Ahh… traditional automobile occasions. They’re the place to see a number of the cleanest, most pristine motors within the land, and be each blown away and barely irritated whereas doing so.
Each of these issues occurred concurrently on the Pacifico Yokohama exhibition centre final weekend. Nostalgic 2days 2023 was the event.
You see, as anybody who is aware of me will attest, I really like a very good moan. And there’s no higher place to get me began than at a traditional automobile present. Or any automobile present for that matter.
Earlier than I convey the temper down although, let’s speak about the good things, as a result of there was a lot of it on the 2023 version of this annual occasion hosted by Nostalgic Hero journal.
Nostalgic 2days is the occasion to attend if you wish to see the cream of Japanese traditional automobiles. And never simply sports activities classics, however kei automobiles and household sedans too.
These are automobiles which are completely preserved or restored and offered in mint situation. It’s the polar reverse of Tokyo Auto Salon, confirmed by the swarm of middle-aged males snapping away right here at an Isuzu Piazza. At TAS, the automobiles comes second to the promo fashions for a lot of.
In addition to completed present automobiles, Nostalgic 2days is a superb place to see automobiles that are half manner via a restoration. It offers you a glimpse of simply how a lot work goes into making ready these time machines.
One other factor I liked about Nostalgic 2days was the used components stalls. It jogged my memory of searching via automobile boot gross sales within the UK, one thing I’d like to see extra of in Japan.
There have been additionally loads of meals vehicles readily available with a bit of consuming and relaxation space nestled amongst the show automobiles. It was all very good, however I couldn’t assist factor it might be nicer to be out within the open, whatever the slight spring chill within the air. That’s was simply considered one of my gripes. So now that I’ve began, let me get on with my moan…
It’s all nicely and good with the ability to see these gorgeous previous automobiles up shut, however being jostled by hundreds of different lovers whereas attempting to soak within the nostalgia utterly spoils the environment for me. To not point out, it makes photographing at occasions like this a bit difficult.
The issue with Nostalgic 2days – one thing echoed by Dino, who’s a veteran of this occasion, is that the automobiles are too tightly packed collectively and there are too many individuals. Principally that’s simply Japan typically, however I believe it’s additionally true of many occasions the world over.
The opposite drawback, and one thing which Jun-san from Hardcore Tokyo agreed with whereas we chatted subsequent to an unique kaido racer, is that, for probably the most half, these automobiles will all the time stay as they’re. We had each seen nearly all of the automobiles on present earlier than, and even the brand new builds have been mainly all the identical because the others. Take Star Highway as an example. Their automobiles are wonderful, however they gained’t ever evolve. They are going to all the time be fantastically offered kyusha, similar to the subsequent fantastically offered kyusha.
There are exceptions, in fact. Daddy Motor Works and Banzai Racing Gear (B.R.E) are two corporations pushing the boundaries of what a kyusha could be. The latter being a four-rotor-powered Hakosuka, which I’ll be that includes this 12 months, and the previous having a number of the craziest kyusha builds ever.
I can’t actually complain although, as a result of if we need to see loopy kyusha, then there are in fact occasions like TAS and SEMA. The Las Vegas present appears to be a bit extra spacious and higher laid out for having fun with the automobiles too.
It’s an annoying little paradox actually, to be in love with the automobiles however detest the place through which to see them. I can’t be the one one, so I’m to understand how you guys and women cope with massive crowds in small locations.
To complete on a excessive, you possibly can see extra of the automobiles from Nostalgic 2days 2023 within the bonus gallery beneath, and in a walk-around video I shot you could try right here.
Toby Thyer
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Prolonged Gallery
