Tag: Japanese

  • Mitsubishi Three-Wheeled Truck

    Mitsubishi Three-Wheeled Truck

    Mitsubishi made several variants of the three-wheeled truck in its early days.  The seller claims this is a 1960 model, which would be near the end of the run.  This could be a variant of the Mizushima, but there were other names for these.  Frankly, it’s hard to find one that looks just like this, but…

  • Rear-Wheel Drive Mazda 626

    Rear-Wheel Drive Mazda 626

    The Mazda 626 is best known as a front-wheel drive, mid-sized sedan offering with a couple sporty variants and coupes through the years.  What many forget is that the first generation offered in the US offered rear-wheel drive.  Today’s feature is a first-generation coupe from the last year of production. First-gen 626s are rare these…

  • 95 Honda Accord Wagon Convertible?  Sure!

    95 Honda Accord Wagon Convertible? Sure!

    Apparently, this 1995 Honda Accord Wagon appeared in the original The Fast and the Furious movie before someone chopped it to make a convertible.  It certainly is an oddity.  I’m just not sure what else to say about it. It seems this was once nice enough to be a ‘show car’, but it’s now basically…

  • NUMMI-licious Chevyota Nova Twin Cam

    NUMMI-licious Chevyota Nova Twin Cam

    In the 80s, the Domestics resurrected some names which were thought to be lost in the 70s.   Plymouth briefly brought back the Duster name, as documented in Jalopnik’s excellent coverage of the resultant Cocaine Factory ad.  Chevrolet also brought back the Nova name and put it on a version of the Toyota built at…

  • Maxima Coupe?  Essentially, yes!

    Maxima Coupe? Essentially, yes!

    Okay, so this wasn’t badged as a Maxima due to its age, but we all know the 810 was the predecessor to the Maxima, with some even badged “810 Maxima” as part of the transition.  What does all this mean?  In this case, it’s not only a two-door Maxima, but it includes rear-wheel drive, inline…

  • A Rocky Start to your Car Collection

    A Rocky Start to your Car Collection

    Remember Daihatsu?  They’re the oldest car company in Japan, but only sold vehicles here in the US from about 1987 to 1992.  Since 1988, Toyota has owned a majority stake in Daihatsu and they are very much alive today.  In the US, only two models were offered – the Charade shitbox and this, the Rocky…

  • Quaalude Convertible!

    Quaalude Convertible!

    The seller claims this first-gen Prelude convertible is one of a kind, but I remember seeing one or two of these back in the day.  As such, there must have been at least one “coachbuilder” churning these out.  Regardless, it’s cool to see any first-gen Prelude, these days, and the can opener job on the…

  • WTF Accord

    WTF Accord

    Sometimes, the answer to the question why is not at all obvious. Interestingly, this Japanese car won the Euro Category in at least one Low Rider show.  Was this the closest thing to Euro? Click for Craigslist ad Southern CA, USA $8,000 Yes, it has lambo doors.  The seller claims suicide doors, too, so I…

  • Massive Potential: Datsun 411 Wagon with Needs

    Massive Potential: Datsun 411 Wagon with Needs

    I’ll come right out and say that I love the Datsun 411 Bluebird.  This tiny sedan was designed by Pininfarina and has a lot of very cool design details, including a pretty amazing curved dash.  The wagon body adds to this one.  Just note the left rear corner damage and amateur repair.  If you can…

  • Worst “Special” Editions Ever?  The Tercel Hawks.

    Worst “Special” Editions Ever? The Tercel Hawks.

    For some reason, Toyota decided to make not one, not two, but three special edition Tercel variants in the late 90s.  Given Tercel was the predecessor to the Yaris and occupied the lowest position in the lineup, special editions may seem strange; but these were really what we call ‘buzz’ cars, designed to offer a…