Finest Japanese automobiles from the Quick & Livid franchise

It’s official, Fast X is on its way to cinemas in May and, as soon as once more, we will’t wait to witness the compulsory assortment of loopy automotive creations ripping up the tarmac – together with the Datsun 240Z road racer all of us noticed within the official trailer.

As devoted followers of modified Japanese imports, we’ve seen greater than our justifiable share of tuner automobile icons used on display since The Quick and the Livid stormed the scene means again in 2001. There’s even been just a few true-blue JDM examples alongside the best way.

In reality, there’s little doubt that the F&F films have turn into synonymous with Japanese automobile tradition through the years. With every part from the Skyline GT-R and Nissan Maxima taking part in key roles to bona fide Japanese supercars such because the Lexus LFA and Honda NSX making cameos, these films have served to maintain Japanese steel within the modifying zeitgeist for over twenty years now.

And therein lies the query of the day: what are probably the most iconic Japanese automobiles to grace the massive display all through the Quick & Livid Saga? Effectively, we’ve narrowed it all the way down to 10 of our all-time favourites.

1. 1994 Toyota Supra A80

Probably the most well-known JDM automobile of all of them? Effectively, that’s in all probability half true. The Lamborghini-Orange “Nuclear Gladiator” Toyota Supra stands out as the most well-known Japanese automobile of all the franchise. However the turbocharged, targa-top hero used within the unique film was a left-hand-drive US mannequin. So, strictly talking, you couldn’t name it JDM.

What this automobile was, nevertheless, was a real modified monster. And that was earlier than the movie was even in improvement. The Quick and The Livid was a comparatively low-budget flick, so – to save lots of on the finances – the automobile was rented from the movie’s technical advisor, Craig Lieberman. His A80 Supra was already sporting a closely modified 3-litre 2JZ-GTE engine and pushing out a whopping 570bhp – almost double that of a normal Twin Turbo Supra. In reality, the one modifications that the manufacturing group made for the film had been the wheels, physique styling and orange paint job (initially the automobile was yellow). Nearly every part else was already there.

And in the event you’re questioning concerning the ‘junker’ on the again of a tow truck within the film, that was certainly sporting a 2JZ engine – however not the legendary twin turbo lump they had been describing. It will have taken far more than 15k to get it as much as full ‘Race Wars’ spec too. In actuality, they might have put properly over 100k into this construct. However that’s Hollywood for you, eh?

Except for the real hero automobile, a bunch of different replicas had been constructed for stunts and racing scenes, a few of which had been repainted and used for Slap-Jack’s automobile in 2 Quick 2 Livid. There’s additionally a white 1995 US Twin Turbo mannequin on the finish of Livid 7, however this wasn’t a rehash of one in all these automobiles; that one was from Paul Walker’s private assortment.

So, what occurred to the orange Supra when filming wrapped? It merely went again to its unique proprietor. Though it did flip up once more in 2021 the place it was bought at public sale for $550k. Not a foul payday for a 90s Toyota, is it?

2. 1993 & 1997 Mazda RX-7 FD

Everybody’s favorite rotary-powered Mazda had two of crucial roles within the franchise. First, one in all these launched Dominic Toretto to the collection in The Quick and The Livid, and it was the one Japanese tuner automobile he raced earlier than breaking out the trademark American muscle automobiles. And second, the primary hero automobile from Tokyo Drift was Han Seoul-Oh’s widebody ‘Fortune’ RX-7 FD.

Within the modifying world, in fact, the Mazda RX-7 is one thing of an icon – the very purpose why it was utilized in each films. As with Brian’s Supra within the first movie, the frugal producers rented a ready-built instance (this time owned by Keith Imoto) and made just a few beauty modifications. The automobile was initially a left-hand drive US mannequin in gray with closely modified 13B engine and a roll cage. The producers painted the automobile crimson, after which eliminated the cage, just because Vin Diesel couldn’t slot in it. A number of clone automobiles had been additionally constructed, however these had been normal, apart from the outside styling and exhausts.

Dom’s Mazda is proven to have an enormous aftermarket sound system within the film, however these photographs had been really taken from one other automobile. The actual-life model solely had a manufacturing unit audio system – it was a light-weight racer, in any case. This automobile was additionally repainted and utilized in 2 Quick 2 Livid by Orange Julius.

The 1997 RX-7 featured in Tokyo Drift, as you'd count on, is a full-on JDM mannequin. This automobile was additionally purchased prepared modified, however this time for a reported $150k from legendary Japanese tuners Veilside. Initially their firm demo automobile, it was first constructed to showcase their £15K Fortune widebody equipment on the 2005 Tokyo Auto Salon. It was additionally darkish crimson, however the F&F group repainted it in Home of Kolor Orange to ensure it popped on display. Which – we predict we will all agree – it did properly.

3. 2003 Nissan Fairlady Z33

The JDM model of the Nissan 350Z is what you would possibly name a bona fide Japanese muscle automobile. In reality, this one is virtually an American fastback, merely from having an enormous 3.5-litre ‘V’ engine up entrance, rear-wheel-drive on the again and presumably a driver grinning like a madman within the center.

However, whereas massive capability VQ35DE V6 engines (which negate the necessity to mess about with turbochargers) was the order of the day for Nissan within the noughties, the JDM Fairlady Z utilized in Tokyo Drift was fitted with an aftermarket twin turbo equipment developed by Australian tuning home, APS. This gave our automotive anti-hero round 450bhp, which is about 170bhp over normal and greater than sufficient for any Drift King to interrupt out the sideways antics.

The Z33, which went on sale all over the world in numerous specs between 2002 and 2009, has proved infinitely standard on the worldwide tuning scene. There’s nonetheless loads of modified examples on the present scene right now, they usually’re one of many few that may nonetheless be picked up for an affordable value. With these curvy attractiveness, this automobile was forward of its time, and it’s one which has aged extraordinarily properly… if in any respect.

It has additionally been properly catered for by the aftermarket through the years. From the very starting, elements producers had been falling over themselves to supply tuning upgrades, chassis elements, physique styling and wheels. This consists of the mighty Veilside who had been already concerned with the film with their Fortune RX-7, so it is sensible that they’d provide their equally loopy V3 widebody aero equipment, large Andrew Evolution wheels, and a complete load of carbon fibre bolt-ons for the primary antagonist.

4. 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R V-Spec

The fabled R34 GT-R could also be one of many automobiles most related to the franchise – to not point out Paul Walker himself – however this automobile solely made a few main appearances. Most notably within the fourth instalment (Quick & Livid) and, maybe most famously of all, because the introductory hero automobile within the second movie.

Now, it goes with out saying that the R34 Skyline GT-R is likely one of the most coveted Japanese tuner automobile icons ever conceived – a real cult basic. This 2.6-litre twin-turbocharged monster might be THE automobile of the PlayStation era, they usually command costs of properly over £100k these days. However, as a result of the Skyline was by no means formally supplied on the market within the US, the automobiles used (except a single UK mannequin) had been all JDM fashions. This additionally explains why they had been all right-hand-drive automobiles.

Surprisingly, the 2002 Bayside Blue GT-R used for slightly smuggling in Mexico in Quick & Livid wasn’t even a GT-R in any respect. As a substitute, the manufacturing group created various replicas utilizing non-turbocharged, 1998-2001 GT fashions. These additionally got here with primary rear-wheel-drive fairly than the legendary Nissan ATSSA AWD system.

In 2 Quick 2 Livid, although, that was a real 1999 JDM R34 GT-R. What’s extra, this one solely missed out on being the star of all the movie due to a product placement take care of Mitsubishi (therefore the Evo VII and Eclipse Convertible getting used). The principle hero automobile was one other owned by Craig Lieberman and modified with a complete host of HKS engine upgrades and nitrous oxide. One other 4 automobiles had been imported by MotoRex and fitted with matching C-West physique kits, HRE wheels and the notorious Home of Kolor paint job with added blue stripes.

The final R34 constructed for the film – which was imported from Middlehurst Motorsport within the UK and modified accordingly – was solely used for the bridge-jump scene, the place it was destroyed.

5. 2002/2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII & IX

There’s been two Mitsubishi Evos used as hero automobiles within the early F&F films. First the 2002 Evo VII in 2 Quick 2 Livid, after which the 2006 Evo IX in Tokyo Drift.

The irony, in fact, is that the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has all the time been most well-known for its rallying prowess, and there wasn’t a mud monitor in sight in both film. Due to the legendary all-wheel-drive techniques utilized in all fashions of the Evo since its inception, it’s ironic that one in all these was chosen as a drift automobile within the third film too. Albeit an Evo IX that had been transformed to rear-wheel-drive particularly for this objective. Then once more, this definitely acquired the automobile group speaking, so possibly that was the entire level.

What’s additionally fascinating is that the Evo VII wasn’t ever accessible within the US. The Evo VIII mannequin was launched later in America, however that wasn’t till after 2 Quick 2 Livid was launched in 2003. As a substitute, the on-screen automobiles had been donated by Mitsubishi Japan for the filming and modified by the manufacturing group with new taillights to appear to be the upcoming Evo VIII. Mitsubishi shipped over 4 in complete and the explanation these fashions had been left-hand-drive is that they had been initially destined for a rally group in Austria earlier than being diverted to the US.

Each the F&F automobiles have some severe high-performance heritage. Initially meant solely as a JDM mannequin, the Evo I got here alongside in 1992 and has “advanced” by way of 10 completely different variants, all powered by a 2-litre turbocharged engine. The Evo X was retired again in 2016. Such was the early success of those automobiles on the gray import market that Mitsubishi formally supplied them on the market worldwide in 1998. They've since gone on to turn into extraordinarily profitable in motorsport, and some of the iconic automobiles within the modifying group.

6. Nissan Skyline GT-R C10 ‘Hakosuka’

This significantly retro instance could not have had an enormous quantity of display time, however there’s little doubt that the looks of a C10 GT-R in Quick 5 was one thing that delighted connoisseurs of JDM classics.

The Hakosuka is a particular automobile. The primary Skyline mannequin to sport the long-lasting GT-R badge, it was initially accessible as a 4-door sedan in 1969 and later as a 2-door coupe in 1971. Each variants got here outfitted with a 160bhp inline straight 6 engine, rear-wheel drive, and even a restricted slip differential, making these pumped-up examples of the third-generation Nissan/Datsun Skyline far forward of their time.

A bona fide holy grail Nissan, the nickname “Hakosuka” wasn’t formally sanctioned by Nissan; as a substitute, it turned standard on the streets of Japan the place the automobile was generally known as the “Field Skyline” due to its chunky physique. “Hako” is the literal translation of the phrase field and “suka” is a shortened model of the phrase “sukairain,” which suggests skyline.

Lower than 2000 examples had been ever produced, they usually’re some of the sought-after Japanese fashions by severe automobile collectors. These days, you'll be able to count on to pay the perfect a part of £200k at public sale, making Brian’s 1971 GT-R Coupe turning up in Brazil one of many priciest cameos for a JDM Kyusha (previous automobile) over all the F&F franchise.

7. 2000 Honda S2000

The Honda badge is one which’s turn into synonymous with the road tuning and modifying scenes all over the world, and after they launched the convertible S2000 in 1999 it was an on the spot hit. It’s straightforward to see why: with its light-weight body, high-revving 2-litre VTEC engine and actually 1000's of aftermarket elements accessible, this little 2-seater stays standard to at the present time. Though trendy basic standing implies that costs are at the moment rising, they’re nonetheless accessible for affordable cash too.

The S2000 made a few key appearances within the Quick and Livid saga. First as Johnny Tran’s anti-hero automobile in The Quick and The Livid, and second as Suki’s automobile in 2 Quick 2 Livid… yep, the one which jumped the bridge with Brian’s R34 Skyline.

Opposite to standard perception, and regardless of being listed as completely different years within the film specs, these two had been really the identical automobile. The three S2000s (together with the primary automobile and stunt automobiles) used for the primary film had been repurposed for the second.

The unique Johnny Tran hero automobile was a US mannequin rented from RJ DeVera, the actor who performed Danny Yamato (the man who drove the white Honda Civic within the first road race). Relatively than having “greater than 100 grand beneath the hood,” there have been only a few efficiency modifications, together with a Comptech supercharger, pushing the automobile to round 290bhp. So it was a fast S2000 for certain, nevertheless it was no 10-second automobile.

For two Quick 2 Livid, the automobile was bought by the manufacturing group the place they repainted it pink and adjusted the wheels.

8. 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Though a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is used as Roman’s automobile in 2 Quick 2 Livid, crucial Eclipse within the collection will all the time be the 1995 Kawasaki Inexperienced coupe from the primary film. In any case, it’s the very first road racer we see over the entire saga… and it introduces Paul Walker’s character to the franchise.

5 clone automobiles had been created for numerous photographs, however the unique hero automobile was a silver US mannequin rented from John Lapid. This got here prepared modified other than the outside paintwork.

Regardless of being a fairly epic-looking present automobile clad in a full RoboCar physique equipment, and having just a few efficiency modifications comparable to an consumption and nitrous oxide system, the road racing credentials weren’t fairly as spectacular as depicted within the film. This automobile had round 140bhp and wasn’t sporting a turbocharged 4G63 engine as acknowledged, so it’s unlikely it could be maintaining with a normal RX-7 not to mention one which’s been road tuned to perfection. However does that matter? In fact it doesn’t – it’s all within the identify of leisure.

9. 2001 Nissan Silvia Spec-S S15

The screentime could have been restricted for this one, what with the automobile being destroyed early on within the film, however there’s no denying that the “Mona Lisa” Nissan Silvia was one of many greatest stars of Tokyo Drift.

A legendary automobile for drifting, and on the modified automobile scene usually, the Nissan Silvia (generally known as the Nissan S-Physique automobile) has been by way of a complete load of iterations since being launched by Datsun in 1965. Maybe probably the most well-known to the world’s modifiers are the 80s and 90s Nissan S13, S14 and S15 variants. We see just a few of those over the course of the franchise, together with the automobile pushed by Letty within the first movie – a US mannequin 240SX S14 (with an S14A entrance finish). After being repainted, this one additionally makes an look in 2 Quick 2 Livid.

The king of the on-screen Silvias, although, is undoubtedly the C-west-kitted JDM Silvia S15 constructed particularly for Tokyo Drift. Hearsay has it that over $7,000,000 had been spent on the automobiles alone for this film, with over 200 being acquired and shipped from all all over the world. However, even with this enormous finances, this “Spec-R” Silvia wasn’t fairly because it was depicted when it comes to its efficiency.

For a begin, the large RB26DETT engine we see stripped out and slotted right into a Mustang on the finish of the film was by no means fitted to this automobile. In fact, taking the legendary twin-turbocharged lump from a Skyline GT-R and transferring it to an S15 is a dream conversion for a lot of, and fairly widespread within the drifting world, nevertheless it was by no means one thing carried out by the producers. In reality, the Silvia used was additionally a base mannequin Spec-S automobile, which didn’t include the tuner’s favorite 250bhp turbocharged SR20DET engine discovered within the Spec-R both. So we’re speaking round 160bhp fairly than 500-odd-bhp as proven within the movie.

However then once more, we will forgive all this as a result of there’s little doubt the Mona Lisa was nonetheless some of the genuine automobiles used all through the franchise, just because they used a Silvia for drifting. It’s additionally an instance that has spawned many replicas all over the world.

10. 1993 Honda Civic Coupe EJ1

The three neon-lit Honda Civic “heist automobiles” from The Quick and The Livid will not be full-on road racers as such, however they're the primary F&F automobiles we see. By all accounts, these had been among the most unloved display automobiles over all the franchise; having been constructed solely to outlive a few weeks’ filming, they had been all thought-about disposable by the manufacturing group.

It goes with out saying that the Civic has all the time been standard with modifiers, with loads of legendary examples being pumped out by Honda to at the present time. 2021 noticed the eleventh era of this automobile hit the streets and, through the years, they've all (significantly the Sort-R variants) turn into the bread and butter of the import tuning scene. Because of this the Civics that had been hottest on the streets of the US in 2001 had been chosen to star within the film. However once more, the US coupe fashions used had been about as removed from full-on racing spec because it’s attainable to get. The modifications right here had been all beauty, and really a lot of their time. They seemed cool again within the day although, and maybe that’s all that issues.

With a comparatively low finances for the builds, the manufacturing group picked up various low cost (and fairly tough) DX fashions, together with one EX – the one with the sunroof. These had been painted black and fitted the Axis wheels, VIS GT Bomber physique kits and Veilside rear spoilers. The noisy exhausts had been low-cost common gadgets hidden away beneath the bumpers.

After the primary film, the Civics did get a slight reprieve, nevertheless. The survivors had been repainted and fitted with Bomex kits for use as background automobiles in 2 Quick 2 Livid.

Regardless of various reviews of those automobiles having highly-tuned B18 engines with aftermarket turbochargers and all of the trimmings, the true story is that these had been all 1.5-litre fashions with round 100hp. However whereas they will not be probably the most mind-blowing tuner automobile legends all through the collection, their cult standing with many followers implies that these little Hondas greater than deserve a spot in our high ten.

Wish to learn extra about JDM automobiles? Learn our blogs on the best JDM cars of the 90s and our favourite Japanese cars.

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