In this episode, I'm joined by Masa Kuji, co-founder of Built By Legends, the renowned Japanese restomod company that brings iconic cars like the Skyline GT-R and classic Honda Civics into the modern age. Masa shares the fascinating journey from producing English-dubbed versions of legendary Japanese car films like Best Motoring and Hot Version to creating bespoke, high-quality restorations with legendary Japanese tuning houses Mines and Spoon Sports. We dive into the meticulous details involved in transforming classic GT-Rs and Civics into reliable, exciting daily drivers that retain their authentic character while incorporating cutting-edge technology and performance enhancements. Masa offers insights into the unique challenges of restoring and improving beloved icons, the evolving market for these collectible cars, and the passion driving the Built By Legends ethos.

https://builtbylegends.jp/en/

Enjoy

Show Notes

00:00 The Evolution of the GTR Series

02:51 Journey into the Car Industry

06:00 Building Built by Legends

08:54 The Ethos Behind Restomodding

11:59 Collaborations with Legendary Tuners

14:51 Performance and Reinforcement of GTRs

18:02 The First Built by Legends GTR

20:57 Popularity and Market Trends of GTRs

24:00 Production Capacity and Restoration Services

26:45 Improving Original Designs

30:09 Customer Customization and Specifications

35:45 Driving Experience of Custom Cars

41:53 Customer Relationships and Build Process

49:08 Cost and Value of Builds

55:30 Restoration Process and Customization

01:00:57 Future of Car Builds and Personal Favorites

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