Japanese Classic Cars

Get alerted of new Japanese finds:

Sport Truck Survivor: 1986 Nissan 720 ST Pickup

The concept of a “sport truck” doesn’t necessarily have any grounding in actual performance enhancements; rather, it’s the idea of a compact pickup that places some emphasis on vanity versus utility. There was a time when compact pickup trucks… more»

Early Overlander: 1980 Toyota Land Cruiser

The Toyota Land Cruiser has long held a steady presence on the overlanding and vintage SUV scene, and for good reason: they are capable off-road and rock-solid dependable, for the most part. The early ones are prone to rust,… more»

One Year Only: 1974 Datsun 260Z

I once thought that if I couldn’t afford a 240Z, I’d never own a 260 or a 280 despite their much cheaper prices. I’ve changed my mind, at least about the 260. Made for one year only in 1974,… more»

BF Auction: 1972 Toyota FJ40

UPDATE – A start-up and walkaround video has been added to the listing! The Toyota FJ40 enjoys a well-earned reputation for ruggedness and reliability. Other off-roaders can take you to your wilderness destination, but some “pretenders” won’t return you… more»

Found in Columbia: 1979 Toyota Land Cruiser

For years, it seemed like the FJ40-series Toyota Land Cruiser was going to be perpetually out of reach. The market got white-hot for these early off-roaders that were proven to be overbuilt and supremely capable off-road. But like other… more»

2002 Alternative? 1974 Datsun 710

Whenever there is a dominant car in a given segment, it’s natural that we try and find a suitable back-up car that offers a similar driving experience for less money. While I realize it’s a stretch to suggest that… more»

JDM Import: 1992 Honda Beat

Some classics are cool because they are achingly beautiful, while others achieve that status via mind-bending performance. This 1992 Honda Beat is cool simply because it isn’t asking to be taken seriously. It laughs in the face of life’s… more»

55k Original Miles: 1979 Subaru DL

Subaru enjoys a well-earned reputation for producing some of the most robust cars on the planet. The Impreza WRX was one of the dominant models in the World Rally Championship, scoring six crowns between 1995 and 2003. Our feature… more»

Small Bumper Survivor: 1971 Datsun 240Z

This 1971 Datsun 240Z isn’t quite a Series 1, but it is an early car with the preferred small bumpers. The seller notes it had been parked in a garage since 1986 before he got his hands on it,… more»

Only 20k Miles: 1993 Mazda Miata

When it comes to the NA-chassis Mazda Miata, this is a car that I’m convinced hasn’t yet fully matured in the marketplace. We all know the model and its merits, but that doesn’t mean we won’t see prices continue… more»

BF Auction: 1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

It is often said that almost any 4×4 can get you to your wilderness destination, but only a Toyota Land Cruiser guarantees you’ll return home. The Land Cruiser FJ40 enjoys a reputation for toughness and reliability, and the badge… more»

Sensible Supercar: No Reserve 1996 Acura NSX-T

The Acura NSX has long been revered as a peak 1990s supercar, but not just for its impressive performance. The fact that a supercar could also offer Honda-like reliability was unheard of, and years later, these cars are withstanding… more»

Rare Roadster: 1965 Honda S600

Honda has a reputation for many things, and while build quality is chief among them, building raucous little sports cars isn’t far behind. And while I understand that high-revving coupes aren’t for everyone, the Honda S600 is a masterpiece… more»

Roadster, Revisited: 1969 Datsun 1600

The phenomenon of the recurring listing for the same car with minor tweaks from advertisement to advertisement is one we see a lot of these days. Perhaps the seller feels more information or less information will entice someone to… more»

SSS Bluebird Project: 1970 Datsun 510

Back in June, I covered this very sharp 1971 Datsun 510 Bluebird and it was a rare SSS performance-themed model. While familiar with the 510, the Bluebird edition was a new one for me. Well, today, we have a… more»

One Family Owned: 1967 Datsun 411 Bluebird

Before the iconic Datsun 510 had a chance to mesmerize American gearheads, Nissan brought us the 410 and on its heels, the 411. Cutely named the Bluebird for the Japanese market – like many in its series both before… more»