Ireland has been a real hotbed of appreciation for Japanese cars over ten years old. Most obviously, they drive on the left like Japan, making personal imports convenient. Also, with no domestic car industry, there is no reason not to buy Japanese.
The ‘Celtic Tiger’ economic boom 1995-2007 lead to a wave of building activity, putting money in the pockets of young men, ready to import a bubble-era performance car from Japan, or perhaps an AE86, the newer equivalent of the much-loved rwd Ford Escort. Ireland, like Japan, has many narrow rural roads, so Japanese cars, many of which were constrained in width to qualify for tax incentives, fitted perfectly.
Sadly, 2008 saw a ‘perfect storm’ – economic collapse, coupled with steep road tax increases for older cars. Since then, many nice Japanese cars have crossed the Irish sea to the UK, or worse. However, the Emerald Isle remains the home of some pretty special Japanese cars and their devoted owners.
Besides personal imports, wouldn’t Ireland have been an ideal first beachhead for the Japanese companies when they first expanded into Europe, given the left-hand rule of the road and the lack of a domestic industry to protect?
And, right back at you! If I had the luck of the Irish I would own one (or, all) of those gorgeous, green dream machines.
Happy St. Patrick’s day everyone.
Really nice segment, all the cars are excellent and a lovely shade of green…
Happy St. Patty’s day to all…
one of the rarest jnc colours too!
Ireland has been a real hotbed of appreciation for Japanese cars over ten years old. Most obviously, they drive on the left like Japan, making personal imports convenient. Also, with no domestic car industry, there is no reason not to buy Japanese.
The ‘Celtic Tiger’ economic boom 1995-2007 lead to a wave of building activity, putting money in the pockets of young men, ready to import a bubble-era performance car from Japan, or perhaps an AE86, the newer equivalent of the much-loved rwd Ford Escort. Ireland, like Japan, has many narrow rural roads, so Japanese cars, many of which were constrained in width to qualify for tax incentives, fitted perfectly.
Sadly, 2008 saw a ‘perfect storm’ – economic collapse, coupled with steep road tax increases for older cars. Since then, many nice Japanese cars have crossed the Irish sea to the UK, or worse. However, the Emerald Isle remains the home of some pretty special Japanese cars and their devoted owners.
Besides personal imports, wouldn’t Ireland have been an ideal first beachhead for the Japanese companies when they first expanded into Europe, given the left-hand rule of the road and the lack of a domestic industry to protect?