Editor-in-chief Toga, one of the best “car enthusiasts” in the industry. He asked him, “What was the basis for choosing a car?” Or “What is the appeal of that car?” I hope it will serve as a reference for your “future car selection” by looking at J PRIME. Introducing this time are the two Porsche that I was riding when I started to make buoys in Gyokai.
Enjoy “Moteru car = 911, car that enjoys driving = 968CS”!
In fact, JPRIME’s car article is written by Hiroshi Takanari, a freelance editor who has been with Editor-in-Chief Toga for over 20 years since the fashion information magazine “Begin”. In order to give more reality to this serialization of my car itinerary, I will appear as an interviewer with my real name from this time. What kind of story will pop out just because we know each other’s hobbies and tastes?
Before talking regarding the second Toga series, let me introduce you to the interviewer, Mr. Taka. Mr. Taka has taught me various things, including editing, since I got a job offer from Sekai Bunka and started working part-time at the Begin editorial department. He means he’s my big senior. At that time, I was on Porsche and Mr. Taka was on the R32GT-R, and I went to Hakone on location. I was with Taka-san not only in the car and work but also in play, so I might talk regarding not only the specs of the car but also “how do you enjoy the car?” And “how should I ride it?” I thought, and asked you to write this series.
High, thank you for your polite introduction. Now let’s hear regarding the car. I rode the last 944 Turbo for only a year and a half and immediately let it go. The next thing I bought was the red 911 Carrera 4 (964 type), so everyone was surprised.
Toga: I think I was regarding 23 years old … I traded in the 944 Turbo and bought the difference with a loan. It was still a bubble in the era that I was able to do that (* Note: The bubble was already bursting, but the editing industry was still in good shape), and I lived in my parents’ house, so I decided to use it in a car. I poured in the money. And because it was a stock car, it was a little painful that the decolor was only red. I really wanted silver or gunmetal.
Was there a special reason for choosing the high 4×4 Carrera 4? Isn’t it the 2WD Carrera 2 if you want to master the running of RR?
Toga As the legendary 959 car symbolizes, Porsche has been studying four-wheel drive systems since the 1970s. The 964 type was finally able to install a four-wheel drive system on a commercial vehicle, so I would have no choice but to buy the Carrera 4. Well, at that time I was enthusiastic regarding skiing, so I think it’s true that I chose 4×4 (laughs). You used to go to Naeba Prince with a Thule career. Oh yeah, I think there were many Oiso Princes in the summer. Looking back on it now, I was in my early twenties, and I was crazy regarding it (laughs).
High Naturally popular?
Toga That’s right! The girl didn’t try to get into the left door like she did with the 944 Turbo. Rather than Porsche’s brand, the brand power of 911, which is unquestionable, was amazing. I also think that the body color of “red” was effective. The woman can see at a glance the car that came to pick her up, and I think it was nice to see the eyes around her.
High yeah yeah. The woman at that time knew exactly what she was riding. Even if she didn’t know the performance, she knew her price and brand, and she knew her value. So, she was a woman who knew that kind of “things and goto”, and she really liked us …
Toga When a woman has a fun conversation while driving, she turns her body toward the driver’s seat. On the other hand, when it’s boring, I put my body close to the window and just look at the scenery. This kind of woman’s behavior hasn’t changed in the past, so it’s good to remember.
High Hey, did you check such female psychology while riding Porsche?
Toga: Especially in 911, the inside of the car was narrow and the seats were close to each other, so I knew exactly if women were interested in me. If a woman likes me, she puts the MT in 5th gear and her right hand touches her leg (laughs). Well, that’s just a joke … Learn the worldly perspective and sociality by riding a good car! I mightn’t experience that with the 944 Turbo. In that sense, I think the 911 was a wonderful car.
High By the way, how was your running? I wonder if the two of us skipped Daisan Keihin in the middle of the night. It was the return trip from ◯◯◯ and ■■■■ in Yokohama.
Toga Shi ~! I’m caught in compliance (laughs). As the magazines and motor journalists say, the air-cooled flat 6 of 911 was very sharp and comfortable. Also, Carrera 4 had a strong understeer, but I tried to gradually improve the understeer. Both I and Taka-san were able to get on the side of and run with fast-paced people such as motor journalists and motor sports photographers, which helped me improve my tech.
I attended a driving school for the planning of “Car EX” magazine, which I was in charge of with two high school students, and I also got a B-class license to an A-class license.
Toga: Recalling 20 years ago … I think Carrera 4 was a really good car (eyes looking into the distance). Because I fell in love with 911, I became a 911 nerd, though I would say it myself. Thanks to that, when I did the 911 special feature in “Car EX” magazine, I was able to publish the maniac “911 chronology” and “911 model commentary”. The editor-in-chief of Car Graphic magazine, Kumakura, called the special feature and said, “It’s a good special feature.”
Even though it’s high, I immediately let go of Carrera 4, which I liked so much !?
Toga Umm. With Carrera 4, I was able to experience the effects of Porsche’s brand and 911’s brand power, and I was able to experience the sharp engine characteristics of air-cooled flat 6 and the cornering characteristics of 4WD, so I wanted to enjoy sports driving once more. is.
That’s why I chose the lightweight 968CS, which is FR.
I learned how to erase understeer with Toga Carrera 4, so I thought I might run faster if I got on FR. Did you become a tengu?
No, no, I don’t think that was the case. After all, when I participated in the driving event at Ebisu Circuit, I think I was second only to a cameraman who was reputed to be extremely fast in the car industry!
Toga That’s right. Taka-san’s childhood friend, a team of veterinarians, invited me. It was rumored that the veterinarians were riding 911 and so on, so Mr. Taka asked, “Can I lose to a rich veterinarian?” And powered up the GT-R to 400 horsepower. In addition, you wore 18-inch wheels.
I remember it well. However, I lost to the 240 horsepower 968CS and the 227 horsepower Ford Escort RS Cosworth (bitter smile). I knew that it was “lightness = speed”.
Toga No, it’s a “difference in arms”! (smile). Since the 968CS has had the rear seats and comfortable equipment removed (* Note: the model introduced in Japan is equipped with a power window and air conditioner), it is regarding 50 kg lighter than the normal one. This 50kg is effective for behavior changes near the limit on the circuit. Moreover, the suspension added a coil spring to the standard torsion bar and was equipped with LSD, so the corners were very comfortable. Even though it has 240 horsepower, it has a torqueful and flexible output characteristic, so I remember that the start of the corner was very smooth.
High, it was perfect for sports driving. I’m glad that my original thoughts came true.
Toga Yes. However, the disadvantages are that there are no comfortable equipment and full bucket seats, so the 968CS was not popular at all. The number of drive dates was very small, but I think that the few girls were sitting in the passenger seat with a lot of patience (bitter smile).
It was so expensive that I would let go of the 968CS in less than a year … I’m tired of the “hard” car life I experienced with a rugged cornering machine, and from now on, it will be a completely different car. Let’s talk regarding that next time.
Wen Gao Chenghao (POW-DER)
【Related article】
・The first car history that Editor-in-Chief Toga talks regarding! “I’m cheeky … I bought a Porsche with a new car when I was a student.”
・The topic “This is the last air-cooled engine!” Comes ahead of the topic of multi-link suspension!
・Finally, 911 with J PRIME Toga Editor-in-Chief is here! Modernized 911 equipped with advanced technology to make it easier to ride
・The first 911, which only shows genuine enthusiast, was an unmistakable enthusiast RR sport!
・Start your life as an editor who understands the importance of choosing things that suit you and connecting people
