Japanese Classic Cars

Get alerted of new Japanese finds:

Sports Car Collection: BMW 2002 and Nissan 240SX Auction

There are small auctions happening all over the country on a given basis, far outside the glare of the big-ticket Mecum and Barrett-Jackson auction houses. While I wish we could sniff out all of these estate sales and local… more»

Survivor! 1991 Honda CRX Si

Honda’s CRX sprang from its Civic lineage in the same manner as the Prelude arose from the Accord: as a sporty alternative to its sedate, economical siblings. The snub-nosed hatchback was given a lively suspension, an economy engine, and… more»

Nicest One Left? 1982 Dodge Challenger

Not the Dodge Challenger of yore, if you count yore as being four years prior. This 1982 Dodge Challenger is a captive import from the Dodge Boys and is based on the Mitsubishi Galant Lambda, not exactly a name… more»

Factory Cafe Racer: 1963 Honda CB92 Benly

Many of you will chuckle if I were to say that Honda’s CB92 was their “sport/racing” bike since it’s a mere 125-cc in size. As almost always, most folks think you have to have the absolute biggest, most powerful… more»

Christmas Special: 1986 Honda Z50RD

Special Editions are nothing new to the classic world, with manufacturers devising a seemingly endless list of reasons to send something distinctive to dealerships to entice potential buyers. Honda followed that practice in 1986 with its iconic Z50 Monkey… more»

Diesel Import: 1980 Toyota Land Cruiser BJ42

It would be easy and understandable if our Barn Finds readers looked at this 1980 Toyota Land Cruiser and thought it was just another FJ40. However, it is the FJ40’s cousin, the BJ42. It spent years serving as a… more»

Rare 80s Hot Hatch: 1988 Isuzu Impulse

There comes a point in every car enthusiast’s life where you have to draw a line. It’s surprisingly easy to acquire cars once people know you like a certain type of vehicle, and given my odd preference for old… more»

61k Original Miles: 1993 Toyota 4×4 Pickup

The Toyota Pickup, known in some markets as the Hilux, enjoys a reputation for exceptional reliability. Top Gear UK once tried to “kill” one of these classics, but after an 8-hour total immersion in ocean water and a deliberate… more»

One Family Owned: 1966 Datsun 1600 Roadster

Long-term ownership is often an important factor when an enthusiast commences their quest for a classic to park in their garage or workshop. Cars of that type have typically been cherished and avoided the abuse that can plague less… more»

The Ultimate Commuter Car? 1994 Honda Civic VX

What’s the most important factor when you’re looking for a commuter car: fuel economy, reliability, price, or whether it’s fun to drive? And I don’t mean contractors or other specialists who buy specific vehicles for businesses, like full-sized pickups… more»

Unmodified Survivor: 1990 Toyota Supra Turbo

The MK3 Toyota Supra is one of the unsung heroes of the 1980s sports car scene. When it comes to multi-generational models, some eras remain inherently unpopular due to being a let-down after the introductory offering. But in the… more»

Fire Survivor: 1976 Datsun 280Z

Survivors are typically cars that have managed to get through life without any modifications or restoration. However, this 1976 Datsun 280Z wears that title for a different reason. Years ago, it suffered an engine bay fire that could have… more»

Road or Track: 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Consider the poverty of the American car scene in the 1970s. The dominant themes were horsepower reduction and fuel efficiency, sapping fun from the driving experience. Only Japan was meeting our new requirements handily, sending over cars like the… more»

Nicest One Left? 1974 Ford Courier

Coming in a couple of feet shorter than an F-series pickup in the Ford lineup for 1974, this 1974 Ford Courier is one amazing time capsule. It was Ford’s first compact pickup back when Japanese imports were starting to… more»

Jump Seats! 1978 Subaru BRAT 4×4

You little brat! It’s refreshing to see a small car, truck, carck, whatever you’d call a Subaru BRAT, these days. There are so many monster pickups out there, even though they’re the new “normal”-sized pickup. At one time, we… more»

Little Hustler! 1974 Datsun 620 Wrecker

Listen up, Datsun wrecker fans! That’s right:  Shirley in Goat Elbow, Nebraska and Ed in Frozen Loaf, Oklahoma, this is your day! Joking aside, this 1974 Datsun 620 Little Hustler tow truck might excite a narrow band of enthusiasts,… more»

Barn Finds