Shinji Takei never aimed to create the world’s top car dealership. He simply wanted to sell vehicles people would use.
BINGO Sports, the business he started in 2002, now operates from a glass-walled showroom in Tokyo and a climate-controlled storage facility near Narita Airport. The collection includes some of the rarest cars available: three Ferrari F40s—one with delivery miles—an F50, Enzo, and LaFerrari, a road-legal Porsche 962CR Schuppan, Japan’s first Koenigsegg Jesko, a Pagani Huayra BC, and a one of one Lamborghini Miura SVR Jota.
The hunt, not the hype
Takei-san, who began as a small dealer in Nagoya, says the business focused on the excitement of finding cars rather than chasing online attention. Collectors in Japan value continued use over locking cars away for investment. He explains that the environment for enthusiasts differs from other markets.
A car’s history often outweighs its condition. Takei-san points to past owners, racing records, or even a 2015 UK tax disc as details that can make a vehicle irresistible. This approach led BINGO to stock unusual models like a 1967 Mazda Cosmo, the first production car with a rotary engine, and a 1972 Nissan Laurel C130 modified with Longchamp wheels.
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Even an early AP1 Honda S2000 in silver with red leather—a model still within reach for many—sits among the exotics. Takei-san believes in choosing cars that bring excitement, no matter their age.
A generational shift under the glass
The Tokyo showroom houses Japan’s first Koenigsegg Jesko, a Pagani Huayra BC, and a one of one Lamborghini Miura SVR Jota. Takei-san observes changing tastes among collectors. Older enthusiasts still favor cars linked to legends like James Dean and Steve McQueen, while younger buyers prefer 1990s and 2000s models, particularly Japanese icons such as the Skyline GT-R.
The storage facility’s eight individually temperature and humidity-controlled bays hold more than just Ferraris and Porsches. A Citroën SM with a UK tax disc and a 1977 Porsche 935 K3 in Jägermeister livery share space with an ex-Le Mans BMW M1 Procar and a road-legal Lamborghini Diablo GTR. Each vehicle connects to a battery conditioner, ready to start instantly.
Takei-san’s own automotive journey began with a crashed Mazda RX-7 FC in the 1980s. He later raced in the Porsche Carrera Cup and GT World Challenge Asia, though his dream cars remain the McLaren F1 and Ferrari F40 LM. He considers these models unmatched in their impact.
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The Miura SVR Jota stands out as one of the collection’s most storied cars. After the original Miura Jota was destroyed in 1972, Lamborghini rebuilt several to “Jota” specifications. Only one received the race-focused SVR conversion, and it has been in Japan since 1976.
A barn-find Ferrari F40, discovered after nearly a decade abandoned outdoors in rural Japan, also draws attention. Its weathered exterior contrasts with the pristine condition of the rest of the collection, showing that even rare cars can be forgotten.
The storage facility’s design reflects Takei-san’s dedication to preservation. Each bay maintains independent climate control, and vehicles stay under covers when not in use. A mascot—a stylized tiger in a Martini-themed helmet—adds personality to the otherwise meticulous space.
For Takei-san, the real satisfaction comes from the search, the stories, and the people who will drive these cars next.
