Japanese Classic Cars

Get alerted of new Japanese finds:

Two-Stroke Survivor: 1975 MT250K1 Elsinore

It’s a toss-up for me as to what my favorite decade is, almost anything from the 1960s on is a contender. Well, other than the 2020s which is by far my least favorite decade and we’re not even three… more»

El-BRAT-Chero! 1982 Subaru GL

Imagine naming a vehicle a BRAT. I’ve had quite a few pejoratives that I’ve used to describe cars that I’ve owned but none would be suitable as a marketing moniker, or likely fit for consumption here. Actually, Subaru’s BRAT… more»

Only One In The US? 1963 Mitsubishi Colt 1000

Mitsubishi didn’t begin to import cars into the U.S. under their brand until 1982. Before that, they provided some subcompacts to Chrysler to use in the 1970s. That was the first time the Colt name became familiar to U.S…. more»

Just Lost Interest: 1977 Datsun 280Z

“Just lost interest” are three words many of us with long-term projects can understand. If you’ve got a few coins in your pocket and can pick up a project for cheap, it always seems like a good idea to… more»

Warehouse Full: Classic and Not-So-Classic Cars

Located in a warehouse near Metuchen, New Jersey is a collection or series of collections that comprise more than 300 vehicles. It appears a variety of major brands are represented, of both domestic and international origin. It seems that… more»

Turbocharged 4×4: 1986 Toyota Land Cruiser

i recently purchased a Lexus LX450 which is just a rebadged Land Cruiser with leather seats. For years, I wanted one of these trucks, and after just a few weeks, I’m pretty smitten with it. It could just be… more»

Four-Speed Trail Bike: 1971 Honda CT70 HKO

How many of you were alive in 1971? If you were and you were a kid, or a kid at heart, you may have wanted one of Honda’s new mini trail bikes. These were incredibly popular little motorcycles and… more»

Anti-Rust Truck: 1981 Toyota Pickup SR5 4×4

It’s hard to believe, but some of those anti-rust treatments that dealers used to hawk in the 70s and 80s seem to have worked. I suspect when we see impressive results like this 1981 Toyota Pickup that some trucks… more»

Projects Or Parts? Three 1960s Hondas

Anyone who is into vintage motorcycles and restoring them usually has or needs a parts bike or two. Or, three, or more… Sometimes the county gets involved when a person has dozens of parts bikes strewn around their yard…. more»

2WD Survivor: 1987 Toyota Pickup Deluxe

The two-wheel drive Toyota pickup (or any pickup, really) is a generally unloved space in the vintage truck market. We all know the hot ticket to find slumbering away in a small garage on the outskirts of town is… more»

Sport Package Survivor: 1991 Nissan 240SX SE

Few imports from the late 80s and early 90s have become as sought after as the S13-chassis Nissan 240SX. These cars were somewhat ignored when they first came out, living in the shadow of the mighty 300ZX. The 240SX… more»

Never This Nice: 1986 Isuzu P’up Spacecab

Vintage Japanese trucks have always had a following, and this segment of the hobby remains one of the few corners left where you can buy a vehicle for peanuts and likely make out OK when it comes time to… more»

JDM Executive Sedan: 1997 Toyota Aristo

Here’s my big question with cars like this: has the allure of owning a genuine Japanese-market vehicle begun to subside? It seems like more and more casual flippers are getting into the business of bringing over some slightly-warmed over… more»

Time Capsule: 1985 Toyota Cressida Station Wagon

For some of us, the 1980s seem like very recent history. However, when I look at vehicles like this 1985 Toyota Cressida Station Wagon and realize that it is thirty-seven years old, it makes me wonder where the time… more»

1978 Dodge Colt Needs to Come in from the Cold

Uh-oh, someone’s getting kicked to the curb, and it’s this appealing little 1978 Dodge Colt, being sold from Minneapolis. The listing is here on eBay and is above $3600 with the reserve not met. Larry D is the eagle… more»

Perfect for Chores: 1979 Ford Courier Pickup

In the 1970s, a new vehicle category opened up – the compact pickup. Lightweight with small motors, these were economical to run but still had enough carrying capacity for that load of bark dust. Toyota and Datsun dominated the… more»

Barn Finds