Ferrari and McLaren wonderland in Nagoya. OR: What owning a pachinko parlor can do for YOU! (56k

[Slonie]

This past December, I found myself hanging out with Brian (Accord94DX) and looking for a fun way to pass a rainy afternoon in Nagoya. Although I had already visited two automotive museums in the same number of days, Brian mentioned a place called the ZAZ Museum. See, he heard that the owner of of a successful chain of pachinko parlors has something of a taste for racing and sports cars. And, as owners of gambling empires tend to be, he is loaded. And, unlike most collectors, he opens his personal garage to the public for a paltry ¥300. (About $3.00)

So, even though the museum was about to close for the day, we set off in Brian's WRX. We arrived at the nondescript building across the street from one of the pachinko parlors with exactly six minutes till closing. Brian tossed a huge handful of coins down next to the register as we rushed in, much to the bemusement of the woman behind the counter. We didn't have time to count money! We barely had time to appreciate the magnitude of the cars on display. But at least we had time to snap a bunch of photos to appreciate later. And now, here they are:

Oh, and on the way out we were following this guy:

Lessons:
- Having a McLaren F1 isn't enough. You need to have a McLaren F1 GT, McLaren F1 LM, and in case somebody asks, a Mercedes-McLaren Formula One car.
- Having a F40 isn't enough. You need to also have a F40 LM.
- You may as well have a F50 and a FXX as well, just to keep the theme going.
- Unassuming nondescript buildings in Japan may contain millions of dollars worth of rare cars. You should enter them whenever possible.
- Be the head of a gambling empire

I'm sure there are more...Hope you all enjoy the pics!


Modified by Slonie at 2:01 AM 2-13-2008

[hover]

massive.

[DeutschlandLover]

Nice collection...I wish u guys had more time to get more pics.

OH THE RS2 is t1tt1es!

[gti4door]

I really would love to get into the Pachinko game, man the amount of money people throw away is amazing.

[vdubbug]

Where is this in Japan?
Im in Tokyo and I wanna go!

[OwenS83]

Just a guesss...Nagoya?

Did a bit of digging, look here.


Modified by OwenS83 at 4:28 AM 2-13-2008

[Joe Delaware]

I need more pictures of the white FXX

[AutoEuphoria]

Yakuza?

[intercedeGLI]

How do folks get a hold of an FXX? I thought they were "owned" by Ferrari, and the "buyer" purchases seat time and track support for racing events around the world?

[muttonchops]

They are begging to be driven.

[AKADriver]

For anyone that's curious, the name of the associated Pachinko chain is ZENT. As you can see on some of the cars, they've been a sponsor of various race programs for years... Le Mans, F1, JTCC, JGTC, Dakar.

[SpeedRicer]

That's pretty sweet, Lee. Next time I'm in Aichi, I need to get Brian to take me there too!

[Internal Combustion]

That F1 GTR in deep dark silver is BEEEEEEAUTIFUL

[mycarsux]

Quote, originally posted by Internal Combustion »

That F1 GTR in deep dark silver is BEEEEEEAUTIFUL

It's obviously a long tail version, but is it a converted GTR?

[Internal Combustion]

...Paging Peloton...

[trigtm]

That pearl white (looking) Enzo was the best Ferrari color I have ever seen.

White's are rare anyway, but just she shine on that almost made me have to change my pants.

[PineappleMonkey]

Definitely need to check this out next time I'm out rampaging the land of the rising sun with Brian.

[Ryukein]

I'll take them all, please
The FXX looks amazing in white

[DUBmanDAN]

Quote, originally posted by AutoEuphoria »

Yakuza?

My first thought as well.

[AKADriver]

Most pachinko parlors are owned by ethnic Koreans (zainichi).

[Slonie]

I missed one of them...Here's an unexciting pic of the Jag:

I have a few more coverage shots of the McLaren/Ferrari part...and if anybody wants anything high-resolution please let me know.

[Harpoon]

All this excitement for $3.00! I NEED to go to Japan.

Whats it like dealing with the language barrier?

[bc]

The 959 and a couple others had number plates in the passengers footwell, so I assume they do get driven.

Did spot a yellow enzo around here awhile back. Not sure if its the same guy.

[chrisvette49]

[Cptn. SenseofDirection]

just wow! who would've ever though that a toyota would be worthy company of cars like those

[A.Wilder]

Quote, originally posted by Slonie »

I missed one of them...Here's an unexciting pic of the Jag: I have a few more coverage shots of the McLaren/Ferrari part...and if anybody wants anything high-resolution please let me know.

what is that tail light from?

[MagicGLIturbo]

Christ almighty

[mk3er]

epic.

thanks for sharing.

[4MoPassat]

Could you see if Mika's car had the engine in it?
Addiction pays!!

[Fritz27]

Soulless Japanese car collector. If this were a European collector it'd have way more soul.

[Slonie]

Quote, originally posted by 4MoPassat »

Could you see if Mika's car had the engine in it? Addiction pays!!

I couldn't see around to the engine side of Mika's car since it was roped off. And I didn't want to get my legs broken.

Quote, originally posted by Fritz27 »

Soulless Japanese car collector. If this were a European collector it'd have way more soul.

[Hogan]

Quote, originally posted by Fritz27 »

Soulless Japanese car collector. If this were a European collector it'd have way more soul.

And for whatever reason the clear scoop and velocity stacks on the 275 GTB/4 mesmerized me for a long time, I actually scrolled back up to that picture a good 5 or 6 times just to look at it again.


Modified by Hogan at 4:05 PM 2-13-2008

[Gary C]

WOW!

I'm jealous. I have a new goal in life, opening a slew of Pachinko Parlors to fund a *serious* collection of vehicular implements!

[jacobyb]

So nice.

[EFYH]

Damn... I was in Nagoya in October, but I'll be missing it when I go to Tokyo/Osaka next month. Maybe I can convince the girlfriend to stop on the way to Tokyo...