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Again once I first visited Japan in 2018, there was a particular automobile and setting that sparked a deep curiosity in a specific AE86 tuning store.
It was one among my first occasions visiting Daikoku PA, and simply as we have been about to depart on the quiet weekday evening, a Trueno pulled in and parked up. Wanting prefer it had come straight from an Assault meet at Tsukuba, Oda-san’s AE86 is the epitome of a circuit-spec Hachiroku in Japan.
Seeing time attack-spec AE86s on the observe is already an expertise, however on the road they’ve an unrivalled presence. Oda-san had merely stopped in at Daikoku for a espresso and was then proper again on his manner, however ever since I’d been obsessive about the best way he managed to create a road-going race automobile to this excessive. He’s additionally no stranger to a Daikoku cease, as Dino captured Oda-san’s automobile virtually 14 years prior.
Quick ahead 5 years from my encounter, I discover myself dwelling in Japan, and getting the possibility to take a look at Oda-san’s store, Crystal Physique Yokohama (CBY).
Nestled away within the again streets of residential Yokohama, CBY is a one-man operation that solely focuses on AE86 tuning, specifically circuit automobiles. On arrival, I used to be met by Oda-san’s private Trueno being reversed out of the store; the exact same automobile I noticed again in 2018.
What units this store other than others is the vary of labor and merchandise that comes from it. CBY not solely develops mechanical components, motors and tuning, however has additionally constructed out a variety of physique panels and kits, that at the moment are among the hottest for AE86 homeowners and builders internationally. Oda-san does all of this himself, utilizing his private automobile to develop the components, then creating moulds for each fiberglass and carbon kits.
Like most retailers right here in Japan, there’s a sense of organised chaos at Crystal Physique Yokohama. With area at such a premium, even vital operations like this one function out of across the equal of 4 double garages.
Tucked within the paint sales space sat a buyer’s Levin notchback, one other circuit-spec automobile receiving a full refresh by Oda-san. In fact, the automobile already hosts a variety of CBY signatures, together with +50mm flares, carbon touches and a v-mounted radiator setup.
This very familiar-looking Trueno hatchback sat in one other nook of the store. You’ll discover that there isn’t a lot that differentiates this automobile from Oda-san’s private demo AE86, and this as a result of it’s not unusual for patrons to request comparable builds. Oda-san informed me there are a handful of them out and about in Tokyo, additionally street-registered like his.
Very similar to every other Japanese tuning store, there’s completely no scarcity of recent and used components at CBY. You’ll discover them stashed away on any spare remaining shelf or ground area.
As I discussed above, CBY actually is a one-stop-shop for something AE86. This space of the constructing is devoted to machining and manufacturing of recent components.
I may have spent all day within the store, however there was another excuse for my go to. You don’t assume I may go to Crystal Physique Yokohama and never take a better have a look at Oda-san’s iconic AE86, did you? Keep tuned for that highlight coming very quickly.
Alec Pender
Instagram: noplansco
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