Juiceboxforyou » Blog Archive Feature: The ADC Altezza

Feature: The ADC Altezza

So you might have seen this very striking SXE10 Altezza from our latest video. It’s a pleasure to nail the car down for a shoot finally. We’ve been trying to nail this car down for a shoot for the best part of ten years. It’s a miracle that it still exists.

This car has had many divided opinions over the years, and that’s one of the main reasons I’m shocked that it remains in the same condition as it left Japan well over 12 years ago. Miraculously it has landed in good hands who were willing to preserve this quirky example of Japanese drifting.

This Altezza has had quite the past; before the striking green finish, it was a bright metallic Gold and part of a drift team called “Altezza Drift Club”. It graced the cover of Drift Tenoku magazine, Japans most prominent drift publication, in July 2005. The Altezza was also a Tokyo Auto Salon demo car for Exlirir body kits. Most of these photos are from its life in Gold.

Somewhere along the way, before it ended up here in Ireland, this RS200 was painted green. It’s hard to pick which colour looked the best; I’m glad to see it still has the deep SSR Minivans, which look to have stayed with the car throughout its life in the spotlight.

The Elixir kit and Bonnet are some of the best looking FRP bits I’ve ever seen for this chassis; I’m pretty sure its the only example of this stuff I have seen outside of Japan and most certainly in real life. The Ganadors are always a classic addition; a must back then in Japan. These were fitted long before the crazy prices of today.

I love how unique this car is; there was no rule book building it. Being assembled in Japan in the heyday, the owner had access to some of the coolest parts that you rarely see today.

Oddly enough, you can still view the for sale ad for this car on a website called car on the track; I doubt it sold for any less than 15k Euros at the time, plus the fees getting it to Ireland.

On paper, this shouldn’t work as good as it does. The colour, the black and silver accents and wheel choice wouldn’t be the first choices on the list for most Altezza owners. For some reason, the combination of parts is an absolute treat on the eyes;

Ireland is quite a reserved country for building cars, so this thing has always stirred up divided opinions due to its lairy appearance. JZX100s hugely overshadow these cars over this side of the globe; people take the safe route modifying this chassis over here, sticking to a copy and paste formula.

This Altezza is an excellent example of just how cool these cars can look with a bit of imagination. Ten years on, and it’s still just as exciting to look at. They’ve aged very well.

I love that Padraig has retained its look; he’s got a deep love for the Japanese car culture; you might remember his JZX100 Cresta we shot a couple of years back which shows his passion for these cars; once he acquired this Altezza, he went on a mission digging up the vehicles past. Its been in his possession for over seven years now.

I’m very envious, to be honest, its always been the dream to own something with this much history, and Padraig has been fortunate in finding a stack of photos from the cars previous life.

Through some deep internet digging, Padraig has dug up photos of car meets, magazine covers, Tokyo Auto salon and images of it skidding at various track days.

This car has got the best of the best aftermarket spec. Parts that would prove quite challenging to track down these days, a Kamanari rear wing, Rect vented rear carbon window covers, and an Elixir body kit and hood and vertex wings.

The black and silver custom accents work perfectly with the green finish, the car looks like 2004, and that’s a good thing. Quad exhaust made by Zees is an unexpected choice, but again, this works. Funnily enough, this is all back in fashion.

With the flick of a switch, green neons pulse to the sound of music, along with matching green neons for the floor areas, perfectly preserved from a time when this was the norm.

Inside, the colour coded plastic trims are of the era; all Padraig has changed is the steering wheel and added a selection of Defi gauges and a Carbing shift knob.

It’s one of the most exciting interiors I have ever seen, reminiscent of a more creative car culture era.

About 90% per cent of the Altezzas imported to Ireland were standard, but this Altezza has had the full menu thrown at it. Toda internals, HKS cams, Sard injectors, and a Power Enterprise turbo kit. A Koyo radiator and Greddy oil cooler keep temps under control.

Padraig has become the caretaker for this Millenium spec time capsule; it’s nice to know this car has ended up in the right hands; he plans to drive and enjoy this car for what it is and take it to track days and shows whenever suits.

As I mentioned above, it’s scarce to see any of these high profile cars imported into Ireland back in the golden days survive the recession. This car has had quite the life, both in Japan and in Ireland. I love the fact it’s still here and still putting smiles on peoples faces.