Thursday, 10 July 2008
Kaira enthusiasts
Skyline Kaira owner:
http://www.geocities.com/tkrskyline/
Note the red Kaira clocks and dials and the Kaira Sportswheel - this is an unadulterated beast of a car turning 363 BHP owned by a very lucky American owner in Tampa.
Japanese Kaira fan who runs his own webstore:
http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://blog.livedoor.jp/tommykaira/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dkaira%2Blivedoor%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official%26hs%3DPKx
Rare even in Japan, the Kaira models usually number only in the handfuls in other countries around the world they are a definite collectors item.
Buying a Kaira M30z!
A european buyer snapped up this beautiful Red 1990 Twin Turbo at auction for 18, 800 Euros - what a bargain!! The only other example I've seen for sale is this gorgeous 2+2 1991 example for approx 1,200,000 Japanese Yen! This also got snapped up in next to no time!
If you are lucky enough to find an example in your country, (and there are only a handful outside of Japan) make sure you consult the buyer's checklist here.
Saturday, 5 July 2008
M30Z
The M30Z although being exceptionally rare is one of Tommy Kaira's best known cars.
The model is based on the awe inspiring Nissan 300zx sports coupe - previously voted in the Top Ten list of Car and Driver and a model which still has a fanatical following in the US, UK, Japan and Australia despite its production being discontinued.
Part of the original Zed car lineup, the model has been referred to as Nissan's first true Junior Supercar. From this impressive starting point, Tommy Kaira retuned the engine and added its own performance component upgrades to produce a truly jaw-dropping driving experience.
Video here:
http://www.dailymotion.com/XLGARAGE/video/x4ny09_tommy-kaira-300-zx_auto
Even within Japan, the M30Z is rare and examples typically exchange for between 1.5 to 1.8 million Japanese Yen. Most owners of these cars have elected to professionally store these cars off the road since they are already a collectors item.
Typical M30Z models have the following modifications:
Tommy Kaira body kit with refashioned front bumper lip and unique Aero rear spoiler (with central signature panel). Metal decals on the front and sides and M30Z decal above the rear lights. Some cars come with a pinstripe flank detail running the length of the car.
Tommy Kaira wheels as in the picture below - lightened and forged but, like the JDM 300zx wheels, designed to redirect cool air onto the braking components. Brakes have uprated brake lines, larger cross drilled and vented Discs and upgraded V-Spec Calipers. The suspension is modified with Tommy Kaira anti roll bars, springs, dampers and other components (originally sourced from Bilstein)
All M30Zs are Japanese Twin Turbo editions and have remapped ECU electronic management systems. Induction kits are typically HKS modified units and Side mounted "Super Cup" intercoolers are employed. The customised Tommy Kaira exhaust system has a high-flow sports cat system and signature squared-off tips. Baseline output is 350 Bhp although many cars are running higher than this. ALL Tommy Kaira models have a stamped identification plate from the factory and a Green valance along the top of the Engine.
Interior seats were sourced from Recaro with added lumbar support and decals were added along with a Tommy Kaira steering wheel. Manual cars have a TK shift knob, Autos have the Power/Hold switches. Three extra 52mm gauges are found in the central console incorporating either Exhaust Gas Temperature, Boost, Voltometer, or Oil Temperature measurements. The standard dials are replaced with all red 300Km/hr TK dials.
Review of the TKR
A good review of the TommyKairaR1 - link to the site with pictures and full article here:
http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/features/0502scc_skyline_tommykaira_r/index.html
tommykairaR
This is a special car. It's a Tommykaira R, a car so rare it would be sacrilegious to refer to it as a mere R33 Nissan Skyline. Only 400 R33 TKR Skylines were produced from 1995 to 1998, and this is the only one to ever reach U.S. shores. It's number 357. You're more likely to see a Ferrari Enzo on the road than one of these.
Tommykaira is a Japanese tuning company named for its two founders, Mr. Tomita and Mr. Kaira. It received 400 bone-stock Skylines directly from Nissan and hot rodded them from the ground up on its own terms. Each was even autographed at the factory by the people who built it and a Tommykaira owner's manual was stuffed in the glovebox. Then Tommykaira sold the cars directly.This one belongs to Charles Juckett of Tampa, Fla. He added it to his collection just two years ago in a quest for uniqueness. Charles identified the car as a Tommykaira when he saw it pop up on eBay.com and quickly snatched it from the owner, who was unaware that it was more than just another Skyline. After Juckett had the car shipped all the way home to Tampa, he performed a few tweaks at his workplace, Z Fever. Charles was even foolish enough to let us take it for a spin.
This tossability is a result of the Tommykaira suspension, which is fully adjustable, from ridiculously stiff to bumps back seat passengers around like popcorn in the microwave. The Skyline also sports ATESSA-ETS Pro, one of the most technologically advanced all-wheel-drive systems ever designed. This dynamic duo results in confidence-inspiring handling that urges the driver to push harder and harder. This is one of a few high-horsepower cars in the world that all but the most ham-fisted can squeeze epic performance out of. Aim the car at a corner, jab the brakes and turn the wheel, let the electronics sort out the details of the motion, stab the loud pedal, and exit looking like Colin McRae every time.
The rev-happy 2.6-liter zings to 8000 rpm in the blink of an eye, but there's no need to keep the inline six screaming. The Tommykaira ECU has been tuned for a linear powerband, and Charles added a GReddy Profec B Spec II boost controller to get those twin turbos up to full boost (14.5 psi) at around 3500 rpm, and keep them there all the way to redline. The twin-plate Tommykaira clutch has an easy uptake, and the lightened flywheel helps contribute to an impossibly fast-revving engine, by lessening the rotating mass at the end of the crankshaft. Every part of this car is there not simply to do its own job, but to complement the other parts on-board. Which is exactly how it should be.This is a special car.
Friday, 4 July 2008
Who is Tommy Kaira?
Two Kyoto-based engineers Yoshikazu Tomita and Kikuo Kaira set up the Tomita Dream
Factory in the late 60's. This company metamorphosised into Tommy Kaira in the late eighties - a high performance car manufacturing and tuning company.
Although some models have been designed from scratch, Kaira specialises in using a high performance base car from one of the main Japanese manufacturers that is then stripped down and converted to a Tommy Kaira model with the addition of new components and tuning systems.
Tommy Kaira has thus produced models of the Skyline, 300GTO, Subaru Impreza and the 300ZX. The extensive skills and testing of this Tuning house has already accrued Legendary Status for the company amongst other tuners such as Pentroof, Top Secret and Nismo.
Tommy Kaira cars are exceptionally rare and are a regarded as a piece of automotive history!
Rumours are currently circulating that the company is working on the recently released Nissan GTR - a project some have referred to as the mini-Veyron! Suffice to say the results are sure to ro shake up the motoring world once more!
Dedicated to Tommy Kaira M30Z
I thought I would post a few links and bits of information about this car since there really isn't
much about on the web!!
Hope you find the blog interesting - let me know if you have any thoughts or suggestions!!