CC Outtakes: T87’s Singles Collection (May-June 2024) – Part 2: Foreign Cars (British, Swedish & German)

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– Posted on July 3, 2024

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Lots of imports to get through again, as always. But they weren’t all found in the usual tree-lined place, no no! One can encounter genuine in-motion classics, such as this magnificent Morris Minor, out in the wild. If you can call this wilderness…

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Genuine or not, this Cooper S sure looked beautiful. Quite the backup light on that bootlid, eh?

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Not sure what my phone did focus-wise with that Frogeye Sprite. It’s getting old (the phone, not the eternal Austin-Healey)…

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Austin-Healey only ever made a handful of models over a decade and a half. They’re all lovely in their own way, but my favourite has to be the O.G., the fan-grille 100/4.

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Nice one-shot twofer here, with a Japanese market Big Healey and an MG A roadster. Let’s have a look at both in a bit more detail, and in order of arrival.

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This 3000 Mk III is, I believe, a 1964 model – so ten years younger than the 100/4. A lot changed in that time, not least that interior.

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Here’s the MG A, looking like it rolled off the production line in Abingdon sometime last month.

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Love the triple wipers standing at attention on this MG B.

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Grandma TC Midget was also here for the occasion.

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While we’re dabbling in separate-fendered roadsters, might as well see what morgans we have in store.

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Unless I’m very much mistaken, this +4 is a mid-‘50s survivor, with that distinctive twin-spare rear end.

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The lone Triumph of this post will be a US market Spitfire – a late Mark IV, it seems.

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Another illustration of Ford’s woes in trying to penetrate the Japanese market: I think I’ve seen three Kas since moving here five years ago. It should have been a hit here: right size, quirky looks, capable underpinnings, but no sales. The UK loved these back in the day though, even if they were not built there (and therefore don’t really belong in this section…)

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The Lotus contingent was dressed in yellow, for some reason. This is an Elan 1600, which should make it a 1963 model. Oldest Lotus I’ve caught yet.

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And here’s the newest Lotus I’ve ever caught: the 2024 Emeya. All-electric, made in China, four door saloon – just how is this a Lotus, exactly?

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On the plus side, it’s a Series 1 E-Type roadster. But why bother with the go-faster stripes? It’s (again) an E-Type roadster. We know it goes fast. And why add a Jaguar logo on the flank? Everyone knows it’s a Jag. IT’S A BLOODY E-TYPE! Ok, I’ll calm down.

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Glad I caught that Aston, but I do want to see it again (but parked) so I can document it in excruciating detail. Such an outstanding shape.

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Very nice colour combo on this early ‘80s Corniche – the burgundy soft top was an inspired choice.

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Which is more than I can say about this Bentley Continental R. That upholstery really doesn’t go with the body, in my opinion. But in the little world of Bentley convertibles, there is always something even more tasteless just around the corner…

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Oh my, what have we here. Matt maroon over white with gold accents? They call it the Mid-Ass Touch. Quick, a palatial cleanser!

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There we go, a late ‘30s 4¼ litre in medium grey – just pure bliss. No idea who the coachbuilder is. Vanden Plas, maybe?

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Moving on swiftly to the (brief) Swedish chapter, we find ourselves in the august presence of a pristine 900 Turbo.

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I’ve written this one up, but it turns out I was very wrong about one thing: it’s not a final-edition two-stroke, but a 1st edition V4. The owner also told me he got it was shipped over from Australia years ago, explaining why it has a speedo in mph and a steering wheel on the right.

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Just one Volvo for this post, but it’s a doozie: the iconic 1972-73 1800ES.

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Onwards to the German cars – and with the most iconic of them all. I do try not to snap every Beetle I come across, but there are so many about (and in such variety) that it’s hard to stay under a dozen…

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There are older ones, recent ones, Mexican ones, modded ones… you never know what you’re going to get.

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Question for the Käferheads out there: is the back seat in the cabriolet even more cramped than in the saloon?

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Such a ripe car is a rare sight in Tokyo, for sure. An all-original Japanese market model, I believe.

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Here’s the polar opposite – over-restored, accessorized and obsessively cleaned. But hey, it’s a black small window, so it’s still a winner in my book.

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Duuuuude! I hadn’t seen a Buggy in eons. Especially with a roof.

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The only air-cooled VW to give the Beetle a run for its money in terms of popularity here is the Transporter. Especially the earlier ones…

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The only fly in the ointment is colour choice, sometimes. I get that these are happy and cheerful, but do they have to sport such garish hues – and invariably two-tone with white in the middle? If you’re so keen on “personalizing” your VW bus, why do exactly the same thing everybody else is doing?

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The T2s are generally more genuine-looking.

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Quite a few of these were sold here new, but the appetite for them has grown so much that US market examples like this one are now very common as well.

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Time for a few classic front-engined VWs. First generation Golfs (sorry, “Rabbits” for you folks in North America) don’t show up all that often here…

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Well, except the Cabriolet, but then those had a longer production life than the saloons. This one looks like a nice early example too, with those dainty bumpers.

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Sorry, but Jettas still look wrong to me. That rear end just clashes with the rest.

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Now that’s more like it! If the license plate is to be believed, this is a final year 1st gen Scirocco. First one I’ve seen in this country. Too bad it was well out of bounds.

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This 2002 was being driven with the appropriate spirit – pedal to the metal.

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Just once, I’d like to find one of these E24s in 100% stock, base trim.

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This is the M535i, if I’m not mistaken – BMW’s North American customers would have known it as the 535is.

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My question is: why would you get one of these in M trim as well as with the auto box?

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Best Bimmer of the month by a country mile. Great colour, too.

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A rare sight in Tokyo: the wild A8 in its natural habitat.

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The perennial parkway Porsche parade persists. Not that anyone’s complaining.

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I loves me a 912. This would be a later one (circa 1968-69), if I’m not mistaken.

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Full marks, five stars, no notes, ten out of ten, would ogle again.

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Just because you’re in a superb 911 Targa doesn’t mean you cannot fit a child seat for your kid, mate.

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Why is black not a more popular colour for older 911s? Works really well.

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It’s been ages since I’ve seen a 944 Turbo in this condition. It’s a new acquisition, too: the red strikethrough plate is a temporary one.

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The 928 is the most commonly-seen front-engined Porsche coupé in these parts. Typically, the S4 is the one you encounter most.

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Not in this case, though. This is the relatively rare GT, only offered in 1990-91.

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Opel Kadetts are few and far between here. This GSi 16V was the absolute pinnacle of the species, sporting a 155hp engine. And it’s now gathering dust near Asakusa like a common Pontiac Le Mans. Life is unfair.

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Most of us would be content with a one-Maybach garage…

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W126s come in one shape, but two sizes. I prefer the short wheelbase ones like this 500 SE. More than enough car as is.

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Again with the 500 E? Did they build those in Japan also or something? Give me something more exclusive, please.

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There we go. Question is, do we have the 5.6 or the full-fat 6-litre in that thing?

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Let’s inject a bit of SL (sporty lightness) into the tail end of this post.

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The three states of the Pagoda. First state: soft-top up.

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Second state: with the famous hardtop. (Incidentally, I’m not usually keen on white cars, but it really works on these…)

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Third and arguably best state: topless.

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I do hope to catch a 300 SL in the street someday. In the meantime, its little sibling will do very nicely.

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Just a couple extras to finish off. Here is (for Japan) a very, very rare (and dark) find: a Hyundai XG 300. Apparently, something like 3.5-4 thousand XGs were sold in this country between 2001 and 2005. Not sure where they all went: this is the first ICE-powered Hyundai I think I’ve seen here.

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Last but not least, the immortal Thai tuk-tuk. Yours for the paltry sum of ¥1.45m (about US$ 9000), apparently. But it can pay for itself in fares in no time, I’m sure.

 

See you in a couple of days for the final instalment of the series.

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