EVENT: S30.world Japan tour pt. 5 – Photoshoot / Nissan Zama Warehouse

Day 7: Photoshoot / Nissan Zama warehouse / S30.world development meeting

Welcome to another part of our incredible S30.world Japan expedition. After another great breakfast in the Hotel, the whole crew took the subway, train and bus to a far-away part of Tokyo.
The reason? We wanted to recreate this iconic Press photo print that Kats had brought to the Car show.

After a bit of googling, some of the team were actually able to figure out the original location which this photo was taken at:

So the idea was to take similar photos in front of the building. But, we didn’t really have a photo shooting permission, and the security guards and manager of the Medical center insisted we need one to take photos.

Funny enough, the location is actually often used for fashion shootings and what not, but only with a permission. After a bit of negotiation by our Japanese-speaking members, they would at least allow us to take a group photo on the stairs, without the cars, and the Manager himself took the photos.

Some of the members with the professional camera gear were able to take some nice photos of the building itself, so we had an idea how to accomplish the task anyway. But more on that later.
After we got politely asked to leave the location, we took the public transport again in another direction to end up at this place: The Nissan Motor Corporation Zama Operation center Area No 3. Better known as the “Zama Warehouse”.

But we arrived a bit early, so the sent us away and asked us to come back in 30 minutes. We took the opportunity to grab some lunch at the next 7-eleven and enjoyed it outside. Some say Ramen bowls test better if you use a JapanMail mailbox as a table.

Some tried questionable ice cream sandwiches for dessert as well.

After we had more-or-less successfully completed our Japanese convenient-food experience, we went back to the Zama warehouse, where we got greeted by the lovely gentleman to the left. Nagai -san was a former test engineer of various skylines (R32, R33 and R34) and Fairlady Z’s, and a friend of Endo-san, so he was able to bring us into the Zama warehouse. It is possible to get in there, but quite difficult, as it is usually limited to certain groups, Nissan employees, and many others that get prioritized above the usual JDM-car-tourist. Mr. Nagai still works at Nissan as an engineer and was basically our representative for the day. We had a great chat too where he told about his experience as a test-engineer testing some of the cars on European roads and tracks. What a great guy!

After a long walk around the secret engineering areas, of the Zama plant, we arrived at a little entrance, where we immediately got greeted by some Japanese ladies at the entrance desk and a local representative. The entrance-hall showed a nice collection of the latest Z and a Z31. We think it might be the same car the used in those advertising history videos in the Nissan HQ Gallery.

The entrance hall showed about 7 or so cars, but also the history of the Zama plant where many of the body panels were made and still are engineered today:

And some other fun stuff 🙂

One of the highlights was this Datsun 70, one of the oldest cars of the collection.

Just look at that cool glass hood ornament:

After a chat with the local guides and Nissan representatives, we then got let loose on the collection for one hour to see as much as possible. I didn’t count them, but it’s basically a huge old industrial hall full of Cars. From the 30ies to today, from historic street cars of any kind to special purpose vehicles to sports cars, to concepts and then a huge section of race cars.

I’m sure there are more than 300 cars with some occasionally being taken out of the collection to be shown at the NISMO showroom, the Nissan HQ Gallery or different fan meetings, racetracks, and special events. Once you enter the holy halls, you realize the sheer quantity of incredible cars that you can find there, most of them in pristine condition. From where it all began:

To any skyline imagenable:

To super-silhouette racing cars:

To those Monsters:

and the later Super-GT cars:

And let’s not forget some weird and special prototype and concept cars:

And then, finally, we ended up with these triplets: the legendary works Rally Z’s:

Luckily, Alan, our resident S30.world Works race car specialist with the incredible knowledge about the Rally cars was with us and explained lots of special details of the rally cars to the others. What a great opportunity. Looking at them in real life is one thing, but getting pointed at all the very special features of these cars is something completely different. Like quick-exchangeable headlamps and ventilated / heated headlight buckets so they won’t get foggy while racing:

Before the story continues below, check out this massive gallery of Zama Warehouse photos.

After out hour at the warehouse was sadly over, and the next group was preparing to get in, we took our stuff from the cool Lockers and said goodbye to the lovely staff.

After a quick walk, bus and train ride back to the hotel:

It was time to complete that photoshoot of the morning. The Camera and Video guys set up their professional gear

And Kats set up his precious Z432 in front of the Hotel, where we all had our go to copy the “Walking person” n the original Nissan advertising photo.  The idea now is to photoshop the cars / people together with that original location photo into something that looks like the original Nissan Photos. I’m really excited to see the final results:

After the shooting was completed, we had a quick team meeting to discuss the next steps at the Hotel lobby:

And then went to an absolutely incredible traditional Japanese Multi.course dinner, where the various dishes just kept on coming.

 

We exchanged and got gifted some very cool and rare items. From NOS spare bulbs:

To copies of original drawings by the original Nissan Z designers:

After some good beers, we closed it a night, all tired but excited with everything that happened in the recent days. I’m still processing it all, and I would really like to express my huge thanks to Chris for making this all possible and Kats for organizing it all. What a crazy 10 days. I still can’t believe it, and so many nice people we met and so many cool things we saw. And so many dreams coming true at once. Domo Arigato! And also thank you to all the S30.world team for the great company, nice car-talks, laughs and memories made. I still can’t believe this really happened!

But wait, it’s not over yet. There is one last little part of the story, which I will release, soon.