Happy Memorial Day
JDMphasis... Innovation over Imitation
Friday, May 25, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
All that glitters...
...is Top Secret.
The famous Top Secret Supra with a couple of jealous VQs peering in from the periphery...
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Oh boy, Uncle Ben...
"I want to get Bride seats... But I am still unsure if it's too ricey."
The term "rice" is open to interpretation. There is no steadfast definition by which to go when classifying something as rice. I had always thought that it was one of things that is explained simply with "You know it when you see it." However, after reading the above statement of a forum member, I believe the definition is slowly becoming lost on people, to the point where anything not within one's orb of personal taste earns the tag of "rice."
My definition?
Rice is a pejorative term used to describe any, mostly Japanese-made, vehicle featuring cheap, ill-conceived, non-functional modifications - often cosmetic. These modifications are frequently improperly installed. Usually yielding a false appearance of performance and speed, rice is a car generally driven by one not overly concerned with quality or details. I suppose, to be a bit more lax with my definition of "rice," the descriptive qualifiers gaudy, tacky, and cheap could also apply.
One could assert that I am not the one to be making this argument, as I could be considered biased, owning Bride seats myself. However, I have yet to see anyone else take this Bride-as-rice stance, so I feel compelled to address it. Open to interpretation and opinion, the term is subjective. Thus, what I loosely consider "rice," someone else might not. To me, simply, Bride should never be affiliated with rice. Bride's reputation speaks for itself. Bluntly, that suggestion is absurd. Knock-off Brides? That's another story...
In a forum filled with many misguided members praising corner-cutting and mediocrity, I suppose I should not have been surprised at the irony, moxie, and hint of hypocrisy inherent in that statement. The suggestion could certainly be made that authentic Bride seats (pick a model) with authentic brackets, rails and sliders would put a dent in the wallet of the overwhelming majority of my fellow forum members more significant than the combined dent rendered by the purchases of those cheap, ponderous wheels, the ever-so-popular knock-off body kits, and, yes, that revolutionary product in a spray can, Plasti-Dip.
Goodness. Something is not right here... Que Sera, Sera.
Rice is a pejorative term used to describe any, mostly Japanese-made, vehicle featuring cheap, ill-conceived, non-functional modifications - often cosmetic. These modifications are frequently improperly installed. Usually yielding a false appearance of performance and speed, rice is a car generally driven by one not overly concerned with quality or details. I suppose, to be a bit more lax with my definition of "rice," the descriptive qualifiers gaudy, tacky, and cheap could also apply.
One could assert that I am not the one to be making this argument, as I could be considered biased, owning Bride seats myself. However, I have yet to see anyone else take this Bride-as-rice stance, so I feel compelled to address it. Open to interpretation and opinion, the term is subjective. Thus, what I loosely consider "rice," someone else might not. To me, simply, Bride should never be affiliated with rice. Bride's reputation speaks for itself. Bluntly, that suggestion is absurd. Knock-off Brides? That's another story...
In a forum filled with many misguided members praising corner-cutting and mediocrity, I suppose I should not have been surprised at the irony, moxie, and hint of hypocrisy inherent in that statement. The suggestion could certainly be made that authentic Bride seats (pick a model) with authentic brackets, rails and sliders would put a dent in the wallet of the overwhelming majority of my fellow forum members more significant than the combined dent rendered by the purchases of those cheap, ponderous wheels, the ever-so-popular knock-off body kits, and, yes, that revolutionary product in a spray can, Plasti-Dip.
Goodness. Something is not right here... Que Sera, Sera.
An example of G37 "rice" as I see it...
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Amusing Photography...
My compulsion towards the parts of the Japanese Domestic Market is not based on a personal assessment of performance superiority. It is about design, quality, and attention to detail. Likely my biggest obsession of the industry, Power House Amuse is quite possibly the superlative of JDM parts. Hardly boring or run-of-the-mill, the products that come out of their facility in Chiba are not simply functional components to be admired momentarily pre-installation, only to be forsaken shortly after brusque acknowledgment of any performance benefit or gain. Every Amuse part contains an all-too-real element of genuine automotive artistry.
R1 Titan featuring 'B' Tails with Gold Ring
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Orange Crush
The color orange is used to symbolize happiness and love in Japan...
I love this RE-Amemiya outfitted FD. Volk Racing TE37SLs look right at home under those fenders...
 |
| (Thanks, Freddy...) |
I love this RE-Amemiya outfitted FD. Volk Racing TE37SLs look right at home under those fenders...
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Replicators, Please Strat from Scratch!
Today I came across a thread on a forum where members were jokingly remarking upon the misspelling of "START" on Impul's start button.
It made me consider Top Secret's monstrous misspelling, a topic of discussion on many automotive forums for years. My understanding is that, because there are few Top Secret employees well-versed in the English language, the misspelling of "ENGINEERING" was, quite simply (and innocently), overlooked during creation of their exhaust mold. Thus, all Top Secret exhaust tips are now permanently etched as such:
It is indeed humorous. However, it also serves as a reminder; an eye-opener... Something to consider. I have an uncanny ability to take just about any discussion involving JDM and revert back to the issue of replicas and knock-offs...
Many so-called enthusiasts are under the impression that these JDM companies are huge enterprises. That is not accurate. Many are small boutique-like companies with a handful of employees. (Varis is a prime example of this.) I don't believe it is a stretch to suggest that Top Secret is a company with which every Japanese tuning enthusiast is familiar. Yet, this misspelling of the word engineering somehow managed to slip through the cracks. It is now apparent on every exhaust tip that leaves the Top Secret factory. How could this happen?
Would that happen with, say, Apple?
Would it happen with Nike?
Would an epic mistake of these proportions happen with a product leaving the Coca-Cola Company factory?
Sometimes, in reading the commentary contained in the debates regarding JDM companies, I honestly believe some people actually think JDM companies like Top Secret, Varis, Do-Luck, Impul, etc... are on the same level as these global corporate powerhouses. Goodness. They are not.
The old adage that "time is money" applies to every company in every market in every part of the world. So when these JDM companies devote their time, as well as their money, resources, and energy into researching, designing, testing, developing, and prototyping parts only to be ripped off when they create a sought-after, killer design, it hurts. It hurts significantly - to the point that simply 'breaking even' is a challenge for these companies. They are then left to wonder if it is worth it to continue to build the parts we JDM-ophiles all love. The worst part of this? The better the design of the part they produce, the more likely they are to be undermined and, thus, become a victim of intellectual property theft.
Please do your part. Don't contribute to the destruction of JDM. Don't cut corners. Buy authentic.
It made me consider Top Secret's monstrous misspelling, a topic of discussion on many automotive forums for years. My understanding is that, because there are few Top Secret employees well-versed in the English language, the misspelling of "ENGINEERING" was, quite simply (and innocently), overlooked during creation of their exhaust mold. Thus, all Top Secret exhaust tips are now permanently etched as such:
It is indeed humorous. However, it also serves as a reminder; an eye-opener... Something to consider. I have an uncanny ability to take just about any discussion involving JDM and revert back to the issue of replicas and knock-offs...
Many so-called enthusiasts are under the impression that these JDM companies are huge enterprises. That is not accurate. Many are small boutique-like companies with a handful of employees. (Varis is a prime example of this.) I don't believe it is a stretch to suggest that Top Secret is a company with which every Japanese tuning enthusiast is familiar. Yet, this misspelling of the word engineering somehow managed to slip through the cracks. It is now apparent on every exhaust tip that leaves the Top Secret factory. How could this happen?
Would that happen with, say, Apple?
Would it happen with Nike?
Would an epic mistake of these proportions happen with a product leaving the Coca-Cola Company factory?
Sometimes, in reading the commentary contained in the debates regarding JDM companies, I honestly believe some people actually think JDM companies like Top Secret, Varis, Do-Luck, Impul, etc... are on the same level as these global corporate powerhouses. Goodness. They are not.
The old adage that "time is money" applies to every company in every market in every part of the world. So when these JDM companies devote their time, as well as their money, resources, and energy into researching, designing, testing, developing, and prototyping parts only to be ripped off when they create a sought-after, killer design, it hurts. It hurts significantly - to the point that simply 'breaking even' is a challenge for these companies. They are then left to wonder if it is worth it to continue to build the parts we JDM-ophiles all love. The worst part of this? The better the design of the part they produce, the more likely they are to be undermined and, thus, become a victim of intellectual property theft.
Please do your part. Don't contribute to the destruction of JDM. Don't cut corners. Buy authentic.
JDMphasis... Innovation over Imitation
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Oldie but Goodie
I'm sure everyone has seen this car more than once, but I know I never tire of looking at it, so I'm hoping others feel the same...
Bayside Blue R34 GT-R on 18x9.5" Bronze TE37s
Monday, May 7, 2012
Amusing Photography...
My compulsion towards the parts of the Japanese Domestic Market is not based on a personal assessment of performance superiority. It is about design, quality, and attention to detail. Likely my biggest obsession of the industry, Power House Amuse is quite possibly the superlative of JDM parts. Hardly boring or run-of-the-mill, the products that come out of their facility in Chiba are not simply functional components to be admired momentarily pre-installation, only to be forsaken shortly after brusque acknowledgment of any performance benefit or gain. Every Amuse part contains an all-too-real element of genuine automotive artistry.
I am a bit unsure as to whether it is socially acceptable in aftermarket auto enthusiast circles to describe the tone and note of an exhaust system as "clean," but that is what I strive to achieve with the perfect combination of components. The ideal qualities are zero "hiss" and very little rasp (notorious idiosyncrasies of the Nissan VQ engine). Achieving this is not an easy feat, but if it can be done while not being overly obnoxious or achieving similar pitch and tenor to that of an angry bumble bee, you have a winning exhaust creation, in my opinion. I have spent more time than I care to admit on YouTube listening to sound clips of different exhaust set-ups. There are many that sound great. However, I have come back to this Z34 set-up as one that I believe is wonderfully clean.
- Power House Amuse R1 Titan Extra
- Power House Amuse R1 Front Pipe
- Central20 Sport Catalyzers
- Central20 Exhaust Manifold
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Dub Deuces?
My personal preference in regards to wheel diameters on a V36? 19" or 20".
If asked what I think of 22" wheels on a G, my reaction might be to cringe a little and shake my head in disparagement. HOWEVER, when I came across this V36 in Japan, I said to myself, "This doesn't look too bad."
Slammed on 22" Forgiato Maglia wheels featuring a gloss black lip and Lamborghini orange face, orange stock brake calipers with upgraded rotors, a US-Spec sport front bumper, painted headlights and grille color-matched to the exterior of the car, and tinted taillights.
It is always intriguing to see the cultural predilection to modifying. Japanese enthusiasts will occasionally Americanize their rides, while we often seek that rare JDM appearance. For instance, the Nissan emblems of this V36 have been removed in lieu of the Mount Fuji Infiniti emblem, the fenders have been shaved clean of the factory clear sidemarkers, and new decals have been added to the brake calipers.
Overall, this V36 is not exactly my cup of tea, but it could certainly be MUCH worse...
If asked what I think of 22" wheels on a G, my reaction might be to cringe a little and shake my head in disparagement. HOWEVER, when I came across this V36 in Japan, I said to myself, "This doesn't look too bad."
Slammed on 22" Forgiato Maglia wheels featuring a gloss black lip and Lamborghini orange face, orange stock brake calipers with upgraded rotors, a US-Spec sport front bumper, painted headlights and grille color-matched to the exterior of the car, and tinted taillights.
(Source: Carview Japan)
It is always intriguing to see the cultural predilection to modifying. Japanese enthusiasts will occasionally Americanize their rides, while we often seek that rare JDM appearance. For instance, the Nissan emblems of this V36 have been removed in lieu of the Mount Fuji Infiniti emblem, the fenders have been shaved clean of the factory clear sidemarkers, and new decals have been added to the brake calipers.
Overall, this V36 is not exactly my cup of tea, but it could certainly be MUCH worse...
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
JDM Style Tuning - Why We Meet
If you have a few minutes, check out this cool video from JDM Style Tuning addressing the inquiry into Why We Meet. Good stuff.
"The idea of these meets is that it's not a car show. It's about appreciating the guy who has got a beater car that is just held together with cable ties. And his car could be parked next to, ya know, a $100,000 built GT-R. It's about putting them all on the same level playing field..."
- Justin Fox, Founder JDM Style Tuning
Check out some more pictures from this meet here.
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