Here we go again for another round of CCs caught in Tokyo. This month was the lockdown, but the government and police here decided they had no legal means to compel folks to stay home, so it was all about following recommendations. Which means I could still walk or cycle about town, usually accompanied by my 5-year-old, whose school was closed.
But we did spend more time indoors than usual, so I did catch a few more CCs from my balcony than previously. This explains the title pic, a gorgeous first-generation Toyota Celica Liftback. But one cannot stay cooped up too long (especially with a small kid). The above Sprinter Trueno AE86, encountered on a rainy day, may bordering on common, but was too tempting to pass up.
This Toyota Crown S130 wagon is a relatively rare Standard model (without hubcaps or rear wipers) of the older, pre-facelift kind – made between 1987 and 1990. Judging by its general demeanor, I’d say it’s still working for a living.
On the other end of the S130 Crown wagon scale, we have this post-facelift Super Deluxe from the mid-‘90s, which is sporting chrome bumpers (that should be painted, really). It’s not the fanciest S130 wagon, but it sure looked very nice and those double rear wipers are awesome.
Another 2nd generation Toyota Soarer! I’m starting to like these. This one is a post-facelift model (1988-90) and looks like a tight fit in front of that house.
I unearthed this rusty S40 Crown a few blocks from where I live, well hidden from view – except from mine, obviously. With quieter streets due to the “lockdown,” I have been emboldened to venture on the edge of trespassing, if the photo is worth the risk. This one definitely was.
The Toyota Corona EXiV was an attempt to shoehorn a swankier hardtop between the standard Corona and the Mark II / Chaser. Based on the Carina / Celica FWD platform, the model was launched in 1989 and made enough business to warrant a second generation from 1993 to 1998, which is what we have here.
Apparently, EXiV stands from “EXtra impressiVe” – another impressive butchering of the English language by a Japanese company. Other than that, it’s not a particularly memorable product. Despite its age, the EXiV is still relatively common on the roads here. Amazing how thin the A- and B-pillars could be a quarter century ago.
Less common: a purple Toyota Origin. Only 1073 of these were made in 2000-01, and the only ones I’ve ever seen were black. Great way to stick out like a sore thumb while driving a rebodied Progrès.
One last Toyota – but not the least: a 1987-89 Land Cruiser 60 Series. These behemoths were never as common here as in other climes, as their 4-litre engines made them pretty expensive to run in Japan.
Keeping it off-road for a moment, I’ve captured the Mitsubishi Jeep wagon and the military version, so here’s the civilian CJ equivalent. Timeless.
There really aren’t many classic Hondas about, for some reason. I have glimpsed at a few S600/800 roadsters, but haven’t managed to catch one yet. This early Accord will have to do for now.
And now to the Skyline portion of our little tour. This early model (1981-83) R30 coupe doesn’t look like it has seen action in a while. I bet a little air in those tyres and a new battery would revive it right up.
The R30 coupe was given a facelift in 1983 and they called it “Iron mask.” This one is the super-duper RS model, (over-) restored to full otaku standard. Well, at least it’s not red.
Not sure what to make of that antenna, but other than that, a delightfully over-the-top car – and quintessentially mid-‘80s.
They didn’t bother changing things much for the R31 (1985-90). The greenhouse looks shorter on these, but the rest looks pretty identical to the predecessor model.
Skipping ahead to 1998, here’s a rather fetching R34 saloon. In my view, these are the last interesting Skylines – after 2002, the nameplate was grafted on to V6-powered Infiniti products, thereby losing their straight-sixes and quite a lot of their JDM-ness.
Speaking of JDM oddities, meet the Nissan Leopard. The story of this nameplate, which went through four generations, is torturous to say the least. Hopefully, I’ll catch more of these rare beasts and be able to string a post together. This is the final generation (1996-99), based on the Y33 Cedric/Gloria platform.
Yet another Nissan Y30 wagon – this time, the Cedric version. It’s hard to make it out, but the third brake light is up there on the tailgate, which makes this a late (1995-99) model.
Finally, a cute little Figaro to close the Nissan chapter. These are not common, but I understand that they have a dedicated following here. This one looks nicely cared for, certainly.
What an odd pair those two were. The Peugeot 306 is a late model (1999-2002), but it wasn’t really the focus of the exercise. The Mazda RX-7 FC (locally known as Savanna) was much more interesting to me: it’s a mid-range model made between 1989 and 1991; its turbocharged 1.3 litre rotary engine provides 205 PS. It might not have the cachet of the early first generation RX-7s, but it still oozes character.
I’m still on the fence as to the Subaru SVX. It’s impressive, for sure, but I cannot associate that shape with Subaru. It’s kind of miscast.
Subaru have always had a lot of success with their Sambar kei pickup and van line. The 6th generation, made throughout the ‘90s, included the Dias Classic, a funny-looking retro bus. Hard to say what they were trying to emulate exactly.
Finally found one! I’ve known about these for a while, but it’s the first time I’ve seen this kit, which is bolted on to a Suzuki or Subaru base. These UAz-452 lookalikes are made by the same folks who do Citroën H van and VW Type 2 kits – which are relatively ubiquitous here. So delightfully weird.
While we’re dabbling in unusual minivans, here’s a late model (1989-92) Daihatsu Delta Wide B20. Love those rims. That light bar looks like it ought to spell out “Mercury.”
But Daihatsu made ‘em weirder still. I’ve caught one of these walkthrough vans before, but based on the Mitsubishi Minica. This one is a Daihatsu Mira. These never cease to amuse me.
Finally, here’s something of an enigma. This car was unfortunately inaccessible for close inspection, but it sure looks like a first-generation Miata that’s had a whopper of a nose job.
Not sure what this is trying to look like, but it’s got its charm. Those tubular bumpers don’t look like they’ll afford that original schnozz much protection in a crash. That’s the price of originality…
See you tomorrow for part two!
Another great selection, thank you. I love those Enkei (I believe) wheels on the Skyline RS. And the purple color on the Origin is even odder than the car itself.
By my count that makes three red Sprinter Truenos, this one, the one in the Toyota museum, and the one we saw on the street outside it. I don’t think I’ve seen another red one since then and only one other in total, a charcoal one (well, a US-market GTS) in my own town.
As much as I love Cressida/Cresta/MarkII, especially in wagon form, I’m definitely developing a fondness for Cedric wagons slathered in wood trim as well, and this one does not disappoint.
Your Trueno count is correct!
I’m also getting pretty partial to those Cedric / Gloria wagons. They’re just perfect imitations of American wagons of the late 70s, but right-sized and better built. High on my list of Nissan products I’d consider buying someday.
A friend’s son recently wrote an opinion piece in which he described the quality of life, by objective measures, as being much higher in Tokyo than San Francisco. Without intending to trivialize a serious political/cultural issue, from the CC perspective it certainly seems true. I love the early Accord, and the UAZ replica (3/4 scale).
As far as the 62 series Land Cruiser, would it likely be a diesel, and thus more economical to run in Japan? Or is that not typically true in Japan?
San Francisco is one of the US cities I’d like to see. My experience of American city life is more East Coast-centred. One thing that makes life much better, compared to the US or Europe, is how there is virtually zero crime here. On the other hand, there are intricate rules to be followed for almost everything. So any anxiety you feel is not from fear of crime, but fear of doing the wrong thing. I’m pretty sure CC hunting is not super kosher, for instance. People are usually cagey about their possessions, especially their cars, which are an extension of their home or office. I’ve only had a couple of adverse reactions to my taking a photo of a car so far, but it does happen in Japan. Never had any bad reactions in Europe or Southeast Asia – quite the opposite, usually.
I’ll have a Subaru Sambar Kei 6th gen van please. That looks too cool to pass up! Love the selection! Thanks for these photos!
Wonderful photo of the Celica Liftback. Thanks.
I really appreciate the simplicity of the anti-theft device on the R30 Skyline!
In Tokyo, you typically see that device used in a public parking lot- The barrier only comes down when the owner pays the space rental.
I was going to ask what that was. Thanks for the information.
Nice lineup That Land Cruiser will have the 4 cylinder diesel in it most JDM Cruisers didnt have a six in either diesel or petrol and the front winch and cover are factory plenty of them came to NZ to rust out their final years, Corona EXIV plenty of those emigrated to die here too seeing pics of them on their home turf just reminds me how few are left in use here two roadworthy inspections every year isnt kind to old Japanese cars with little in the way of parts backup,
A commercial grade Crown wagon wow did it have the 2.4 Hilux diesel? I had a commercial grade Corona wagon diesel in that same roadgrime grey.
Daihatsu wide is a Toyoya liteace Chrystal roof also called a Toyota Tarago in Australia a van of many names,
Its amazing how much these shots resemble traffic here Figaros are a regular sight Leopards the same even Subaru micro vans with weird kits are roaming around, though the 90s stuff is getting rarer and harder to keep on the road and thanks to new safety standards can no longer be imported we got enough exJDM death traps to keep us going for a few years yet.
What fun you have!
Is the MX-5 trying to channel your inner Triumph Spitfire, and maybe the Subaru Sambar is a Morris J Type tribute, a bit, if you squint?
I’ll take the EXiV, thank you. Same guts as the concurrent Celica, essentially Toyota’s “4-door Integra”. Yes, this former ‘95 Celica owner would drive this (forever, because they don’t die)…
Spitfire was my first thought, but more Ferrari Lusso than Triumph I think. Although there’s something about that particular combination of fender shape, extreme forward headlight placement, and overhang that’s nagging at my brain, and I can’t resolve it into a clear image. Some period Alfa maybe?
The one I thought of was the DKW Monza. A bit obscure though…
BMW 507. It may not be what this builder was trying to emulate, but it’s definitely the one that was nagging at my brain.
Some great finds! Fully agree on the R34s being the last of the true Skylines.
I had a Toyota Town Ace van exactly like the Dauhatsu in the late 90s – great van, though I always worried about a frontal crash – just about 7 inches of air and sheet metal between you and the 10 ton Hino Dump Truck…:-)
So many cars I would like to comment on! Not a good day for me healthwise though, so I’ll just go back and look at the pictures again. And again. You make me wish I lived there, T87. But then I look at the open space out my window, and I’m thankful I’m here.
I have seen a picture of that front on the MX5 before somewhere, just a few days ago in fact. Might have been on a Japanese car modelling site I frequent. Either someone was trying to recreate this particular car, or there’s a conversion available. As I recall Google translate wasn’t being cooperative just then.
I say, that first photo is a good ol’ bit of Art, Dr T. Topping, really.
Looks just like the slot car tracks our man Sponge used to have to arrange for me when I was just a knickerbockered tadpole. (Good man, Sponge, bit fond of a drop, though. Died of boredom, I heard. Digressing, sorry).
I could have sworn that the bus you’ve called a Dai-hizu – oh, apologies, ‘Hatsu, well, hat’s orf to you for learning the lingo, I say, but that’s also going a bit orf the beaten, further apologies, I could’ve put good money that I drove about the colony farm in Australia in just one such, but it had a badge named a Toyota Sludge Reservoir.
No! Was badged after a local reservoir there, Toyota Muddy PissPot springs to mind.
No! No, now, what was it….ah, got it! The Toyota Tarago, that’s the one. Certainly it wasn’t badged by anything to do with dire hats, I’m sure.
Anyhow, dreadful little beast by whatever moniker. Kept tipping on it’s bloody nose when one entered it, and thus giving me one, what. Especially after a big lunch. Only fixed by fitting 14 crates of the finest Australia had to drink in the rear – so it kept tipping, ofcourse. Had to strap a passing colonial to the back bumper to counterbalance one’s avoirdupois in the end.
Lord knows why a chap’d want to photograph one, but, as they say, if they’re poor and not asking for money, don’t shoot them.
Sorry, that should’ve read “…as they say, each to his own”
I love the Corona Exivs. They had a hipo model with 4WD. I’ll have one please Despite there being a fair amount of imports in Australia, the Exiv is sadly one I’ve never seen.
Crown and Cedric wagons are also always welcome.
If Craigslist is anything to go by, I think there must be more Nissan Figaros in the U.S. than in Japan.
Not easy to find, but look for photos of the early/air-cooled Honda sedans and coupes…my co-worker in Japan had a 1500 sedan.
I’m looking forward to the eventual trip down Leopard lane.
We got the second generation F31 Leopard here in the US as the Infiniti M30. As an Infiniti, sharing space with the first Q45 it was seriously miscast as an Infinit. However, as an early teen I actually liked how the car looked. I love the aero-rectilinear cars of the 80s, and this one is a perfect example of that. It was just old by the time the 90s came about and it was being sold here.
As I’ve grown older and learned more, i realized that it was a Leopard gussied up for the US Market. But the JDM versions looked slightly better with the different bumpers and trim.
The M30 is on my list of odd-ball cars I may some day own.