stance adjustable coilovers which have been set at a height that would allow the car to cope with American roads (something that ain’t too easy!). Sure, it can be slammed right to the ground, but that would defeat the purpose of being a well-sorted street car.

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Appropriately, the NSX sits on Miura’s own 6666 Wheels which are manufactured in collaboration with Enkei in Japan. The chosen satin black color creates a nice contrast against the impossibly-hard-to-photograph blue chrome wrap. I’m sure you’ll have a great time hunting my reflection on the detail shots! Miura-san collaborated with Jim Pan and his crew at Tuner Galleria in Chicago, who put their car forward for what is the first Rocket Bunny NSX conversion in the world.

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To make it happen Miura-san sourced a USDM Acura NSX in Japan – a car that has been his daily driver for quite some months now – and built each piece of the kit around that. Once all was constructed, fitted, aligned and prepped, it was dismantled and sent over to the US where it was fitted to this car. I just love hearing of these cross-cultural, across-the-world type projects.

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But what does the conversion entail, I hear you ask?

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Well, before I get to that I better give you a little disclaimer here. If the thought of chopping up, cutting and binning aluminium body parts from an NSX makes you queasy, please look away now. Go to Google Images and search for pictures of tranquil landscapes or something.

Not A Fan Of Cutting Up An NSX? Look Away Now!
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As you can imagine, there were a lot of modifications needed to make this car look the way it does, starting with the front end design.

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Much like with the BenSopra conversion for the R35 GT-R, there was no real way of giving the NSX a JGTC-look without creating a one-piece front cowl that would fuse the bumper, hood and fenders into one.

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A small frame was then constructed and bolted onto the front end of the chassis, from which the big single-piece FRP cowl is hinged and supported from. Those gas struts help make the whole opening and closing procedure easy, and for something aftermarket it all works pretty effortlessly.

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When lifted up, it definitely looks pretty wild! That center opening is there to help the radiator expel its heat – just the sort of detail you would want if you were building a track-going NSX.

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The rear is where lots of cutting and chopping had to be done in order to accommodate Miura’s own fender design. The bumper-less look we first saw on the BenSopra 380SX works very well with the NSX – except this car isn’t totally without one. Miura designed his own rear bumper section which matches up to the wider fenders and tucks in to give that signature look to the rear end.

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From this angle you can see how the rear end gently curves upwards to meet the steeply-raked ducktail spoiler.

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Front and side canards join the multi-piece rear diffuser for added effect – finishing touches that add yet more aggression. Oh yes, and there’s the rear wing of course!

Simple Is Best
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A sense of completion is added with a simple yet well-appointed interior, which can be really appreciated when you swing open the driver’s side door.

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Carbon-Kevlar Bride seats certainly fit the whole theme of the car rather well.

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And I’m pretty sure you will get arrested if you don’t fit Takata harnesses to an NSX. That JGTC GT500 link just can’t be broken!

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Simple things are always best and with an interior as ageless as the NSX’s there wasn’t much else that was needed to lift the overall quality than a leather Personal steering wheel.

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This is one car that has obviously been well cared for. If Honda actually developed a V8 for the NSX, then maybe it would have had no issues reaching that 180mph top speed indicated on the speedometer!

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The badge says it all.

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I won’t go overboard and call this innovative, but at the same time it’s nice to see Miura-san bringing a new angle to Rocket Bunny brand.

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Call it a mix of wildness, coupled to a more grown up way of executing things. Yep, that’s a fair enough assessment. Although the overfender craze is far from over, I for one am pretty excited to see where this will take him. Maybe carbon fiber production? I know I’m not the only one that would love to see this coming from TRA Kyoto, because if you replace aluminium with carbon it does make more sense, right?

Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: speedhunters_dino
dino@speedhunters.com

Additional Photos by Larry Chen
Instagram: larry_chen_foto
larry@speedhunters.com

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1

This thing is Beautiful ........

2

"Numbers that Honda should have been gunning for..." You honestly think this would be more effective than an NSX-R?

3

I disagree about the bolted/rivetted overfenders, the NSX could totally pull it off and I'd quite like to see Liberty Walk's interpretation of the NSX.

The body and colour don't do it for me, the interior I can dig.  Are those LED sidelights on the front? I really don't like that either :P

4

I disagree about the bolted/rivetted overfenders, the NSX could totally pull it off and I'd quite like to see Liberty Walk's interpretation of the NSX.

The body and colour don't do it for me, the interior I can dig.  Are those LED sidelights on the front? I really don't like that either :P

5

I think the car looks great. Definitely not a daily driver but ready for the track. I agree with maxvr6 that the NSX could pull of the bolted/riveted over fenders. It's great to see Miura-san change up a bit. the rear looks awesome.

6

Love those seats! Those rear wheels look wider than they actually are, considering that 255 isnt that wide!

7

It looks good, but would be a thousand times nicer kept in nice stock condition..
These are a dying breed already.

9

@Frozenstar exactly my thought!

10

If I'll ever own a NSX in my life I have to say I'd think twice before touching it in any way but at the same time...damn that blue thing is beautiful! Love at first sight!

11

"This sight is just the sort of thing that I want to see when I show up to shoot a car, because, let’s be frank here – nobody really cares about a widebody, crazy-looking beast of a car with a stock engine!"



Like this one? http://www.speedhunters.com/2014/02/sarto-racing-clk/

12

if u had driven one u would know that the power is adequate. any more power just ruins the driving experience. its the kind of functional modesty that made Japanese driver oriented cars stand out in a good way from the sock in the underwear power boost and unnecessary flares and wings that the italians were  churning out..i love rocket bunny and liberty walk. but this car and the tuned F40 take more away from the cars than it gives.

13

steelyknives Think you're pretty spot on there. The 90's Japanese sports cars were awesome partly because of the self imposed power limits. Instead of putting 400+ hp in a pretty body and calling it done the Japanese had to make the cars amazing without mega hp. That said, one of the other joys of the cars from this period is their untapped potential for tuning... I quite like this take on the NSX if I'm honest.

14

Beautiful car and one of the best cover shots for a car I have ever seen in my life. The paint really stands out. 

One of my dream cars has and will always be an NSX with a 3.0 liter Hartley V8. Why no one has done this swap I don't know, but it would be the perfect car IMO. 190lb engine, 500hp at 10,000rpm and much smaller than the stock engine. 

http://www.h1v8.com/page/page/1562068.htm

15

I think the back is too flat, the led lights are too modern for the car and the exposed rear tyre style over fenders are too excessive for the car but it looks very nice, however I would rather have a stock one or with race liveries and a replica kit however I like the base car choice.

16

Yawnny Cash   The NSX-R was 120 kilo lighter, stiffened chassis for the track - this is a street car meant to be daily driven.

While adding power could make you go faster the same way less weight does, it's a completely different approach and the results from the drivers seat would feel and behave differently. 

So yes, more power is more effective than track prepping a car if the goal is to go faster while retaining creature comforts.

17
speedhunters_dino

steelyknives I have driven quite a few, including the final NSX-R and even that, with such a sorted chassis and suspension could have done with 50 HP or so more. I'm not referring to crazy power, just a little more.  380 HP would have been perfection

18
speedhunters_dino

@T Fritch No comment

19
speedhunters_dino

maxvr6 Putting holes into aluminium? Nooooooooooooooo

20
speedhunters_dino

Yawnny Cash No, no way. The NSX-R was an even more refined beast, straight line speed isn't everything

21
speedhunters_dino

@Chris Sounds like a recipe for an insane car. I always though the NSX deserved 380-400 HP to be just right

22

speedhunters_dino Yawnny Cash Just keep'n you on your toes Dino! Keep up the great work.

23

I did not think that the blue wrap on this car could be made to look good in photos, I'm sure it's stunning in person, but you've done a very good job showing off the lines of the car Dino! My only dislike is that unless the angle and lighting are cooperative, it looks like odd orange peal everywhere.


I'll admit that I like over-fenders but personally don't "get" the look on the GTR, 458, Lambo. I thought the latest kit on the 997 looked pretty bad actually. This on the other hand, I can get behind and I would absolutely cut up NSX metal for this kit - more of this please Miura-san!

24

I ... I don't know what to say. I'm speechless, but not in a good way. In my eyes this thing is ... almost hideous. There is almost nothing on the car that works for me ; from the tacky LED lights, to the paint/wrap and wheels. Nope, not my thing at all. Even if I've grown tired of the Rocket Bunny/overfender hype I generally like the looks. And it doesn't even have much to do with the fact that I disagree with cutting up a NSX. I honestly don't get this build at all, which is rare for me. Judging by the comments though, many seems to like it. Maybe my sense of aesthetics has gone out the window on this one :b

25

uggh.. this is an abomination of the NSX.. It's funny because I actually love the Rocket Bunny kits,but this....Don't know what the hell Muira was thinking...

26

I just can't bare it anymore. These kits are just getting worse and so over done now. I'm sorry to all the fans but really look at this thing, it's hideous and so tacky. To me it's almost become like he's just doing it for the sake of getting more e-cred, and it's backfiring IMO.
Also, whats with that damn arch gap at the front, it's woeful!

27

Damn.... miura-san should be build another NSX like this !!.

28

I must say I like this, it's very different from the original but is still recognisable as an NSX. I think IMHO the body panels should have been aluminium not FRP just because that is a truly NSX trademark. Love the fact there's no bolt on kit nor airbag suspension just adds more class yet again IMHO. Nice car nice pictures thanks guys.

29

@Chris I see your Hartley V8 and I raise you one Radical V8 :-)

http://www.radicalperformanceengines.com/Powertec-Macroblock-v8


Anyway, my dream car has always been an Exige with any of these V8. Or a Millington Diamond Series 2, or a .... Well I dream a lot hahaha

30
speedhunters_dino

Bunchii_xxx He is, his own car in Japan :)

31
speedhunters_dino

Spaghetti I noticed that big gap too, mind you this was the first kit so there might be some refinements made before it's put on sale

32
speedhunters_dino

@randomswede Some like it simple, some don't. I totally get you, it's definitely not for everyone

33

I'm not a fan of the NSX but at least I'll say that it really looks nice in that blue so good choice on color

34

I'm not a fan of the NSX but at least I'll say that it really looks nice in that blue so good choice on color

35

There shouldn't have been any cutting up really...as far as the body panels are concerned. Every panel on the nsx are bolted on including the rear quarter. It should have been straight forward remove stock panels and fit and replace with the rocket bunny.

36

There shouldn't have been any cutting up really...as far as the body panels are concerned. Every panel on the nsx are bolted on including the rear quarter. It should have been straight forward remove stock panels and fit and replace with the rocket bunny.

37

I like it. I think its smooth and classy without the rivets in the fenders, but then he went with the 'rearbar-less' look... Anyway~

Fitment is also awesome on this. Because it actually "fits". The wheel gap is consistent around the tyre and arch and is balanced really nicely. This car looks hella-functional and nice.

38

it reminds me of the raybrig nsx. i love the reflective paint / wrap / surface - whatever it just pops. and i thought that the top-end nsx's were some of the coolest cars on the road... now they have a shiny blue contender. what a beasty car.

39

speedhunters_dino steelyknives  My Friend had an NSX that was blown -- -- The added 100+HP was exactly what that car needed -- in stock condition it was BLAH!

40

AmirIzham Thats pretty cool. Didn't know those were even made. You build your Radical Exige and I'll build my Hartley NSX, we'll meet up for the ultimate show down in 10 years for a Speed Hunters feature.

41
Gianluca FairladyZ

Che Bestia! One of life greatest gift is creativity! Miura-San has created another piece of art!

42

i like everything about this car. the front cowl, rearless bumper look, everything. 
as a designer myself i have this urge feeling that miura san will make a nsx ver.2 with the fix headlight facelift ones. can't wait for that one

43

This car is absolutely awesome!!!! On top of that you did an incredible job of feature!!! Great work!!!

44

Cutting it up is not an issue, it looks VERY good. Does that thing have an automatic transmission though? I thought these have one of the best manual transmissions ever...

45

I do think Rocket Bunny stuff is great, as I also do LB Performance and RWB. But seriously Speedhunters, you are suppose to cover world car culture and you seem to cover the same few tuners again, again and again.

46

Wasted NSX... Some things looks good, but in general there are a lot of much better builds.

47
ChristopherAnderson1

I love everything about this - the wide fenders that aren't riveted on, the wheels, the rear "bumper," the functional ride height, that it has serious engine mods - exceptthe blue chrome wrap. I have no problem with the color itself, but for a demo car, it makes it really hard for me to look at the details. The body modifications should be the focus, not the color.

48

The only thing I would have changed on the car is that blue chrome wrap, I would have gone for a yellow or red. Nonetheless, I really enjoy this car

49

What would Senna say if he sees this? It may be a quality build, but I'm not diggin it :(

50

Hmmm. I'm not convinced. I'm glad it's not another over-fender car. I like the though, but the execution looses me. I'm not sure if it's something about the kit, or that chrome wrap that just doesn't suit it, but I'm not a fan. Maybe a flat white or red would work, also the front end doesn't do much for me. Not that I'm hating, just offering an opinion :). Also I feel for you having to try and shoot a car with reflective bodywork Dino!

51

the decals in the middle of the windshield is good for a show car , but that shit would get old fast in the real world. especially after the first dozen or so pedestrian "encounters"

52

Not feelin' it here. I personally think the fender bodywork disrupts the natural good looking lines of the stock NSX. That and I think the wheel style is horrendous. It does't match the NSX. 
It got nothing on the Kakimoto NSX, or the Espirit NSX either. I think those two are some of the best NSX's of all time.

53

speedhunters_dino I'm going to have to disagree with you Dino. The NSX would of ended up like the LFA of its day with those power levels. Look at the GTR in the UK that used to be an 50k car as its gotten more powerful the price has increased the price has risen to 80k. In my own Personal opinion the nsx was the second worst sport cars from Japan its was to expensive and had no turbos. The worst was the Mitsubishi gto simply for having a fwd entry level model

54

The title and the opening shot remind me of Alice in Wonderland.

55

Something about it just doesn't work for me. The Sorcery kit looks 1000000000x better with lines that pay closer resemblance to "JGTC" cars without over-doing it

http://www.rush-works.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/NSX_black_2.jpg

56

Not liking this at all. Looks like a corvette when focusing on the side/rear of the car.

57

RMutt love dat one..Suits the car..dont make the car "suit" the kit..

58

RMutt love dat one..Suits the car..dont make the car "suit" the kit..

59

Not my Cup...uccino, a bit riced out. The first image though gets one of my Pulitzers! :)

60
researchisyourfriend

I generally like just about all Dino does, and as such this is not a reflection on him:
This car is awful. I actually like much of what Miura does (especially before everyone on planet earth started featuring his kits), and I tend to think of him as a pretty neat/innovative individual overall, but what he did here makes me want to just walk up and ask what the hell man? what happened in your like in order for this to end up so badly? It's that bad.
I went over these pictures quite a few times trying to find positives, and I do like one piece hood and the interior, but thats about it.

61

Folks these days often overlook that the NSX is 25 years old; it's a testament to its design and relevance even to this day. When the NSX was conceived over 25 years ago, its primary targets were the Porsche 911 and the Ferrari 308 (then the 328). The Porsche's flat-6 had 250-odd HP, and the Ferrari's V8 not much more. Honda was winning everything in those days. Honda dominated the GP500s with its NSR, and had just collected another Formula 1 engine manufacturer's championship with the most dominant Formula 1 car in history - The MP4/4. Honda demonstrated to the world it didn't need a V8 to compete with the Ferrari or the Porsche - it could produce 280HP from 'just' a V6, which was plenty for the NSX's competition OF THE TIME.

62

Folks these days often overlook that the NSX is 25 years old; it's a
testament to its design that it's still relevant today. When the NSX was
conceived over 25 years ago, its primary targets were the Porsche 911
and the Ferrari 308 (then the 328). The Porsche's flat-6 had 250-odd HP,
and the Ferrari's V8 not much more. Honda was winning everything in
those days. Honda dominated the GP500s with its NSR, and had just
collected another Formula 1 engine manufacturer's championship with the
most dominant Formula 1 car in history - The MP4/4. Honda demonstrated
to the world it didn't need a V8 to compete with the Ferrari or the
Porsche - it could produce 280HP from 'just' a V6, which was plenty for
the NSX's competition OF THE TIME.

63

This car sucks.

64
speedhunters_dino

JDM_Luca That was the intention, bunnies and all lol

65
speedhunters_dino

dir911d It was the day after SEMA, what do you expect lol

66
speedhunters_dino

Ivor Oilleak We cover everything that we come across, but this is a car we couldn't pass up featuring

67
speedhunters_dino

RacingPast It's a manual

68
speedhunters_dino

d_rav I think that is the look he was going for

69
speedhunters_dino

@DINOSONERDY Nice user name

70

I'm a fan of the molded overfenders on this, but some other things are just a bit too tacky.

71
awesomekidisawesome

I really like the Rocketbunny FR-S/GT86. However, for this NSX bodykit I'm not so sure.

72

speedhunters_dino RacingPast Oh I see. I misinterpreted the third last image... (the chrome button on the hand brake looked like it was on the side of the gear knob)

I should have looked at the 5th last image. lol

73

Love this article speedhunters_dino ! Surprised how Miura-San didn't do this wide body sooner.

74

what size is that supercharger?  Is it a m62?

75

speedhunters_dino Youve hit the big leagues Dino! Your own personal troll!

76

I think the issue with the production of the NSX was that the export power limit was 276BHP at the time the NSX was released so they built an amazing car around a simple engine package. But it worked.

77

Looks like shoulder belts are installed incorrectly as they are installed angled extremely downwards behind the seat instead of going straight back onto a harness bar like they should. Typical of the tuner crowd. He'll break his shoulders or back or seat in a hard head on collision with something. Not trying to be a busy-body but I work in tech inspection for a racing organization and thought I'd mention it if anyone cared about their safety.

78

@Vinnie I understand what you mean, but a corvette isn't really the worst car to look alike;)

79

My sister wanted to get into drawing cars, and since I really enjoyed this creation from Miura San, I told her to draw The Blue Bunny. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1QdK9rmX6k Nice article as always, Dino:)

80

What years model was this specific one made from?

81

Does it still have any trunk? I'm thinking hard about this kit but would still plan to use my trunk.

82

Does it still have any trunk? I'm thinking hard about this kit but would still plan to use my trunk.

83

When will there be a rocket bunny kit for the new generation 2016 NSX?

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