Ever since featuring Inoue-san’s metallic blue S30 at Fuji Speedway years ago, I’ve been meaning to drop by his Star Road shop in the outskirts of Tokyo. And I’m so glad I finally did, because I got shown yet another route that owners of classic Nissans and Datsuns can take.
We all know the magic that Ando-san at TA Auto in Chiba can work on a rusted-out shell, but he’s one guy that likes to do things by the book. But what if a meticulous, period-correct restoration is not exactly what you are after? Maybe you’d like to improve your car’s handling and tune the engine. You’re spending six figures on a project like this after all, so you might as well get a little bit performance out of it in the end, right? If you answered yes to the above question, then Star Road is the place for you. Imagine combining a ground-up restoration with a 100 per cent improvement on performance. No corners cut. No shoddy work hidden away where nobody can see it. It sounds like a dream right? Well, step on through as I show you what I stumbled upon during my visit to this little workshop in the backstreets of Kita-Koiwa.
The first surprise is the actual location of Star Road. You would expect a busy workshop catering to noisy vintage rides to be located in some industrial estate, but this place is surrounded by houses, right smack-bang in the middle of a residential neighbourhood in the capital’s outskirts. When the company started 20 years ago there weren’t many houses in the area, but now that’s all there is around here. It makes for quite an interesting sight, that’s for sure.
In total un-Italian but very Japanese-like fashion I was a little early for my appointment with Inoue-san, so while I waited for him to arrive at the shop, I started poking my nose around. The first area I visited was the undeniably cool collection of old cars sitting outside.
Star Road caters mainly to Skylines and Fairladys and they are constantly stocking up on old cars that will either become bases for future projects, or dismantled for parts.
It looks like they’ve already borrowed quite a lot from this sad-looking S30.
This silver S30 on the other hand looked like it was in pretty good shape despite a solid accumulation of dust. That’s got to be at least a few year’s worth right there!
In the middle of it all, a yet-to-be-restored Toyota Crown Coupe. I really hope that Inoue-san has some big plans for this car, because man do they look good!
This Kenmeri will be familiar to you if you caught my feature on it a couple of weeks ago. When I saw it outside Star Road on the day I visited, I knew I had to shoot it.
Next to it was a four-door Kenmeri - one that Inoue-san built up for his friend and customer over a decade ago. Yes, it really does need to be featured too!
We’ve taken tours of many Japanese workshops over the years, and there’s always one thing they have in common: space – or the lack of it to be precise. There isn’t a more valuable commodity in Japan than square meterage, and in Tokyo it’s even more precious. But what I’ve always liked about the Japanese is how they are masters of making the most out of what they have.
Star Road is a good example. It’s not as cramped as other workshops, but Inoue-san has created multiple working zones so that each mechanic has enough space to move around and get stuff done. There is even ample space to fit at least eight cars in front of the workshop along with the shop’s flatbed truck. As I mentioned in the Kenmeri story, the Skyline’s headlights were upgraded with IPF lenses right before we headed out to shoot it.
Authenticity RulesTake a step inside and things get even more interesting. By this time Inoue-san had shown up and we immediately got chatting about all things related to old Zs and GT-Rs. It was a pleasure to find out that, like myself, he too is a true lover of the Kenmeri. But while I can only dream of one day owning one, he has a few back home in his garage – one of which he’s recently blown the motor in.
However, the coolest one he had at the shop was a customer car parked in the corner…
It had been sent up from south Japan to have the factory suspension and brakes overhauled. Seeing the real GT-R badge on the grille, I had to ask if it was an authentic KPGC110. To that, Inoue-san walked over and lifted the bonnet up for me.
Silence followed. The S20 engine is as legendary as the cars it powered (think the Hakosuka and 432Z S30 Fairlady), and seeing one in unmolested, factory spec is a rare treat. It still even had the stock red airbox!
Among the four cars lined up outside, I noticed that one was a C30 Laurel.
While the C130 is by far the most popular model in kyusha circles, the more boxy generation that preceded it is pretty cool too. It’s essentially a larger and more grown up Bluebird.
As Inoue-san and I talked about what it takes to get a car looking just right, he led me over to the far side of the workshop where his best mechanics were in the latter stages of a couple of ground-up restorations. The Hakosuka in the center has been here for well over a year and was a rusty shell when it was brought in. And now, well, judge for yourself!
Aside from all the fabrication that’s breathed new life into the chassis, Inoue’s customer also requested a full revision of both the front and rear suspension setups. Pretty much every aftermarket component that Star Road does for the Hakosuka was thrown on, including their adjustable coilovers and arms.
It’s All About The HandlingThe subframe was beefed up too, with all rubber items replaced with metal-on-metal bushings for extra feel and response.
The back was treated to some serious upgrades too – an R200 rear end included.
This is another one of Star Road’s parts: springs matched to their adjustable dampers, which sit on custom modified arms housing their pillow-mounted seats. This also allows the car to sit much lower without having a negative impact on the suspension geometry.
And here’s one of the adjustable dampers.
Underneath the sills, Inoue-san pointed out that the entire area was totally eaten away by rust when the Hakosuka first arrived at the workshop. Now it probably looks better than it did when it originally rolled off the production line.
Eventually, the Hakosuka will be getting a fully-built, 3.2L stroked L28 similar to the shiny unit that’s fitted in the PGC10 sitting next to it in the workshop.
Seeing these cars are pretty light, Star Road’s R32 Type-M Nissan 4-pot front kit is what almost all of Inoue-san’s customers go for. Decently priced, reliable and more than up to the task when it comes to spirited driving sessions.
This Kenmeri had just been put through the same restoration as the car next to it – freshly painted and ready to be slowly built-up and upgraded.
The mechanics were already laying out some of the suspension parts on one of the work benches.
From light tuning all the way up to the stroked 3.2L motors that its serious builds receive, Star Road has truly perfected the L-series.
Despite their age these motors have the potential for serious power – well over 100hp per liter – and are surprisingly reliable when looked after properly.
If what I saw on the day I visited is anything to go by, we will be seeing a lot more cool projects coming out of Star Road in the years to come! Sooner than that will be the completion of a crazy wide-body S30 Fairlady Z which you might have seen in my Tokyo Auto Salon Spotlight feature. When that car is finally complete, I’ll definitely be heading back…
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: speedhunters_dino
dino@speedhunters.com
This is awesome Dino! That brings back memories of 2012, when I was there. At the time I looked more than once on the 4-door Kenmeri. I like where the shop is located, too. A quiet place to visit.
That's so beautiful! The love, time & effort they spend to develop new things for these cars...! And let's be honest, it looks fantastic!
that fairlady Z at the end of the article
This place's location reminded me of the story of a drag strip near Pittsburgh that had been there for years, and then a family moved into a house next door.
And started to complain about the noise.
AFTER moving into a house they knew beforehand was right next to a drag strip.
That's how this situation happens too often.
A business, be it cars or something else that generates noises and smells, opens in some out-of-the-way place in the country where they're essentially the only building in sight, and things work great for years. They're not bothering anyone, and no one's bothering them.
And then the developers come.
If I remember correctly, this is part of the reason for the street racing problem in Los Angeles. The race tracks used to be out in the middle of nowhere, but were eventually buried by the tsunami of suburbia and its attendant noise complaints.
So some closed down and the ones that stayed open were two hours away from the people who wanted to use them.
Consequence: racers with nowhere to go but all that taxpayer-financed asphalt.
I hope that there's some sort of law in this guy's city that says something to noise-complainers to the effect of, "hey, you moved in next door to a hot rod shop, and he was there first, so piss off."
does anybody know why there seem to always be a few motorcycles in every workshops?
M̶y̶ ̶d̶r̶e̶a̶m̶ ̶i̶s̶, I am going to have a shop of this caliber in New York City.
jdmRob most shops probably do motorcycle work for customers, or they just have some of their own personal projects sitting around
Once again Dino you have captured my imagination and amazement with anouther one of your fabulous articles.....that might also be due to my fixation on Japan....but that aside this was the best shop cover i have read in ages. This fuels my Z and Hako/Kenmeri fetish....And is that possible a "Devil Z" replica in the last photo given the cover and Star Road's ability with L-series?
Hey Dino, I plan on Visiting Japan in a few years, and wanted to know a good area to possibly live for a little while. Im specifically thinking somewhere quiet, but not too far out from the city, and has traditional houses.
Dino what brand of dampers are the S30 Z's (Star Road) using?
What a great article dino.The kinda place i would love here in the uk.And would like to nose around in taking in the atmosphere.
MORE PLEASE.....
PiffAndco Let me know if/when that works out for you. Would like to stop by and get some quotes or what-have-you. Tired of going to Jerome Ave. in the Bronx for some work...
Absolutely amazing post Dino
Kazumi993 Looks like something private-labeled from BC. I loved everything else though. Single-Cam Sixes just sound heavenly.
Awesome post, cars, works. Just wonderful!
Would someone in Japan mind me staying at your house... for like... ever? That 4 door skyline. Hnnnnnnnnnng!
Cool story, great to see how they do it in other countries.
bamboojay Thanks!
MartinArgirov Thank you! There shop tours are always the most fun to put together
LukeEVOVIII Thx!
turbom More Star Road cars coming for sure!
Kazumi993 It's their own kit
CharlesChris15 Even central Tokyo, away from the busy streets and neighbourhoods can be strangely peaceful and quiet. Japanese countryside is your next bet. I tried that and just couldn't deal with it
TheDude69 Glad you enjoyed it:)
DjaranJones http://www.speedhunters.com/2011/10/car_feature_gt_gt_star_road_s30_fairlady_z/
Gianluca FairladyZ These cars are quickly becoming treasures, I love seeing people look after them so well
Chaen
speedhunters_dino DjaranJones God reading the linked article you sent me is already putting a smile on my face.
speedhunters_dino Kazumi993 Thank you Dino. "It's their Own Kit" is the next great research story. Dampers are key vital components in vehicle dynamics including steering feedback. Few are available and most don't work at all. Old cars like S30 and other vintage cars only look good and drive much less. It would really be exciting if we can grasp their philosophy/vision what is great vehicle dynamics (older specialty cars) and the process/steps each used to reach their goals. Thanks for your cool stories.
STAR ROAD always make me smile, i'm very enjoy the story... can''t wait for your other comic of STAR ROAD dino-san
Hakosuka originally have IRS ? I didn't know that !
I knew that was a Crown Coupe from the first shot. When I walk into my shop every morning I walk behind and around our Crown and see it from that exact perspective. It's the exact same color too! We imported it to the US last summer, and we're swapping in a 2JZ with a triple Weber setup.
This was taken right after we brought it home from the port:
Is this the new layout with both chapters on one page? LOVE IT
is that a cannon sitting next to the dust S30?!
Dino- Another of your awesome stories in word and pictures - always enjoy and inspire. Having family in Tokyo, and seeing many posts of place in Japan, I have a question - Could SpeedHunters perhaps include a Google map location perhaps of from where the story originates ? Not just for Japan, but for all stories. I would really like to see geographically where in the world the journalist is at the time of the story. For me, it would add great interest. Just a thought. Great Work, thanks for your years of excellent contributions to the world of automobiles.
BirdHasACamera that is a cool car, what look are you guys gonna go for on the exterior?
MichaelDaude BirdHasACamera Not much really. No body mods. We're lowering it, and we had the stock steelies rebarrelled from 14x5 to 15x7 front 15x8 rear.