If you gathered together some of the most iconic and recognisable supercar shapes, chances are there’d be things like Ferrari’s Testarossa and 355, and a Lamborghini Diablo.
For most of us, just being surrounded by these cars on a daily basis would be a dream. But what about if you grew up obsessed with stance, and also had the opportunity to own that sort of car? That’d be crazy, right? Well, in the countryside of Japan this is a reality. Some of these images may look like renders, but this is the life of Kazuki Ohashi.
Before we begin digging around into the type of environment that spawns such beautiful creations, let me start with some background on the man himself. For anyone over on Instagram, chances are you’ll have seen Kazuki‘s latest Diablo project absolutely popping off. But if this is your first contact with the madman, let me fill you in.
Kazuki has carved out a style unlike any other, now synonymous with bagged ’90s and early ’00s exotics. But what looks so simple in execution has been percolating on the design board (and in Kazuki’s brain) for much longer. None of these cars are a hit-and-hope one off; each is carefully considered and produced with the minute attention of a sculpture artist. As with most things in Japan, this is a unique story built on passion and vision. It’s one we had to go and check out for ourselves.
We were already in Japan for Tokyo Auto Salon but Kazuki’s location is a long way from Tokyo. This would have meant a separate trip in itself. Luckily we were able to catch an in-and-out flight making the day trip to Kazuki’s shop possible. Fresh off the plane, a young friendly face greets us in a minivan. Dressed in a thick hoodie and cotton-drill trousers, Kazuki could be any type of car enthusiast, Honda, BMW or otherwise. He doesn’t strike me as the average supercar guy. He’s not taking selfies or screaming at the front-facing camera on his phone for a start. I’m not sure what I was expecting as I’m certainly not one to judge anyone on appearance, but we were in the middle of the Japanese countryside, and I’d barely seen a car of note let alone a supercar.
Is this some elaborate ruse? Maybe he’s just really good with CGI? It just didn’t seem like the place you’d find any exotics, especially not those with such a specific disposition. Kazuki is truly the Bruce Wayne of tuning, and we were about to enter his top secret bat cave.
Stepping inside, one thing is instantly clear – this guy has style. It’s no accident that the cars Kazuki produces are executed with such finesse. This sort of thing isn’t potluck, it’s born out of a lifestyle; you have to really live it. Forgive me for talking like a bit of a fanboy for a second, flick through some of the workshop photos and imagine being in there. It’s a total treasure trove of cool car stuff.
Every wall is covered with inspiration, from pop-culture memorabilia to artwork and aftermarket parts. You can’t help but want to build cars while being in here.
That might be the secret to Kazuki’s prolific output from Madlane HQ, or maybe it’s the way he’s surrounded himself with likeminded nutters, all eager to out-do one another in their club, Crossglow. By the way, Crossglow and Madlane might just be two of the coolest names for a club and company, or perhaps I’m fanboying again…
The cars in the shop are a mixture of Crossglow members’ cars, plus Kazuki’s own projects. Despite being from diverse marques they all share a clean style and a signature wheel fitment. You can almost tell straight away where each car originates from.
Kazuki explained that this ethos originated in the custom car and hot rod world. As a kid, he’d admire the swooping lines and shapes created by builders in that scene; they had a way of making things appear very simple on the surface but requiring considerable effort to achieve. It also goes some way to explain the Americana present in the shop.
Nestled behind the 964 is a big clue to Kazuki’s roots. I know exactly what it’s like to have a lumbering unfinished project waiting in the wings, but it looks like it’s been there for some time. If you know what car this is, let me know in the comments.
What I do know is this has received a hell of a lot of work before becoming a shop ornament. There’s another clue in that image though, an EG Civic front bumper and a white Buddy Club P1 wheel. Yes, Kazuki has also dipped his toe into the Honda world. The two spheres couldn’t be further apart, but I think this might be part of the reason why Kazuki’s builds hit the nail on the head so often. It’s a complex and well-rounded résumé.
Like so many people emerging on social media platforms it might look like instant success, as though Kazuki has obtained the ability to stance just about everything overnight. But that’s just not true; it’s taken a lifetime to get to this point.
Kazuki has put in the time and cut his teeth on dead-end projects that may never have seen the light of day, experimenting to learn. It’s part of the process. You really don’t just wake up and bag a Testarossa.
What we’re seeing here are the fruits of a lifetime of car modification, which is exciting, because Kazuki also possesses the irritating superpower of not looking a day over 21. If the last few years are anything to go by, there’s a lot more to come from Kazuki Ohashi.
Since leaving Kazuki’s shop, my mind has been whirring with low-slung, high-revving stance possibility. I’ve got my ideas, but given the chance, what would be your #1 must-build stanced supercar? Let’s see if we agree in the comments…
Ryan Stewart
Instagram: 7.nth
ryan@speedhunters.com
Photos by Mark Riccioni
Instagram: mark_scenemedia
mark@speedhunters.com
Great article, too bad you missed the finished Lambo!
The Diablo is a work of art, a pleasure to see it in the early stages and then watching it come into completion on IG. It's got a lot of impact.
Ford Shoebox?
You might be right there, I thought it might have been a Mercury Eight but that era of car is by no means my strong point!
*ruse
I'd love to take a 599 to Kazuki for the full treatment
Man it's good to see some Euro cars with the JDM style
I think that's pretty cool!
Man I would love to either get a Ferrari or Lamborghini and put some JDM wheels on it like Volk, Work, Rays, and Enkei
These good articles are so far and In between. Enjoyed learning more about Kazuki-san . I’m a fan of his work. I keep saying we have to build these renders. That we see on IG daily. I’m glad he is one of the builders that are taking these ideas from fantasy to reality. And yes the new diablo is Epic
And I see this turbo fans. Hmmm. I do see them. Dlng designs
Bravo guys.
Glad you enjoyed the story!
51 Olds Jet Fire and Lammy Miura
Not a jet fire but looks more like a first gen olds rocket
Correction: a custom olds rocket
always thought the f355 was great looking. seeing it next to the testarossa furthers that point
a Bmw M1(...). Lotus Esprit or a 512BB would also look rather good
Stay tuned because there may be a 512BB up on the chopping block next...
Awesome, If....
Either a McLaren F1 LM or Lexus LFA would be my choice for my stanced supercar.
Which would sound the best? Tough call.
Looks like an old leadsled with a chopped top,sectioned hood. Probably a 40 41 Merc.
Looks like an unfinished leadsled,with the chopped top,sectioned hood and frenched headlights. I'm thinking a early 40's Merc.
I'm wondering: was the speedhunters logo inspired by the streaks of the testarossa?
Now that you mention it, they are really similar - good eye for detail!
Very nice !
I'm really dig'n that Testarossa !
I buy my supercar in two weeks.
-Tofu
What have you got?
its a secret
For a long time I've been wondering how the shop of this man would look like. Thank you for posting the pictures here. Now I see my expectations not only met but exceeded. However... I would have guessed it to be in a far more urban environment. But the old saying often does ring true: the real gems are hidden somewhere out in the countryside.
Which supercar would I stance? Bugatti EB110.
Best regards
Sebastian
Did you do that render? Looks great!
Yes, sir. Thank you very much.
All my designs (photoshops) are done in a way that they could not only be build in reality but also function and not be static show queens only. First and foremost I'm a driver and a modified car that doesn't drive properly is not worth the effort for me.
There are 250+ photoshop pictures on my homepage and I also post them on instagram.
Best regards
Sebastian Motsch
I would rather own no cars then any that had been wrecked like that.
Tasteless..
I think its somewhere between 49-51 olds 88 I'm almost positive
49-51 olds rocket 88 I'm almost positive on that
This is just off the top of my head, but I’d love to see a properly bagged Pagani. A Zonda R or Huayra would be ideal.
Most of those cars look absolutely horrendous. The 911 is the only car that doesn't look far worse than stock.
Yep, totally agree. Horrid-looking things, most of them.
Love to see Kazuki get his hands on a Jaguar XJ220, personally id love to have a bagged BMW 850i.
I haven't heard and seen Kazuki-san works before, and I couldn't find in the article, what makes his cars so special apart from his interesting lifestyle. While I can instantly see why outlaw 356s are special, I "only" see lowered cars in Kazuki-san's
There are several incredible points about the author of these creatures. First is long time dedication, such kind of passion is very appreciatable. Second is the quality of work. The projects look unreally perfect at least on the photos. The third is bravery. You got balls to drop Diablo or Testarossa. I'm not even talking about both or even that number of iconic classics. And the cars itself, obviously expensive toys. When you reach that level of wealthiness, you are not an average salary-man. And this guy, having enough funds to sponsor all of this still insane and faithful to the style, both life and cars.
I really want to know the specific address of the madlan store in Japan. I would like to visit it in the past. Thank you very much if you can provide it.
I just can't wait for the Countach to be finished!
It might be rude to ask, but what does this man actually do for a living? Or does he earn the money for all that from working on the cars of others?
Beautiful to look at, but perhaps a headache to drive. He is a true enthusiast at heart, what a gorgeous collection~
I don't think it takes balls to do this. It doesn't take balls to take a dump in a baby stroller. It's just awful. It's also not creative or difficult. Airbags and rims, we get it. Stance is just an expensive way to ruin a car while pretending it's expressive or daring.
Worst of all, it's encouraging others to do this nonsense too, and unlike a brz or 350z, you're ruining a car that was an amazing work of art already that so so few will ever experience. Not to mention making these masterpieces even harder to get, even rarer, harder to keep running and moving the possibility of a kid who lusted after a 355 or a 911 growing up ever getting to drive or own one farther and farther away. And that makes me sad. A stock Ferrari will still be amazing to drive and listen to in 5, 10, 25 years...bagging a supercar for the 'gram ruins the car, and is only cool to people for about 5 minutes, until someone stances a garbage truck or a 250gto with an LS swap, then it's old news