Eroge makers Age and Nitroplus are exhibiting a trio of itasha which are on a different level to the norm, being extremely expensive sports cars. The total cost of the cars is said to have come to $500,000, which is certainly a solid statement of the success of these companies (or at least their profligacy).
The cars in question are a Lamborghini Gallardo (above), worth around $200,000, a Lancia Stratos HF (so rare the price is elusive, in yellow below), and a BMW M5 (next below), worth $80,000; all are being exhibited at Akihabara UDX.
Cosplaying race queens were also in evidence. The cars have appeared at other events too, such as Ita-G Festa.
Perhaps the most expensive itasha yet created, although the MikuMiku racer may be in competition…
Of course, whether the companies in question (or their owners) outright own these vehicles or are merely renting them for promotional purposes is not clear, but whatever the case it is surely an expensive and impressive promotional move.
See the rest at AkibaBlog.
Nice, but I don’t think I’d have the balls to drive any of those where I live.
Well, maybe the yellow one.
I’d drive them and wouldn’t worry about it, considering how expensive they are. If anyone confronted me about the anime material on the car I’d just be like “Oh ok, show me your Lamborghini then.”
I think he wouldn’t want to damage it. Don’t want a dent in a $200k car… Or crash it…
The yellow one is actually an expensive sports car? Who’d knew… Ranks with the Thing in the looks department.
Lancia Stratos HF
With only 492 ever made, the Stratos is very rare to this day.
The Stratos was a very successful rally car during the 1970s and early 1980s. It started a new era in rallying as it was the first car designed from scratch for this kind of competition. The three leading men behind the entire rallying project were Lancia team manager Cesare Fiorio, British racer/engineer Mike Parkes and factory rally driver Sandro Munari.
yeah that stratos is the most expensive one there i bet. but id take the murcielago cuz i know then i could beat anyone in a street race.
Any idea how much it costs?
http://autocollections.com/index.cfm?key=1654&action=details&tab=sold
An original went for USD$174,000. Has the Prancing Horse on it because it uses the Dino’s engine.
Cars designed to get rich otaku laid? o_0
Argh….. My Eyes… This soo cool but too spend that too much. xD i think Otaku’s will buy them :p.. I guess
Sweet bejeebus, the Lancia Startos is awesome! Too bad only 400 or so were made. Which makes me question how the hell a bunch of eroge producers got one!
It so is, though I guess I’m a sucker for the 70’s car designs. Such a limited amount of them does make one sad though. :/
Awesome!, the cars are very VERY good…
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa im blind cannot drive anymore cuz i wanted more to glance at my cars body i like more outside
I like anime artwork but it looks pretty bad on those cars. They took exotic cars and made them look a bit trashy. But I’m sure an otaku with a big wallet wouldn’t mind throwing down cash for one of these I suppose.
If I had the money, I’d get one of these. Then, about three seconds later, I’d realize what I had done and punch myself in the face.
lol
I agree….the yellow one would be so cool to drive and own, but then the narrow-minded hicks round where I live would probably end up trashing the car and burning the house down…so no, a big no-no
This is just vinyl work that can be done and un-done in one-day and probably the cars were just rented for one day (or however long the event is)
Google car vinyl wrap and you can see quality vinyl work can mirror full paint job/color changes even if done correctly.
They say it cost $500,000, but they don’t say exactly whether this was purchase cost to them or street value. They did however display one of the same itasha months ago…
Actually all three belong to a chairman at Age Soft, Autoblog did an article on them earlier this year: http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/15/age-soft-chairman-shows-off-manga-lambo-m5-and-stratos/
Thanks for the link.
Nice to see him doing so well for himself…
damn … the stratos is pretty much my dream car (;_;)
Is anyone else thinking that the Stratos could be a kit car?
I’m pretty sure it was a kit car. But then again, it could be the real thing since the total value of those cars are $500,000…..
“If you have to ask the price, you cant afford it”
These are awesome! I won’t mind driving these baby out in a drive at my city. But, I bet it cost a lot.
I saw and photographed these cars at the Ita G Festa in november – since then photos of them have been all over the internet! But they are impressive.
Ok itasha is cool and all but why the hell they do that to a Lambo Gallardo?!!! Sacrilege!
Because he can.
And to think that some people thinks that otaku-related business’ won’t earn millions XDD
at least that stuff is easy to put on and remove.
“cuz i know then i could beat anyone in a street race.”
lol, keep telling yourself that, kiddo.