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Whereas the Eighties and ’90s are thought-about the golden period of Japanese vehicles, carmakers from the Land of the Rising Solar constructed some extremely fascinating fashions lengthy earlier than that. In the direction of the tip of the Sixties, they had been churning out small, light-weight sports activities vehicles, and by the mid-Nineteen Seventies, they provided a number of enjoyable and frugal coupes and sedans that seemed like scaled-down muscle vehicles.
Japanese traditional vehicles every have their very own distinctive persona, like Mazda with its rotary engines, and Honda bringing its motorbike experience into its automobile designs. When you’re into outdated vehicles, it’s nearly assured that there’s a Japanese mannequin that fits your model.
Why We Selected These Japanese Vintage Automobiles
First, we needed to decide what classifies an vintage automobile, and based on American Collectors Insurance coverage, it must be older than 45 years. From there, we started our seek for the best Japanese vehicles from that period. We’ve sourced the data from respected web sites, resembling Silodrome, Autoevolution, and the producers themselves.
All of the vehicles on this listing have a considerably established fan base. Some are uncommon and costly, others are extra attainable to us mere mortals, however they’re all extremely fascinating to collectors and fans.
Toyota 2000GT
In a approach, the Toyota 2000GT was the primary Japanese supercar. It had a 2.0-liter straight-six engine that churned out 150 horsepower. That doesn’t sound like a lot at this time, however at a time when most Japanese vehicles had round 50 hp, having 100 additional ponies was fairly spectacular. It even set a number of velocity information previous to its launch.
Trying on the 2000GT’s trendy design, it was clearly impressed by European sports activities vehicles, such because the Jaguar E-Kind, but it surely’s a lot rarer than the British sports activities automobile. Toyota solely constructed 337 2000GTs, and Drive experiences that it value round $7,000 on the US market when it was new. That was some huge cash again then, but it surely’s much more costly at this time. In line with Hagerty, these vehicles can fetch upwards of $1 million at public sale, with the best recorded sale hitting $2.5 million.
Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R ‘Hakosuka’
Within the late Sixties, Datsun constructed what has since turn into one in every of Japan’s most legendary traditional vehicles — the Skyline GT-R. That is the great-great-grandfather of at this time’s R35 GT-R. As Hagerty factors out, As Hagerty notes, most JDM followers name it the “Hakosuka,” which suggests “Field Skyline” — a nod to its distinctive, boxy design.
Underneath its hood, the Hakosuka GT-R hides a 2.0-liter DOHC six-cylinder engine that churns out 150 hp and 133 lb-ft of torque. For some time, the Hakosuka was unbeatable on Japan’s racetracks, racking up greater than 50 wins by 1972.
Mazda Cosmo 110S
The Cosmo was Mazda’s first Wankel-engined automobile, and the corporate named it after the house race of the late Sixties to point out that this was the best way of the longer term. Whereas Mazda did proceed to work on the rotary engine over the next many years, it by no means really perfected the components, as the newest mannequin to make use of it, the RX-8, was stricken by reliability points.
One factor that’s near perfection is the Cosmo’s gorgeous design. It’s not all present and no go both, because the 982cc 2-rotor Wankel engine produces 110 hp. In line with MotorTrend, every Cosmo was hand-built, and through its manufacturing run, Mazda made a complete of 1,519 vehicles, 343 Collection I fashions, and 1,176 Collection II fashions.
Datsun Fairlady Z432
Toyota wasn’t the one firm impressed by Jaguar’s iconic E-Kind. The Datsun Fairlady Z, generally known as the 240Z exterior Japan, clearly had some Jag parts as nicely. This was the genesis for the modern-day Nissan Z-cars we all know and love. With a 151-hp 2.4-liter straight-6 engine and an inexpensive price ticket, it introduced sports activities automobile possession to the lots and altered the sports activities automobile world perpetually.
Nevertheless, it didn’t take lengthy earlier than Nissan determined it wanted a stronger engine. Enter the Fairlady Z432. It had the Skyline GT-R’s 2.0-liter twin-cam, triple-carburetor engine that pumped out 160 wild horses. Street & Observe experiences that simply over 400 Z432 vehicles had been constructed, and there was additionally a homologation particular, of which 50 had been constructed, all of them painted orange with a matte black hood.
Datsun Roadster
When the Datsun Fairlady is talked about, folks routinely consider the 240Z. In all equity, that was the primary Z automobile. Nevertheless, it wasn’t the primary Fairlady! In 1960, the primary Datsun Fairlady convertible hit the market, and in 1963, the boxy 1500 arrived. It was based mostly on the tiny Datsun 310 and able to go toe-to-toe with sports activities automobile legends resembling MG and Alfa Romeo.
Over time, the 1500 advanced right into a 1600 and ultimately a 2000 mannequin. The Datsun 2000’s 2.0-liter engine featured a single overhead cam and produced 145 hp, all despatched to the rear wheels by way of a guide 5-speed transmission, making it the quickest Japanese automobile on the time.
Honda S-Collection
Are you able to imagine that the Honda S2000 is now over 25 years outdated and thought of a traditional automobile? Lengthy earlier than the S2000 was a twinkle in Honda’s eye, they constructed some smaller, however equally cool sports activities vehicles. Within the early Sixties, Japanese carmakers started constructing small sports activities vehicles, and Honda needed a bit of that motion. The corporate had already established itself within the two-wheeled world, and even constructed a tiny kei pickup truck, so the S500 sports activities automobile wasn’t a transfer anybody anticipated.
Most sports activities vehicles pack some energy, however based on Autozine, Honda went with a 44-hp 0.5-liter engine within the S500. Each energy and displacement grew till the S800, with 70 horsepower and a 9,500 rpm redline, arrived in 1966. Honda drew on its motorbike experience when constructing the S-series, making it each revolutionary and tons of enjoyable to drive.
Toyota Sports activities 800
The Toyota Sports activities 800 could also be tiny, but it surely had an enormous affect on the producer’s success. In actual fact, one might argue it’s among the many most vital vehicles Toyota ever made. Lovingly known as the Yota-Hachi, or Toyota Eight, it was the model’s first manufacturing sports activities automobile and likewise one of many first vehicles to function a targa roof.
Its 790cc air-cooled, dual-carburetor two-cylinder engine produced 45 hp, and in a automobile that solely weighed 1,280 lbs, that’s greater than sufficient to have some enjoyable. Solely 3,131 Sports activities 800 vehicles had been constructed, and based on Silodrome, the bulk had been bought in Japan.
Mazda RX-2 Capella
After the Cosmo, Mazda continued down the Wankel rotary engine path, which introduced us the RX-2, often known as Capella, in 1970. Whereas it’s thought-about the primary “regular” automobile to make use of the rotary engine, the RX-2 was additionally out there with common four-cylinder engines.
In 1972, it was bought because the Mazda 618 within the States, and it had a 1.8-liter engine that was distinctive for the US market. Nevertheless, we want the 1.2-liter rotary model that produced a really spectacular 130 hp, as reported by Autoevolution.
Mazda RX-3 Savanna
Keep in mind the Hakosuka Skyline GT-R we talked about earlier? Effectively, the Mazda RX-3, marketed because the Savanna in Japan, was the automobile that ended its race-winning streak. Mazda enjoys taking a unique method to efficiency vehicles, specializing in low weight and steadiness moderately than most energy. For this cause, the RX-3 flagship mannequin was outfitted with a 1.2-liter twin-rotor Wankel engine producing 125 horsepower, based on Silodrome.
The RX-3 was quickly nicknamed “the rotary rocket,” and it might lay the muse for Mazda’s future rotary-powered sports activities automobile, the RX-7.
Datsun 510 Bluebird
There’s no denying that the common-or-garden little Datsun 510 has turn into probably the most iconic Japanese vehicles ever. It was constructed to resemble the European box-styled vehicles of its period, and was out there with two, 4, and 5 doorways. Essentially the most fascinating mannequin is the two-door coupe.
The Nissan 510 had a 1.6-liter engine that produced 92 hp, which was about the identical as one would anticipate in a European automobile. Because of its affordability and reliability, the 510 turned a well-performing race and rally automobile with a burgeoning aftermarket, even taking residence the general victory on the 1970 East African Safari Rally.
Toyota Celica
Within the Nineteen Seventies, Toyota determined to carry the battle to American soil, taking up pony vehicles just like the Mustang. The brand new Toyota Celica coupe was a stunner, and the 1976 Liftback Celica is arguably the best-looking model of all of them. It’s simple to inform that it was aimed instantly on the Ford Mustang 2 and the established American manufacturers had cause to be apprehensive.
Toyota truly did have sports activities automobile DNA, as they’d already made the Sports activities 800 and the 2000GT, in order that they knew what they had been doing when creating the Celica. Within the States, it was launched with a 110-hp 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine, which ultimately grew right into a 2.2-liter unit. As of late, the Celica is very sought-after, but it surely’s nonetheless doable to discover a fairly priced instance.
Nissan Skyline GT-R (C110)
Following the Hakosuka Skyline GT-R, the C110 Skyline arrived in 1973 and remained in manufacturing till 1977. As reported by Autoevolution, there was an advert displaying a younger couple, Ken and Mary, driving within the Hokkaido countryside, which is why the C110 GT-R is popularly generally known as the Kenmeri Skyline.
The Kenmeri Skyline GT-R had a 2.0-liter inline-six engine that churned out 160 hp. Not like the trendy AWD GT-Rs, it despatched all its energy to the rear wheels by way of a 5-speed guide gearbox.
Hino Contessa Coupe
Right now, Hino is finest identified for making massive industrial autos, however the firm did make common vehicles for some time following WWII. In line with Curbside Traditional, Hino was licensed to construct a regionally tailored model of the Renault 4CV referred to as the Contessa PC Sedan. It seemed bizarre and flopped, so Hino requested legendary automobile designer Giovanni Michelotti to revamp it.
The second-gen Contessa 1300 PD sedan seemed nice, and it was quickly adopted by a sportier two-door coupe. Hino solely constructed 3,868 Contessa Coupes earlier than the corporate’s new house owners, Toyota, shut down manufacturing.
Toyota Corolla SR5
Within the early Nineteen Seventies, lengthy earlier than JDM fans went loopy for the AE86 Corolla, Toyota constructed one other small Corolla coupe that was tons of enjoyable to drive — the Corolla SR5. This second-gen Corolla was constructed to compete in opposition to Japanese icons such because the Datsun 510 and different RWD coupes within the section.
Corollas bought in Japan obtained a 1.6-liter twin-carb DOHC engine that produced 115 hp, however that wasn’t out there within the States. As a substitute, the two,065 lbs automobile obtained a 1.6-liter OHV engine with 88 horsepower, as reported by Gene Butera at Automotive and Driver.
Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR
Mitsubishi’s Lancer mannequin turned a world-famous rally automobile when Tommi Mäkinen dominated the WRC behind the wheel of a Lancer Evolution. Nevertheless, the Lancer was a drive to be reckoned with lengthy earlier than that. In line with Grassroots Motorsports, Mitsubishi launched the primary Lancer in 1973, and identical to the Evos, the 1600 GSR was a correct rally automobile for the highway.
The road-going Lancer 1600 GSR had a 1.6-liter engine with 110 hp and 108 lb-ft of torque, however within the racing model, this was elevated to 169 horses and 119 lb-ft. Sadly, the Lancer 1600 GSR wasn’t out there within the States. As a substitute, the US obtained the Chrysler Valiant Lancer, a rebadged model with much less efficiency.
Isuzu 117 Coupe
Isuzu is maybe finest identified for its pickup vehicles as of late, however the Japanese firm has constructed some glorious sports activities vehicles through the years. The 117 Coupe is a beautiful instance of that, and in case you’re considering that it appears to be like very European, that’s as a result of it was designed by none aside from Giorgetto Giugiaro, as reported by Beneath the Radar.
Underneath the Isuzu 117 Coupe’s hood, there’s a 118-hp 1.6-liter engine, and whereas it wasn’t fast, the automobile might attain 60 mph in roughly 10 seconds and had a high velocity of 120 mph. Manufacturing lasted till 1981, however your possibilities of discovering one in every of these vehicles in good situation are moderately slim.
Honda Civic 1200 RS
The unique Honda Civic wasn’t quick nor fancy, it was simply an reasonably priced and dependable automobile that obtained the job accomplished. When the oil disaster hit within the Nineteen Seventies, client demand for fuel-efficient autos skyrocketed, and it was the common-or-garden Civic’s time to shine.
Street & Observe experiences that the usual Civic’s 1.2-liter engine produced 50 hp, however its actual get together trick was that it might run on each leaded and unleaded gas, offering drivers with gas alternative flexibility. In Japan, Honda launched a warmer model, the Civic 1200 RS. Because of twin Keihin carburetors, an improved consumption manifold, extra aggressive cam, high-compression pistons, and a unique exhaust header, it produced 73 horsepower.
Mitsubishi Colt Galant GTO
In line with Japanese Nostalgic Automotive, Mitsubishi first launched the Galant moniker in 1969, and is mostly related to the carmaker’s high-end sedans. When naming the Galant GTO, Mitsubishi obtained some inspiration from the Ferrari 250 GTO, because it stands for Gran Turismo Omologato. That’s proper, the Mitsubishi Colt Galant GTO is a homologation particular constructed to compete within the JCCA. Nevertheless, due to the 1973 OPEC oil embargo, it was by no means raced.
Like many different Japanese coupes from the Nineteen Seventies, the Colt Galant GTO appears to be like like a downsized muscle automobile. There’s no V8 underneath the hood, although. Mitsubishi went with four-cylinder items starting from 1.6 to 2.0 liters, and the range-topping MR trim had a 1.6-liter DOHC, twin-carb engine with 125 horsepower.
Toyota Century
The Toyota Century was launched in 1967, and at this time, it’s one of many world’s best luxurious sedans. Because it was bought completely in Japan, most international VIPs by no means even knew it existed. In Japan, nonetheless, this JDM limo is the popular mode of transport for vital folks.
Trendy variations are well-known for his or her V12 powerplants, however this first-gen Century had a 3.0-liter V8 engine with round 150 workhorses. The Century was by no means supposed to go quick; it’s only for cruising between conferences in model, so smoothness is most well-liked over brute drive. The Century’s exterior is roofed in black paint with chrome accents, and the inside is as luxurious as you’d anticipate from its European counterparts.
Isuzu Bellett GTR
Isuzu by no means provided the Bellett GT-R within the States, however American automobile fans can get pleasure from this gem within the Gran Turismo online game collection. In line with Curbside Traditional, the GTR was a high-performance model of the Bellett, fitted with quite a few efficiency upgrades, and was solely out there as a coupe.
It’s simply as handsome because the up to date Alfa Romeos or Lancias, however a lot rarer than the Italians, as Isuzu solely constructed round 1,400 Bellet GTRs. Right now, they’re as uncommon as hen’s enamel. It was powered by a 1.6-liter DOHC engine that produced round 120 hp, which was proper up there with Europe’s most interesting coupes.
Subaru 360
Nicknamed the “ladybug” in Japan, the Subaru 360 was Japan’s reply to the VW Beetle—and the automobile that put Subaru on the map. It was tiny, gentle, and powered by a 356cc two-stroke engine that produced simply 16 horsepower, but it surely didn’t want far more. Weighing underneath 1,000 kilos, it was legally categorised as a kei automobile and have become an emblem of postwar Japanese ingenuity.
Regardless of its modest specs, the 360 has earned cult standing amongst microcar collectors because of its bug-eyed attraction and plain historic worth. It was one of many first Japanese vehicles exported to the U.S., bought underneath the tagline “low-cost and ugly does it.” Right now, it’s a uncommon and beloved traditional that collectors are at all times trying to find.
Prince Skyline Sport
Earlier than the Nissan merger, Prince Motor Firm produced probably the most elegant and uncommon Japanese classics of all time: the Skyline Sport. Designed by Giovanni Michelotti—whose work consists of Ferraris and Maseratis—this luxurious coupe was all curves and sophistication, with styling that wouldn’t be misplaced in Milan.
Beneath the bonnet, the Skyline Sport used a 1.9-liter inline-four and got here outfitted with all the luxurious touches of the early ’60s. However what actually makes it “collector gold” is its rarity—just some hundred had been made. It’s probably the most unique items of JDM historical past, and a crown jewel for any severe collector.
Pint-Sized Collectibles
As you’ll have observed, Japanese vehicles had been pretty small by Sixties and Nineteen Seventies American requirements, however because the saying goes, good issues are available in small packages.
Since they’ve turn into so uncommon and sought-after, the value tags not match the dimensions of those vehicles. Nonetheless, it must be doable to search out a few of them for much less cash than a muscle automobile from the identical period.
