Feature: Iconic Attire - Juiceboxforyou

We found a nice piece of abandoned road, a perfect location that Takumi himself would be happy with, this car will be completely different soon so we decided it was right to feature the Trueno as it looks now, sporting an Iconic attire. The car is almost looked like a perfect replica of Takumi’s car from the infamous Initial D, a manga cartoon which Takumi Fujiwara, an eighteen year old who helps his father run a tofu shop by making deliveries every morning, the deliveries are made in the AE86 and have spawned an array of stages where illegal street racers challenge Takumi in his humble Trueno. Initial D is one of the reasons why the AE86 has become so popular over the last ten years across the world. The Panda colour scheme of a Zenki Trueno sporting some Watanabe wheels instantly reminds people of Initial D.

Initial D is not the main reason why the 86 has retained such a popular status. Instead its the storyline of the cartoon which reminds people just why the AE86 is so popular. In each stage Takumi battles an array of powerful vehicles, which should in theory be more then capable of beating this humble little 86, but each time Takumi comes out on top, it’s the spirit of the 86 that people enjoy about this car, even as we speak the new FT-86 has been presented to the world but I don’t ever think it will fit the shoes of the AE86 chassis, almost 30 years on and the car itself looks timeless.

The setting was perfect, Looking like a strip of Touge on a mountain pass we sat back and admired the simplicity of the car. The car itself is a Zenki AE86 Trueno, the classic panda colour scheme which has been made so famous by the Manga looks incredible up this back road, the right side door is sporting the Fujiwara Tofu sticker.

The sticker, known by so many, it almost changes the entire look of the car in a strange way, especially when its sporting pretty much everything else exterior wise and more to look like the famous car from the manga. Some quick things to note is that the car has side skirts and a front lip, something Takumi’s car doesn’t have in the manga series, but then again it’s not supposed to be an exact replica. The bonnet has been replaced with a Meister R (not the suspension company) bonnet with bonnet pins. The front wings have been flared also.

A set of Raybrig headlights and Piaa Super white bulbs are perfect on the dark touge battling the RedSuns. You can also spot the Amber fog lights which add to Initial-D theme this car has been given.

Under the Meister R bonnet reveals a High Torque AE92 engine. A Kakimoto manifold de- cat and exhaust system have been fitted. The standard intake has been swapped for a HKS mushroom along with a TWE oil catch can and a Cusco master cylinder stopper. The AE92 has been fitted with HKS after market cams and a set of Ultra power silicone leads. A Toms radiator cap replaced the original.

Inside things have been kept relatively simple, A blitz N/A timer has been fitted along with an Apexi AFC Neo. The standard seats have been retained but the standard steering wheel has been swapped for a very rare Melvolant sterring wheel and horn button. The shifter has been replaced with a very fitting Keiichi Tsuchiya designed replacement.

The wheels are the one and only Watanabe R type’s 7x 14 up front and 7.5 x 14 at the rear. The perfect choice for this Panda Trueno further aiding the Tofu delivery image.

For handling the Touge the car has been equipped with a Cusco Roll cage, Cusco front strut, TRD 8 way adjustable rear shocks with 60mm lowering springs, a TRD panhard rod, Revolver front coilovers, camber plates and negative roll center adjusters.

It’s such a simple yet effective looking Trueno, and probably one of the nicest looks these cars can wear. A look that in my opinion could never go out of fashion, one that has been around for over 30 years and has stood test time and trends, proving the AE86 is easily one of the best looking cars ever made. The only somewhat sad part to this story is that this will be the last time this Trueno will sport one of the most famous attires known to the car world, as good as it looks, the new owner has great plans and this canvas will change into something better. I really hope you enjoyed this Initial D inspired shoot and I can’t wait to feature this car in its new form somewhere in the near future.