04/17/2026
Worked on a fun little project for something very rare. This "little" badge is "BIG" special! Here is a short story behind the car.
The **Tommykaira Subaru TB** is a rare, serialized "complete car" from one of Japan’s most legendary tuning houses. Founded in Kyoto in 1986, **Tommykaira** is famous for being a boutique manufacturer—much like Alpina is to BMW—meaning they didn't just sell parts; they completely re-engineered vehicles and sold them under their own brand. This specific car is special because it was sent from the Subaru factory directly to Tommykaira to be stripped and rebuilt with a custom ECU, high-flow exhaust, and a specialized suspension setup designed for "Touge" (mountain pass) driving. Because this is a **manual** version, it is the most desirable "driver's spec," boasting higher power output and a more mechanical, analog connection than the standard Subaru models of the era. To find a genuine, manual TB today is to find a piece of JDM history that balances Subaru’s iconic AWD system with the prestige of a limited-production builder.
