Japan's Top Tuner Was Arrested

Summary

Kazuhiko 'Smokey' Nagata, a legendary figure in the JDM car scene, is known for his groundbreaking tuning work, such as placing a Nissan RB26 in a Supra and a V12 in a MK4 Supra. His journey began on a remote Japanese farm, progressed through a youthful expulsion for driving, and led to a Toyota mechanic apprenticeship. Despite being fired for his passion, he moved to Tokyo, co-founded Top Secret, and gained fame through daring stunts like a 194 mph run on a UK highway, resulting in legal troubles but also global recognition. His relentless pursuit of speed and innovation has made Top Secret a premier tuning house, with builds that redefine Japanese performance cars.

Takeaways

• 🏎️ Kazuhiko 'Smokey' Nagata is a legendary figure in the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) car scene, known for his extreme modifications and high-speed exploits.
• 🌾 Nagata's passion for cars began on a remote farm in Hokkaido, Japan, where he grew up working on vehicles and farming equipment.
• 🔧 His early mechanical skills were honed at Toyota, where he worked as a mechanic at the age of 16, but his obsession with tuning led to his dismissal.
• 🏁 After being fired from Toyota, Nagata moved to Tokyo and worked at Trust, a well-known tuning shop, before eventually starting his own tuning house, Top Secret.
• 🚗 Top Secret's first notable project was a Toyota Soarer with a 7MGTE engine, which set the stage for Nagata's high-performance modifications.
• 🌐 Nagata's international reputation was catapulted by a high-speed run in the UK, where he drove a MK4 Supra with an RB26 engine at 194 mph on a public highway, leading to his arrest.
• 🏁 The Top Secret brand became synonymous with pushing the boundaries of automotive performance, including creating a MK4 Supra with a V12 engine and achieving speeds over 200 mph.
• 🏆 Top Secret's vehicles have been successful in various motorsports, including D1 Grand Prix, showcasing the company's prowess in both speed and handling.
• 🔧 Nagata's innovative approach to car building, such as transplanting engines and integrating advanced turbo systems, has made Top Secret a household name in the tuning community.
• 🌟 The story of Smokey Nagata and Top Secret is one of perseverance and passion, turning a love for speed and cars into a globally recognized tuning empire.

Q & A

What was the top speed that Kazuhiko Smokey Nagata achieved on the UK highway?

Kazuhiko Smokey Nagata achieved a top speed of 194 miles per hour on the UK highway.

What was the consequence of Smokey Nagata's high-speed run in the UK?

Smokey Nagata was arrested, spent a night in jail, had his international license suspended for a year, was fined 155 pounds, incurred 35 pounds in court fees, and was banned from entering the UK for 10 years.

What was the name of the tuning shop that Kazuhiko Nagata opened after leaving Trust?

Kazuhiko Nagata opened a tuning shop called Top Secret after leaving Trust.

What was the first official build of Top Secret, and what engine was used?

The first official Top Secret build was a Toyota Soarer with a 7MGTE engine.

What engine did Smokey Nagata swap into the MK4 Supra that he took to the UK?

Smokey Nagata swapped the MK4 Supra's 2JZ engine with a Nissan RB26 engine from the Skyline GT-R.

What was the horsepower and torque of the RB26 engine in the Supra after modifications?

The RB26 engine in the Supra made 1000 HP at 8500 RPM with 650 ft-lbs of torque after modifications.

What was the nickname given to Smokey Nagata due to his signature burnouts?

Smokey Nagata earned the nickname 'Smokey' due to his signature burnouts.

What was the magazine that invited Smokey Nagata to the Max Power Live show?

Max Power magazine invited Smokey Nagata to the Max Power Live show.

What was the unique engine swap that Smokey Nagata did in another MK4 Supra build?

In another MK4 Supra build, Smokey Nagata swapped the 2JZ engine with a 5L 1GZ-FE V12 engine from the Toyota Century.

What was the horsepower and torque of the V12 engine in the Supra after Top Secret's modifications?

The V12 engine in the Supra produced 930 HP and 745 ft-lbs of torque after Top Secret's modifications.

What was the top speed that Smokey Nagata achieved with the V12 Supra at the Nardo Ring test track?

Smokey Nagata achieved a top speed of 222 miles per hour with the V12 Supra at the Nardo Ring test track.