Since its inception, Speedhunters has been exploring automotive tradition all throughout the planet. After 16 years, discovering a ‘new’ nation to go to is getting robust.
Turkey was one of many international locations on the listing, however not anymore – all due to Erdem Küskü at Junique Design in Istanbul.
Erdem is single-handedly introducing native modified automotive fanatics to high quality and, most significantly, authentic aftermarket manufacturers. Together with his new store now completed and totally operational, Erdem invited me to fly to Turkey whereas I used to be again house in Italy earlier within the yr. It was a chance I couldn’t go up.
I used to be excited however had no thought what to anticipate – besides good Turkish meals. And the native culinary delights had been even higher than I had imagined.
However again to the vehicles…
My first day in Istanbul was spent studying the ins and outs of the native scene. Vehicles are very a lot cherished in Turkey, as is modifying them, nevertheless, with strict import laws and heavy duties on something coming in from overseas, discovering and constructing sure vehicles is extraordinarily troublesome and costly. Then there are the elements.
For years, the Turkish market has been flooded with knockoffs and imitations of each big-name model. Cheaper buy prices have meant decrease import taxes, permitting native automotive builders to acquire the ‘seems to be’ they need whereas spending much less. However Erdem has approached it from the opposite aspect, teaming up with manufacturers like Work Wheels, Rocket Bunny, Liberty Stroll, and Outdated & New, and changing into their official importers for Turkey.
Utilizing the superior high quality of those revered manufacturers, Erdem is persuading the local people that high quality and authenticity is price paying for.
The brand new Junique Design store is a mixture between Nakai-san’s RWB lair in Chiba and Kato-san’s ever-expanding Liberty Stroll empire, and it oozes high quality and coolness from each nook.
I spent numerous hours chatting to Erdem on his snug sofa, listening to about how his method of constructing vehicles is slowly however certainly changing into the tip purpose for many individuals.
Positive, the entry worth of doing issues the ‘proper’ method is larger, however so is the kudos you get if you exhibit a automotive constructed effectively with legit elements. As Erdem tells me, as soon as individuals see, contact and really feel the standard, they immediately perceive.
It was so cool to see the BMX from the again of the Junique Design Datsun truck when it was featured by way of IAMTHESPEEDHUNTER in 2021 – the primary time I spoke with Erdem.
Coming into the store, I used to be met by Erdem’s Outdated & New Porsche 996 and a not too long ago restored Ford Capri – each beautiful vehicles.
Erdem’s thought is to construct demo vehicles of as many fashions as attainable to showcase the range supplied by the manufacturers he imports. There’s a downside, although. As quickly as a new automotive is constructed, it will get bought. That’s not a foul downside to have.
Liberty Stroll is one in all Junique Design’s larger manufacturers and centre stage out entrance is an LBW-kitted Ferrari 360 Modena. This was Erdem’s automotive, nevertheless it’s one other one he needed to unload because of buyer demand.
It’s taken years, however the phrase has undoubtedly gotten on the market.
Take the JZA80 Supra parked within the show room subsequent to the primary present space for instance.
Open the hood and it’s apparent – this can be a severe construct with all of the extras. The entire Ridox package is one other one which Junique Design imports.
Sitting on Work Meisters and painted in a customized metallic bronze, that is simply one of many wildest Supras in Turkey.
I cherished the OEM + really feel of the inside with the suede trim throughout the sprint and trim, all topped off with a TRD steering wheel.
A Veilside rear wing was added for additional visible impression, finishing the clear and well-executed construct.
Kato-san and his crew visited Erdem when he first began distributing Liberty Stroll merchandise, and subsequent on the listing is to have Nakai-san fly out and create Turkey’s first RWB construct. Erdem’s dream is to construct an RWB 997 for himself, one thing I’m positive he’ll obtain very quickly.
The choice of vehicles exterior Junique Design was fairly cool. Half had been accomplished, some had been buyer vehicles, and others had been new acquisitions set to turn into store builds. It blew my thoughts simply how equally sized an Alfa Romeo 75 is to an AE86. I can’t wait to see what’s going to occur with these two, to not point out Z32 and 928.
It’s too unhealthy this ‘R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R’ was not accomplished after I visited. The engine was out of the automotive getting some work accomplished, however I want to do a full function on this construct if I return to Istanbul.
I’ve used citation marks above as a result of this automotive really began life as a four-door R32 Skyline sedan. Since no R32 GT-R might be imported into Turkey and there have been none within the nation to construct, Erdem did the subsequent smartest thing and created his personal. To transform it right into a two-door coupe, he imported all of the stamped sheet metallic elements from Nissan in Japan, after which the operating gear. When that was accomplished, Erdem fitted the Pandem package and smoothed it onto the physique to create one thing completely distinctive.
Talking of Pandem, Erdem’s freshly completed FC3S Mazda RX-7 mission is fairly bonkers, too.
It’s not simply an exterior makeover; underneath the hood is a Toyota 2JZ that makes 500hp on its low enhance setting.
That makes you surprise what is perhaps in retailer for the FD ready within the store show!
Then there’s Erdem’s latest child…
This AE86 runs a constructed and turbocharged 4A-G able to growing over 300hp, which makes it a little bit of a manic drift automotive.
The automotive was accomplished simply days earlier than my arrival and regarded clear and purposeful.
The Work Equip 03s sit so properly in opposition to the D-Max vented FRP fenders.
Per week after I left Istanbul, Erdem instructed me the automotive was bought with out him having had the possibility to drive and luxuriate in it. Fortunately, he has one other Hachiroku in his assortment, and that automotive is now being constructed as a substitute.
On the second day of my go to, Erdem handed over the keys to the crimson 997 Carrera S and mentioned “Observe me.”
With a BMW E92 additionally alongside for the experience, the thought was to seize some photographs of the three vehicles collectively. The 15-minute drive from Junique Design to the photograph spot was my most vivid reminiscence from the journey as a result of the site visitors and the way in which everybody drives in Turkey is nothing wanting loopy.
The actual fact the 997 went sideways on the dusty metropolis roads with even the lightest prod of the throttle made issues much more thrilling.
I’ve at hand it to Erdem and Junique Design for pushing authenticity and high quality. To date 100 vehicles have been accomplished, and with each new one, Turkey’s automotive tradition is evolving for the higher.
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
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