It’s been pretty busy over the past couple of months over on this side of the Pacific. So much so, in fact, that I’ve had to split this regular post into four parts instead of the usual two! So we’ll start with the Toyotas (represented above by this pretty stunning second-gen MR2 T-top), Hondas, Mitsuokas and a few odd and ends, then move to a second JDM post tomorrow with Nissan, Mitsubishi, Isuzu and so on. And then two posts for the imports, which were numerous also.
Going back in time, MR2-wise. Which mid-engined Toyo would you pick, the origami ‘80s or the smoother ‘90s? I’m torn!
Same question with the Celica: are you more of a T160 aficionado…
…or do you have a thing for the classic A60?
Same question, different Toyota: the S130 Crown wagon. The restyled ones (1991-97) have their charms and seem to be a favourite of the younger gear heads here. Just a set of aftermarket rims (and probably a coat of paint) for this one to turn a base model van into a Tokyo hipster sled.
But a bone stock pre-facelift one (1987-91) might also appeal, especially in this high-trim spec.
I know which one I’d go with, personally. Twin rear wipers are just irresistible.
Second generation Soarers (1986-1991) are always plentiful. Two fine sightings this month, starting with this top-of-the-line 3-litre Limited version, the only one available with air suspension.
And the 2-litre Twin Turbo L, i.e. sans “imited,” but pretty close.
Finding a well-preserved Sera is always a good thing, in my view. Never knew they had monogrammed doilies for these, but I should have guessed.
If it were mine though, that parking pole would be gone.
I don’t think I’ll ever run out of CC material so badly that I’ll need to write up a mid-‘90s L50 Tercel (or a Corsa, as these can be known here), but this one at least looked pretty unusual, with its green paint.
Just like finding a G50 Century that isn’t black is always somewhat remarkable.
Black is the both the best and the most common colour for the Origin, though. Nothing else will do.
Suits this 1992-94 Lexus LS Toyota Celsior pretty well, too. Note the fender mirrors on this one – first time I’ve seen them on a Celsior. Makes it look a bit like a Crown taxi.
One of the 100 Classics made in 1996, ladies and genitals. And the third one I’ve captured for CC, no less — a full 3% of the fleet.
This well-appointed mid-‘80s HiAce Super Custom seems more inviting. WTF is “sex wax” though? (Don’t bother Googling it.)
Probably my pick of the Toyota crowd for this edition: a 1978-80 Corona (T130) wagon, in period-perfect brown.
Can’t close the Toyota chapter without some Mark II wagons, can we? This one was just out chilling in the sun, but the one below was having a conversation with a fellow CC.
Yes, the early ‘90s were back in force in this Tokyo parking lot, with an X70 Mark II shooting the breeze with a Honda Beat.
Guess we’re switching to Hondas, then. And the Beat in particular. Several sightings took place, but I tried to control myself and only bother with the ones that were really exceptional. Which this one was, in my opinion.
Another early ‘90s twofer, this time all-Honda with a Beat and an NSX.
Bit of a rarity here with this 3rd-gen (1985-89) Accord coupé – first one we’ve seen on Japanese soil, I think. And there is a reason for that.
This Accord is American-made! Not sure how that played on the Japanese market. It also begs the question: as a captive import, is it a JDM car or not?
Onward to the Mitsuoka side of things, then. Took me a while, but I finally located a showroom.
Inside said showroom was a Rock Star, easily the nicest-looking car in the range. And in two tone blue and white? Where do I sign?
But the majority of Mitsuoka sightings were of the Galue variety. Present-day ones still look like this – alarming, but not totally mad. There were stranger things afoot elsewhere.
For the happy-gone-lucky cadaver, or possibly for clown burials, we have the 2010-12 Galue Classic stretch funeral car. Three of them. Wow.
No idea what “Kawakita”means or what it is doing on that radiator shell. Maybe your online sleuthing will be more effective than mine…
Last but not least: a series 1 Galue (1996-2001) in a novel shade of red with a black roof. Nice aftermarket antique door mirrors, too. And a super-lucky “88-88” license plate…
Whoever owns this galloping Galue isn’t taking their car too seriously, but sure put in the effort to demonstrate that. Refreshing!
Just one Suzuki in this edition, with a remarkably preserved 2nd generation (1984-88) Alto 4WD.
A few oddballs to see us out, starting with this bus that would deserve a Mitsuoka badge, but doesn’t have one. I have no idea what the chassis might be, but Hino is a possibility.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, this is a novel Japanese contraption called Vehicle Fun EV Tuk-Tuk. Three wheels, three seats (almost), 80km autonomy and 40kph top speed. Telsa must be shaking in their boots. No wonder Elon is branching out into rockets, social media and trolling
Finally final, one of the most famous locomotives in the country. It’s in front of Shimbashi station and was put there in 1972 to commemorate the 100 years of Japan’s railway. This is one of the 381 Hitachi C11s made between 1932 and 1947 – impressive, but unfortunately off limits.
See you tomorrow for more JDM weirdness.
Funny that the green on the Tercel caught your eye, as it seemed to be one of the most common colors on them after the mid cycle refresh. Many press photos were in that color, and many of the units stocked by dealers were, too, meaning a pretty good percentage of those surviving are. Including one I still see regularly in my neighborhood, repleat with 20 inch Venza wheels rubbing the fenders and increasing the ride heigh, all manner of eBay custom lighting solutions, limo tint, and fallacious VVT-i stickers.
All Accord coupes were manufactured in Marysville, and then exported to the JDM eith badges shouting their US origin. I have read that they were somewhat sought after when new because of this, which if true strikes me as ironic. While kids of my generation were crying that our favorite Gran Turismo models and versions were restricted to the JDM, some Japanese adults were seeking out the not entirely mythical Accord coupes and Astros we took entirely for granted all around us. Too bad it was such a one-way street, since the Japanese public could buy those, Buick Centuries, Toyota Cavaliers and what not while we never got the turbo, AWD, 4WS, 5 valve, and what have you versions of what Japanese cars we did get.
Even more ironic, the globalization of the car market has made everything pretty boring since then. I guess the locality restricted stuff was mostly interesting because it was restricted. Now that you can buy a silver RAV4 everywhere, the romance is gone.
I also remember reading that these Import Editions Accords were considered somewhat of a status symbol, at least when they were first introduced. I recall that they were only available in white (not sure if that’s accurate or not). Great to see one here!
Here’s a picture of one leaving the Marysville factory:
A Tatra87 singles post is the highlight of any day! I’ve been through the whole lot twice now, and the highlight for me is the effortlessly cute Alto 4WD.
And on the subject of the MR2 – it will always be the gen 1 origami for me.
Ah, another great Tatra87 car spotting post. Pardon me while I get a fresh coffee. Ah…
Lots of goodies, as always. And a Mitsuoka showroom! Just what we needed to see (not). 🙂
For that Mitsuoka hearse, Kawakita is the name they give to that model. It sure sounds better than Galue. It seems to be a Japanese surname, but which Kawakita it’s named after, your guess is as good as mine. It’s based on the Teana chassis.
Those Crown and Mark II wagons are such a classic shape, and in beautiful condition. I really can’t choose a favourite.
And that Accord coupe raises all sorts of questions. To the owner, is it an American car, for the prestige of being foreign? And why this rather than a Prelude? Hmm.
But I think my favourite is either the Sera, or the stock S130 wagon. Here’s my matching sedan. 🙂
The styling of ’80s Toyota sporty cars has aged pretty well. The A60 Celica still has an appealing muscle car vibe, the T160 pulls off its Panhard homage with a crisp high-tech panache, the AW10 MR2 looks like the go-kart it is, and the Soarer was what the Prelude wanted to be when it grew up.
The W20 looks good too. It was criticized at the time for being a little too bland (although the early ones had a very twitchy rear suspension), and it’s maybe Generic Sports Car, but there’s not much to criticize about its proportions.
The Hitachi C11 is the most interesting one for me. I know very little about Japan’s railroad early history. Must look that up some time.
Paul, check out this book. $20 CDN, and an amazing value for what you get. Extremely well done. I’m disappointed the author did not continue with a couple more books on later chapters of Japanese railway history.
“KawaKita” could mean “River North” if directly translated.
That blue Mitsuoka “RockStar” sure looks like a ripoff of a ’63 Corvette, right down to the split bumper and hood louvers.
Ah yes! The monogrammed Sera antimacassars! I’d seen them in photos from brochures but not on a real one.
My choice of Celica is the T160, Gran Turismo has too much influence over me.
It’s my understanding that the imported Accord Coupe was quite sought after and did so well it kept being imported for multiple generations as a result, along with the wagons.
I’d guess Kawakita could be the company that decked the cars out with the necessary kit for hearse usage?
That Alto is glorious.