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April 15, 2015
Show Us Your Car: Episode 2 – Hidenori Kimura x Ferrari Mondial T Cabriolet
Vol. 2: Hidetomo Kimura × Ferrari Mondial T Cabriolet
A Fateful Encounter
What criteria do creators use when choosing a car, and what kind of affection do they have for it? And what cars have they encountered on their journey to the present? In the second installment of our series where we ask car-loving creators to share the allure of a life with cars, we feature Hidetomo Kimura, producer of Art Aquarium. He shares his automotive history and his fateful encounter with a Ferrari.
Text by MATSUO Dai
Photos by JAMANDFIX
Starting with a Saab 9000 Right After High School
What sparked Kimura's interest in cars during the tail end of the supercar boom of his youth?
"I've always liked things with wheels, not just cars. When I was in elementary school, it was bicycles, and in high school, I was seriously riding motorcycles in full racing gear. I was a bit of a street racer. After graduating high school, I switched to four wheels. My first car was a Saab 9000. What hasn't changed is my love for European culture and products, so I knew my first car had to be European. I chose the Saab 9000 because it was European, and its black leather seats were superb. It had a stylish feel, felt a step above the lower-class Saab 900, exuding a mature aura, and was within my budget. It was the moment I transitioned from a street racer on two wheels to someone with a sense of style (laughs)."
A Glamorous Automotive Journey Thereafter
"After the Saab 9000, I drove a Mercedes-Benz W124 wagon. My next purchase was a complete departure: an Italian car, a Maserati 222SR. I really loved that car. Unlike today's Maseratis, the Biturbo series had a unique charm, and I was captivated by its world. Unfortunately, a brake issue led to my first-ever accident, and I had to part with it. Around the same time, I also owned an Alfa 164 Super, but after the 222SR came this Ferrari Mondial T Cabriolet. What's been consistent since buying the Saab is my insistence on leather seats. That hasn't changed. I also currently use an Audi A8 as my daily driver and a Mercedes-Benz V230 for hauling things. And for classic racing, I have a Fiat Abarth 750 Record Monza."
He encountered the poster in Milan, a place he calls a "reunion."
He refrains from wearing jeans to keep the leather seats pristine.
Encountering the Mondial
"Actually, I first encountered the Mondial in high school in Karuizawa. There was a souvenir shop selling supercar merchandise, and they had posters of the Mondial. Years later, when I visited Milan, I happened to see the same poster. Looking back, the texture of the leather seats on the Mondial in that poster must have subconsciously drawn me in."
Vol. 2: Hidetomo Kimura × Ferrari Mondial T Cabriolet
A Fateful Encounter (Part 2)
Not a Car Otaku
Kimura prefers Ferraris from this era over newer models. We asked him why.
"From the perspective of total elegance, I'm not particularly fond of Ferrari's newer models. I'd say up to the 355. This Mondial T led the parade at the Japan Classic Automobiles show last autumn, which featured a collection of pre-war classic cars. Amidst these vintage cars with their overwhelming history and dignity, this car exuded a wonderfully subtle vintage atmosphere. It's something you don't feel in modern Ferraris. However, when considering vintage design, the possibilities are endless. That's why I chose a car I genuinely admired during my youth in the 80s and 90s. It's a mid-engined, four-seater, open-top Ferrari – I don't understand anyone who would dismiss it. I think it's a car with immense charisma."
The rectangular headlights, a fusion of vintage and modern design.
Sufficient luggage space is available behind the engine compartment.
Driving Itself is a Leisurely Pursuit
What is Kimura's life with his Ferrari like, given his deep affection for the Mondial?
"I love cars, but I don't consider myself an otaku. However, it's undeniable that cars are the most important element in my lifestyle. And if I had to choose just one from my collection, it would be this Mondial. I bought it at 28 with 30,000 km on the odometer, and it now has 65,000 km. I've driven it to cafes, to Shonan, and to the mountains and sea. The only significant issue I've had was a timing belt problem that required an engine rebuild. I considered my options, but this car, with its yellow exterior and beige leather interior, is one of a kind in Japan. I didn't want any other car. The yellow itself is different from modern Ferrari yellows, and I prefer the hue from this era. I also appreciate the blend of old and new, like the rectangular pop-up headlights and the 348 wheels I've fitted."
Still a Biturbo Fan?
So, what car does Kimura want to buy next?
"I have several cars I'd like to buy. If money were no object, I'd want a vintage Ferrari, something eligible for the Mille Miglia. But that's not realistic. For a fun car, an Alpine A310 would be nice. And then there's the Maserati Shamal. I wasn't particularly fond of it when it first came out, but I now believe it's the pinnacle of the Biturbo series."
Hidetomo Kimura
Art Aquarium Producer. Born in Tokyo in 1972. He is a leading aquarist who fuses "art," "design," and "interior" with his life's work, "aquarium." He has established a unique field called "Art Aquarium," combining ever-changing tank designs, high-level water quality control, and in-depth knowledge of aquatic life management. In Japan, he is particularly known for the "Sky Aquarium," held regularly during the summer at Roppongi Hills. He has moved his headquarters, Aquarium Creators Office, to Milan, Italy, and is actively working to promote "Art Aquarium," a new field he created originating in Japan, from Europe to the world. He is also actively involved in environmental conservation activities, including the "One Ocean Project" to raise awareness about ocean conservation.