Text by Wooley Photos by Ben Whiles
The Dan & Kevin duo goes all the way back to 6th grade. Their love for cars was the common thread even back then. But it was freaking Gran Turismo that exposed these American suburb kids to the outrageous, flamboyant Japanese car culture. From there – it was on! They used their school laptops to research makes, models, and tuning styles from shores beyond.
And as they came of age, they traded out the video game controllers for the real deal.
10… years… later…
The young grasshoppers became… adult grasshoppers. They worked together at J-Spec, a Japanese auto + parts importer.
Follow me here… because all the JDM names get jumbled.
But in 2013, Dan left J-Spec, and opened a shop called Japan Parts Service. Japan Parts Service is located next door to an existing business called Japanese Classics. And the owner of Japanese Classics, Chris Bishop, was Dan’s new business partner in the Japan Parts Service endeavor. They brought in old-friend-Kevin to run the shop.
To recap:
Japanese Classics is the CAR importer.
Japan Parts Service is the PARTS importer.
So within yelling range, one would theoretically have access to buy & modify an authentic, registrable JDM car from the ground up. And that exactly what Dan & Kevin did.
1991 Toyota Cresta (GX81) – Dan Pel
1G-FE engine // naturally aspirated inline-6
Trust header
Lightweight flywheel for quick revs
JIC coilovers
Front Footwork: 15×8 +11 SSR Formula Mesh 165/65/15 MOMO tires
Rear Footwork: 15×8.5 -21 SSR Formula Mesh 175/65/15 Sumitomo tires
Rear bumper delete with Cherry Taillight and “A” integrated as passenger side taillight – by Andrew Clarke
Longnose front – by Andrew Clarke
Twin “star” fog lights as driver side headlight
Roadracer side mirrors
Rear wiper delete dice
Rear slit spoiler
Front chin spoiler
Oil cooler – FD3S
Recaro confetti front seats
Mr.Grip shift knob and matching cig lighter
Nardo 360mm steering wheel
Purple “Pato light”
Godfather horn
Stickers made by Andy Vasconcellos http://autographicsllc.net/
All bodywork + blue/white Advan livery painted by Andrew Clarke
1988 Nissan Skyline R31 GT – Kevin Legaspi
RB20DET Red Top ECCS (2.0L liter inline-6 turbo)
RB25 45V4 turbo
HKS wastegate actuator
HKS mushroom filter
R32 Skyline 2.5″ aluminum intercooler kit
Circuit Sports oil catch can
Dress Up Bolts titanium/gold engine bay & accessories kit
HKS turbo elbow/outlet
HKS 3″ downpipe
3″ test pipe
RS*R 3.25″ cat-back exhaust with blast pipe
Fortune Auto 500 Series custom built coilovers (F12K / R10K)
SSR MK2 – Front 15 x 7.5 +6 (+25mm Spacer) / Rear 15 x 7.5 -6 (+8mm Spacer)
Custom titanium dress-up wheel bolts (Gold)
Endless NS97 brake pads
GTS-R front lip
ADThree roof spoiler
ADThree rear spoiler
OEM optional side mirror visors
OEM optional rain guards
Livery by Andy Vasconcellos at Auto Graphics LLC
Nardi 350mm deep corn steering wheel (black w/ red stitching)
Nardi steering wheel hub
Mr. Grip black bleeding cherry 6″ shift knob w/ matching cig lighter
Purple “Pato light”
OEM optional air purifier
OEM optional rear venetian blinds
Kenwood headunit
Kenwood front & rear speakers
Carrozzeria 8″ subwoofer & amplifier box
