A famous smoking Japanese tuner that goes by the name of Smokey Nagata is known for making outrageous cars that can reach well above 200mph. His most famous creation the V12 Twin turbo Supra and the otherworldly GTR are known to violate the maximum speed limits where ever they go. His tuning company Top Secret is home to all his creations and also sells some of the cool aftermarkets parts available for those who share Nagtata San’s mutual love for the Vmax. Check out some of the coolest facts about this mysterious tuner and his cars.
Published March 18, 2024
There are only a handful of notable car tuners in this world, and even fewer are worth remembering. The OG Smokey Nagata made his name in the late 90s by building a car that defied physics and was capable of reaching speeds only the likes of the Mclaren F1 could achieve. The car in question is the crazy V12 Supra built by even crazier Smokey Nagata and his legendary tuning company, whose name cannot be disclosed as it is Top Secret. (Pun Intended).
The man is known as Kazuhiko “Smokey'' Nagata or just Smokey Nagata. Nagata worked for Toyota as an engineer in his early years, described by his peers as an ingenious and hard-working man. Afterward, he joined as a tuner in the famed G-Reddy Tuning company, Before starting his own shop known simply as Top Secret in 1978. His name Smokey probably comes from the fact that he has been frequently seen smoking cigarettes while building his projects.
Well, the secret to the famed high-speed cars Nagata builds is his hard work and dedication, as for the company it's called Top Secret or (株式会社トップシークレット, Kabushiki-gaisha Toppu Shīkuretto), because before becoming an independent entity it was merely a side project for Nagata. In 2007 his company won the Tokyo auto saloon championship for the final evolution of the legendary Twin Turbo V12 Supra. The Company also built the Nissan Silvia S15 which won the Japanese D1GP championship in 2004, driven by Ryuji Miki.
Three years later, Yoichi Imamura took 3rd place at Rounds 3 and 6 at Suzuka and Autopolis Racetrack and also won the exhibition round at the Las Vegan International Speedway.
The Color of the Cars that come out of the Top Secret is based on the level of development they are in, the white is for the cars that are still being developed while golden is reserved for the car that has achieved some notable success and is considered the best by Smokey Nagata
Nagata’s lust for speed was only exceeded by his passion for tuning. Nagata got rid of the base Supra engine and shoe-horned a Toyota Century V12 with a couple of dual HKS GT2835 ball-bearing turbochargers on top. But Nagata-San still wanted more power, at that time there were no ECU remaps or electronic trickery available, hence Nagata decided to fit in a wet nitrous kit. The official numbers are hard to get but are believed to be somewhere around 93- Hp and 745 lb-ft of torque.
Smokey Nagata’s Supra took part in numerous high-speed runs, often illegal and dangerous but still quite commendable. Most notable being- 212 mph on the Autobahn Germany,222 mph on Nardò Italy(that still stands today) with a Top Secret V12 Supra, and 317km/h 197 mph on public roads in the UK, after which Nagata was deported and before spending 6 days in Jail. The car went to auction in 2017 with a golden exterior paint and a nearly stock body.
Smokey’s unquenchable thirst for speed led him to develop the 2000 hp GTR that had over 2000 hp on tap. Participating in the Nardo High-Speed Challenge in 2013, the car reached 234.4mph. Modifications included a single GReddy T78 turbocharger, JDM HKS internals, Tomei cams, and a custom-made 2.8-liter engine.
Nagata San has left an everlasting impression n the JDM community and Aftermarket tuners alike. His youtube videos and build are wildly popular among his die-hard fanbase. One of his long time ambition is to break the 300 mph barrier, which he might soon be seeing as the current technology is well capable of pushing the car way past 300 mph, what we are impatiently waiting for is whether Nagata will use old school gas power or a hybrid set up.
No Comments Yet