Let’s say a rich relative you never heard of died suddenly and left you a big chunk of cash. The only condition is that you use it to buy a Japan-market car in today’s rather favorable exchange rate climate. There are a few rules, however:
- It has to be at least 25 years old per America’s import laws.
- It shouldn’t be a car that was sold in the US unless it is significantly different (ie, engine, drivetrain, body style).
- It should be a lesser known model. Go-tos like Nissan Skyline GT-Rs and Toyota Centurys are cool, but you’d need really good justification.
What car(s) from Japan would you import right now?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What non-Japanese car would you modify in Japanese style?“.
We enjoyed reading all the creative answers this week. Muscle cars were popular choices, but there were plenty of European entries as well, and one each from Australia and South America.
Kaido racer muscle cars were a frequent option, and Dillon‘s 1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass, Street Spirit‘s GM 6-cylinder, and エーイダン – Holden Torana police car all sound positively amazing. Michael Jue‘s 1974 Pontiac GTO in a California street-style Datsun 510 would fit in perfectly with the Nisei cruisers here in Los Angeles. Ryan A.‘s Watanabe-shod Dodge Van would make the perfect family road tripper.
The IKA Torino has some Hakosuka Skyline vibes, and daniel‘s Argentinian selection makes perfect sense. Newer cars are eligible too, and Rob Sayers VIP 2015 Mustang is an inspired choice. And dankan‘s Liberty Walk AMC Gremlin is something we desperately want to see in real life.
We’d also love to see Sebastian Motsch‘s bosozoku Saab 900, or Tom A.‘s shakotan Jaguar XJ-S become a reality. Franxou‘s 80s-style Triumph TR-7 and ra21benj‘s road racer Volkswagen Karmann Ghia are outstanding suggestions as well. Bryan Fox‘s Porsche 944 and Der Gerbil‘s Lotus Esprit are excellent canvases on which to create. Taylor C. actually built his VW Jetta TDI Sportwagen on Advans, and crank_case‘s pick of a 4AG-powered Bugeye Sprite has been conjured into reality as well. Last but not least, a couple of jokesters like Alan and Bryan Fox nominated the A90 Supra.
The winner this week was HondaHoarder, who not only came up with the brilliant idea of a 1971 Dodge Charger kaido racer, but made the effort to draw it as well.
I had this idea a few years ago and decided to chrate it digitally…behold the kaido racer dodge charger!
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/70531214-84de-4b6a-8240-7fb026f3a717/Dodge-Charger-1971
now I’m older and tasteless, I’d like to malaise the heck out of a japanese car. velour seats, chrome, wire wheels, vinyl roof on something like a ST170 corona
Omedetou, your comment has earned you a set of decals from the JNC Shop!
260Z 🙂
I’m going to finish paying off my Fiat later this year so after shipping a Suzuki Wagon R RR should be hitting 25.
While a iron-block DOHC turbo F6A, manual, kei wagon on it’s own sounds like a great option, the Wagon R RR enables the fantastic dad joke of “What’s a seal’s favorite car? A Wagon R RR because they talk about it all day. Ar Ar Ar”
Easy choice for me, but I’ll post my #1 and #2
#1 – Zenki Nissan 200ZR 2 door. This is the old body style Z31 with the wide centered hood scoop. I love Zenki Z31s (my favorite car) and just think the early 200ZR is the best looking Z car ever. Z31 was obviously sold in the US, but only with VG30E or ET. 200ZR has an RB20DET
https://tackjp.up.seesaa.net/image/1000123a30201004w001.jpg
#2 – Nissan S12 RS-X. This is the S12 chassis, also available in the US but it sports the awesome FJ20ET that we didn’t get. 2.0 DOHC I4 turbo and just the coolest looking S-Chassis in my opinion. Maybe it’s something with that style hood-scoop because both cars I picked have them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Silvia#/media/File:Nissan-SilviaS12.jpg
Well firstly I live in Aust-ra-li-a (maybe you’ve heard of it), so I wouldn’t have to comply with America’s import laws, also I would have no idea whatsoever what vehicles were sold in the US or not, nor (with respect) do I really care – so it would have to be a Toyota 2000GT – and I hope to heck that my Uncle was REALLY rich!
[P.S.: This is the Internet – have you forgotten you are not just “broadcasting” to America?]
No offense taken. I’m not familiar enough with the laws of various countries but America’s are among the most restrictive, so making the cars 25 years old would cover any bases. Besides, there aren’t that many newer cars worth importing 🙂
Ooo. listen to Mr. “I-Can-Go-Through-The-Drive-Thru-In-A-Right-Hand-Drive-Without-Spilling-Stuff-On-The-Passenger-Seat”! 🙂
But seriously, good choice.
I’m in a rare Toyota truck mood today.
1. H100 chassis HiMedic, a factory 1UZ HiAce ambulance
2. JSDF Toyota Type 73 1 1/2 ton 4×4 “Medium Truck.” Japan’s ‘Deuce and a Half.
3. LD10 Toyota Blizzard
3. Dyna 200 HMV – essentially a Mega Cruiser chassis underneath a quad-cab pickup U200 Series Dyna. Near-mythical, production numbers likely in the low double digits.
I ken cownt!
A Mazda Familia Astina or its fancier twin, the Eunos 100 😀
I mean, even my nickname is kinda derived from its name.
Those cars (their Euro spec 323F variation to be exact) were pretty common where I live but they didn’t get stuff like the digital gauge cluster and (I think) the Eunos 100 also had velour seats.
Shame that no one really paid attention to this cute little hatchback, like in games it’s only appeared *once*, and just as a traffic car
Hi, I JUST bought a 1994 Mazda Lantis locally last month. It will ultimately be my kids’ car, but I bought it rather impulsively. However, the ingredients were all there: 15k original miles, Miata engine, stick, RHD, hatchback, low asking price. I did some research to make sure that most of the parts can be sourced Stateside (while others, like muffler, will require some overseas shipping). As you said, it was a flop in Japan due to Mazda’s marketing strategy confusing everyone. I heard the 323F is popular in Europe, though.
A lesser known JDM model, since the rwd’s are popular, I’d get the Toyota Corona EXiV (T200). They came in fwd and 4WD and were basically 4-door Celicas sold from 1993-8. Engine is 2.0L 3S-G. I’d pick a 5 speed manual fwd and I’d make the car look like the ones raced in the Japan Touring Car Championship (JTCC) from 1995-8.
My choice would have to be the Honda Orthia. A quick summary, it’s the wagon version of the beloved 6th generation Honda Civic that North America never got due to our lack of faith of the station wagon.
It came in FWD and AWD variants with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto. The majority of engine variants were either D series but you could get the B series in certain trims. This would make for a great “hot” wagon with an engine swap from either the spicier Si or Type R. Or maybe even a K series if you’re really serious!
Or just keep it stock and toodle around with the extra rear capacity for your errands yet still be stylish next to all of the drab crossovers that have crowded our roads.
Great choice! With a Civic nose, Championship White paint, red Recaros, and a hot B16 *chef’s kiss*
You said i was left with a big chunk of cash by a dead relative. My dream car and the only RHD car I’d want is the Subaru Impreza 22B. Now that its legal for importation in the US, that’s the one for me. I’ve long been a fan of Subaru’s World Rally heritage and this is the ultimate ride.
Z20 Toyota Soarer Aerocabin. The Z20 is one of the coolest looking cars to ever come out of Japan and the very limited Aerocabin variant with the electronic folding roof (in ’89!) would just be such a once-in-a-lifetime car to own. There was actually one for sale at an importer in my city several years ago, but there was no way I could afford it. Its still cool to know that somebody is driving it stateside though, hope to see it out in the wild!
For me, it would have to be a C210 Skyline coupe, preferably a GT-EX. Why? Because they’re just so rare! Here in New Zealand we’ve had loads of JDM Skylines from R30 to current. We have a fair few C10’s and a smattering of C110’s around, but I’ve never seen a C210!
The JDM wagons are definitely looking good lately. I wouldn’t mind a 1998 Legacy GT-B. Or a Mitsubishi Legnum VR4. You can see how those cars’ front headlights recessed in juuuust a little, and that makes the car look really good. The Legnum looks especially hot, but too bad parts availability as well as serviceability would be a challenge.
The 1998 Toyota Mark II Qualis 3.0G is nice, essentially a Camry wagon of that generation. It just seems very, effortless, both inside and out. The rear, especially, just gently nudges “serene” with the way the profile tapers down. That car would be bulletproof.
So would a 1999 Accord SiR wagon. I’ve warmed up to the bulbous cargo area that car probably has more hauling capacities than most SUVs! Too it only comes with automatic, and 4-speed too!
Back to Toyota: I think 1999 had a generational update, and the S170 Crown Estate would be a nice vehicle to gobble up the miles in a stress-free surrounding. I like how the rear end looks with the way the tail lights are shaped. I’m a fan of the the heckblende, but it tends to date a car. Therefore that Toyota Crown does away with it, something the previous generations had. Yes, the Qualis has a heckblende, but it’s definitely not emitting old school vibes.
BTW, still interested in a 1998 Hiace Super Custom 2WD with 5-speed manual. Sadly that option is like hen’s teeth.
interesting situation and with certain objectives to meet:
4wd
Turbo
3 doors
My choice is MITSUBISHI PAJERO MINI PEARL SELECT TURBO 2000 with 660cc and 20 valves. small enough for urban use, tough enough for any road, “fast” enough to travel on highways and with good economy.
I know the easy way would have been a Suzuki Jimny but I didn’t want to go for the easy option.
Now I’m not from the US so finding out you guys DID get Isuzus was a pretty big shocker, that being set I’m pretty positive I found something that never set foot on your soils but looks close enough to confuse people at the gas station.
Thanks mysterious family member!
I’m going for a 1973 Galant FTO 1600 GSR.
Going to step out of my comfort zone a bit here with slightly aggressive design, the olive drab green paint most of them had gives off a utilitarian, almost militaristic vibe so I’m thinking matte black hood (and upper portions of the fender just like the rally 240z), chin and ducktail spoiler (as is a StreetSpirit-Works prerequisite) two phat yellow Marchal rally lights with white covers up front, motorcycle carbs, a drop and suspension rework topped off with a set of W I D E Hayashi streets in 14 inch, thick rubber and white letters. I’l be zooming this thing around canyons, back roads and wherever till it builds up the patina of a well worn track tool.
Who knows I might even start a delivery service, StreetSpirit-Tacos anyone?
Most of the Isuzus we got were captive imports, badged Chevrolet or Geo. That’s probably why it’s so under-the-radar although when they did break out on their own they had quite a memorable ad campaign.
Toyota Caldina GT-T or Nissan Stagea Autech 260RS. Whichever would be cheaper. Also, like our Australian compatriate in previous comments, I am not in the U.S and not subject to said rules. Canadian law allows cars 15 years or older to be imported which is why a lot of late 2000s JDM-spec vans and sports cars keep popping up all over the place.