2012 LBWK Takumi Masters Nissan GT-R: The Dream Realized

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Jonathan Compian

2012 LBWK Takumi Masters Nissan GT-R

Instagram: 808NLX

Photographer: Mike Autrey

Instagram: @ NightAdderPhotography

Meet Jonathan Compian and His 2012 LBWK Takumi Masters Nissan GT-R Journey

Hi, I’m Jonathan Compian, a 27-year-old from Maui, Hawaii, now retired and living in Waco, Texas. My love for cars sparked through classic influences like "The Fast and the Furious" and video games like "Need for Speed: Underground 2." Growing up, the car scene on Maui was small, but my passion grew as I indulged in racing games and car movies.

Today, I’m the proud owner of a 2012 Nissan GT-R, a car that represents my dream fulfilled.

Why I Chose the 2012 LBWK Takumi Masters Nissan GT-R

The Nissan GT-R has a legacy of excellence, from the R32 and R34 Skylines to the modern R35. What makes the R35 special to me is that each engine is hand-built by Nissan’s Takumi masters, symbolizing craftsmanship and precision. The GT-R carries on the heritage of its legendary predecessors while embodying cutting-edge technology and performance.

My first car was a 2001 Honda Civic EX Sedan, a manual transmission model that had some light modifications from the previous owner. It wasn’t anything too extreme—just wheels, a cold air intake, and an exhaust system. While it was great, it was simply a car to get me from point A to point B. The Nissan GT-R was the first car I really dove into, building and modifying it into something uniquely my own.

Every time I see the 2012 LBWK Takumi Masters Nissan GT-R—whether in my garage or out at a show—it still feels surreal. It’s been my dream car for so long, and now I’ve built it into something that truly stands out. I love sharing the car with others, too. At events, I’ll let people sit in the GT-R, and sometimes I even let them start it up and rev the engine. Seeing the joy on their faces when they experience the car firsthand brings me immense satisfaction.

The Unique Appeal of My GT-R

What makes my GT-R stand out is the rare Liberty Walk Silhouette Widebody kit—it’s something you don’t see every day. Additionally, my car holds a powerful personal message. The vinyl on the back of the wing reads "Stay; Tomorrow Needs You," a tribute to a family member I lost to suicide. It’s a reminder to myself and others to keep pushing through life’s challenges.

Building the Beast: Full Spec List

Engine/Drivetrain Modifications:

• HKS Fuel Pumps

• ID1000 CC Fuel Injectors

• Injen Air Intakes

• COBB XLE BPV

• EcuTek 93 Tune

• Nismo Turbos

• Stage 1 Shep Transmission

Suspension Modifications:

• AirLift 3P Air Suspension

Brakes/Wheels/Tires:

• Brembo Brakes

• Custom 1 of 1 NLX Wheels (-30 front offset, -80 rear offset)

• Toyo R888 Tires

Interior Modifications:

• Starlight Headliner

• T-Rex Stereo

• T-Rex Digital Mirror with Dash Cam

• Forged Carbon Steering Wheel & Paddle Shifters

• BRAUM Elite V2 Sport Reclinable Seats

• Flow Series Interior Lighting

Audio/Video:

• Bose Sound System with Subwoofer

Exterior Modifications:

• Liberty Walk Silhouette Widebody Kit

• Striker Lights GT-R Side Markers

• Flow Series Underglow

• AF Wraps with Vinyl Frog

• Cash Money Designs Vinyl Logos

• Ceramic Coating by Cleant Industries

• 2017+ Headlights and Taillights

• ArmyTrix Titanium Valvetronic Race Exhaust

Why the GT-R Means So Much to Me

Every time someone approaches me about the car, I take the time to talk about it and hear their stories. It’s a part of the car scene that I truly enjoy—connecting with people, sharing passion, and inspiring others. Whether it’s at shows or out on the streets, I often let people sit in my car or rev the engine. The joy it brings to others is what makes the car scene so fulfilling.

The Car Scene and Its Impact on My Life

The car scene has changed my world tremendously. Upon moving to Waco, Texas I knew no one other than a few family members. Within the first day of attending a car show, I had made a few friends who knew a ton of people who introduced me to car meets and then it just blew up from there. It’s allowed me to travel to Las Vegas for the SEMA Show event with my car. I was fortunate enough to bring my Photographer Mike and my Videographer El_Smiley_Vlogs to attend the event with me and we got to experience Las Vegas together. 

The car scene has introduced me to numerous new locations all around Texas showing me the most amazing and wonderful locations to view as well as do car photoshoots at. I’ve put a lot of time into building the car the way I want to which comes down to coordinating with companies on parts/deliveries/ gaining new sponsors/ attending special events/ numerous photoshoots from many different photographers/videographers. 

With me being retired and not really knowing many people in Waco, I’d most likely have stayed indoors and spent time with my dog only, but coming into the car scene it has me out every few days if not every weekend travelling all over Texas for car shows, meeting celebrities, making new friends, discovering new products/ sponsors, new ideas, the list can go on forever. I tend to catch myself thinking at events that this is where I belong in life, with my friends and like-minded individuals admiring every car/ talking to people/ hanging out with each other and just overall having a great time.

Advice for Fellow Enthusiasts

If I could give advice to anyone in the car community, it’s to take your time. Whether you’re deciding on modifications or just life in general, patience is key. Don’t let others dictate how you build your car. There have been plenty of people who didn’t like my modifications, but at the end of the day, it’s my car. It’s about building something you love, not what others approve of.

Dream Car and Future Plans

The GT-R is and always has been my dream car, but I’m looking forward to adding an Audi R8 to my garage someday. Once I get the R8, I’ll add a widebody kit and air suspension to make it my own.

As for the GT-R, it’s mostly “done,” but I might tweak a few things in the future, like upgrading the transmission and continuing to push its power potential.

Shout-Outs to My Support System

The biggest shout-out I can give is Mike Autrey, my photographer (Instagram: Night Adder Photography) He is the one who has taken thousands and thousands of photos of my car back since Day 1 of owning the GT-R. We met at a car show and have been a team ever since helping each other grow and network across Texas. 

Without Mike, my car would not be where it is today. He’s helped me out with customization ideas/ inputs/ as well as sponsors. He’s by far one of the closest friends I have ever had and practically family. I’d like to give a huge shout-out and thank you to Vincy from Oking Performance as they have helped support me from the very beginning. I was new to custom aftermarket wheels and they took their time explaining all the details and working with me on getting the exact fitment from Liberty Walk to ensure my fitment will be perfect. 

They made me custom wheels exactly how I had imagined, custom forged carbon paddle shifters, my custom forged carbon engine bay and engine cover, and many other parts for the other cars on my team. Without them none of this would have been possible, thank you Vincy and thank you Oking Performance for making my dreams come true. I’m proud to call them a sponsor as well as a great friend as well, they’re one of the first sponsors I’ve had and I’m proud to support their brand as they have helped not only me but many of my friends and people I know. Overall, I see them more as a close friend than just a company or sponsor.

The group I am in is called Team Nexus (Instagram: Official Team Nexus). Another group I would like to shout out is Cleant Industries as they have helped Team Nexus cars look the cleanest at all times with their detailing products. Both groups have honestly the best people I have ever met. They all are very professional, fun, helpful, kind, caring and overall awesome car people through and through.

My Inspirational Mantra: "Kaizen"

My inspirational mantra is Kaizen, a Japanese philosophy that focuses on continuous improvement. Every day is an opportunity to grow, even if only by 1%. “It’s not about being invincible, it’s about being unstoppable.”

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