For higher or worse, photographing distinctive automobiles at all times attracts consideration. But it surely’s much more charming when these automobiles are Rocket Bunny-kitted and within the hills of Italy.
Throughout my latest journey to cowl the 2024 Tarox Magione Tremendous Battle (MSB), I had the pleasure of photographing two beautiful builds: Gianluca’s FC3S Mazda RX-7 and Alessandro’s S14 Nissan Silvia, each on observe and within the idyllic native mountains cities of Perugia.
I usually discover myself precariously hanging out of assorted autos, however not often in a setting so scenic.
The distinction between closely modified JDM automobiles and basic backdrops is hanging. This winding mountain street, with Lake Trasimeno glimmering within the distance, created the right backdrop to shoot Europe’s first official Pandem-kitted FC RX-7.
Inbuilt 2021, Gianluca’s FC marked a pivotal second for Pandem in Europe. The idea for this demo automotive was born over dinner in Tokyo with Jun Takahashi from Hardcore Tokyo and, Kei Miura from TRA Kyoto/Rocket Bunny.
In 2020, they started sketching concepts for the construct. Miura-san initially proposed a yellow-over-black scheme, however the design developed to the present violet-over-black.
Racing Service Watanabe crafted a customized 15-inch set of its iconic eight-spoke wheels, completely complementing the automotive’s aesthetics.
The Mazda rides on HSD Mono-Professional coilovers and Stanceparts air cups, permitting the massive wheel and tyre combo that additional little bit of leeway when attacking native Italian roads.
Inside, on high of a customized roll cage, the complete Hardcore Tokyo catalogue is current inside, together with the seats, harnesses, and shift knob.
Once we stopped at a hilltop city, the sight of the FC amongst conventional structure led to a number of reactions. My favorite got here from somebody who likened it to a spaceship, a becoming comparability given all of the Fiat Pandas that populate the realm.
The automotive options an HKS exhaust, Mazdaspeed rear strut brace, and RE Amemiya mirrors. In any other case, Gianluca’s FC stays normal. With Italy’s more and more stringent modification legal guidelines, staying out of the authority’s prying eye has grow to be important to Italian automotive tradition, and this Pandem FC already does itself no favours in terms of flying below the radar.
After a memorable afternoon within the hills with Gianluca’s FC, we made our manner again right down to shoot the equally out-of-place Rocket Bunny S14.
Alessandro’s Nissan, an official Hardcore Tokyo collaboration, options the Rocket Bunny Boss package – a novel design in a area the place Nissan Silvias are already a rarity.
Freshly accomplished this yr, the S14 – in inventory type – was initially Gianluca’s automotive. It was remodeled in collaboration with Alessandro’s store, Carrozzeria Del Confine, now that includes a completely constructed SR20DET engine and 326Power wheels.
Inside, the S14 runs a full Sparco setup, together with carbon fibre bucket seats, steering wheel, harnesses, and shift knob.
Again on the observe, we took the automobiles out for just a few parade laps – a way more becoming scene.
Capturing these two slices of Japanese tradition in opposition to the backdrop of the Italian hills was one thing I’d’ve by no means imagined. I’m so glad I had the possibility to expertise it.
Alec Pender
Instagram: noplansco
