Top 6 Japanese Tuners: #3 Top Secret

Nagata-san

Smoookkeeeyyyyy, one of a few names in the auto industry that I like to hear about, but a guy that I would think twice before getting in a car with him.

Top Secret was started by Kazuhiko “Smokey” Nagata in……..yes its really hard to find this answer, but I came up with a solution. Smokey seems to be a very soft spoken man and  gets right to the point  when talking about the work he does. His love for cars started while working at a family farm, then continued on when he began working for Greddy/Trust. Bear with me I’m getting to the point; he began spending time during after hours in the Greddy shop building up his car as well as parts for it. This almost ended when top executives found this out, but to his surprise they admired his work and what he had been doing for the company and ultimately deciding to keep this between the two parties. A few years later he opens his shop named Top Secret, due to the fact he gained his knowledge on building cars by the executives of Greddy keeping a secret between themselves. So to the point; Greddy was established around 1977, so most likely Nagata would have ended his work with Greddy around 1988-1992 (I believe he was born in 1963), so when he was 25-28!

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I’m not going to keep giving out my opinions as if I know everything about they guy, but what I do know is that I love his style. Like his companys name it  seems to me that’s exactly what kind of man he is, very secretive, not quick to answer, and very calm. Top Secret is a company that knows what they build is outstanding, but they don’t talk about why it is they let you see, feel, and hear this statement. Even the very few replicas out there cannot keep up with the brands standard, this being the reason why there are barely any replications of  Top Secret products. I find them highly respectable in the products they offer and its disappointing that there isn’t that much information out there on the history of such a wonderful company. Maybe this is the way they want it, to only show their work to people who find the time to visit the workshop or hunt down Smokey as he travels testing out his insane car builds.

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The cars they build are high power machines that can be used on the street, as you have probably seen the insane videos of Smokey with his 1000HP machines. He was also inspired by Amemiya-San so check them out, I like them.

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Pretty 2012

#7 2012 GT3 RS 4.0

Engine: 4.0L I6 ( DOHC 24-valve flat-6)

Power&Torque: 500 hp/ 339 lb-ft

0-60: 3.6 sec

Top Speed: 193 mph

Price: ~$190,000

Well one of my favorite editions of the 997 Porsche’s are the GT2 and GT3 models. They look so good and are meant for the track, although you can also use them for daily driving. I think that’s one of the things I commend Porsche on is how they make supercars that are obtainable and can also be used in most everyday situations. This car comes with components from the RSR race version of the GT3 models and is packed with a 4.0L straight six engine tucked nicely behind its bum. Only 600 copies are to be produced all fixed with an only manual transmission :).

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Pretty 2012

#8 2012 GTR Black Edition

Engine: V6 3.8L TT (VR38DETT)

Power: 545 hp/ 463 lb-ft

0-60: 2.9 sec

Top Speed: 196 mph

 

Already being an ultimate Japanese machine, Nissan decided to offer a special edition for markets outside Japan with this special Black Edition. The package deal moves the price tag of +$96,000 to $106,000. That extra $10,000 gets you a set of 20″ special black RAYS rims; which always look good on Nissan models, Recaro seats, and a Dry Carbon rear spoiler. All premium features for the GTR are also included in this package. I still can’t believe the GTR can reach 0-60 at the same time as the 599xx, such an incredible machine. Photos come from Motor Trend Magazine!

 

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