Scattered throughout Japan is a legendary chain of shops that deliver surprise and pleasure to all who go to.
‘Up Storage’ reads boldly in blue and crimson over yellow, a reputation well-known to JDM fans. However for many who suppose manga is a few new American political time period, a go to to Up Storage appears like visiting eBay Motors in the actual world.
Consider it as eBay circa 2008, again when real bargains might nonetheless be discovered. That’s as a result of Up Storage isn’t your common elements store. Every little thing right here is used – wheels, bumpers, headlights, exhausts, and extra. Better of all, no two Up Garages are the identical. So, for those who’re keen to spend the day hopping from department to department, you’re certain to seek out many fascinating elements at a fraction of their authentic price.
Purchasing at Up Storage is a simple approach to modify your Japanese automobile on a funds, particularly for those who drive one thing widespread like a Toyota 86 or Honda Civic. However not everybody desires that straightforward possibility irrespective of how tempting it’s. Take Kazuma Hara, for instance. Whereas visiting his native Up Storage might make his life a lot easier, Hara-san prefers a problem.
“If you get your first automobile, all you need to do is drive to a storage and begin shopping for tuning elements,” Hara-san says. “However if you wish to stand out, you may’t use the identical automobile or the identical elements as everybody else. Generally it’s higher to take a tougher route.”
And so, he selected one thing removed from the mainstream – a JW3 Honda Immediately.
For those who’ve by no means seen one earlier than, the Immediately appears a bit like a shrunken EG Civic. That’s no accident; the mannequin was considered one of Honda’s kei automobile choices via the Eighties and ’90s, adhering to Japan’s strict mini-car laws: a 660cc engine and a size below 11.2 ft (together with restrictions on width and top).
Hara-san’s love for the Immediately didn’t begin with the automobile you see right here. 5 years earlier, when Hara-san was simply 15 and nonetheless at school, he started racing with one other JW3 chassis.
It could look like an obscure alternative, however these automobiles are low-cost, gentle (solely 650kg), and excellent for honing your race craft. The truth is, they’re even a good selection for time assault racing, as Dino found in 2023.
Having raced for a number of years earlier than incomes his driving license, Hara-san now wanted a every day driver. And positive sufficient, one other JW3 Immediately – this one – quickly joined his secure.
“I do know these automobiles very effectively from racing, so it appeared like an apparent alternative as soon as I had my driving license,” he explains. “The issue is there are quite a bit fewer elements than a Civic or Integra, so if you wish to create one thing distinctive, you’re usually required to do it your self.”
What Hara-san found from speaking with different JW3 house owners is that some elements – just like the engine – are shared with the Honda Beat. This data paved the best way for Hara-san so as to add extra performance-orientated elements together with an E07A (MTREC) Beat engine which – though remaining 656cc – has the next rev restrict and extra peak energy than the same variation fitted within the Immediately.
Engine displacement was elevated by a whisper to 700cc and a JB1 Honda Life 4-speed guide transmission with shorter gear ratios was fitted alongside. Then, Hara-san turned his consideration to the consumption and exhaust.
Three Keihin Flat CR (FCR) carburettors with alloy consumption trumpets are fed by the now-removed passenger headlight, whereas an SS Works exhaust system was one of many few off-the-shelf elements Hara-san might use.
Inside, Hara-san has taken the same path to his outdated race automobile, stripping the inside and constructing a customized roll cage within the rear. He additionally seam-welded the physique for further power and bolstered the engine mounts.
And who doesn’t love an enormous ol’ Stack gauge within the centre of the sprint? Finishing the inside is a Ciena bucket seat with a Sabelt harness belt, a Momo steering wheel, and a full-size spare wheel within the again.
As for wheels, Hara-san runs a number of units, together with 14-inch Mugen MR5s wrapped in Dunlop Direzza semi-slicks.
“For the outside, I had a really particular look I wished to realize,” Hara-san says. “I’ve all the time cherished the Japanese Touring Automobile Championship (JTCC) and from an early age, whereas racing, I all the time wished to make my automobile feel and look like a racing model. There are a whole lot of Integra and Civics modified in the same approach already in Japan, so I didn’t need to simply copy this look and be like others. That’s why I wished to do it on the JW3 Immediately.”
His favorite JTCC-era automobile, the 1997 Kool Jaccs Honda Accord, could be the inspiration for his Immediately’s livery. However this isn’t a vinyl wrap – Hara-san painted the inexperienced, gold, and white himself, with a good friend making the stickers to finish the JTCC look in ‘micro’ type.
“What I like in regards to the JW3 Immediately is that it’s only bought in Japan, so it’s already very distinctive earlier than you begin customising it,” Hara-san explains. “I might have purchased a Civic, received many elements off the shelf and constructed the automobile in a short time. However it will not have given me the identical feeling, particularly when seeing related automobiles that not make you’re feeling distinctive. All the work on my JW3 Immediately has been finished on my own and in my spare time. To drive jogs my memory of racing once I was youthful, and I hope that feeling by no means goes away.”
Mark Riccioni
Instagram: mark_scenemedia
Twitter: markriccioni
mark@speedhunters.com
