Reborn Precision - Even in an age dominated by electrification and software-defined driving, there’s still a special thrill in seeing a familiar silhouette return to the spotlight. That feeling began some time ago, when a mysterious teaser circulated and hinted at a new project from JAS Motorsport. Recently, the company finally revealed the name behind that long-rumoured creation: Tensei, a Japanese word meaning “rebirth.”It’s a fitting title for a collaboration between JAS and Pininfarina — Honda’s longtime motorsport partner joining forces with Italy’s renowned design studio to revisitthe Mk1 Honda NSX, a car forever linked to Ayrton Senna and the purity of early-1990s engineering.
The JAS Tensei is built on an original first-generation NSX chassis, a deliberate choice that preserves the structural essence of the legendary model. (Picture from: JASMotorsport)
The project starts from an authentic place: eachTenseiis built on an original first-generation NSX chassis, a deliberate choice that preserves the structural essence of the legendary model. From this foundation, Pininfarinaconstructs an all-new carbon-fibre body using advanced composite manufacturing techniques. The exterior keeps the original car’s compact mid-engined stance but expresses it with updated proportions, sharper surfacing, and significantly refined aerodynamics. Airflow has been completely re-evaluated using motorsport-grade simulations to enhance cooling efficiency, increase stability, and reduce drag — all while maintaining a form that still resonates with the spirit of the 1990 icon.
The JAS Tensei, set for a 2026 unveiling, emerges as a modern reinterpretation of the iconic NSX, offering a renewed yet authentic character in an era rapidly shaped by new technologies.(Picture from: TopGear)
Beneath the sculpted carbon fibre sits a powertrain that honours Honda’s engineering roots. JAS Motorsport has developed a naturally aspirated V6 inspired by the C30A architecture of the original NSX, tuned for high responsiveness, linear delivery, and a wide rev range that rewards enthusiastic driving. This engine sends power to the rear axle through a six-speed manual gearbox, a conscious decision to retain the analog, mechanically connected feel that made the first NSX so admired. It reflects JAS’s stated philosophy that Tensei should blend modern capability with a driving experience rooted in direct engagement rather than electronic filtering.
The JAS Tensei exterior keeps the original car’s compact mid-engined stance but expresses it with updated proportions, sharper surfacing, and significantly refined aerodynamics. (Picture from: JASMotorsport)
The influence of JAS’s three decades of competition work is just as evident in the chassis. The suspension, steering, and braking systems draw from the brand’s touring car and endurance racing development, integrating lightweight forged aluminium parts, carbon-composite elements, and competition-grade damping. These choices aim to deliver precise handling, consistent braking, and confident behaviour on both road and track. Inside, Pininfarina applies a driver-focused redesign using leather, Alcantara, and exposed carbon fibre. The cockpit embraces contemporary ergonomics while keeping analog instrumentation and a clean, decluttered layout that mirrors the philosophy of the original NSX.
The JAS Tensei carries a sculpted carbon-fibre body over a powertrain that honors Honda’s engineering roots, featuring a naturally aspirated V6 developed by JAS Motorsport and inspired by the original NSX’s C30A architecture.(Picture from: JASMotorsport)
For JAS Motorsport, Tensei represents a major milestone: the company’s first street-legal vehicle after more than 30 years dedicated exclusively to racing. Each example will be hand-assembled in limited numbers at JAS’s Arluno facility, reflecting a commitment to craftsmanship as much as performance. With the official unveiling scheduled for 2026, the Tensei stands as a modern interpretation of a beloved supercar — neither a mere recreation nor a nostalgic echo, but a thoughtful renewal of a machine whose character still resonates in a world rapidly shifting toward new technologies. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | JASMOTORSPORT | JASMOTORSPORT IN X | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | TOPGEAR | TIME ATTACK MANILA IN FACEBOOK ]
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Aero Brilliance - There’s something magical about the way early racing prototypes captured the imagination of an era—when every curve, every bolt, and every drop of fuel carried the dreams of innovation. Among the many brilliant ideas that roared through the 1960s, few represented French ingenuity quite like the Panhard CD. It wasn’t just another sports car—it was a daring statement by engineer Charles Deutsch, who set out to prove that aerodynamic design and clever engineering could outshine raw horsepower.
The Panhard CD was a daring statement by engineer Charles Deutsch, who set out to prove that aerodynamic design and clever engineering could outshine raw horsepower.. (Picture from: Les Belles Mécaniques d'hier et d'aujourd'hui In Facebook)
After parting ways with his long-time collaborator René Bonnet in 1961, Deutsch joined forces with Panhard, a brand already known for its quirky yet technically advanced vehicles. What emerged from this partnership was the Panhard CD, a sleek, lightweight coupe designed not just for speed, but for efficiency. Beneath its futuristic curves lay a humble 1,100cc air-cooled twin-cylinder engine—tiny by racing standards—but what the CD lacked in displacement, it made up for in brains. The body was shaped like a drop of water, its long, tapering tail minimizing drag to levels that even modern designers would admire.
One of the most captivating representations of this engineering achievement is the 1962 Panhard CD built as chassis number 108. (Picture from: BringATrailer)
The results were astonishing. In 1962, a similar model stunned the racing world at Le Mans by winning its class, finishing 17th overall, and taking home the coveted “Index of Performance” award. That recognition wasn’t about brute speed—it was about balance, endurance, and efficiency. Averaging more than 143 km/h with such a small engine, the CD proved that intelligence could indeed triumph over sheer muscle.
The Panhard CD brochure outlines the car’s technical specifications in detail, capturing the innovative engineering and purpose-built character behind its creation. (Picture from: BringATrailer)
One of the most fascinating examples of this engineering marvel isthe 1962 Panhard CDwith chassis number 108. This very car was the first of its kind, created as a showpiece for the Paris Auto Salon. There, it drew remarkable attention—reportedly gathering around 800 purchase requests from visitors captivated by its futuristic allure. But its story didn’t end under bright exhibition lights. It later served as one of the cars presented to the FIA for homologation, solidifying its link to the legendary Le Mans racing program.
The Panhard CD carries the same blend of simplicity and precision that defined 1960s race cars, presenting it all with a purposeful clarity that reflects its lightweight racing spirit. (Picture from: BringATrailer)
Its owner, André Guilhaudin, had a deep personal connection to the car’s legacy. Guilhaudin was one of the brave drivers who piloted a similar CD to victory at Le Mans in 1962. When he acquired this chassis in 1995, much of the restoration work had already begun, including repairs to the delicate plastic body. He later had the car refinished—its French Racing Blue coat shining brilliantly, whether or not it matched the original hue. What mattered most was that the spirit of the CD had been preserved.
The Panhard CD powered by the advanced Panhard M10S engine, featuring aluminum timing gears, balanced pistons, and upgraded valves. (Picture from: BringATrailer)
Inside, the car carries the same blend of simplicity and precision that defined 1960s race cars. Guilhaudin had custom bucket seats made to fit his driving position, allowing him to handle the lightweight machine with comfort and control. The original seats were carefully stored for restoration, along with a rare CD dual carburetor setup and a gearbox with longer ratios—details that highlight just how much thought went into this small but mighty racer.
The Panhard CD, finished in a brilliantly shining French Racing Blue that may or may not mirror its original hue, ultimately stands out because its true spirit has been faithfully preserved. (Picture from: BringATrailer)
Mechanically, the car is powered by the advanced Panhard M10S engine, featuring aluminum timing gears, balanced pistons, and upgraded valves. Even the exhaust and front axle have been meticulously renewed. These twin-cylinder engines, despite their modest size, were technological gems—featuring roller bearings and torsion valve springs, innovations that gave them a character all their own.
The Panhard CD is shown from a rear three-quarter view while on display at the Festival Automobile International 2011, highlighting the elegance of its long-tail aerodynamic shape. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
With its aerodynamic body boasting an incredible drag coefficient as low as 0.12 in race form—a figure that still amazes engineers today—the Panhard CD remains a marvel of efficiency and design. Weighing only about 1,200 pounds, it embodied the purest philosophy of motorsport: to do more with less. | gSd7DCIzkl4 |
Today, this prototype stands not only as a piece of racing history but also as a reminder of what creativity can achieve when guided by purpose and passion. Whether seen gliding around a vintage circuit or admired in a museum, the Panhard CD continues to whisper the same message that Charles Deutsch believed in over sixty years ago: that great ideas, no matter how small the engine behind them, can travel farther than anyone dares to imagine. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICDRIVER | CARJAGER | BRINGTRAILER | ARTCURIAL | WIKIPEDIA | LES BELLES MECANIQUES D'HIER ET D'AUJOURD'HUI IN FACEBOOK ]
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Windsculpt Elegance - In the mid-1930s, the world was beginning to see speed and elegance as two sides of the same coin. Airplanes were growing sleeker, trains more streamlined, and the idea of “cutting through the wind” became a symbol of modernity itself. It was in this atmosphere of technological optimism that one of the most forward-looking cars of its time took shape: the Lancia Aprilia Aerodinamica. More than just a vehicle, it was a sculpted vision of the future — born from the creative mind of Pininfarina and powered by Lancia’s relentless pursuit of innovation.
The Lancia Aprilia Aerodinamica. (Picture from: CarsFromItaly — original black-and-white photo colorized using Krea.ai)
At its core, the Lancia Aprilia Aerodinamica was built upon the advanced
Aprilia chassis, already known for its technical sophistication. But what truly made it a marvel was the way its body seemed to glide effortlessly into one cohesive shape. In an era when most automobiles still wore their engineering like armor — with visible joints, sharp corners, and separated panels — this creation dared to think differently. Pininfarina envisioned a form where every curve had purpose, every line had motion, and the entire car appeared to flow as one continuous piece of art.
The Lancia Aprilia Aerodinamica.(Picture from: CarsFromItaly— original black-and-white photo colorized using Krea.ai)
That flowing design was more than aesthetic indulgence. It represented a radical rethinking of how air interacts with a moving object. The body’s smooth transitions, the integration of the mudguards, and the softened edges were all crafted to let wind slip past rather than fight against the car. The elongated roofline — famously described as “like a drop of water” — was not only poetic but deeply functional. Nature, as it turned out, was the best aerodynamic engineer. Inspired by the organic perfection of water’s shape, Pininfarina created a car that minimized drag long before wind tunnels became a standard part of automotive design.
The Lancia Aprilia Aerodinamica.(Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani— original black-and-white photo colorized using Krea.ai)
One of the most daring innovations was the use of Plexiglas for the curved windscreen and side windows. In the 1930s, curved glass was still a dream for manufacturers, yet Pininfarina wasn’t one to wait for technology to catch up. Plexiglas, a lightweight and moldable alternative, opened new doors for design flexibility. The result was a front profile that blended seamlessly into the bodywork, giving the car a futuristic smoothness rarely seen at the time. The same material extended to the rear, offering a panoramic continuity that was both functional — reducing wind resistance — and visually striking.
The Lancia Aprilia Aerodinamica.(Picture from: CarsFromItaly— original black-and-white photo colorized using Krea.ai)
Between 1936 and 1937, several iterations of the Aprilia Aerodinamica emerged, each one subtly refining the idea. Some versions featured a bolder Lancia grille, while others experimented with fully recessed headlights, a detail that contributed to its sleek, uninterrupted face. Later designs even incorporated a second rear window for better visibility, although this was soon removed to preserve the purity of the roofline. Even the wheel covers went through transformations, all in pursuit of the perfect aerodynamic balance between form and function.
The Lancia Aprilia Aerodinamica.(Picture from: CarsFromItaly — original black-and-white photo colorized using Krea.ai)
Pininfarina’s work with the Aprilia Aerodinamicawent far beyond a single prototype. The car became a manifesto for a new era of automotive design — one that understood beauty not as ornamentation, but as the natural outcome of intelligent engineering. Its influence rippled through decades, shaping how designers approached the relationship between air, motion, and aesthetics. Nearly a century later, the Aerodinamica still resonates as a milestone where design met innovation, reminding us that vision and courage can transform even the most utilitarian machine into a moving work of art. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | CARSFROMITALY | CARSTYLING.RU | CCDISCUSSION ]
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Electric Elegance - The automotive world has been buzzing with electric vehicle innovations, but few unveilings spark curiosity like a radical departure from a manufacturer’s traditional approach. Apollo Future Mobility Group (AFMG), long celebrated for its visceral, V12-powered hypercars, has taken a bold step into the electric era with its latest prototype: the Apollo G2J. This new electric supercar signals a fresh direction, merging Apollo’s signature design flair with cutting-edge EV technology.
The Apollo G2J electric supercar signals a fresh direction, merging Apollo’s signature design flair with cutting-edge EV technology.. (Picture from: Autocar.co.nz)
Unlike the ferocious Intensa Emozione, which roared with a Ferrari-derived 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine, the G2J leaves combustion behind entirely. At first glance, its enormous air intakes and aggressive stance might suggest a massive gasoline powertrain, but under its flowing carbon-fiber body lies a purely electric setup. Apollo engineers have clearly embraced a new philosophy—one where sleek aerodynamics, lightweight construction, and high-tech systems define the car’s identity.
The Apollo G2J, with its massive air intakes and aggressive stance, conceals a fully electric powertrain beneath its carbon-fiber body, reflecting Apollo’s new focus on aerodynamics, lightweight design, and advanced technology. (Picture from: TopGear)
The G2J’s design is both dramatic and purposeful. Curved cooling intakes sweep from the front toward the rear doors, hinting at a centrally mounted electric motor. Traditional side mirrors have been replaced with cameras, offering a cleaner profile and modern functionality. From its butterfly doors to roof-mounted scoops and flared fenders, every detail is crafted with performance and style in mind. The rear houses a subtly integrated charging port nestled between U-shaped taillights, demonstrating that even futuristic design can be practical.
The Apollo G2J features a driver-focused cabin combining carbon fiber, Alcantara seats, digital displays, and a sleek console with a bold red emergency button. (Picture from: Autocar.co.nz)
Inside, the prototype balances sportiness and sophistication. Exposed carbon fiber dominates the cabin, paired with Alcantara on the bucket seats, dashboard, and center console. The steering wheel is flat-bottomed and leather-trimmed in saddle brown, echoing the door belts. Three small screens on the right handle climate controls, while the start/stop button sits just above. A tablet-like display replaces traditional instruments, and corner screens show live feeds from the side cameras. Between the seats, a rotary knob, window switches, and buttons—including a conspicuous red emergency button—emphasize the car’s driver-focused interface.
The Apollo G2J boasts a dramatic, purposeful design with sweeping curved intakes hinting at a central electric motor and camera-based mirrors for a sleek, modern look. (Picture from: Autocar.co.nz)
The Apollo G2J is still very much a work in progress, developed across Germany, Japan, and the United States. While exact technical specifications remain under wraps, the prototype demonstrates Apollo’s commitment to lightweight construction using carbon fiber and composite materials. It’s a clear preview of what the company envisions for future electric sports cars emerging from its R&D hub in Ingolstadt. The plan for a production version was expected in 2024, but updates have been scarce since then. | wzlv3fU_Pfs |
Though it may not yet be ready for production, the G2J embodies the spirit of innovation. It bridges Apollo’s hypercar heritage with the electric mobility future, hinting at what road-going electric sports cars might look like in the years to come. With its audacious design and forward-thinking engineering, the Apollo G2J isn’t just a prototype—it’s a glimpse into a new era of high-performance, electrified driving. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOCAR.CO.NZ | GLM.JP | TOPGEAR | INSIDEEVS | BLACKXPERIENCE | OBSCURESUPERCAR IN X ]
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Enigmatic Craftsmanship - In a world where automotive design constantly swings between digital precision and nostalgic homage, there occasionally appears a machine so raw, so unapologetically human, that it seems to have escaped the sterile assembly line entirely. The mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 customis one such creation — a car that feels less like a product and more like a sculpture that somehow decided it wanted to move. Its first public appearance came not through glossy press releases or concours exhibitions, but through grainy photos shared by astonished internet users. What began as a curious Reddit post soon turned into a rabbit hole of speculation across 914World and other Porsche forums, as enthusiasts tried to piece together the story behind the shimmering ghost of brushed aluminum and obsessive craftsmanship.
The mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 custom drew attention while on display at the 2013 Goodguys Car Show in Del Mar, California. (Picture from: DrivingLine)
Beneath that alien exterior lies what many believe to be the skeleton of a Porsche 914, the quirky mid-engine sports car born from a 1960s collaboration between Porsche and Volkswagen. The original 914 was small, light, and mechanically unpretentious — characteristics that have long made it a darling among builders seeking to reinvent classic engineering. Yet this particular example doesn’t merely tweak or restore; it reinvents. The body, forged entirely by hand, tradesthe 914’sboxy utilitarian shape for fluid, futuristic lines that appear almost aerodynamic in motionless form. The aluminum skin, hammered and welded into sweeping curves, captures every glint of light like liquid metal. Where most builders hide their welds beneath layers of paint, this creator left the surface naked — a living record of labor, imperfection, and confidence.
The
mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 custom roofline has been chopped,
giving it the posture of a prototype racer, while the vented nose and
recessed headlights evoke the boldness of 1970s endurance machines.(Picture from: ATBGE in Reddit)
The car’s personality radiates through its brutal simplicity. No chrome ornaments, no glossy finish — just metal, proportion, and intent. Its stance is wider and lower thanthe stock 914, suggesting that significant chassis surgery has taken place beneath the skin. The roofline has been chopped, giving it the posture of a prototype racer, while the vented nose and recessed headlights evoke the boldness of 1970s endurance machines. Observers have compared its shape to the Ferrari 512 BB or the De Tomaso Pantera, but its industrial finish sets it apart. The surface feels more aerospace than automotive, more workshop than showroom, as though the designer sought to merge the discipline of an aircraft engineer with the soul of a sculptor.
The mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 custom, forged entirely by hand, transforms the 914’s once boxy form into a fluid, futuristic sculpture of hammered aluminum that seems to flow like liquid metal even at rest.(Picture from: Pinterest)
Because no official documentation has surfaced, the mechanical heart of the car remains a matter of educated guessing. Builders who tackle projects of this scale often turn to mid-engine powertrains with real punch — Chevrolet small-block V8s for brute strength, Porsche flat-six units for heritage, or modern Honda K-series engines for balance and reliability. Given the car’s proportions and its aggressive cooling layout, it likely hides either a flat-six or V8, supported by a strengthened tubular frame to compensate for the aluminum body’s reduced rigidity. Whatever the setup, it’s safe to assume the result delivers more excitement than the humble four-cylinder the 914 left the factory with.
The mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 custom, with no official specs known, is thought to house a flat-six or V8 engine supported by a reinforced tubular frame for strength and balance.(Picture from: CarPorn in Reddit)
What truly fuels the intrigue, however, isn’t the hardware — it’s the mystery behind it. For years, online sleuths have tried to uncover the car’s origins, and one name continues to surface: Chris Thompson at his workshop in South California. A video featuring a convertible with nearly identical design cues credits Thompson as the builder, suggesting he may have been the visionary behind this striking creation. Some enthusiasts believe this bare-metal 914 was his personal experiment — a one-off masterpiece entirely hand-formed from aluminum over a Porsche 914 chassis. | VCZuf-lKGWo |
Others suspect the car has evolved through multiple hands and iterations since its original build. Yet even with these clues, the story remains hazy. Was Thompson a metal artist exploring the boundaries of automotive sculpture, or an engineer translating precision into raw form? In the world of bespoke builds, such quiet anonymity is hardly unusual; some of the most remarkable cars ever crafted began life not in studios or factories, but in workshops fueled by passion, solitude, and imagination.
The mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 custom has long fueled intrigue not for its hardware but its unknown origins, with evidence pointing to South California builder Chris Thompson, whose workshop and past convertible project share its unmistakable design DNA.(Picture from: 914World)
Understanding why this creation resonates requires revisiting what the Porsche 914 represents. For decades, it was the misfit of the Porsche family — mid-engined yet modest, nimble yet often overshadowed by its 911 sibling. But that same underdog status made it a blank canvas for reinvention. Builders across generations have seen in it an opportunity: a platform light enough to experiment with, but pure enough to express imagination without limits. From restomod projects like Luke Ray’s reinterpretation to wild V8 swaps and electric conversions, the 914 has evolved into a cult object of creative freedom. The bare-metal variant merely pushes that legacy to its farthest, most fearless edge. | B04ndNFFWQc |
There’s something poetic about a car whose identity is unknown yet instantly unforgettable. It reflects a truth that extends beyond the garage — that beauty and innovation can thrive in obscurity, that obsession itself can be a kind of signature. In a time when most vehicles are born from CAD files and corporate committees, this raw aluminum 914 reminds us what happens when a single human vision shapes steel with nothing but persistence, intuition, and a hammer. It is not just a car rebuilt; it is an idea reborn — proof that artistry still breathes beneath the surface of modern engineering.
The mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 custom stands as a reminder that even in an era of CAD precision and corporate design, true artistry can still be hand-forged from raw aluminum through vision, persistence, and craft.(Picture from: 914World)
If anyone out there happens to know more about this car — its origins, its builder, or its hidden story — feel free to share your insights in the comments below. Information in this article is based on publicly available sources, forum discussions, and community observations, and some details about its background remain unverified. After all, mysteries like this deserve to be solved together by the community that keeps the spirit of automotive creativity alive. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | 914WORLD | SPEEDHUNTERS | WIKIPEDIA | CARPORN IN REDDIT ]
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Feathered Resilience - In the years following World War II, Japan was a nation rebuilding not only its cities but its confidence in innovation. Amid the shortages and the slow pulse of recovery, a new generation of engineers and dreamers sought to redefine what mobility could mean for ordinary people. Among them was a man with a vision as light as air yet grounded in practicality. The Suminoe Flying Feather, displayed at the Petersen Automotive Museum, was born from both necessity and imagination during a time when Japan in the late 1940s struggled to restart production of even the most basic consumer goods.
The Suminoe Flying Feather, displayed at the Petersen Automotive Museum, was born from both necessity and imagination during a time when Japan in the late 1940s struggled to restart production of even the most basic consumer goods. (Picture from: Hagerty)
Its creator, Yutaka Katayama, had long worked at Nissan, guiding the company’s advertising and promotional efforts. But as Nissan resumed building cars after the war—largely British-derived Austin models—Katayama saw a problem. Japan’s people were not ready for large, expensive sedans when food and fuel were scarce. What the nation needed, he believed, was a car that was small, affordable, and approachable. His vision mirrored the logic that had produced Germany’s Volkswagen Beetle and France’s Citroën 2CV: a “people’s car” designed for survival, not status.
The Suminoe Flying Feather, an early 350cc cycle-car crafted by Yuaka Katayama and Ryuichi Tomiya for Suminoe Manufacturing back in 1954. (Picture from: Flickr-MrScharroo)
To bring his idea to life, Katayama joined forces with Ryuichi Tomiya, a designer renowned for his creativity and precision. Tomiya, who would later establish the Tomiya Research Institute and design the distinctive Fuji Cabin three-wheeler, shared Katayama’s conviction that mobility should be simple, efficient, and within reach of ordinary citizens. Together, they imagined a car that stripped away everything unnecessary, leaving only what was essential to move people forward—both literally and symbolically.
Yutaka Katayama posed along with the Suminoe Flying Feather in 1954. (Picture from: Hagerty)
By 1950, their imagination had materialized into the first prototype of the Flying Feather. It was a tiny, doorless convertible that resembled a toy Jeep,perched on motorcycle wheels and powered by a small air-cooled Nissan engine mounted at the rear. The design was radically minimalist, yet spirited. When Katayama presented it to Nissan executives, they were intrigued by its novelty and considered adding it to the company’s lineup as a complement tothe larger Austin sedans. For a brief moment, it seemed Japan’s postwar “people’s car” might become a reality.
The Suminoe Flying Feather features a minimalist gray body with a cheerful front design, round headlights, and a compact stance that perfectly reflects its lightweight, postwar Japanese engineering spirit. (Picture from: RoadAndTrack)
That hope quickly faded when Katayama’s sense of humanity collided with
corporate politics. During a factory strike over poor working
conditions, he brought food to hungry workers—a gesture that, while
compassionate, angered Nissan’s management. The incident ended his
tenure at the company, but not his determination. He and Tomiya
continued refining their vision independently, creating a second
prototype that embodied their design philosophy with greater
sophistication and grace.
The Suminoe Flying Feather features an extremely simple interior with a bare metal dashboard, two basic gauges, a thin steering wheel, and plaid-upholstered seats that emphasize its minimalist postwar design philosophy. (Picture from: RoadAndTrack)
This evolved Flying Feather featured an air-cooled 350cc V-twin engine producing 12.5 horsepower, independent suspension at both ends, and a curb weight of just 935 pounds. It gained real doors, a cleaner silhouette, and a playful, aerodynamic shape highlighted by its bug-eye headlights and tapered rear vents. The car’s windows didn’t roll down—they swung upward like wings—while the interior was stripped to the bone, its seat frames and springs left exposed beneath a thin fabric pad. It was not luxury; it was liberation on wheels.
The Suminoe Flying Feather's interior was stripped to the bone, its seat frames and springs left exposed beneath a thin fabric pad. It was not luxury; it was liberation on wheels. (Picture from: RoadAndTrack)
After approaching several suppliers, Katayama finally found a partner in Suminoe Engineering Works, a company that specialized in interiors and components for Nissan. Suminoe agreed to produce the Flying Feather, and the project soon caught the attention of Japan’s Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), which expressed interest in nurturing it as a domestic “people’s car.” In 1954, the production version made its public debut at the Tokyo Auto Show, where it was hailed as “the smallest, cheapest, and most economical practical car in the world.” For a moment, it seemed that the Flying Feather might truly take flight.
The Suminoe Flying Feather featured an air-cooled 350cc V-twin engine producing 12.5 horsepower, independent suspension at both ends, and a curb weight of just 935 pounds. (Picture from: RoadAndTrack)
But that moment was short-lived. The promised government backing never arrived, and when Suminoe lost its contract with Nissan, financial ruin
followed. Production halted after only about 200 cars were built. A handful of them survived, some restored decades later as rare relics of an era defined by both hardship and hope. The Flying Feather’s wings were clipped before it could soar, yet its story refused to fade. | h3T8nSRLfDo |
Katayama’s own story, however, continued to rise. He reconciled with Nissan and went on to transform the company’s fortunes abroad, bringing the Datsun brand to the United States and overseeing the birth of icons like the Datsun 510 and the legendary 240Z. By the time of his passing at 105, his name had become synonymous with Japan’s automotive ascent. And though the Flying Feather occupies only a small corner of his legacy, it remains a symbol of postwar resilience—a reminder that progress often begins not with grandeur, but with a light, fragile idea daring to lift off the ground. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TOYOTA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM | HAGERTY | ROADANDTRACK ]
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For JAS Motorsport, Tensei represents a major milestone: the company’s first street-legal vehicle after more than 30 years dedicated exclusively to racing. Each example will be hand-assembled in limited numbers at JAS’s Arluno facility, reflecting a commitment to craftsmanship as much as performance. With the official unveiling scheduled for 2026, the Tensei stands as a modern interpretation of a beloved supercar — neither a mere recreation nor a nostalgic echo, but a thoughtful renewal of a machine whose character still resonates in a world rapidly shifting toward new technologies. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | JASMOTORSPORT | JASMOTORSPORT IN X | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | TOPGEAR | TIME ATTACK MANILA IN FACEBOOK ]
