D Car — July 2004

Already called a veteran—or even a guru—of the sport-compact scene, ONO☆P has steadily evolved his longtime EJ-1 through his distinctive eye and passion for customizing. He has appeared in our magazine many times, and now he has boldly added more power. The first thing that catches your eye is a set of genuine U.S. parts: gullwing doors. He has also given the headlights a lowrider-inspired treatment, combining smoothing and Frenching for a six-lamp round-headlight setup. This makes the earlier smoothing of the door handles and the vertically opening, relocated license-plate trunk stand out even more. The car has evolved into such a one-of-a-kind creation that the idea of “low-Euro” no longer quite describes it.

• Exterior: Kaminari aero; VeilSide wing; Z3 ducts; gullwing doors: DIECOCK SPEED; vertically opening trunk; body paint: Summer Time Blue. • Interior: original steering wheel / EL meter; gauges: AC; seats: Recaro SP, retrimmed in Speed leather. • Wheels: J/Z, 17×7J, 205/40. • Suspension: TUF Suspension hydraulic system. • Tuning: muffler: ONO☆P Special; air cleaner: Ractive. • Audio: Carrozzeria / Alpine / Audio Barkicker and more.