Restore + Modernize
The beautiful designs of classic cars are part of our cultural heritage, yet individual cars are steadily being lost to age and deterioration. Even when restored to running condition, they fall short of today’s emissions standards, and without air conditioning they cannot be driven in summer.
But is keeping one in a garage simply to admire it enough? A car that cannot move is no longer a car; it is an antique. A car fulfills its purpose when it carries people and drives.
At NEOTOKYO, Restomod means Restore + Modernize. We go beyond restoration, preserving a classic car’s beautiful design while upgrading its comfort and performance to modern standards.
Jaguar E-Type Restomod Project
We are extensively rebuilding a battered 1972 Jaguar E-Type Series 3, purchased on Yahoo! Auctions without an engine or transmission. Rather than simply restoring its appearance, we are fitting the legendary 2JZ-GTE twin-turbo engine. Carbon-fiber body panels will reduce weight and increase rigidity, while the exterior will take on the Series 1 look that Enzo Ferrari praised as “the most beautiful car ever made.” The interior will retain its original character while gaining modern smartphone-connected navigation and music streaming. Naturally, air conditioning and power steering are also part of the plan.
The Jaguar E-Type was actually designed by an aeronautical engineer. Its mathematical beauty comes from the pursuit of aerodynamics—a beauty that truly comes to life when the car cuts through the air. This project uses modern technology to revive an engineer’s vision from more than 50 years ago.
We will share the work as it happens on our social media channels. Stay tuned.
How a Restomod Differs from a Replica
Most replicas are newly built using an existing new car as a base, with bodywork made to resemble the original. This means their dimensions differ from the original, while differences in vehicle safety standards make it difficult to reproduce every detail. For example, the pop-up headlights once common on supercars can no longer be used on new cars.
A restomod, by contrast, repairs and reuses the original vehicle’s chassis. Because its VIN—the identifier for the individual vehicle—remains unchanged, the vehicle safety standards in effect when the original car was manufactured apply. This makes it possible to retain the original interior and exterior design while upgrading the engine and drivetrain to performance comparable to a modern new car.
Leadership
Yoshihiro Sugaya
Yoshihiro Sugaya
Co-Founder & CEO
NEOTOKYO Inc. Representative Director. The Miracam mirror dashcam series he developed in 2019 became a bestseller. He is the author of four books, including “Stop Selling Only to Japanese Customers! How to Expand Globally Online” (PHP Institute) and “The Long Tail: Overturning the 80/20 Rule” (Toyo Keizai). Born in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, in 1969, he taught himself BASIC and machine-code programming at 13 and contributed his own games to technical magazines. He graduated from Meiji University’s Faculty of Law and joined Accenture in 1993. In 1996, he co-founded CRM software developer Emplex and became a director. In 2008, he launched Plamoya.com, an online store selling anime-related products directly to customers in more than 50 countries. He became an associate professor at Business Breakthrough University in 2010. In 2013, he moved with his family to Los Angeles on an investor visa, returning to Japan in 2018 to pursue a hardware business.
Mitsuru Fujii
Mitsuru Fujii
Co-Founder & CTO
Fujii Engineering Co., Ltd. Representative Director. Born in 1975, he spent his early childhood in Malaysia. After studying automotive engineering at Tokai University’s School of Engineering, he competed as a racing driver in the FJ1600 category around 2000. In 2006, he founded Fujii Engineering in his hometown of Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, specializing in vehicle prototyping and modification. Alongside commissioned mobility prototypes and race-car development, he developed the MR86, a mid-engine conversion of the Toyota AE86, and the entirely original M01. The M01 also competed in K4GP endurance races and the Sepang 24 Hours. He then developed the M02T, an original design based on the Lotus Elise. Moving into electric scooters, he launched the full-carbon-bodied Sunameri, attracting a strong crowdfunding response. As an expert on electric scooter development, he has been interviewed by various media outlets and has given talks for the Mie Prefectural Police.
We Are Hiring Restomod Engineers
As our business grows, we are looking for engineers to advance our restomod development projects. We welcome people with a passion for bringing classic cars back to life who enjoy technical challenges. Side jobs starting from one day a week are possible.
Development Log
- Jaguar E-Type Brake Improvements: Adjusting the Handbrake and Pedal Feel
- Upgrading the Jaguar E-Type’s Brakes with Z34 Components
- An Eight-Speed Automatic for the Jaguar E-Type: Checking ZF 8HP70 Fitment
- The ZF 8HP70 Arrives for the Jaguar E-Type’s Eight-Speed Conversion
- Jaguar E-Type 2JZ Twin-Turbo: The First Test Drive