It is often said that the best time to fit a soft top is during a mild spring or autumn day. If fitted in midsummer, the material stretches too easily and will sag loosely once the cold season arrives. In winter, the fabric becomes stiff and must be thoroughly warmed before it can be stretched neatly into place.
Here in Tateshina, the window of warm daytime sunlight is short during autumn. We place the hood in the sun to soften it thoroughly, then fit it in one go during the warmer afternoon. The TR3A top requires a bit of technique, but after many installations, the process feels natural.
Once again, the tension and snap alignment came together perfectly, resulting in a taut and elegant profile—just as a proper British roadster should have. We’ll keep it fitted for a while to allow the material to settle naturally.
If you are among those who cherish British motoring heritage, you may already be familiar with the name. Our workshop, Kunimori Motors, together with our engineering brand SYMPHONIC PARTS, has been featured in OK! JAPAN — a London-based culture magazine that celebrates craftsmanship, design, and the timeless spirit of driving.
SYMPHONIC PARTS is a development project born from our long-held desire to create machines that resonate like a symphony — in harmony with the driver. Our latest collaboration with YOSHIMURA JAPAN has brought forth the TMR carburetor for the Lotus Twin Cam, a fusion of mechanical precision and the pure tone of performance. Each component is crafted not merely as a part, but as an instrument in the orchestra of motion.
Through OK! JAPAN, we are truly honored to share our philosophy — the artistry of engineering, the pursuit of balance, and the joy of preserving classic cars — with readers in both the United Kingdom and Japan.
To carry forward these living treasures of motoring history, Kunimori Motors, together with SYMPHONIC PARTS, will continue to support the cars that embody what we call “the beauty of motion.”
At the MAZDA motorsport event held at Fuji Speedway, Yoshimura Japan and Symphonic Parts, together with Kunimori Motors, showcased a groundbreaking collaboration.
The highlight was the Yoshimura TMR-MJN41 “4W Twin Carburetor Kit”, a four-wheel adaptation of Yoshimura’s legendary motorcycle carburetor. Installed on a Lotus Twin Cam engine, this system was demonstrated live at the event.
As soon as the Lotus Europa roared to life, the sharp induction sound filled the air and drew a large crowd. Spectators gathered in amazement — *”Is that