It’s official, Quick X is on its solution to cinemas in Could and, as soon as once more, we will’t wait to witness the compulsory assortment of loopy automotive creations ripping up the tarmac – together with the Datsun 240Z road racer all of us noticed within the official trailer.
As devoted followers of modified Japanese imports, we’ve seen greater than our justifiable share of tuner automotive icons used on display since The Quick and the Livid stormed the scene manner again in 2001. There’s even been a number of true-blue JDM examples alongside the way in which.
In truth, there’s little question that the F&F films have grow to be synonymous with Japanese automotive tradition over time. With all the pieces from the Skyline GT-R and Nissan Maxima enjoying key roles to bona fide Japanese supercars such because the Lexus LFA and Honda NSX making cameos, these films have served to maintain Japanese steel within the modifying zeitgeist for over twenty years now.
And therein lies the query of the day: what are essentially the most iconic Japanese vehicles to grace the large display all through the Quick & Livid Saga? Properly, we’ve narrowed it right down to 10 of our all-time favourites.
1. 1994 Toyota Supra A80
Essentially the most well-known JDM automotive of all of them? Properly, that’s in all probability half true. The Lamborghini-Orange “Nuclear Gladiator” Toyota Supra often is the most well-known Japanese automotive of your entire franchise. However the turbocharged, targa-top hero used within the authentic film was a left-hand-drive US mannequin. So, strictly talking, you couldn’t name it JDM.
What this automotive was, nevertheless, was a real modified monster. And that was earlier than the movie was even in growth. The Quick and The Livid was a comparatively low-budget flick, so – to avoid wasting on the finances – the automotive was rented from the movie’s technical advisor, Craig Lieberman. His A80 Supra was already sporting a closely modified 3-litre 2JZ-GTE engine and pushing out a whopping 570bhp – almost double that of a normal Twin Turbo Supra. In truth, the one adjustments that the manufacturing staff made for the film have been the wheels, physique styling and orange paint job (initially the automotive was yellow). Nearly all the pieces else was already there.
And for those who’re questioning in regards to the ‘junker’ on the again of a tow truck within the film, that was certainly sporting a 2JZ engine – however not the legendary twin turbo lump they have been describing. It will have taken far more than 15k to get it as much as full ‘Race Wars’ spec too. In actuality, they’d have put nicely over 100k into this construct. However that’s Hollywood for you, eh?
Except for the real hero automotive, a number of different replicas have been constructed for stunts and racing scenes, a few of which have been repainted and used for Slap-Jack’s automotive in 2 Quick 2 Livid. There’s additionally a white 1995 US Twin Turbo mannequin on the finish of Livid 7, however this wasn’t a rehash of certainly one of these vehicles; that one was from Paul Walker’s private assortment.
So, what occurred to the orange Supra when filming wrapped? It merely went again to its authentic proprietor. Though it did flip up once more in 2021 the place it was bought at public sale for $550k. Not a foul payday for a 90s Toyota, is it?
2. 1993 & 1997 Mazda RX-7 FD
Everybody’s favorite rotary-powered Mazda had two of a very powerful roles within the franchise. First, certainly one of these launched Dominic Toretto to the sequence in The Quick and The Livid, and it was the one Japanese tuner automotive he raced earlier than breaking out the trademark American muscle vehicles. And second, the principle hero automotive from Tokyo Drift was Han Seoul-Oh’s widebody ‘Fortune’ RX-7 FD.
Within the modifying world, after all, the Mazda RX-7 is one thing of an icon – the very purpose why it was utilized in each films. As with Brian’s Supra within the first movie, the frugal producers rented a ready-built instance (this time owned by Keith Imoto) and made a number of beauty adjustments. The automotive was initially a left-hand drive US mannequin in gray with closely modified 13B engine and a roll cage. The producers painted the automotive pink, after which eliminated the cage, just because Vin Diesel couldn’t slot in it. A number of clone vehicles have been additionally constructed, however these have been commonplace, aside from the outside styling and exhausts.
Dom’s Mazda is proven to have an enormous aftermarket sound system within the film, however these photographs have been really taken from one other automotive. The actual-life model solely had a manufacturing unit audio system – it was a light-weight racer, in spite of everything. This automotive was additionally repainted and utilized in 2 Quick 2 Livid by Orange Julius.
The 1997 RX-7 featured in Tokyo Drift, as you’d anticipate, is a full-on JDM mannequin. This automotive was additionally purchased prepared modified, however this time for a reported $150k from legendary Japanese tuners Veilside. Initially their firm demo automotive, it was first constructed to showcase their £15K Fortune widebody equipment on the 2005 Tokyo Auto Salon. It was additionally darkish pink, however the F&F staff repainted it in Home of Kolor Orange to verify it popped on display. Which – we expect we will all agree – it did properly.
3. 2003 Nissan Fairlady Z33
The JDM model of the Nissan 350Z is what you would possibly name a bona fide Japanese muscle automotive. In truth, this one is virtually an American fastback, merely from having an enormous 3.5-litre ‘V’ engine up entrance, rear-wheel-drive on the again and presumably a driver grinning like a madman within the center.
However, whereas massive capability VQ35DE V6 engines (which negate the necessity to mess about with turbochargers) was the order of the day for Nissan within the noughties, the JDM Fairlady Z utilized in Tokyo Drift was fitted with an aftermarket twin turbo equipment developed by Australian tuning home, APS. This gave our automotive anti-hero round 450bhp, which is about 170bhp over commonplace and greater than sufficient for any Drift King to interrupt out the sideways antics.
The Z33, which went on sale all over the world in varied specs between 2002 and 2009, has proved infinitely standard on the worldwide tuning scene. There’s nonetheless loads of modified examples on the present scene in the present day, they usually’re one of many few that may nonetheless be picked up for an affordable worth. With these curvy attractiveness, this automotive was forward of its time, and it’s one which has aged extraordinarily nicely… if in any respect.
It has additionally been nicely catered for by the aftermarket over time. From the very starting, components producers have been falling over themselves to supply tuning upgrades, chassis components, physique styling and wheels. This consists of the mighty Veilside who have been already concerned with the film with their Fortune RX-7, so it is smart that they’d provide their equally loopy V3 widebody aero equipment, huge Andrew Evolution wheels, and an entire load of carbon fibre bolt-ons for the principle antagonist.
4. 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R V-Spec
The fabled R34 GT-R could also be one of many vehicles most related to the franchise – to not point out Paul Walker himself – however this automotive solely made a few main appearances. Most notably within the fourth instalment (Quick & Livid) and, maybe most famously of all, because the introductory hero automotive within the second movie.
Now, it goes with out saying that the R34 Skyline GT-R is among the most coveted Japanese tuner automotive icons ever conceived – a real cult traditional. This 2.6-litre twin-turbocharged monster might be THE automotive of the PlayStation era, they usually command costs of nicely over £100k these days. However, as a result of the Skyline was by no means formally supplied on the market within the US, the vehicles used (apart from a single UK mannequin) have been all JDM fashions. This additionally explains why they have been all right-hand-drive vehicles.
Surprisingly, the 2002 Bayside Blue GT-R used for a little bit smuggling in Mexico in Quick & Livid wasn’t even a GT-R in any respect. As an alternative, the manufacturing staff created plenty of replicas utilizing non-turbocharged, 1998-2001 GT fashions. These additionally got here with fundamental rear-wheel-drive moderately than the legendary Nissan ATSSA AWD system.
In 2 Quick 2 Livid, although, that was a real 1999 JDM R34 GT-R. What’s extra, this one solely missed out on being the star of your entire movie due to a product placement cope with Mitsubishi (therefore the Evo VII and Eclipse Convertible getting used). The primary hero automotive was one other owned by Craig Lieberman and modified with an entire host of HKS engine upgrades and nitrous oxide. One other 4 vehicles have been imported by MotoRex and fitted with matching C-West physique kits, HRE wheels and the notorious Home of Kolor paint job with added blue stripes.
The final R34 constructed for the film – which was imported from Middlehurst Motorsport within the UK and modified accordingly – was solely used for the bridge-jump scene, the place it was destroyed.
5. 2002/2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII & IX
There’s been two Mitsubishi Evos used as hero vehicles within the early F&F films. First the 2002 Evo VII in 2 Quick 2 Livid, after which the 2006 Evo IX in Tokyo Drift.
The irony, after all, is that the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has all the time been most well-known for its rallying prowess, and there wasn’t a dust observe in sight in both film. Due to the legendary all-wheel-drive methods utilized in all fashions of the Evo since its inception, it’s ironic that certainly one of these was chosen as a drift automotive within the third film too. Albeit an Evo IX that had been transformed to rear-wheel-drive particularly for this goal. Then once more, this actually acquired the automotive group speaking, so perhaps that was the entire level.
What’s additionally fascinating is that the Evo VII wasn’t ever accessible within the US. The Evo VIII mannequin was launched later in America, however that wasn’t till after 2 Quick 2 Livid was launched in 2003. As an alternative, the on-screen vehicles have been donated by Mitsubishi Japan for the filming and modified by the manufacturing staff with new hind lights to appear to be the upcoming Evo VIII. Mitsubishi shipped over 4 in complete and the explanation these fashions have been left-hand-drive is that they have been initially destined for a rally staff in Austria earlier than being diverted to the US.
Each the F&F vehicles have some severe high-performance heritage. Initially meant solely as a JDM mannequin, the Evo I got here alongside in 1992 and has “advanced” by way of 10 totally different variants, all powered by a 2-litre turbocharged engine. The Evo X was retired again in 2016. Such was the early success of those vehicles on the gray import market that Mitsubishi formally supplied them on the market worldwide in 1998. They’ve since gone on to grow to be extraordinarily profitable in motorsport, and one of the vital iconic vehicles within the modifying group.
6. Nissan Skyline GT-R C10 ‘Hakosuka’
This significantly retro instance could not have had an enormous quantity of display time, however there’s little question that the looks of a C10 GT-R in Quick 5 was one thing that delighted connoisseurs of JDM classics.
The Hakosuka is a particular automotive. The primary Skyline mannequin to sport the enduring GT-R badge, it was initially accessible as a 4-door sedan in 1969 and later as a 2-door coupe in 1971. Each variants got here geared up with a 160bhp inline straight 6 engine, rear-wheel drive, and even a restricted slip differential, making these pumped-up examples of the third-generation Nissan/Datsun Skyline far forward of their time.
A bona fide holy grail Nissan, the nickname “Hakosuka” wasn’t formally sanctioned by Nissan; as an alternative, it turned standard on the streets of Japan the place the automotive was referred to as the “Field Skyline” due to its chunky physique. “Hako” is the literal translation of the phrase field and “suka” is a shortened model of the phrase “sukairain,” which suggests skyline.
Lower than 2000 examples have been ever produced, they usually’re one of the vital sought-after Japanese fashions by severe automotive collectors. These days, you’ll be able to anticipate to pay the perfect a part of £200k at public sale, making Brian’s 1971 GT-R Coupe turning up in Brazil one of many priciest cameos for a JDM Kyusha (outdated automotive) over your entire F&F franchise.
7. 2000 Honda S2000
The Honda badge is one which’s grow to be synonymous with the road tuning and modifying scenes all over the world, and once they launched the convertible S2000 in 1999 it was an prompt hit. It’s straightforward to see why: with its light-weight body, high-revving 2-litre VTEC engine and actually 1000’s of aftermarket components accessible, this little 2-seater stays standard to today. Though fashionable traditional standing implies that costs are at present rising, they’re nonetheless accessible for affordable cash too.
The S2000 made a few key appearances within the Quick and Livid saga. First as Johnny Tran’s anti-hero automotive in The Quick and The Livid, and second as Suki’s automotive in 2 Quick 2 Livid… yep, the one which jumped the bridge with Brian’s R34 Skyline.
Opposite to standard perception, and regardless of being listed as totally different years within the film specs, these two have been really the identical automotive. The three S2000s (together with the principle automotive and stunt vehicles) used for the primary film have been repurposed for the second.
The unique Johnny Tran hero automotive was a US mannequin rented from RJ DeVera, the actor who performed Danny Yamato (the man who drove the white Honda Civic within the first road race). Moderately than having “greater than 100 grand beneath the hood,” there have been just some efficiency modifications, together with a Comptech supercharger, pushing the automotive to round 290bhp. So it was a fast S2000 for positive, however it was no 10-second automotive.
For two Quick 2 Livid, the automotive was bought by the manufacturing staff the place they repainted it pink and altered the wheels.
8. 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Though a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is used as Roman’s automotive in 2 Quick 2 Livid, a very powerful Eclipse within the sequence will all the time be the 1995 Kawasaki Inexperienced coupe from the primary film. In spite of everything, it’s the very first road racer we see over the entire saga… and it introduces Paul Walker’s character to the franchise.
5 clone vehicles have been created for varied photographs, however the authentic hero automotive was a silver US mannequin rented from John Lapid. This got here prepared modified aside from the outside paintwork.
Regardless of being a moderately epic-looking present automotive clad in a full RoboCar physique equipment, and having a number of efficiency modifications akin to an consumption and nitrous oxide system, the road racing credentials weren’t fairly as spectacular as depicted within the film. This automotive had round 140bhp and wasn’t sporting a turbocharged 4G63 engine as said, so it’s unlikely it might be maintaining with a normal RX-7 not to mention one which’s been road tuned to perfection. However does that matter? After all it doesn’t – it’s all within the title of leisure.
9. 2001 Nissan Silvia Spec-S S15
The screentime could have been restricted for this one, what with the automotive being destroyed early on within the film, however there’s no denying that the “Mona Lisa” Nissan Silvia was one of many largest stars of Tokyo Drift.
A legendary automotive for drifting, and on the modified automotive scene typically, the Nissan Silvia (referred to as the Nissan S-Physique automotive) has been by way of an entire load of iterations since being launched by Datsun in 1965. Maybe essentially the most well-known to the world’s modifiers are the 80s and 90s Nissan S13, S14 and S15 variants. We see a number of of those over the course of the franchise, together with the automotive pushed by Letty within the first movie – a US mannequin 240SX S14 (with an S14A entrance finish). After being repainted, this one additionally makes an look in 2 Quick 2 Livid.
The king of the on-screen Silvias, although, is undoubtedly the C-west-kitted JDM Silvia S15 constructed particularly for Tokyo Drift. Hearsay has it that over $7,000,000 have been spent on the vehicles alone for this film, with over 200 being acquired and shipped from all all over the world. However, even with this large finances, this “Spec-R” Silvia wasn’t fairly because it was depicted when it comes to its efficiency.
For a begin, the huge RB26DETT engine we see stripped out and slotted right into a Mustang on the finish of the film was by no means fitted to this automotive. After all, taking the legendary twin-turbocharged lump from a Skyline GT-R and transferring it to an S15 is a dream conversion for a lot of, and fairly frequent within the drifting world, however it was by no means one thing carried out by the producers. In truth, the Silvia used was additionally a base mannequin Spec-S automotive, which didn’t include the tuner’s favorite 250bhp turbocharged SR20DET engine discovered within the Spec-R both. So we’re speaking round 160bhp moderately than 500-odd-bhp as proven within the movie.
However then once more, we will forgive all this as a result of there’s little question the Mona Lisa was nonetheless one of the vital genuine vehicles used all through the franchise, just because they used a Silvia for drifting. It’s additionally an instance that has spawned many replicas all over the world.
10. 1993 Honda Civic Coupe EJ1
The three neon-lit Honda Civic “heist vehicles” from The Quick and The Livid is probably not full-on road racers as such, however they’re the primary F&F vehicles we see. By all accounts, these have been a few of the most unloved display vehicles over your entire franchise; having been constructed solely to outlive a few weeks’ filming, they have been all thought of disposable by the manufacturing staff.
It goes with out saying that the Civic has all the time been standard with modifiers, with loads of legendary examples being pumped out by Honda to today. 2021 noticed the eleventh era of this automotive hit the streets and, over time, they’ve all (significantly the Sort-R variants) grow to be the bread and butter of the import tuning scene. This is the reason the Civics that have been hottest on the streets of the US in 2001 have been chosen to star within the film. However once more, the US coupe fashions used have been about as removed from full-on racing spec because it’s doable to get. The modifications right here have been all beauty, and really a lot of their time. They regarded cool again within the day although, and maybe that’s all that issues.
With a comparatively low finances for the builds, the manufacturing staff picked up plenty of low cost (and moderately tough) DX fashions, together with one EX – the one with the sunroof. These have been painted black and fitted the Axis wheels, VIS GT Bomber physique kits and Veilside rear spoilers. The noisy exhausts have been low-cost common objects hidden away beneath the bumpers.
After the primary film, the Civics did get a slight reprieve, nevertheless. The survivors have been repainted and fitted with Bomex kits for use as background vehicles in 2 Quick 2 Livid.
Regardless of various reviews of those vehicles having highly-tuned B18 engines with aftermarket turbochargers and all of the trimmings, the true story is that these have been all 1.5-litre fashions with round 100hp. However whereas they is probably not essentially the most mind-blowing tuner automotive legends all through the sequence, their cult standing with many followers implies that these little Hondas greater than deserve a spot in our prime ten.
Need to learn extra about JDM vehicles? Learn our blogs on the finest JDM vehicles of the 90s and our favorite Japanese vehicles.
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