Meet the Visionaries Behind Built By Legends
Masa Kuji and Katsu Takahashi are the driving forces behind Built By Legends, a revolutionary restomod project that reimagines iconic Japanese tuner cars from the 80s and 90s.
Raised overseas, Masa in Canada and Katsu in the UK and Australia, they bring a unique global perspective to their passion for Japanese automotive culture. Their journey, from co-founding GTChannel and Best Motoring International with renowned automotive personality Taro Koki, to establishing Built By Legends, is a testament to their unwavering dedication to automotive excellence.
A Shared Vision of Automotive Perfection
With a deep-rooted love for cars and a commitment to craftsmanship, Kuji and Takahashi are on a mission to bridge the gap between Japan's rich tuning heritage and a new generation of enthusiasts. Built By Legends is more than just a restomod shop; it's a celebration of automotive artistry, performance, and innovation.
From Concept to Reality
The podcast delves into the intricate process of bringing a classic JDM car back to life. From sourcing the perfect base vehicle to collaborating with legendary tuners like Mines, every step is meticulously planned and executed. The duo shares insights into the challenges and rewards of restoring and modifying these iconic machines, ensuring that each build pushes the boundaries of performance and style.
The Future of JDM
As Built By Legends continues to redefine the possibilities of JDM restoration, Kuji and Takahashi offer their perspectives on the future of the Japanese automotive scene. They discuss the importance of social media in connecting with fans and sharing their passion, as well as the role of partnerships with companies like Top Rank Importers in bringing these iconic cars to enthusiasts around the world.
A Legacy in the Making
With their unwavering dedication and innovative approach, Masa Kuji and Katsu Takahashi are shaping the future of the JDM scene. Built By Legends is more than just a brand; it's a movement that celebrates the past, embraces the present, and inspires the future of automotive culture.
00:00 Intro 00:25 Built By Legends cars at SEMA 2024 01:20 Built By Legends Restomod R34 Skyline 02:37 Working with Toray to customize the R34 Interior 04:25 The importance of showcasing partners in a project 04:50 Details of the Built By Legends Restomod R34 Skyline 05:22 What is Built By Legends? 07:15 Where does Katsu Takahashi’s style come from? 10:00 Masa Kuji’s history with Japanese cars 11:12 The story of Taro, Masa, and Katsu working together for the first time 13:20 The genesis of Best Motoring International 16:28 Creating automotive-related phone apps 17:52 Masa Kuji on founding Built By Legends 19:20 Is Built By Legends the Singer of Skylines? 22:51 Biggest challenges when building cars 23:54 What is the build process for Built By Legends? 26:48 Why does Built By Legends partner with Mines for engine development? 29:25 Other iconic cars Built By Legends is working on 30:20 Working with legendary Japanese tuners Spoon and Mines 35:25 The importance of social media for Built By Legends 38:40 Katsu Takahashi’s perspective on the current JDM scene 39:40 Built By Legends’ relationship with Top Rank Importers 40:40 What build has been the most meaningful thus far? 44:10 What advice would you give yourself at the beginning? 45:40 New projects for Built By Legends 47:35 The balance of innovation and restoration in a car build 48:12 Built By Legends schedule at SEMA 2024 49:42 The creative dive of Katsu Takahashi and Masa Kuiji #racer #creativedrive #podcast #tarokoki #skyline #skylinegtr #builtbylegends #mines #restomod #japanesecar #semashow2024
Toprank Importers specializes in importing and selling JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars. From the range of legendary Nissan Skylines to iconic Toyota Chasers, vehicles over 25 years old are legal to import to the United States. We offer services including assistance with importing vehicles from other countries, Show or Display models, and race cars. This provides customers with a diverse range of options to choose from, catering to different preferences and needs in the automotive market.
How to Buy and Store an R34 GT-R in Japan until 25 years old (http://toprankjdm.com/BuyR34)
https://www.amazon.com/shop/importavehicle.com
Financing Available. Nationwide Shipping Available Please contact us for details. 844-523-2233 or sales@importavehicle.comFAQ (http://toprankjdm.com/FAQ)
All vehicles are As/Is No warranty. Imported vehicles can not be registered in California until brought into California compliance. Please check all local state laws for information on title and registration. 25 year old vehicles are exempt from FMVSS requirements. Vehicles over 21 years old are exempt from EPA compliance requirements for importation.
When do these JDM vehicles start to turn 25 years old?
Japanese (JDM) cars turning 25 years old in 2024 and beyond (https://toprankjdm.com/2024)
Nissan Skyline R34(non GT-R) May 1998= May 2023
Nissan Silvia S15 Jan 1999 = Jan 2024
Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 Jan 1999 = Jan 2024
Mitsubishi Evolution VI Jan 1999 = Jan 2024
Honda S2000 AP1 April 1999 = April 2024
Toyota MR-S Oct 1999 = Oct 2024
Find Your Car - Looking for a car we don’t have in stock? Looking at a car that will be legal in the future? We can help you find, buy, and legally import a vehicle to the USA. Learn more http://toprankjdm.com/Find
