Japanese vehicle manufacturers often march to the beat of a different drummer. Take Mitsuoka as a prime example. It produces retro-style vehicles that resemble some of the most significant models in automotive history. Its most successful model is the… more»
Japanese Classic Cars
• For Sale • 19 Comments
Scrambler Survivor: 1968 Yamaha AS1-C 125
Caution: this is a small motorcycle; not everyone will like it or take it seriously. I just wanted to get that disclaimer out of the way for those of you who think they’re only for kids or folks who… more»
• For Sale • 29 Comments
75k One-Owner Miles: 1976 Toyota Celica
The Toyota Celica became available in the United States almost immediately after its initial introduction in Japan in December, 1970. At the time, many consumers weren’t considering imports, so it would take years for the Toyota brand to reach… more»
• For Sale • 13 Comments
Rotary Wagon: 1972 (or 73) Mazda RX-3
The Mazda RX-3 was a rotary-powered Japanese vehicle sold in the U.S. between 1972 and 1978. Several body styles were offered, including a station wagon like this one. On its home base, the car was known as the Savanna,… more»
• For Sale • 11 Comments
Rare Mojave Edition: 1983 Toyota Pickup
While we sometimes talk down on cosmetic dress-up trims and other so-called limited edition models, there’s occasionally the case of a rare specimen that’s so obscure it has to be cool. That’s the box I’m checking with this unusual… more»
• For Sale • 11 Comments
Pretty In Pearl? 1992 INFINITI M30
INFINITI, Nissan’s luxury-focused arm, debuted in the United States in 1989 with two offerings in its inaugural 1990 model-year lineup. The first was the Q45, a full-size luxury sedan competing with the standards of the day, including the Mercedes-Benz… more»
• For Sale • 20 Comments
Rotary Power: 1974 Suzuki RE5
A three-year wonder (wait, that didn’t rhyme), Suzuki’s innovative, stylish, quirky, sleek, somewhat space-age rotary-powered 500-cc bike wasn’t a big seller, and it’s rare to see today. This 1974 Suzuki RE5 is listed on Facebook Marketplace in Canada’s beautiful… more»
• For Sale • 6 Comments
Quirky Japanese Classic: 1987 Nissan Be-1
Nissan rode the retro wave in the 1980s, with the Pike Factory producing some genuinely quirky vehicles. They all shared one common characteristic: They were small by any measure. The first to emerge was the 1987 Nissan Be-1, a… more»
• For Sale • 14 Comments
Update: Price Lowered on Highly Original 1990 Mazda Miata
UPDATE – What’s that old saying? If you don’t succeed, try, try again? This 30,000-mile “all original” first-year 1990 Mazda Miata is listed again for sale and looking for a new owner. The asking price has been lowered $2,400… more»
• For Sale • 26 Comments
33k Original Miles: 1978 Honda Accord Hatchback Project
I remember hearing the buzz about these first-generation Accords when they were introduced back in 1976. (Fifty years ago? Really??) They were only available as a 2-door hatchback and paint options were limited to metallic blue, gold, or silver…. more»
• For Sale • 15 Comments
One-Owner Survivor: 1986 Honda Prelude Si
When the Prelude first arrived on our shores in 1979, it seemed like everyone in my neighborhood suddenly bought one. The car’s virtues included sporty looks, great visibility from the cabin, bucket seats, a moonroof as standard equipment, and… more»
• For Sale • 43 Comments
Yamaha V6 Cheap Wheels: 1990 Ford Taurus SHO
The original Ford Taurus SHO (Super High Output) was a performance sedan produced between 1989 and 1999. It used a special V6 engine developed by Yamaha, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission supplied by Mazda. The seller has a… more»
• For Sale • 12 Comments
25K Original Miles: 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata
For anyone following my occasional posts on here, you know what I tend to pay some attention to cars and trucks that either keep accelerating value-wise or have reached a point of stagnation. A lot of vehicles have hit… more»
• For Sale • 14 Comments
1988 Dodge Power Ram 50 4×4 Sports Cab Turbo
UPDATE – This lingering 1988 Dodge Power Ram 40 4×4 Sports Cab with an added turbo is still for sale at a bit of a discount, which will hopefully move it along to the next owner. It can still… more»
• For Sale • 16 Comments
Work Truck: 1986 Nissan 720 4WD
Here’s another in a long line of compact pickups we’ve featured lately, ready for its third owner: this 1986 Nissan 720 shows about 167k on the odometer, but it’s supposedly equipped with a V6 and a five-speed gearbox –… more»
• For Sale • 10 Comments
1980s Mitsubishi MT180 HMD 4×4 Diesel Tractor
One of the most unusual-looking configurations that I’ve seen, this 1980s Mitsubishi MT180 HMD 4×4 diesel tractor is wearing full wheel guards on all four wheels. Was this one used for orchards? It can be found here on Facebook… more»
