From Gunma With Love

From Gunma With Love

With Renegades and this blog I want to try and bring you all something that you can truly enjoy. So why not take that and go back to Japan where a majority of or influence in cars comes from? I have the honor to bring you Katsuya-San's beautiful Skyline HCR32!

I was very fortunate enough to become friends with Katsuya and talk with him about his Skyline and get to know him a bit more.

Josh: Where are you from in Japan and what is your hobby?

Katsuya-San: I was born in a place called Gunma Prefecture in Japan. Do you know the anime called Initial D? That is the prefecture where it's set! My hobby is cars and job is car related!

Now, we have all seen at least a clip of Initial D at some point. For those that have watched it all, we know how amazing Gunma Prefecture is!

 

Some of us in the car community can thank our parents for the introduction. The same can be said for Katsuya-San!

Josh: What started your car hobby and was the Skyline R32 your first choice?

Katsuya-San: It's all about R32! When I first realized it, my parents were riding a 4-door GTS, so I wanted to buy the current GTS. I like GT-R, but I don't think it's as good as the thin and beautiful body line of GTS. 

He has taken that beautiful platform and truly turned his machine into something eye-catching!

To most there is always a favorite part to the car we build and own. Some like the look. Some like the ride the car offers. If you ask any skyline owner, its just hard to pick something over the sound of the RB motor.

Josh: What do you enjoy most about the R32?

Katsuya-San: My favorite part of the car is that I like the sound and the feeling of driving, but it comes with the cool appearance. I am looking forward to the moment when I think my car is cool while drinking coffee when I go out.

The R32 is a work of art! I can assure you that it is very cool and the coffee is a plus!

As enthusiasts we are always looking to make the next change or switch the look of our build. It's just what we do. Katsuya-San has kept the factory Type-M aero but made subtle changes to make the R32 stand out. A nice OEM GTR front lip spoiler has been fitted to the factory bumper and a trunk spoiler from a Cima has also been added to compliment the rear of the car. From what I was told by Katsuya-San the trunk spoiler is hard to find!

The most important component when going over the styling of a car has to be the suspension and wheel setup. That is what draws the eye in on most builds!

Josh: What suspension are you currently using and what is the wheel setup you have chosen for the R32?

Katsuya-San: The suspension is 326Power shock absorbers with lower spring rates and flexible movement with solid attenuation, as well as cross member processing and ball joints at appropriate locations. It's a particular footwear.

The wheel size is 17×9jj+20 of BBS LM. There are almost no spacers in between!

The R32 and the BBS LM are a very good combo. A classy wheel for a classy car! 

Katsuya-San's Skyline is beautiful in its current form. We are hoping that doesnt change. So we had to ask the obvious question, what's next?

Josh: Do you have future plans for the R32 or for any new project car?

Katsuya-San: The shape is quite finished with the current skyline. I'm sure I'll have to change the wheel and play with it in the future, but for a while it's mainly a restore.
Actually, the rear fender arch of this R32 is raised very naturally, and the height of the front and rear fenders arch is the same, so the angle from the side is very beautiful.
At first glance, it looks normal, but I'm thinking of continuing to deepen my obsession with details.

My main goal is to continue enjoying the current skyline! I also enjoyed drift and tuning, and I hope I can think slowly about my life with my car from now on.

I'm sure we are all excited to see what Katsuya-San does next to his beautiful R32. Enjoying it now in its current form is the goal but we know the styling and modifications never stop!

Thank you Katsuya-San for giving me this opportunity! Please Stay Rad!

Photos:

  • @hcr32yone
  • @yanagi_eg16a
  • @tya_han291

 

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