Video: Low-rider Lamborghinis, motorcycle gangs and Yakuza make Underground Hero a must watch

Filed under: Japan, Videos, Lamborghini

Lamborghini video with Japan's Yakuza - video screencap

Japan’s Yakuza are some of the most dangerous and feared criminals on the planet, known for a disturbing level of commitment and honor. Just do some research on yubitsume to see what we mean.

Underground Hero: Love To Hate Me is a video from Luke Huxham, that takes a look inside Yakuza car culture, showing that these dangerous criminals aren’t all that different from normal enthusiasts when it comes to their cars. Focusing on Shinichi Moroboshi, owner of a modified Lamborghini Diablo and someone we wouldn’t be interested in angering, it focuses both on his life in the Yakuza and just what drew him towards the Diablo.

There’s also an interesting look at Japan’s modding culture, where neon chassis lighting is still alive and well. The effect it has on these cars, mostly from Lamborghini, is actually pretty dramatic, almost classy. The video also focuses on Bosozoku, in this case, Japanese motorcycle gangs. These aren’t your Harley-Davidson riding Hell’s Angels, rather, these riders lean toward tricked out Hondas and Suzukis (heavily modified cars are also a staple of Bosozoku culture).

Moroboshi-san’s story is a lot like ours, falling in love with a car during a chance encounter. At 17, the young Bosozoku was passed on the street by a Countach. The car and the sound it made left an impression on him that blossomed into a strong desire to own one of Italy’s finest products.

Take a look at the video below, and then head over to Jalopnik for an interesting commentary from the film’s director about just what it was like to work with the Yakuza.

Continue reading Low-rider Lamborghinis, motorcycle gangs and Yakuza make Underground Hero a must watch

Low-rider Lamborghinis, motorcycle gangs and Yakuza make Underground Hero a must watch originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jul 2013 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Knight of the Auction: Screen-used hero car K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider up for bid

Filed under: Coupe, Auctions, Ford, Celebrities

Hero car - K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider

Hero car K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider is for sale – Click above for high-res image gallery

For sale – Celebrity car. One lightly used crime-stopper of a coupe, has go-fast looks with a fuel-efficient powertrain. If you want attention, this is the car for you. Valued between $25,000 and $35,000.

Looking to add some celebrity “muscle” to your garage? Profiles In History is hosting a Hollywood memorabilia auction and lot #122 is one of two hero cars from the modern version of Knight Rider. Surely you recall the series… our very own Alex Nunez sat through every single episode to provide you with details of what was going on.

In the updated show, which first aired in 2008, K.I.T.T. is a Ford Mustang that wears Shelby GT500KR parts. The car in this auction has all those parts, inside and out, except it falls short one kind of important aspect: there’s no supercharged V8 underhood… or any V8 at all for that matter. And it’s not even the good V6 Mustang. Inside the engine bay sits the old 4.0-liter unit and it’s paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. That’s right… this K.I.T.T. is all show and no go.

Sadly, the most interesting thing about this car is that it also includes the wooosh-wooosh signature Knight Rider sweeping red light up front. Even that would get old quickly. Buying this car does have its benefits though, as the auction proceeds are being put towards a children’s charity. The auction is a one-day affair scheduled for November 6th, 2010 at The Globe Theater in Universal Studios. David Hasselhoff sold separately.

Gallery: Hero Car K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider

Hero Car K.I.T.T. from Knight RiderHero Car K.I.T.T. from Knight RiderHero Car K.I.T.T. from Knight RiderHero Car K.I.T.T. from Knight RiderHero Car K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider

[Source: Profiles In History via Inside Line]

Knight of the Auction: Screen-used hero car K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider up for bid originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Moto2 rider Shoya Tomizawa killed in San Marino Grand Prix crash

Filed under: Motorsports

Shoya Tomizawa

Less than a week after 13-year-old Peter Lenz was killed in a crash at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, another motorcyclist’s life has been claimed at the track.

Shoya Tomizawa was on his 15th lap at the Misano circuit during the San Marino Grand Prix when he apparently lost control of his Moto2 bike at full speed, was thrown off the bike and then hit by two other riders before sliding 130 feet to a halt.

Tomizawa was taken to a local hospital immediately after the crash and succumbed to his injuries soon thereafter.

The Moto2 rider had moved up the ranks since beginning in pocketbike racing when he was only three years old, eventually graduating to the 125 class. This year, he took a win at Qatar and sat seventh overall in the standings.

We extend our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to Tomizawa’s family, friends and fans.

[Source: Daily Mail | Image: Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty]

Moto2 rider Shoya Tomizawa killed in San Marino Grand Prix crash originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Sep 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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