For such a recently-departed maker, there are not many Saabs about the streets of Tokyo. Even later models than this one are rare sightings. Not sure how to explain that, but it’s my personal empirical observation. Looks showroom-fresh, as always. Well, almost always…
It’s not like Japan has anything against Swedish cars, judging by how frequently one sees older (as well as newer) Volvos. These are almost as common as the Mini, here. Unless I happen upon an Amazon or a P1800, I’m probably going to have to exclude this marque from my monthly update.
Much to my chagrin, I may have to also forego documenting the many W123s I’m seeing. They’re usually in superb nick and I really like them, but there are only so many new angles one can photograph these from…
Ditto the more recent American vans – they’re a weird sight in this context, but there are just too many around to keep track. Not sure why these (or their Dodge equivalent) seem so popular here.
Oldies are still goodies, though. At least, Yukon argue that.
I managed to catch a few interesting twofers this month. It’s always a pleasure to find a C3 Corvette – even if it’s a 1980-82 model and quite dusty, but even more so in the company of a Toyota Crown Athlete Estate. Must write one of those wagons up sometime – they’re not rare here yet, but they are getting on in years.
Another Japanese-American duo, but better matched this time: a 1st generation Chrysler 300C (one of the more common American cars seen in these parts) next to a late ‘90s Nissan Gloria Y33. I’m sure we’re all quite familiar with the former; a post on the latter is in the works. Seems somebody around here likes beefy RWD sedans.
Likewise, someone here likes turn-of-the-century FWD two-door exotics. The Mitsubishi Eclipse is LHD, which is unusual for the JDM – but then it was made in the US. Like the Peugeot 406, it was available with either a 4-cyl or a 3-litre V6.
I was a more partial to the 406 Coupé, as it was wearing what I consider to be the perfect colour (bleu de Byzance, or Byzantium blue) for this model. And it was the first one I’ve seen in Japan, which is pretty normal as Peugeot sold only 964 of these in Japan from 1998 to 2003.
While we’re on PSA products, I also found an interesting Citroën BX. This seems to be a 1989-93 “16S” (i.e. 16-valve), which has the same 1.9 litre 160hp engine as the Peugeot 405 Mi16. I read on French websites that quite a number of these relatively rare (and lively) BXs have been making their way to Japan, these past few years. For once, the Interwebs had it right.
One might also wonder how many pre-1968 VW Type 2s have made it over here as second-hand vehicles. They are just as iconic here as anywhere else, but I’m not sure many were sold new.
Anyway, a few 21st Century ameliorations, such as a proximity sensor on the rear end, can help maintain said icon in tip-top over-restored shape for the foreseeable future. Air-cooled, but not air-headed.
Bagging two classic T2s was good enough already, but the rear-engined gods chose this month to place a lovely early Type 3 Notchback along my path as well, just to make it a hat trick. Nice fog lamps on this one, too.
I’m sure all of you know the French-built MCC Smart, designed by Daimler-Benz. But did you know, unlike me, that they tried selling these as kei cars on the JDM from about 2002 to 2004? The track was narrowed a bit and the rear fenders were redesigned to fit the strict size criteria and only the 600cc 3-cyl. was available, but other than that it’s like any Smart two-seater.
Apparently though, it didn’t take. The Smart Fortwo K, as it is sometimes called, flopped in Japan – possibly because it was too expensive, or had no rear seat. Few foreign makers have ever dared entering that end of the JDM. It just didn’t seem like the Smart thing to do. More recent Smarts are seen on occasion, but with white (i.e. non-kei car) license plates.
And now for something completely different: the BRP Can Am Spyder RT, a Canadian three-wheeler. This vehicle was new to me, but they’ve been produced for over a decade now. I was initially intrigued by the Rotax badge on this thing. I only knew those to be aircraft engines, but apparently Rotax belongs to Bombardier Recreational Products, an independent offshoot of the plane-maker that makes Ski-Doo snowmobiles and things like this.
That third wheel doesn’t come cheap, either – a new Can Am Spyder will set you back US$ 15-25k. Love the spiky anti-pigeon saddle guards on this trike. I should get some of those and make them into a coat. Great for social distancing.
Speaking of which, here’s something for folks who really don’t want to disprove the adage that money can’t buy taste. That’s a double negative from me on the sky blue Ghost, then.
However, money can also buy an Aston Martin Vantage Volante V8. It’s no DB4, but it’s one of the better Aston designs of the current century, in my view.
For a less money than these fancy blue-blooded Englanders, you could get a modest Porsche 944, let it rot and turn it into the world’s biggest doorstop. Don’t know why anyone would do that, but there we have it.
Ah, I hear the familiar racket of the air-cooled flat-6. As bastardized as this classic shape got over the years, the soundtrack remained quite musical until pretty late. Made me look. Carrera 2? Snap!
I didn’t have to think too long and hard about photographing this one, either. My second Stroke-8 Benz encounter in Tokyo turned out to be another 6-cyl. saloon, but a pre-facelift model with column gearchange and, oddly enough, a white steering wheel. Pity about the colour.
It’s always nice to see an unfamiliar version of a well-known car. Over where I grew up, these were called Alfa Romeo 75, but this is a botox-bumper 1987-89 North American market Milano with the 2.5 litre V6 (never seen in Europe). Historically, it’s an important car: it’s the final iteration of the compact RWD Alfa Romeo saloon that essentially began in 1950 with the 1900 and the last they launched prior to being taken over by Fiat. Not the most graceful Italian design, though.
By contrast, and to end things on a graceful (and quite loud) note, the sweetest little Lancia ever made: the Fulvia coupé. I caught one in France over the Christmas holidays, so as far as I’m concerned, 2020 is something of a Lancia year, CC-wise.
Everything-else-wise, of course, 2020 is not going to be remembered very fondly – certainly not the first half of the year, anyway. Here’s hoping the second half brings pleasant surprises to counterbalance that.
Stay safe in the meantime, everyone.
I like the BX, but you knew that, they still pop up for sale over here though mostly the diesels which though horrendously expensive new here must have sold quite well, Never seen a 406 in that colour any body style, like it though, nice collection good variety ex Japan Chevy Astro vans and Chevy Blazers have emigrated to NZ, I dont know what the Japanese drivers do to them but Blazers dont seem to last long here.
There’s a nice-looking 16V BX for sale in Oz right now. Slightly cheeky price for a plastic box with 300K+ on it, but still most tempting. They’re not exactly common, after all.
The last two discoveries could be illustrations for some medical advice poster that one stares at in a waiting room, the first for “Feeling unwell” then “Feeling faint”.
We got the 75 as 2.5 and 3 litre V6’s, and whilst there isn’t a doubt that the engine ranks amongst the (production) gods of history, it is pity it came wrapped as it did. The car has bodywork, for it would be draughty and hard to sell without it, but it cannot be said to merit comment beyond that fact. Close examination is known to cause feelings of unwellness.
The Fulvia is worse, but for reasons quite the other way round. It is universally acknowledged by everyone in the world everywhere that it has lines to cause swooning, and faintness of pulse. It is blowsily pretty. A skimpy but classy summer dress.
Your pic, Dr T, especially the profile one, shows why it’s so sweet. A minimal series of lines, swept back, artistically barely even there: probably not a car to roll, or crash at all, come to that. Which would in either case be an offence in the eyes of god Herselves.
Purple prose for a purple car.
I’ve only ever seen a Fulvia in the metal once and I was all a-flutter at it. As always, my wife and kids were less than impressed. I am very partial to an Alfa 75 as my brother-in-law had one when I was in my early 20s. He loved it with a passion and still talks about it a lot, but he gave it up to an enthusiast after he got tired of chasing electrical gremlins or rust. Haven’t told the wife, but I have a hankering for a nice W123, preferably a late 280 or 300TE and keep looking for one in decent shape at a decent price.
Can Am have a tradition of using Rotax engines going back to the Bombadier motorbike, which was used extensively by the British military. I have a vague recollection that you could buy a civilian version with a 4 stroke engine, but I could only find 2 stroke army versions online.
Rotax also supplied the engine for the BMW F650 “Funduro” motorcycle of the mid-90’s, a large single, kind of a medium sized trail bike quite a bit smaller and cheaper than the big GS.
It is occurring to me that it must be much easier to make a foreign car legally compliant in Japan than it is in the US. You find all manner of things there, and recent things, too.
I recall reading years ago that the Astro vans were oddly popular in Japan back when they were still available. Could the big van be the modern alternative for those Japanese folks who just have to have their fix of Americana on wheels?
I’ve read that Japanese cars are subject to a bi annual inspection that gets tougher every year to the point where many cars are replaced as it is cheaper to buy new that keep an older model going.
Does anyone know if foreign cars are subject to the same rules?
You’re referring to the shaken. That would apply to any car operating in Japan to be certified as roadworthy, foreign or domestic, in Japan.
It’s probably the most stringent inspection certification requirement in the world – the other major inspection requirement that’s anywhere close is the UK’s MOT.
More excellent finds, especially the BX and of course the Fulvia. The Citroen Berlingo next to the Mercedes (I think it’s a Berlingo anyway), I didn’t realize they (Citroen) were available over there as new cars, interesting.
The Milano is especially nice, I once carried quite the torch for them. That one is a “Gold” as denoted by the gold colored cloverleaf, thus a middle trim level. (Silver, Gold, Platinum and of course the rarer Verde with the 3.0)
Actually a Nemo, but we’ll let you off.
We are getting PSA vans new badged Toyota here now along with vast amounts of real Hiaces used ex JDM.
Coming to you soon, the “brand new” Mitsubishi Express…
…a rebadged Renault Trafic – Nissan NV300 – Fiat Talento. Not that long ago this van was also sold as Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro. But the Vivaro is now a rebadge of the PSA (and Toyota) van you mention, which speaks for itself.
Opel/Vauxhall out, Mitsubishi in.
What a nice collection! It’s incredible how many old Mercs you have there in such nice conditions. I like the Milano, though one of the less interesting Alfas to me. The v6 2.5 liter was actually available in Europe too (very rare in Italy anyway).
Nice finds and it always warms my heart to see vintage Saab still on the road. I quite like that Buttercup (or is it Lemon?) Yellow on the Mercedes Benz W123, pretty much any color looks good on those. I try to photograph every W123 I see in Oregon. The Citroën BX sure is neat looking with its blocky lines and curves all together in a very 1980s package. Gosh, I cannot imagine driving a Chevy Express, let alone a left hand drive one in Japan.
What a selection. That Lancia has to be a pick for me, though the Alfa could be useful for bigger groups.
Thanks for sharing
The reason why you don’t see many Saabs in Japan is because they were never a strong seller there.
Their sales were once handled by department store Seibu before GM bought an interest in Saab, after which they transitioned to Yanase, which should have given sales a shot in the arm but somehow didn’t.
The lack of a three-box 900 from model year 1994 onwards would also have hampered sales in this predominantly notchback inclined market.
A bit of Can-Am history, Bombardier started in Quebec making snow machines beginning with Snow Cat sized tractors and then Ski Doo snowmobiles. Subsequently they made dirt bikes under the Can Am name, followed by Sea Doo watercraft. Rotax was an Austrian engine maker producing a range of 2 stroke and 4 stroke engines originally for motorcycles and snowmobiles and later for ultralight aircraft. Bombardier was their biggest customer and ultimately bought Rotax. Along the way Bombardier diversified into rail cars and aircraft as well as expanding the powersports business.
Great finds. You may know FCA made a half-hearted effort here in Japan in the late 90s and early 2000s – that may be why we still see a smattering of 300Cs – but they folded up and left around 2008.
Not sure if you’re seeing them in your neighborhood, but I’m seeing quite a few more new Peugeots and Citroens – all very nicely styled.