While there weren’t too many that came to the meet, a few caught my eye including this first generation RX-7. In the previous post someone mentioned the lack of Mazdas. This one was even sporting a 16-valve 4AGE swap that was looked very factory – if Toyota was using fuel injected twin cam engines in the early ’70s that is. I can’t help but think of the iconic Chevy Nomad from the mid ’50s when I see cars like this.
There’s something very cool about two-door station wagons like this Corolla. The meet was held right in his own backyard so it was only natural for him to bring his shakotan Z out. Here is another car that should look very familiar – Sunny’s 240Z. I’ll let you guys continue to ponder the appeal of vintage Japanese cars in your minds (as will I), but for now let me to return to my coverage from the Bayline Meet. Of course if you are cruising around in a non US market car like a Hakosuka Skyline, the responses you get will probably be more of a “What the hell kind of car is that? That’s awesome!” than a “Hey, I used to have one those!”, but the enjoyment is all the same. Sometimes these stories seem slightly exaggerated, but that’s part of the fun. “My buddy had one of these in high school, it was the fastest car in town!” or “I bought one of these brand new back in ’72”. Here in the United States at least, if you roll into a gas station in a 240Z or 510 it’s pretty much guaranteed that someone will come up to you and start sharing their memories with these cars. As of now you can still score an early Datsun or Toyota in good shape for significantly less than what it would cost for a popular European or American machine of the same vintage.įinally there’s the nostalgia factor, or the emotional appeal that comes with these cars. Sure, the value of vintage Japanese machinery is rising by the day, but for the most part these cars still remain within the budgets of most car enthusiasts.
Next, there’s the factor of affordability. This is another factor that I believe contributes to their broad appeal, earning them fans who may come from different automotive backgrounds.
Many of the popular Japanese classics borrowed heavily from both European and American cars in terms of styling and engineering. A set of sidedraft carbs and a choice set of vintage wheels can win over a lot of people who may not have much interest in an Evo or a Civic Type R with their variable valve timing or active yaw control. Respect your elders as they say.īeyond that, the simple “oldness” of these cars gives them an appeal that transcends different automotive subcultures.
Naturally, fans of modern high tech Japanese cars (the “tuners”, if you will) have a great amount of appreciation for these cars as they represent the roots of the Japanese performance car and the birth of a new industry. Based on my experience of shooting these cars both in Japan and here in the US, I have a few theories swirling around in my strange head. I’m constantly wondering just why it is that vintage Japnaese cars are loved so much. How many people out there can’t appreciate something like a well done Datsun 510? It may not be one of the world’s most famous or exotic cars, but I can’t recall ever hearing anyone saying something bad about one. In fact, I’d say it’s as close to universal as it gets in the ever divided world of car enthusiasts. Somehow though, their appeal goes far beyond the size of that slice. In the grand scheme of the automotive world, classic Japanese cars make up a pretty small slice of the overall pie. It’s a question that grows even bigger in my head after attending an event like Sunday’s Bayline Meet. I’ve personally fallen quite hard for these cars (points to the old Datsun sitting in the garage), but I’ve always wondered just what it is that makes these retro Japanese machines so popular. Ever since the launch of Speedhunters more than four years ago, stories about vintage Japanese cars have continually been some of the most popular and most talked about among our wide array of features.
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