We met up around 8:45pm and was on the highway 15 minutes later, headed for the C1 loop around Tokyo.
After a short drive around the western half of the loop, I decided to hit up one of the parking areas to grab some coffee and smokes, as well as a bite to eat.
Hung out there for a few minutes then decided we'd head down towards Yokohama's Daikoku Futo parking area.
Daikoku is pretty famous among the car tuner crowd as it's a very accessible spot by the two major highways that go between Yokohama and Tokyo. You can get to it from either direction on either highway. The other parking areas are only accessible by traveling certain directions on particular highways.
So, we arrive a little after 10:30 and notice the abundance of Lamborghini and Ferrari cars, as well as a matte black Astin Martin convertible and an M6.
Now, even though there was a lot of Italian blood there, one guy decided his Lamborghini just wasn't cool enough and decorated it with strobes and neons.
Also noticed this nice looking JZX100 Cresta just hangin out in the back.
Then, while admiring the Cresta, I hear the unmistakeable sound of a push-rod V8 come barreling through the center area of the parking area.
When I get a glimpse of the car, my jaw falls to the ground, as this is a car that I have never seen with my own eyes in person.
The car drives to the back part of the lot and stops. The driver gets out as we are approaching it, locks it up and heads to the toilets.
This is the car.
A 1972 De Temaso Pantera.
The owner comes out a minute or two later while I am drooling over it, the owner walks over, and without a word, opens the rear decklid to reveal this...
A 408c.i. stroker motor, pushing 640hp.
We make small talk and he tells us the history of the car. He's had it 8 years, imported from the U.S. and purchased from a guy who lived in Lincoln, Nebraska. He payed 7 million yen for the car, which 8 years ago he said was about $50k USD. Todays exchange rate, that 7 million yen is now about $86K...
It's been repainted in the factory color, has a CD player in it, as well as a roll cage. The seats are not stock, of course, along with the 4 point harness.
Then, at one point, I am admiring the interior through the driver side window, the owner walks over, opens the door, grabs my arm and puts a hand on my back and says, "Right this way, please..."
I GET TO SIT IN A REAL PANTERA!!!
This car's cool factor alone is well deserving of two EXTREMELY ENTHUSIASTIC thumbs up...WAY UP!!
Getting in and out of this thing was no easy task, either. I am not tall, but even at 5'10", it was a challenge.
Unfortunately, he had to be going, so it was time for him to take off.
He fired up, revved a bit, then hauled a** outta the lot. INSTA-CHUBBY!!!
With the night waning, we walked around the lot a little longer and noticed a group changing out a rear axle/hub assemebly on this car. Who does this in a public parking area? Apparently, these guys...LOL!!
We decided to head back to Tokyo and see if anyone was out on the highways up there, and sure enough, upon pulling into Tatsumi Parking Area, we are greeted by a full lot of cars of mixed heritage. Italian, German, Japanese and American (a single lone Viper coupe).
We chilled there for a bit, admiring the cars, but decided to head out and actually drive.
Had a quick battle with a nicely tuned Alteza, then later on an Audi RS6.
It was starting to get late, so we decided to call it a night.
Dropped the guys off in Asakusa and headed home, finally reaching my house at 3:00am.
Sleepy time...
on a 250 mile road-trip.
These thing are always around in Japan?
