In my last post I reported on the on-track action at Fuji Speedway – the heart of the annual Nismo Festival. But what did the 28,500 spectators get in this year? Let’s see.
Parking lots at any car event in Japan are guaranteed to be a treasure trove of cool machines, and the Nismo Festival is no exception, with enthusiasts from all corners of the country coming to celebrate all things Nissan.
As you might expect, the theme across Fuji Speedway’s expansive spectator parking lots was unmistakably Nissan, ranging from modest boulder cars to ultra-rare Silvia 270Rs. If there’s a glimpse of Nissan’s heritage anywhere beyond the automaker’s Heritage Collection, it’s here.
The moment I started walking to the main parking lot, a bosozoku A group of about thirty people came roaring down the road, making everyone well aware of their presence.
The most common Nissan of the day was by far the R34 Skyline GT-R. There’s only one event where an R34 GT-R can compete as easily as a Toyota Camry, and the Nismo Festival does that year after year.
There was one lone Toyota AE86 in the mix. Of course I had to get a shot.
A Star Road-built S30 Fairlady Z was quietly tucked away at the back of the parking lot. It’s always a treat to see these cars driving on the road, the way they should be driven. If only we could have taken a look under the hood…
This beautiful C10 Hakosuka was hard to miss. There’s nothing better than the classic combination of RS Watanabe wheels on one of these JDM icons.
Another rare find was this R33 Skyline GT-R Autech. This limited edition sedan, one of only 416 produced, featured the full R33 GT-R chassis and wider fenders, specially designed by Autech for the four-door body.
Plenty ‘2 Number’ There were also cars present. For those unfamiliar, this refers to the two numbers at the top of the license plate. Because these license plates were no longer issued in the late 1990s, most of these cars are still single-owned.
Despite the flood of R34s, only one Midnight Purple GT-R showed up. It would be reasonable to assume that a large number of these iconic cars have now made their way to the US.
It was cool to see this silver Silvia and R32 GT-R. Two models from the same era – one a flagship and the other an entry-level sports car – both now highly sought after.
This S15 Silvia, with the rare Spec B orange interior, was another highlight.
While GT-Rs were undeniably the most common cars in the car parks, Silvias weren’t far behind. Interestingly, you don’t see many S13s in Tokyo these days, so it was a rare treat to see so many in one place.
Of the 18 Skyline GT-R LMs ever made, two were parked just 100 meters apart – both stood out in their own right.
‘AH3 Red’ is one of my favorite colors for the R32. There aren’t many of them on the road in Japan anymore.
This Sea Foam Green two-tone S13 was flawless. It remains loyal to Nissan and sits on R32 GT-R wheels.
Untouched S13 Silvias are virtually non-existent these days, so coming across this one, nestled between an RPS13 180SX and an S14, was a highlight of the car park.
Exploring parking lots wasn’t just about me and my camera. Many other spectators did a few quick laps around the grounds before finding their own cars.
One man even set up camp for the day. Honestly, I can’t think of a better place to watch the traffic go by.
As I walked back to the main event I was blindsided by a 400R taxi driving by. It’s safe to say it’s better than the usual Toyota Comfort!
And that concludes our coverage of this year’s Nismo Festival. If you ever get the chance to attend a busy event at the Fuji Speedway, don’t forget to check out the spectator parking lots – you won’t be disappointed.
Alec Pender
Instagram: noplansco
