Since its inception, Speedhunters has been exploring automobile tradition all throughout the planet. After 16 years, discovering a ‘new’ nation to go to is getting powerful.
Turkey was one of many nations on the listing, however not anymore – all due to Erdem Küskü at Junique Design in Istanbul.
Erdem is single-handedly introducing native modified automobile fanatics to high quality and, most significantly, legit aftermarket manufacturers. Along 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 move up.
I used to be excited however had no thought what to anticipate – besides good Turkish meals. And the native culinary delights have 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. Automobiles are very a lot beloved in Turkey, as is modifying them, nevertheless, with strict import rules 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 automobile builders to acquire the ‘appears’ 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 Previous & New, and changing into their official importers for Turkey.
Utilizing the superior high quality of those revered manufacturers, Erdem is persuading the area people that high quality and authenticity is price paying for.
The brand new Junique Design store is a combination 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 approach of constructing vehicles is slowly however certainly changing into the tip objective for many individuals.
Certain, the entry worth of doing issues the ‘proper’ approach is increased, however so is the kudos you get if you exhibit a automobile 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 through IAMTHESPEEDHUNTER in 2021 – the primary time I spoke with Erdem.
Coming into the store, I used to be met by Erdem’s Previous & New Porsche 996 and a lately restored Ford Capri – each gorgeous vehicles.
Erdem’s thought is to construct demo vehicles of as many fashions as attainable to showcase the range provided by the manufacturers he imports. There’s a downside, although. As quickly as a new automobile is constructed, it will get offered. That’s not a nasty downside to have.
Liberty Stroll is one among Junique Design’s greater manufacturers and centre stage out entrance is an LBW-kitted Ferrari 360 Modena. This was Erdem’s automobile, but it surely’s one other one he needed to dump resulting from buyer demand.
It’s taken years, however the phrase has positively gotten on the market.
Take the JZA80 Supra parked within the show room subsequent to the principle present space for instance.
Open the hood and it’s apparent – it is a critical construct with all of the extras. The whole 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 beloved 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 further 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 certain he’ll obtain very quickly.
The choice of vehicles outdoors Junique Design was fairly cool. Half have been accomplished, some have been buyer vehicles, and others have 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 dangerous this ‘R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R’ was not accomplished once I visited. The engine was out of the automobile getting some work finished, 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 automobile 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 neatest 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 working gear. When that was finished, 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 venture is fairly bonkers, too.
It’s not simply an exterior makeover; below the hood is a Toyota 2JZ that makes 500hp on its low increase setting.
That makes you marvel what could be 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 automobile.
The automobile was accomplished simply days earlier than my arrival and regarded clear and purposeful.
The Work Equip 03s sit so properly towards the D-Max vented FRP fenders.
Per week after I left Istanbul, Erdem informed me the automobile was offered with out him having had the prospect to drive and revel in it. Fortunately, he has one other Hachiroku in his assortment, and that automobile is now being constructed as a alternative.
On the second day of my go to, Erdem handed over the keys to the pink 997 Carrera S and stated “Comply with me.”
With a BMW E92 additionally alongside for the experience, the concept was to seize some photographs of the three vehicles collectively. The 15-minute drive from Junique Design to the picture spot was my most vivid reminiscence from the journey as a result of the visitors and the way in which everybody drives in Turkey is nothing in need of 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 this point 100 vehicles have been accomplished, and with each new one, Turkey’s automobile tradition is evolving for the higher.
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
dino@speedhunters.com
