When buying JDM parts just isn't cool or original enough, you can take it to another level by turning to rare, discontinued JDM parts. I admit that I, too, was seduced by the dreamy essence of older, discontinued JDM parts and paid ridiculous coin for used parts that some consider junk. Paying over $5k for a set of used wheels, I once had a Mugen arsenal to make most tuner shops jealous. I also owned a true holy grail of JDM parts: HKS 5A-GX valve covers for the Toyota 4AG motor. Why would anyone want stuff like that? The prices straight out suck; the condition is used and questionably restorable; and the performance is far surpassed by today's technology. But having parts that no one else has or can even find makes all the trouble worthwhile for some of us.
Collecting rare parts for your car is a great hobby, but when you end up collecting rare parts for cars that you don't even have, then it's a full-blown obsession. We asked a few known collectors what fuels their passion.
Name: Ralph Wright
Occupation: Auto parts salesperson
What type of parts in particular do you collect?Wheels and wheel accessories. Only old school classics like SSR EX-C, Bang Vec, Challenge Racing, Defi, Work Ewing, Volk EMU... the list goes on.
What car(s) are you currently building?
None at the moment, but I have been eyeing a couple early '70s and '80s Skylines.What do you love about JDM parts?Fit and finish. Craftsmanship, attention to detail and light weight.
Does the part have to be JDM?
Not necessarily. If the item is well-built with great function then I can dig it.
Does it have to be a discontinued item?
No, but all of mine just happen to be discontinued for over 10 years already.
How long have you been collecting parts?
About 10 years, but I have always been an enthusiast.
What's your favorite part that you have or had?
My SSR EX-C aero covers/brake fans, McLaren MS1 and Defi Fins wheels.
What part are you still on the hunt for?
SSR Flying Dragons, SSR Sorb, Defi Mesh.
Since you've developed good connections and skills for finding rare parts, are you a bounty hunter for hire?
I guess you can say that, but lately people search on their own and I am just here to assist in the purchase and shipment.
Do one-off or fabricated parts count as rare?
That would be a hard one. I guess it really depends on the individual's resources for reproducing these one-off items. If any ordinary Joe can just go out and reproduce that same item, then no. And I do not consider an item rare just due to its sizing; I focus on the time itself.
How do you find information on what parts were available?
Overseas stores and auctions.
How do you find all these rare parts?
I purchase direct from Yahoo! Japan auctions, Up Garage, other fellow collectors, lucky junkyards and local classifieds.
Name: Matthew Bertelson
Occupation: Console engineer
What type of parts in particular do you collect?
Well, my collections usually revolve around wheels. All of them are four-lug, and I try to make each work with my Civic.
What car(s) are you currently building?
As of right now, I'm slowly finishing year three on the build of my '01 Civic coupe. It's in the body shop right now, finishing the front-end conversion.What do you love about JDM parts?That's simple: Build quality is typically of higher standard than most domestic wheels offered for my application.
Does the part have to be JDM?
Definitely not. If I had a desire for new wheels, Schmidt (German-based manufacturer) would be the first company I'd call.
Does it have to be a discontinued item?
Preferably, or one of unique design and limited production.
How long have you been collecting parts?
Roughly three years.
What's your favorite part that you have or had?
That's going to be a tough one. It'd probably be my SSR Auswuch EFs.
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