If you lived through the 90s, you saw the rise of crossovers as the downfall of humanity. They were called names like soft-roaders, cute-utes, faux-by-fours. It seemed impossible that people would one day think of them as desirable classics, but today is a new landscape. Younger buyers are drawn to cars like the Honda Element and picnic-tabled CR-Vs. Importers are bringing in Nissan Rasheens and Honda HR-Vs to sell in the US. Matchbox even released a 1/64 version of the original Toyota RAV4 this year and it’s one of the coolest castings in the lineup. Perhaps it’ll soon be time for a new car show, Crossovers D’Elegance.
Which Japanese crossover will be the first classic?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “How are your automotive new year’s resolutions coming along?“.
Paul Markie has made actual progress on many fronts with his Z, but unexpected delays and side quests do pop up, as is expected with old car projects. Sometimes the side quest is having to learn a whole new trade, as is the case with Kyuusha Corner. Other times you have to take a step backwards before moving forward, like when something happens to the second car before anything can happen to the first car. Our condolences, Ian G.
Then actual life happens and the car becomes the side quest. Congrats to Franxou and streetspirit for their newborns!
For those who haven’t made headway on their resolutions, this QotW wasn’t meant to make you feel bad. Hopefully a reminder about the resolution will jumpstart Jonathan P., Bryan Kitsune, and Sakamoto. Ganbatte!
This week’s winner is ssvirk, another Z restorer who is tackling the project full force after purchasing the car when a Z was still available for nothing. Hope to see you in 2027!
My resolution was to finally tackle the restoration/resto-mod project of my Datsun 280Z which has been patiently waiting for me since I purchased it for peanuts in university. To summarize, the car needs everything. Rust repair (as all S30s do), wiring, interior, engine, suspension, I mean all of it.
In terms of progress? I’ll let you decide based on what I have done. Currently welding in new floor pans and then I can move on to the frame rails, firewall, and radiator support. Engine is being rebuilt by the maestros over at Rebello Racing, and I have a ECU and wiring harness on my dining table that I’m putting together when I don’t feel like doing rust repair.
It’s coming along, little by little. I’ve given myself a personal deadline to have the Z ready for JCCS 2027 so wish me luck!
Omedetou, your comment has earned you a set of decals from the JNC Shop!
Probably the open-top RAV4.
Without a doubt the Honda Element will be a collectible!
Not very popular at first (expecially plastic-sided ones), it was later much more appreciated, and not they are almost unobtainium, either rusted beyond economic repair or nowhere to be seen in the rust-prone part of the world where I live.
I think people in ten, fifteen, maybe twenty years will see the Element and find a cool boxy crossover that was actually more useable than the competition while looking like a folly, unlike its modern equivalent that is more than ever about looks and less about practicality.
The Element also mark a time when Honda still had the balls to try something cool!
The first two responses covered my answers. My bro had the open top 1st gen Rav-4 and its super cool. I owned a Honda Element for years and loved it. That car had so much utility and personality. Not sure what else is considered a crossover vs SUV. I always thought the Suzuki Samurai and the Jimny are awesome. Is the Pajero Evo a crossover?
My new answer would have to be the Nismo Juke RS w/its 1.6 turbo AWD. I think they’re awesome!