sokudoarch

  • The JZX Chassis That Missed The Hype?

    When anyone mentions JZX, most people automatically think of the JZX100 Chaser, to the point where Mark IIs and Crestas often get called Chasers too. I guess there is an association of Toyota four-door = Chaser. But there is another JZX chassis that no doubt has a cult following, yet somehow feels like it slightly…

    The JZX Chassis That Missed The Hype?
  • Garage Sokudo @ Motor Ex Melbourne 2026

    Last weekend we were invited to attend the huge two-day MotorEx here in Melbourne. For those interstate or overseas who might not know it, it’s one of Australia’s biggest car events, showcasing hand-picked cars from nearly every corner of car culture. Modified 4WDs, full restorations, high-end show cars, drifting, and of course a strong mix…

    Garage Sokudo @ Motor Ex Melbourne 2026
  • The Russian Forged Legend – A deep dive into Desmond and one of Japan’s most iconic wheel designs

    When it comes to one of the most unique Japanese wheel stories, I think the Regamaster from wheel manufacturer Desmond has to take the cake. Desmond, responsible for achieving some major milestones in Japanese tuning history, was quite an understated business. It was more of a behind-the-scenes brand, with not much public knowledge surrounding the…

    The Russian Forged Legend – A deep dive into Desmond and one of Japan’s most iconic wheel designs
  • A Quarter Century of D1 Grand Prix

    Competition drifting as we know it today sits at the top tier of global motorsport, but it comes from relatively humble beginnings. Through the 1980s and 1990s, amateur drifting began building momentum at local circuits across Japan. Two key figures in the automotive space, Keiichi Tsuchiya and Daijiro Inada, came together with a vision to…

    A Quarter Century of D1 Grand Prix
  • Random snaps – Tokyo, November 2025

    I always carry my camera with me everywhere I go, not to shoot anything specific, but to capture the natural, spontaneous reactions and moments that happen while I’m in Japan. This photo set is from my last trip in November 2025. My Fujifilm X-T5 lives next to me in the car, so I’m always ready…

    Random snaps – Tokyo, November 2025
  • Black Label 2026 Recap

    I wholeheartedly believe that the car scene and industry here in Melbourne is growing back to the vibrant levels of the early 2000s, with many local and international businesses getting involved. We attended the 2026 Black Label Invitational car show yesterday, but this year only as spectators. It was great to see so many familiar…

    Black Label 2026 Recap
  • Bridgestone’s Drift Experiment

    B.I.M Creative Studio, a subsidiary of tyre giant Bridgestone, was a project tasked with moving the brand into the wheel market, much like Yokohama did with AVS and Advan. Over the years, BIM created several iconic wheels. But the real groundbreaker for BIM was the Drift Master wheel, introduced around 2003. Targeted squarely at the…

    Bridgestone’s Drift Experiment
  • Nakamura-san’s G-corporation S15 Silvia

    Nakamura-san of G-Corporation has always been a creative force, designing aero and parts since the early 2000s. That creativity goes far beyond car styling. It carries through his product design, graphic work, and overall presence as a brand. I was lucky enough to be given a tour of Nakamura-san’s S15 Silvia drift car, which is…

    Nakamura-san’s G-corporation S15 Silvia
  • Fourwinds Summer Tour 2026

    I’ve always believed the younger generation is the future. As the older generation, it’s on us not only to educate but to learn from them too, and events like this really reinforce that. This past weekend I attended the Fourwinds Summer Tour meet here in Melbourne. Run by Taped and Peach Garage, it’s an annual…

    Fourwinds Summer Tour 2026