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'It's not how massive it’s, it's what you do with it.' This was my response when Jun Sakamoto confirmed me his workshop, and politely excused its modest dimension. To be trustworthy, I noticed it smaller.
Based mostly in a small village in rural Saitama, J.Beat Customized has produced among the finest pandemonium and hardcore Tokyo through the years. Jun Takahashi's hardcore Tokyo Camaro, the Pandem C5 Corvette and the Pandem Datsun D22 Frontier debuting at Tokyo Auto Salon 2024 – which I'll share with you quickly – had been all constructed from this easy place.
This isn't the primary Rocket Bunny-kitted Datsun truck we've seen on Speedhunters. In 2017, Trevor shot a Hardcore Tokyo x Pandem Datsun 620 after it was manufactured in america.
Whereas the 620 was considerably tough and prepared, Sakamoto-san's J.Beat Customized Maintains. One way or the other it really works.
The inexperienced and gold livery pays homage to the KPGC110 Skyline GT-R idea that Nissan confirmed on the nineteenth Tokyo Motor Present in 1972, which has a JPS vibe about it, whereas the racing service Watanabe eight-spoke R-Kind wheels are Measurement is 15×9. -Inches on all 4 corners provides to the wealthy and genuine taste of the customized linen.
I’ve all the time favored modified Japanese vehicles and Sunny, particularly when outfitted with 09 Racing 'Hakotora' entrance finish conversion, which provides it Hakosuka Look however i’ve been advised Hakotora The facelift is definitely fairly concerned – it's not only a case of bolting on and bolting on. For this Pandem Collaborative creation, Sakamoto-san let the newly-designed overfender and deep entrance air dam do all of the speaking, and I don't suppose anybody can argue with the completed product.
With the huge wheels and huge physique, Sakamoto-san simply wanted to deal with the journey peak to tug the entire look collectively. And that is the place issues get a bit difficult, as a result of Mr. J.Beat not solely needed to bang his linen, he additionally needed to deal with it.
The entrance finish is pure Toyota AE86 fare, which Sakamoto-san says suits the Sunny completely. This provides the Datsun one of many world's favourite drift automotive bases with a wider entrance observe and steering.
On the rear, Sunny's unique leaf spring setup has given technique to a customized 4-link rear finish constructed by tube-frame and exhaust specialist Hatta Shokai. The whole lot – together with the RS*R Honda Odyssey coilovers – is on show, with the brand new suspension setup and the truck mattress lower as much as accommodate the No. 7 gas cell.
Underneath the hood, Sakamoto-san has caught with the Nissan A-series engine, though it's now the A15 from the Datsun 210 as a substitute of the manufacturing unit A12. With twin Solex 40mm side-draft carbs and a straight-pipe exhaust it's fairly quick – in a great way.
The cabin is pretty fundamental with a mixture of unique tools and some aftermarket additions. The latter features a pair of classic low-back bucket seats, sports activities wheels, flower shift knob, and an Auto Meter 5-inch tachometer.
Sakamoto-san's J.Beat Customized Very Chilly.
Toby Thayer
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