Shopping for 30,000 yen at Gordon Miller in Kuramae, Tokyo | feature

Selector 1 Organize outdoor and pet supplies.

PROFILE

Hidetaka Akudo

STANDARD CALIFORNIA

. Producer of the store "STANDARD CALIFORNIA" in Ebisu, Tokyo. His favorite cars are a Volkswagen Vanagon and a Suzuki Jimny. He often goes far away by car with his family and his dog.
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Akudo-san, I have an image of you as a car enthusiast. Do you also like car accessories?

Akudo:When I was an office worker, I was working for a company called "Car Mate," which was a company that made car accessories. That was a company that made car accessories. So, I felt a sense of familiarity with this kind of car accessory.

I see.

Akudo:However, I was not in charge of car accessories, but the snowboarding division.

Do you still do activities?

Akudo:. though my opportunities have diminished considerably. . But I still surf a few times a month.

I was hoping that you would take a look at Gordon Miller's cars.

Akudo:By all means.

This is the GMLVAN V-01 model by Gordon Miller Motors, based on the Hiace. It is fully flat, so you can sleep in it and work in it.

Akudo:It's cool. I can fit a surfboard under the seat , too. May I take a picture?

Of course. The floor is waterproof, so surfboards and snowboards can be stored in it. I hear that there are many people who are considering switching from Mr. Akudo's beloved "Vanagon.

Akudo:Oh, I see . And you can choose four-wheel drive, and it can even be diesel. What made me want to buy a Vanagon was the Vanagon drivers in San Francisco. They were so cool, and I was really impressed by how they were modifying their vehicles, inside and out. . This Hiace is similar to that image.

. I see that each person enjoys it. You said that your "Vanagon" is a '91 model, but has it broken down?

Akudo:That's all.... The engine has been replaced once, and last year I overhauled it. I like to go play with that thing, but the summer before last it broke down in Kyushu when I was traveling, and I had to have it towed from Oita. . Then I came back to Tokyo with my family, my dog, and a rented car. I had a lot of luggage and a dog, so flying wasn't an option. Then, the cost of the rental car and the drop-off fee was 160,000. . I should have just flown back....

It's expensive! . But you still won't let it go, that's how attractive the car is, isn't it?

Akudo:I thought about switching, but that one is a lot of fun to drive. But this Hiace is also really well made, and no wonder people are switching from "Vanagon".

. Then, it's time to start shopping. After taking a quick look around, did you find anything that caught your attention?

Akudo:You have a lot of apparel. . the accessories, too, are kind of like an American garage, which I prefer.

Akudo:This is something you put on the sheet.

Yes, that's right. This color is a limited edition of Gordon Miller Kuramae.

Akudo:Nice colors. But I was really surprised how inexpensive they all are. . Also, my dog often makes rough messes. Now I put a waterproof sheet under the sheet, so I thought it would be nice to have these items. And it seems to be safe even if it gets scratched.

Trunks are another popular item.

Akudo:You don't see shallow sizes very often. . this size is kind of appealing. . just the right size to fit under the seat of the "Vanagon."

What do you put in this?

Akudo:. is it the small stuff of camping equipment? I'm still using the box, but it has no lid and is inconvenient. . I'll buy it. How much is it?

That's less than $3,000.

Akudo:. I can go on and on (laughs). I know it's all storage stuff, but I'm also interested in this box.

. It is a soft type, but it is convenient because it has detailed compartments. It is also highly expandable, with loops on the outside for hooking up various items. . If you remove the side cores, it can be folded into a compact size.

Akudo:It might be a good idea. It would also protect fragile camping equipment. . it would also be good to put in cluttered dog supplies. By the way, do you have any recommendations?

. Actually, the consumables are also popular, the most popular being these paper towels. They say they are strong enough to be used one more time by washing and wringing them out after use. I hear that many people keep them in their cars at all times.

Akudo:Then I'll take this one (laughs).

Thank you (laughs). By the way, what is it that you are looking for in a car accessory?

Akudo:. I like the way they look, but I also like them to be functional. Also, if you go to an ordinary car accessory store, you will only find things that look like car accessories. But Gordon Miller's products have more of a general merchandise feel. I think it's more fun that way.

Akudo:And I felt that the manufacturing is really well done, whether it is apparel or car accessories. And the prices are not high. It sounds like a fun job, and I would love to be involved in it (laughs).

You chose a lot of dark gray items this time, but actually many people have a hard time deciding on the color. Could you tell us why you chose dark gray?

Akudo:The interior of the "Vanagon" I rode today is gray, and the body color is navy, so I thought it would be somewhat gray in terms of compatibility. Also, I like coyote and olive, but I don't think I should be too biased toward them. As far as my car is concerned, though.

Thank you very much for your time today. The total cost was 29,411 yen!

Akudo:I'm afraid I've come to get it.... . I will start using it today.

Stacking Trunk Cargo Low Type 30L ¥2,979, Full Cover Hose Reel 20M ¥7,480, High Pressure Jet Long Nozzle ¥2,478, Tactical Soft Cargo ¥9,680, attached to Soft Cargo Cordura tissue box cover TP ¥5,280, bottom row from left to right: Multi paper towel 60 cut x 2 rolls ¥636, Foldable container with handle M ¥878