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Best known for their world-renowned after-market exhaust systems, Fujitsubo is truly one of JDM culture’s most iconic brands. It also happens to be one of the coolest car shops in Japan that focuses on vintage, or classic JDM cars. Get an inside look at how the 92 year old company went from humble beginnings in Fukuoka, Japan, to becoming legends in the JDM, after-market, and motorsports scenes worldwide as Mr. Fujitsubo himself tells the amazing story in an exclusive interview with Studio Apex Japan. Tag along Mr. Fujitsubo as he gives us a tour of his 92 year old car collection in the showrooms at Fujitsubo Garage and Maintenance Shop. From classic Datsun 240 Z’s, Mazda RX7’s, Toyota Celica’s, to Mr. Fujitsubo’s personal Toyota 2000GT, the collection has it all. Fujitsubo’s roots are actually in motorcycles, not sports cars, as Mr. Fujitsubo’s father and his brother, were absolute fanatics who also happened to be a famous motorcycle tuners and racers throughout pre-war Japan. However, the business had to be put on hold when Mr. Fujitsubo’s father was called to fight in World War 2 for 6 long years. Prior to leaving for war, the Fujitsubo brothers buried all of their tools underground to keep them safe from American bomb raids. After returning to a flattened and firebombed Fukuoka, the brothers dug up their tools and got back to business. Shortly after, Mr. Iwao Fujitsubo was born. Little did he know, he was going to be the heir to one of JDM’s most legendary part manufacturing companies in the world. Mr. Fujitsubo became working on motorcycle engines when he was in middle school, building up a knack for tuning engines. At 18, he would officially become part of the family business, at Fujitsubo Garage, as they were now focused more on cars. Fujitsubo would soon become a tuning and motorsport focused shop as Mr. Fujitsubo himself was quite an accomplished racer. It was here that the family would really start producing after-market parts, including their now famous exhaust systems. Over the years, he’s won over 100 trophies in competitive racing. Eventually, Mr. Fujitsubo and his father would remain in Fukuoka to continue the maintenance and sales of classic sports cars while his uncle would step out to Tokyo to open Fujitsubo Giken Kogyo, a factory where they could mass-produce their exhaust systems and other parts. At Fujitsubo Giken’s factory, the family produces now legendary exhausts and after market parts including the Fujitsubo legalis R. The Fujitsubo Exhaust factory sits at the base of Mt. Fuji. The rest is history.
