Hi All,

I've just come back from Japan ( still very jetlagged ) from what was a half work and half play "holiday".

The first week and a half was spent up on the northern island of Hokkaido - which is very beautiful and very temperate at this time of year.

On the way back I stopped in Tokyo for a few days to have some business meetings and chase up a few people. In between the boring work stuff I managed to get a few car-related fixes ( although time was short and I could not achieve all that I wanted to, as usual ). Tokyo is actually not all that nice a place to be at this time of year; its the end of the rainy season and the humidity starts becoming rather too much for weedy Englishmen like me. The only thing to do is keep cool by drinking lots of very cold Japanese beer.

Anyway, Nissan are having a bit of a busy 2003 promotions and events-wise. As part of their 70 year celebrations they have been actively promoting the Z33 and the 'sportier' models of the new Skyline range, and linking them to the company's sporting heritage. Just as I hit Tokyo they had started a week-long exhibition display at their Ginza, Tokyo HQ showrooms. This is called "SPORTS CAR GRAFFITI", and is one of a number of occasional display events that they have been having and will apparently continue to host during the rest of the year.

A number of 'sporty' models from Nissan's back catalogue were on display next to several versions of the Z33 and a couple of the new Skylines ( which I'm sorry to say I totally ignored, so can't tell you what exact models they were - except that they were badged "GT" ).

I took some photos, and Mike has kindly created a special section for them in the 2003 Events area of the Gallery here. I just uploaded 29 pics into the section, and Mike has cleared them for viewing very quickly - so you should be able to view them straight away.

Hope everyone enjoys them.

All the best for now,

Alan T.

Alan, I was viewing them as you were uploading them! Couldn't even wait till you were finished. Awesome photos, the cars and the composition. What a collection!

Cheers Victor,

Its not really a huge showroom, but they seem to make good use of it. The trouble is, there are usually lots of human beings walking around while I'm trying to take photos - they get in the way! I tried to post up photos that have as little invasion by jaywalking members of the General Public as possible ( and of course I'm sure I got on everyone else's nerves while I was waiting for a clear shot :classic: ).

There was an R33 Skyline GT-R there too - but somehow I managed to avoid taking any photos of it ( maybe a bit of subconscious editing there? ). Of course, I didn't take any shots of the Z33's or the blobby and indistinct lines of the new Skylines that were in the middle of the display, and trying to get the reflected shine and kudos from their rather more elderly predecessors. Sorry for my editing in that respect.

Interesting how Nissan are obviously STILL pairing the Fairlady and the sportier models of Skyline as their dynamic duo.

All the best,

Alan T.

Alan,

As usual your pics are of high quality and extremely interesting. I lingered over the 432 Fairlady and KPGC Skyline shots... In fact, I've set the stopwatch to see how long it takes Alfadog to wade in with more gushing comments..!

Hayden.

Fantastic Photo's Alan! Many THANKS for sharing the fruits of your effort.

Hayden you crack me up, do you know I was thinking the same thing going through the C110's. I noticed no comment by AlfaDog hehe, well he's one step closer to GTR status now I gave him my 240k box this afternoon so soon he should have a manual in the thing at least .

Yes!!!

I love the pics, especially the 432.............. awe inspiring!

Oh, I liked teh Skyline too.

Red doesn't look too pretty on it though in my opinion... pretty? Good word choice...

Alan, I'll be in Japan next week. Is Nissans Ginza, Tokyo HQ showroom pretty easy to find?

Hi alien-e,

The Ginza showroom that my photos were taken in is the second ( actually newer ) and biggest of the two Nissan Showrooms in Ginza.

Directing you to the bigger of the two is easier via the smaller of the two ( of that's not too confusing already! ).

The smaller of the two is now called the "Nissan Gallery" ( in fact, this is the site of the ORIGINAL Nissan Ginza offices but has been rebuilt as something of a temporary display space for just two or three cars at ground level ) and is right on the corner of the Ginza 4-Chome crossing. Mitsukoshi department store is on the opposite side of the road, and the Wako department store with its famous chiming clock is diagonally opposite. You will find that one of the exits for Ginza station ( on the Ginza subway line ) is right outside the Nissan Gallery - so you come up out of the ground almost in front of it. If you come out of any of the other exits just make your way to the big crossroads of Ginza 4-Chome crossing and you should be able to spot the creamy white and glass structure of the Nissan Gallery on the corner.

There might be something worth looking at in this small "Gallery" ( there was a PGC10 Skyline GT-R on a turntable there last week ) but even if not it will be useful for you to get foolproof directions to the new and much larger showroom from one of the charming young ladies who staff the Gallery.........

Basically you want to make your way down Harumi-Dori, and across Showa-Dori ( past the big Kabuki theatre on the other side of the road ) and then turn right when you get to the big NTT building on your right. Just 100 metres on is the Nissan 'Honsha' ( Head Office ) which have the showrooms on their ground floor.

There is more than one way to give directions, as Ginza is arranged in a grid system of roads and you can get to the same place by different directions very easily. Asking those charming ladies at the Nissan Gallery is definitely a good tip ( they'll draw you a good map if you ask them nicely ) and its only a 10-minute walk. They might actually direct you down Chuo-Dori and tell you to turn left - but I think my directions are easier to follow through. Ginza is easy to find and there are many Subway and overground train lines in the area. My tip is Ginza eki on the Ginza sen as its so easy and drops you at the Nissan Gallery doorstep if you find the right exit................

Sadly, the "Sports Car Graffiti" event might have finished by the time you get there. As far as I am aware it was a one-week event that started on 1st August. You never know what they will have on next though - so don't give up. There will quite possibly be something of interest going on.

Don't know what they will have on display while you are there, but a trip to NISMO's HQ at Omori ( in the Ohta ward of Tokyo ) might be worthwhile. Don't expect too much though, as its basically a shop counter with a few display cabinets and a couple of race cars parked up. The rest of the iceberg is underwater - in this case the workshops and "Omori Paddock" at the rear of the building. You may or may not be able to charm your way into a short tour of the workshops ( I'm not guaranteeing it, as it very much depends on who you talk to ) but if you DO get in then you can see many customer GT-R's being serviced / upgraded and the occasional Works race car being fettled. You can get to Omori station on the Keihin line if you change trains from the JR lines at Shinagawa. The train actually goes past NISMO on the big main road if you are looking out of the train to your left from Shinagawa direction.

If you need any maps or further directions then I'll try to help.

All the best,

Alan T.

Hey Alan,

Great series of pics as usual! It seems every few weeks or so you suprise us with something!

By the way, I'll be heading back to Japan in November for a wedding. That's in Gunma but then I'll head to Tokyo for several days. I'd love to know of any public Nissan/Datsun show rooms or otherwise that I could hit while I'm there. I don't know what part of Tokyo we'll be in but I could find out. Thanks!

Michael

I just got to thinking about how we in the US always make fun of Japanese tourists always taking pictures.... wonder what they are thinking when they see Alan walk in the door.....

Wonder what they would think if 20 or 30 of us pooled our resources and took a group trip and did nothing but take pictures and drool......

Cheers Halz, Bambikiller, Alfadog, mperdue.

Halz, I'm not sure about the "high quality" comment - as I usually end up with the camera set on 'Auto' mode and then just point and shoot. Any credit should probably go to Nikon! I must say that the colours of the cars in some cases seem to change quite drastically under the showroom-style lighting. The 432 in particular looks much more orange in the pics than in real life ( the car was 920 Gold / Safari Brown ) and I guess it must be the camera exaggerating what the lighting effect does. If I took them with flash it would have washed the pic detail out a bit more and you would have seen the 'true' colour.

I must say that its fairly frustrating to simply bang off a few photos and tell you all about the 'event' ( however small an event it might be ). It would be so much better for all concerned if we could have the cars in front of us and inspect / discuss / compare them between ourselves. I sometimes feel rather tired by the thought that I should have paid more attention to one detail or other, as it would be of interest to somebody and a chance would be lost. This time I was able to pay particular attention to the red KPGC110 GT-R for Alfadog, as he is evolving his car into a replica of one. Its rewarding to be able to try and help, and gives a focus and purpose to the mission. Other than that, I know some people will be interested and that others will not be bothered - but of course I post the photos for those who ARE interested or who might find them a good base for discussion............

Michael ( mperdue ) I can't tell you at the moment what might be happening over there in November. There's always plenty to do in Japan ( and especially in Tokyo ) but its not always car, or particularly Z, related. Most true car 'events' tend to happen in the countryside - apart from the yearly show that used to take place in Shiodome, Tokyo ( sadly no more ) and the New Year car show and swap meet in Yokohama ( which is great - but is towards the end of January ). The Tokyo leg of the "Nostalgic Car Fair" took place in May, but it travels to several other cities during the year and I'll have to check out where it might be nearer to your travel date. However, I suspect it might be a long way from Gunma or Tokyo by that time. There are a few museums and other places of car-related interest that you could visit - but sadly very few of them have much in the way of Z-related content. Nissan are currently making murmurs of their new museum plans ( apparenty a site is already chosen ) but I imagine this will be a year or more away from Opening. They do have a good engine museum which opened recently which might be worth a peep. I can give you some better information on November events after I look into it - so you might like to PM me once you firm up your schedule? There are a few people I can ask who should be able to give good advice and any insider knowledge on small or club-related events at that time. Whatever - I'll do my best to help.

2Many - the most embarrassing thing about taking these particular shots was having to 'perform' in front of the very charming young ladies who staff the showroom. One of them seemed so concerned with my mental and physical health that she brought me over a glass of iced coffee - which was rather nice of her. I was only there for an hour or so, but it probably seemed like an eternity to them. They probably recognised me from my May visit when I stuck around even longer and even had to go and buy another Flashcard, as I ran out of camera memory. Most of the Japanese visitors were just popping into the showroom for a quick peep and to pop off a few shots on the cameras that now seem to be part of almost every Japanese cell phone ( they are barmy about "Sha-Mail" or photo-mail cellphone messages ). I don't think I was drooling though. I think I possibly had more of a frustrated and knitted-brow countenace - brought on by the thought that the only cars in the showroom that were feasibly within reach for my ownership in the UK were the R32 and R33 GT-R's - and the wife has already nixed that possibility. She actually liked the Skyline Sport when she saw the pics - but that's not on my list of priorities and does not even figure on the scale of financial possibility..................

Cheers all,

Alan T.

Halz, I'm not sure about the "high quality" comment - as I usually end up with the camera set on 'Auto' mode and then just point and shoot. Any credit should probably go to Nikon

Alan, the shots are better than the taken-under-time-constraint shots you took in the Nissan 'warehouse'. Remember, any shot of a Fairlady 432 is new, refreshing and high-quality to 99% of the folk on this site!

They do have a good engine museum which opened recently which might be worth a peep

At the risk of sounding like a nostalgia-driven engine-geek, this sounds like a great place! I'd go there in a flash if I was ever passing through Tokyo. Because I'm unlikely to do that however, I will just have to content myself with a great book my wife gave me for Christmas called "Classic Racing Engines" by Karl Ludvigsen. This book analyses 50 great engines from the 1913 Pugeot GP winner to the Penske Mercedes turbo pushrod unit of over 1000bhp. The chapters are quite technical and guaranteed to overflow your brain - I loved it

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1859606490/qid=1060246223/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-5658310-2622419?v=glance&s=books