What if a Car Shop Just Sold... Vibes?
Vintage Japanese Motor Union turns an IG page into real-life meetups
HAPPY RACE DAY! especially to this Lego fansite with breaking news about the next cars featured in the popular Speed Champions series of builds.
Looks like the Audi S1 e-tron quattro (below) and Ford Mustang Dark Horse are coming in March. There are three others scheduled for June but still unconfirmed. I didn’t know there was Lego investigative journalism!
Race Day is Going Paid
QUICK NOTE to kick things off: I’m launching new posts that will be accessible to paid subscribers only. This decision has been a long time coming, but I wanted to do it right. So here’s the 2024 weekly format that I think has something for everyone:
MONDAYS: Book news and excerpts from each chapter of Cult of GT-R
WEDNESDAYS: The familiar Race Day format you know and love
FRIDAY (paid subscribers only): In-depth original reporting on the automotive industry, aftermarket and the business of car culture
This new schedule has already started — you may have noticed a rare Monday post in your inbox earlier this week with an excerpt from Chapter 1 of my new book. I’m excited to roll these out and hope you like them.
As for the paid posts — subscriptions are $5 /mth or $50 /year. That gets you access to Friday articles that will focus on the business of car culture. If that sounds interesting to you, I think you’ll be happy you signed up.
In fact, the first one is already up and free to read:
So there’s the plan! I’m excited to start covering a side of the industry that, in my opinion, is traditionally undercovered. To jump on board and start receiving exclusive Friday content straight to your inbox, join us here:
Thank you tremendously for your support while I work to move Race Day forward.
Vintage Japanese Motor Union Wants You to Chill
Vintage Japanese Motor Union is an L.A. area car club that celebrates kyusha, or “old cars” in Japanese, with an emphasis on iron and patina. The group hosts car shows, holds rallies and generally brings like-minded enthusiasts together.
That dedicated, but super laid-back attitude, carried over to the launch of the VJMU physical location in downtown Los Angeles. The group held its grand opening on New Year’s Day and welcomed hundreds of friends new and old to ring in 2024.
You can watch my TikTok about it right here.
So what’s it all about? After spending a couple of hours, I think the answer is clear: pretty much just vibes. I spoke with Savant Young, founder of VJMU and curator of the space. He decorated the walls with vintage posters, antique parts and historic memorabilia. There are hand-painted sneakers and timeless diecast models. His defining mantra for the new VJMU headquarters is “Fresh shit only.” Enough said.
I hesitate to call it a store. Because the store isn’t really the point. Yes, they sell apparel by VJMU and other friendly brands, plus a pretty wide selection of parts and tools. (Disclosure: They also sell books by Carrara Media, my publishing company, on consignment.) But here’s the key to VJMU — selling is not the driving focus.
What struck me about the place was its sense of community. People were encouraged to sit and take a load off. There were numerous couches upstairs, and tables on the ground floor to bring your lunch. There were even chairs out on the sidewalk. There were books and magazines to browse. There was a domino table in a cozy nook, where you could compete with friends while listening to Mos Def or Fela Kuti on the stereo, surrounded by warm and luscious houseplants.
People were encouraged to stop and spend time at VJMU, without the pressure to buy something or the requirement to be a member. Auto enthusiast lounges have grown in popularity across the country. But typically they’re attached to a car storage facility, or a racetrack, or some other venture where people are expected to shell out real money to enjoy the facilities.
Not at VJMU. When I spoke with Young, the founder, he said the goal was to create a space where people could enjoy car culture without feeling rushed. In that way, the VJMU store is more like the flyest afterschool center imaginable. Or a library — just, a library where they worship at the altar of Datsun instead of Faulkner. And there’s a bench made out of a Mazda pickup liftgate.
If you follow VJMU on Instagram, the store appears to serve mainly as a spot for Young to entertain friends over a coffee or beer while they bring him cool decorations as mellow hip-hop swims around the walls. Meanwhile there’s an LS-swapped Toyota truck center stage to act as a conversation starter, or an adorable Nissan Pao parked next to the meanest-looking 280ZX you’ve seen in years.
Car people are used to turning weird places into hangout spots. Racetracks, canyon road turnouts, deserted alleys, shopping mall parking lots. Often they’re being eyed by authorities or asked politely to move and make room for real customers. But here’s a spot where hanging out is the whole point. I found that pretty refreshing. It helps that you’re surrounded by “fresh shit” too. You don’t have to buy anything to kick it.
That said, Young certainly wouldn’t mind if you did. I left with new shorts and a VJMU t-shirt, myself. What can I say? They were fresh.
News & Notes
LAST WEEK I mentioned that our next live event is a book signing at Autobooks-Aerobooks in Burbank, CA on Saturday, January 13th. It’s now Instagram Official.
TOKYO AUTO SALON is shaping up to be epic. Liberty Walk has debuted its take on an F40 racecar while TOM’s is bringing a cavalcade of mystery cars (if the GR Corolla they showed at SEMA is any indication, these will be stunners.
THE TRAVELING AUTO CIRCUS known as Fuelfest is trickling out its 2024 schedule now. (You may remember FF from my June writeup here, or its appearance in Cult of GT-R.) The first dates announced? South Africa.
A SOCAL BAN on slow “cruising” was repealed on New Year’s Day, allowing lowriders to take to the streets in celebration. Here’s a great piece on it:
Props to the reporter for shouting out the ladies, especially.
And Finally…
Don’t miss out: Know a high school or college student who could use financial help? If they’re looking into cars as a career, SEMA is offering scholarships for up to $5,000. Apply by March 1st.
Don’t miss out Part II: The automotive media brand Pit+Paddock is looking for a graphic designer to join the team. P+P is good people. Hit them up.
Happy New Year! Please consider sharing our newsletter with your friends.
Drive hard and be safe. Black Lives Matter.
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