Julian Adriano’s BNR32 Nissan Skyline GT-R is a prime example of Itasha Style Tuning Cars done right. This isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a performance car first, built with a meticulous approach to tuning. The car boasts a striking itasha livery, showcasing custom artwork of Nozomi and Kanan from the anime Love Live!, a nod to WWII bomber nose art. The purple and lavender color scheme complements the characters and replaces the traditional red-silver-black Nismo pinstripe palette.
Balancing Performance and Aesthetics in Itasha Style Tuning
The R32’s tuning philosophy prioritizes street performance with track capabilities, not the other way around. It retains factory comforts like A/C, OEM safety restraints, and rear seats. There’s no roll bar, emphasizing its daily drivability. Even small details like replacing instrument panel bulbs with white LEDs for gauges and red for other indicators enhance the driving experience without compromising night vision.
Under the hood, the R32 features rebuilt twin T25 turbos, an HKS downpipe and Hi-Power silenced exhaust, modified APEXi Super Suction air filters, and a Blitz DSBC dual solenoid boost controller. Further enhancements include Splitfire coil packs, a Wiring Specialties ignition harness, and NGK Iridium spark plugs.
An EPROM tuned ECU boosts power to 330hp at the wheels and 279ft-lb of torque at 17.4psi. Federal 595 RSR-R tires on 18-inch 5Zigen Pro Racer GN+ wheels, along with V-spec style Brembos with Endless slotted rotors and MXRS pads, ensure this power translates to grip.
Garage Drydock: Innovation in Itasha Car Culture
Adriano is part of Garage Drydock, a collective focused on bringing aging performance cars up to modern standards. They tackle challenges posed by older technology by incorporating modern parts and theories. One example is their custom digital G-sensor, replacing the factory unit in the GT-R’s ATTESA-ETS all-wheel drive system. This innovation, tested at R’s Day and further refined with an OS Giken 1.5-way Super Lock LSD, highlights their commitment to performance enhancement.
Itasha Style: More Than Just Looks
This R32 demonstrates that itasha style tuning cars can be more than just visually appealing. It’s a testament to the dedication and ingenuity of enthusiasts who strive for both performance and personal expression in their vehicles. The car seamlessly blends the vibrant world of anime with the demanding requirements of motorsport, resulting in a unique and captivating example of itasha car culture.
