JDM BRIDE ZETA IV Evangelion Racing Full Bucket Japanese Racing Car Seat — EVA-01 Limited Reims Model

This object is not merchandise.
It is a functional racing apparatus that has been aesthetically and symbolically transformed through one of Japan’s most culturally enduring media properties: Neon Genesis Evangelion.

At its core, this is a BRIDE ZETA IV, one of the brand’s most established fixed-back bucket seat platforms—used in circuit racing, time attack, and high-performance street builds. The EVAR collaboration does not merely apply graphics; it re-codes the seat’s identity, embedding Evangelion’s iconography, color logic, and psychological symbolism into an object designed for control, restraint, and human-machine fusion.

This is a seat designed to hold the human body in tension, mirroring Evangelion’s thematic obsession with confinement, synchronization, and existential pressure.

Object Name:
BRIDE ZETA IV × EVANGELION RACING Full Bucket Seat — HAEV01 (EVA-01 Colorway)

Brand / Collaboration:
BRIDE × EVANGELION RACING (EVAR)

Model Base:
ZETA IV REIMS

Production Type:
Limited Collaboration Model (Japan Domestic)

Condition:
Unused / New (as listed)

Origin:
Japan

ICONOGRAPHY & THEMATIC ANALYSIS

The EVA-01 colorway—purple, green, black—was not chosen arbitrarily.

• Purple: Evangelion Unit-01, symbol of uncontrolled potential and latent power

• Green accents: Bio-mechanical undertone, referencing Eva’s organic core

• Red Nerv insignia: Authority, secrecy, and institutional control

The rear shell branding and stitched insignia reference NERV, EVAR, and Evangelion Racing’s competitive lineage, translating anime symbolism into motorsport language. The seat becomes a cockpit relic—a throne of synchronization.

Evangelion’s core concept—the boundary between self and machine—is physically enacted here. The driver is immobilized, aligned, restrained, and protected, echoing the Eva pilot’s role inside the Entry Plug.

MATERIAL & CRAFT ASSESSMENT

• Shell: FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) monocoque

• Upholstery: Automotive-grade performance fabric

• Padding: Track-tuned density (not comfort-biased)

• Manufacturing: Japan

• Weight: ~8.5 kg (seat only)

The ZETA IV platform balances rigidity and controlled flex—critical for both safety and tactile feedback. Stitching quality, edge binding, and logo application meet BRIDE’s professional motorsport standards.

This is not FIA homologated, but it meets Japanese motorsport safety expectations for street and track builds when paired with appropriate harness systems.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT — WHY THESE SURVIVE AT ALL

Evangelion Racing emerged during the late-2000s to early-2010s era when anime properties began crossing decisively into real motorsport culture—not as novelty wraps, but as fully sponsored racing teams.

BRIDE’s participation placed Evangelion into functional automotive history, not just visual culture. These seats were produced in limited runs, primarily for domestic Japanese enthusiasts, and many were installed, raced, or retired.

Uninstalled, unused examples—especially EVA-01—are increasingly scarce, as BRIDE has shifted toward newer seat architectures and Evangelion collaborations have diversified.

COLLECTOR RELEVANCE

This object sits at the intersection of:

• Evangelion cultural canon

• Japanese motorsport heritage

• Functional industrial design

• Racing memorabilia

• High-value interior automotive collectibles

It appeals equally to:

• Evangelion archivists

• JDM performance collectors

• Motorsport interior purists

• Design historians focused on anime-industrial crossover

This is display-worthy, install-ready, and historically anchored.

SUMMARY — WHY THIS PIECE MATTERS

This is a seat that carries narrative weight.

It embodies Evangelion’s psychological themes through physical restraint, translates anime symbolism into engineering language, and preserves a moment when Japanese pop culture decisively entered real-world performance hardware.

Few objects achieve that synthesis. This one does.

Cargo Shipping & Handling Notice

Due to the final packaged weight and/or dimensional requirements of this piece, standard parcel services such as Japan Post EMS, DHL, FedEx, or UPS are not applicable. This item will be shipped via cargo or freight-based shipping methods.

Cargo shipments require additional preparation time to ensure proper handling, which may include custom crating, reinforced packing, coordination with domestic logistics providers, and scheduling with international freight consolidators and export brokers. As a result, estimated delivery timelines typically range from 6 to 10 weeks, depending on routing, carrier availability, and customs clearance procedures in the destination country.

Please note that actual shipping costs may differ from automated shipping calculator estimates. By default, a portion of the expected shipping cost may be reflected in the listing price. Any difference or discrepancy will be quoted separately once destination, delivery method, and handling requirements are confirmed.

We kindly ask that collectors contact us prior to purchase to request an exact, customized shipping quotation for their destination. This ensures full transparency and allows us to arrange the most appropriate, secure, and efficient shipping solution for this piece.

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we take the necessary care to deliver this work safely.

🚚 SHIPPING & LOGISTICS INTELLIGENCE (CARGO-LEVEL)

* ESTIMATESD COSTS TO USA ~ $2000 more or less (for door to door, please inquire directly)

Seat Type: Fixed-back full bucket seat
Shell: FRP (non-collapsible)

Final Packed Carton (Estimated)

• Length: 100 cm

• Width: 65 cm

• Height: 75 cm

• Packed Volume: ~0.49 m³

• Actual Packed Weight: ~14 kg

• Volumetric Weight (Air): ~98–100 kg

📌 Billing weight will be volumetric, not actual.

Authenticity & Stewardship

Evaluated under the Japonista Authentication Framework™:

• Material, carving, and surface-study comparison
• Iconographic and stylistic verification
• Condition and stability review (surface integrity)
• Construction assessment and handling-risk evaluation

Guaranteed 100% Authentic. Covered by the Japonista Lifetime Authenticity Warranty™.

A Note on Stewardship and Collecting

At Japonista, we approach Buddhist statues, sacred images, and ritual objects not merely as collectibles, but as cultural and spiritual artifacts deserving of respect, understanding, and careful presentation. Every piece we offer is thoughtfully examined, researched, and curated with sensitivity to its origin, meaning, and historical role.

Our role is not only to offer access to rare and meaningful objects, but to serve as responsible custodians—connecting the right works with collectors who value depth, intention, and authenticity.

Inquiries, Availability, and Private Consideration

Some of the cultural and heritage works may allow room for discussion, while others are held firmly due to rarity, condition, or cultural importance. All inquiries are reviewed personally and discreetly, and we welcome thoughtful questions or expressions of interest.

If you are exploring a particular theme, deity, lineage, or period—or seeking guidance in building a focused collection—our concierge team is always available to assist with quiet expertise and care.

Concierge Support & Collector Guidance

Japonista Concierge™ provides personalized assistance for collectors seeking deeper understanding, thoughtful acquisition, or long-term curation strategies. Whether your interest is devotional, scholarly, or aesthetic, we are here to help guide your journey with clarity and respect.

For select high-value or historically significant works, private reservation or structured payment arrangements may be available on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to discuss eligibility and discreet options.

Before Proceeding

We kindly encourage collectors to review our shop policies and house guidelines, available through the links in our website footer, which outline shipping, handling, and conditions specific to vintage, sacred, and collectible works.

A Closing Note

Thank you for exploring Japonista’s collection of Oriental Cultural Heritage and arts. We are honored to share these meaningful works and to help place them where they may continue to be appreciated, studied, and respected.

If you have questions or wish to explore related works, please feel free to contact Japonista Concierge™ at any time.