It’s a wonder how an obscure Japanese subculture from the post-war era has had an influence on the Japanese classic car scene, 50 years later. It’s also transformed what was until recently considered a large, floaty Japanese approximation of a Buick into an object of desire for a generally young group of people. The trend is not widespread in North America, but is spreading, and there are still various options to get in on the ground floor. Extensive research on the internet and Facebook (huh?) shows that the Toyota Crown is one of the more popular cars to modify. In North America, the Crown was known as the Cressida, and we’ve found this 1986 Toyota Cressida with period-looking Hoshino Impul wheels and lowered suspension in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA for $3500.
Posts Tagged ‘japanese’
Bosozoku Starter – 1986 Toyota Cressida
October 10, 2013Proto-WRX – 1988 Mazda 323 GTX
October 6, 2013Often forgotten, the Mazda 323 GTX was the first all wheel drive turbo hatch on US shores. Sure, the Audi Quattro had been here for a few years, but this was based on an economy car that was more attainable for your average person. Equipped with bolstered sports seats, a 132hp turbocharged engine, all wheel drive with a driver-lockable differential, and redesigned platform with reinforced sills, the car was a significant step up from the regular model, and was priced accordingly. This led to weak sales at about half the expected rate, but the car is still prized among enthusiasts who were pining for a rally car for the street. You can find this 1988 Mazda 323 GTX in San Francisco, CA for $2800.
Unmodified – 1985 Toyota MR2
October 3, 2013With recent features of the Pontiac Fiero and Honda CRX, it was only appropriate that a Toyota MR2 be featured here as well. While the CRX seems to have cribbed its design from the Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato, the MR2 and Fiero seem to have used the Fiat X1/9 and Lancia Scorpion/Montecarlo as their reference point. The wedgy, mid-engine layout is very 1980s, but also still good-looking. You can find this 1985 Toyota MR2 with bidding at $1891 and about 3 days left to go in Eccles, WV.


