The Japanese Performance Show - 2019
Bigger, bolder and now in its third year, JPS returned showcasing the definitive collection of Japanese automotive glamour.
August 18th and The Japanese Performance Show came back to its UK home, Stoneleigh in Warwickshire, the West Midlands.
The Road to JPS
For every car that comes to JPS the road traveled is different, such is the spectrum of cars on show.
Preservation
For some it's about perfecting a cherished classic, trying to achieve that factory finish. There's a 'James May' fear of going beyond the original design - Maybe, just maybe, the odd cosmetic tweak or engine modification, but nothing so you'd know.
Ages range from a 47 year old immaculate first generation Skyline GT-R, Hakosuka.
This relatively youthful 20 year old fifth generation Prelude.
A pristine late nineties Celica.
And celebrating 30 years the Nissan Pao.
Released in 1989 this was the second of the Pike series of car, (named after Nissan's Pike factory). The idea being to combine sixties styling with modern specifications. The Pao had a production run of just over fifty thousand and sold out in just 3 months.
And to the other end of the spectrum and a very different journey.
The Build
For many the road to JPS is all about the build. Whereas OEM is about preservation, the build is about unleashed imagination, cars taken beyond the constraints of their original design and transformed.
As an example, take this stock S-MX, arguably the Fairy Godmother failed to sprinkle fairy dust on Honda's little creation.
Photo courtesy of wikipedia
Now look again, and you'll find this S-MX is most definitely going to the ball.
Multiple aesthetic changes with custom paint, revised front end, bespoke arches and custom interior are amongst a long list of modifications, (and as time passes that list grows longer).
Another example of the build comes from a late nineties EK Civic.
Photo courtesy of wikipedia
Above a stock example and below not so stock anymore.
And minus bonnet.
Which leads on to the next vital part of the journey.
The Engine Bays
In preparing for JPS the engine bay must be just so.
To a Honda fanatic this functional engine bay may be beautiful, but, the designers didn't have aesthetics high on their list of priorities, function over form with a touch of, 'don't touch it might be hot', health and safety.
And so to a small sample of the exquisite engine bays JPS brings to the stage - Complete with crafted manifolds, large bore throttle bodies, turbos, superchargers, tucked bays and engine swaps.
No road to JPS is equal, each car takes its own path, a broad spectrum of routes from factory preserved to the realisation of an individuals dream where OEM was the start of the journey.
Years of patience, bank account drained and the car is finally complete and ready to take a bow at the Japanese Performance Show.
The Cast
With less than twenty four hours to go Stoneleigh Park is rather quiet.
Slowly but surely the Japanese start to arrive.
Risen to the occasion each car has a look of pride, the journey to JPS is nearly over.
And to the hall where two Hondas await the show, the JDM FD2 Civic TypeR looking particularly mean and ready.
With the journey complete, at least for the TypeR and Prelude, it was time to unwind, (excuse the blatant product placement).
Meanwhile a couple of Subarus make home for the evening awaiting an early morning start.
A short drive to JPS awaits.
And the host for JPS - Worth a recap.
Stoneleigh Park
Photo courtesy of www.stoneleighparkestate.com
The venue provides three distinct settings for each scene of the show.
The Hall
Here carefully laid out artwork consumes the floor.
Away from the hall and to the next scene.
The Barns
A multitude of clubs arrange their gems.
Row upon row of neatly lined cars within the cool barns.
And just outside, the final set.
The Sound Stage
Connecting the hall and barns and away from the overhead lights is the bustle of the sunlit tarmac.
The sunshine was complimented by Kiss FM's Neev Spencer providing JPS with the perfect soundtrack.
The Tour
I'm still going through footage, (to see what can be salvaged so to speak). However, there's a couple of wanderings, one of the hall and then the barns:
A few themes emerged from my camera roll, the first, a Nissan of note.
Not the GT-R, or the S15.
Nor the R34.
The Nissan 350Z
Born in 2002 with a seven year run. It was the fifth generation of the 'Z' car series. A classic recipe - V6 up front and rear wheel drive.
For some reason this Nissan has repeatedly slipped under my radar.
It's a car with with simple lines that's aged well and can clearly be built upon.
And the perfect canvas for anime.
Not all cars take to the flared arch, wide stance or rocket bunny look, the 350Z does.
In 2009 the 350Z became the 370Z and in terms of OEM saw a nice evolution in looks and lines.
But - Look back at the elder 350Z and especially here at JPS 2019, a class act.
A jump back in time and change of brand, and to a Toyota of note.
The A80
Toyota's timeless classic and an icon of Japanese performance with production running from 1993 to 2002.
Always a strong showing at JPS.
Photobomb
The contrasts of JPS - The Honda HR-V and its Civic derived 1.6 litre 4 pot VTEC facing the mighty 3.0 litre, six cylinder, twin turbo charged 2JZ-GTEs of the Supras.
If I'm going to mention the HR-V I ought to include its elder sibling.
Unlike the HR-V, this first generation Honda CR-V is far from stock.
Curtain Call
Where to stop, such was the diversity of the cast, there was even a green contender on the floor of the hall, a hybrid.
Though this particular Honda CR-Z may well have compromised some of its green credentials during the course of transformation.
A Further Encore
A few more images from the day and I'll confess I was guilty of missing a great many cars, (I should be shot for missing a rather special Hakosuka).
The End?
The Japanese Performance Show returns in 2020 with yet more Japanese automotive glamour. The UK edition returns to Stoneleigh Park, 16th of August and prior to that the Belgium edition, 28th of June. Keep track of the website, or find JPS on Facebook.
Thanks All
I hope you've enjoyed this taste of the JPS experience, and, like me, struck by the sheer quality and passion on display. Really was a privilege to fly the Prelude flag in the hall.
Regards
Richard
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Comments (4)
1st debut of new build
Wonderful location , halls and organisers.
Proudly came home with my baby's 1st trophy plaque.
Massive thanks to Davinder for all his hard work. Total respect Dav.
When I saw that fender the first thing I imagined was a wide body fender suddenly bulging out of the side of a car while customizing it in Need For Speed.
HEHE - that S-MX really is a stunner