Matt.4877

Some updated photos now it has landed. Full preparation underway. Photos are how it arrived from transport. So requires a wash. Full walk around video available.

More pics to follow.

Short walk around video. IMG_1917.mov

Few more pics (for Reference)

That will help people. For anyone that is interested however, the front mats are on an indefinite unknown lead time at the moment. Hopefully they are not discontinued.

They are excellent quality and great for winter. New owner will really enjoy this :)

MOT passed Friday - Deposit taken. 1st viewing this morning. Awaiting DVLA registration

Sure, i buy them directly from Silk Blaze Japan. You could use an agent like Nengun etc or similar to order. Companies website is https://www.kspec.jp/silkblaze/ I put them in all the cars i sell. Hope that helps.

got round to fitting winter mats. They heavy duty and fit perfect

If anyone does order Teins, make sure you get the ones with the top mounts.

Just for reference, but i ordered from Tein japan the Flex set up (its replacing a like for like) however i know people moan about the ride quality with aftermarket. Some considerations Spring rates They are designed for rebuild (many are often needing rebuilds as fitted sometime ago in jp) Tyre choice Alignment and set up These are going on a GGH20 4 day shipping from Japan from point of order to delivery. Very quick turn around.

Just checked. It’s from Tommy Kiara. It’s on the website. Silk Blaze do some nice stuff. Never bought wheels from them as i use Rays (volk) but glad you enjoying the car. :)

The bumper I believe is by Tommy Kira, and as it’s a 1 piece so is the bumper lip. It’s part of a larger kit, with the side skirts, rear wing, bonnet, etc.

It’s a 1 piece bumper and lip tho right?

Out of interest, did the importer tell you which brand of body kit in Japan that was?

The car lived in and around East Tokyo. The car didnt sell at auction in August of last year. It was then put into fixed stock It’s because as i outlined, minimal preparation is provided usually. Undersealing is a cost, and Labour intensive to do it correctly. Reduces profit. Definitely do it, and clear seal it, on a ramp. Depends on the car you buy as an investment. I have personally done fine with cars (GT-Rs tho) as investments. Alphard/Vellfire. Best purchases are to use the car, and keep it in good condition (with associated maintenance)

Some of the parts going on..

1,200 GBP

I ship parts most weeks. Some mats arrived just before Christmas. Shipping of the box from fedex was 1200GBP plus taxes. It was never cheap to ship from Japan but the rates have gone up. The vellfire luggage item, id assume is about 60GBP once included internal transport.

As i say, everyone has different standards & view point. They do rust. Just like any other car. It’s also how it’s stored, (in UK) but also where in Japan is it from. A USS Tokyo or Osaka car is not always from that region so you need to dig into the history. It depends on ultimately how picky you want to be vs budget. Quite a rare front bumper on yours, as the aftermarket manufacturer has stopped producing those.

Not sure i agree, although having been involved in importing since the late 90s, everyone will have an opinion. They do rust, and especially depending on the area and how it’s used. There are examples every week that have rusted through. They often look presentable at first sight, but underneath tells the truth. Also the associated documentation (not the auction sheet) when it’s going through.

It’s not pointless, it’s just an expense that most dont want (trade) and also TBH it does take time and a lot of skill to do it properly. Clear under seal is where i would be heading, and removing the exhaust etc so it’s not caked on. Thought I recognized the car from the aero & the wheels.

I’m sure i saw that car go through USS Tokyo or Osaka end of last year. In the early 2000s many people were throwing any type of under seal over the car. These days it’s less so. Couple of reasons A) to do it properly is expensive and there is more of a wash n go type approach B) As the cars age, there is (across many platforms, but mainly classics) a real desire from the buyers to view the underneath of the cars as factory finish C) It’s widespread for some to spray the underside black prior to selling at USS or similar auction houses. This isn’t common on the Alphard/Vellfire, but it does happen. It’s more on the classic JDMs. Mitsubishi Evo mainly. You do want to avoid anything from coastal areas in the south or especially anything from the car north.

Thought i would share the Gs advert from Japan for the Alphard.

Taken from one of the many booklets I have acquired over the years. Dealership brochure configuration