The 80s was a time of motorcycle reinvention. Manufacturers the world over were trying new concepts, entering classes they weren’t previously in, and even creating whole new segments. Kawasaki entered the cruiser segment with the Vulcan, Yamaha built a new power-cruiser called the VMAX and BMW gave a very odd bike that went on to define its own segment almost 10 years after it first launched. Most of these motorcycles have continued to stay in the market. While some of these stayed relatively the same over the years, some are now unrecognizable. Some, like the Suzuki Katana, are even coming back as all-new motorcycles complete with new engines and modern designs.
There were so many incredible machines that launched over those 10 years that it is almost impossible to list them all without exceeding our word count. So instead, we decided to list down 10 of the most iconic of those motorcycles which, coincidentally, also happen to be 10 of our favorites from the 80s. Now, yes, this is a Japanese-heavy list, but that is because the Japanese bike manufacturers kept pushing out something new almost every year.
n “” data-modal-id=”single-image-modal” data-modal-container-id=”single-image-modal-container” data-img-caption=””Yamaha””>
Yamaha
Perhaps one of the biggest names from the 80s has to be the Yamaha VMAX 1200. A true power-cruiser in every sense of the term, the V-Max (as it was originally spelled) set the industry standard for performance cruising. The reason for this was the potent 1,197cc liquid-cooled V-four engine that produced a whopping 145 horsepower. With that many ponies strapped to a low-slung rocket, you’d expect handling to go out the window. And, you’d be right. The question was, however, would you rather carve mountains or be the fastest down the quarter mile? With 120 horses at the rear wheel and a 10-second quarter mile, the VMAX would take on any other cruiser that looked at it sideways.
9Kawasaki Vulcan
Kawasaki
A front three-quarter shot of a 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 750
First introduced in 1984, the Kawasaki Vulcan was then known for two things. It was the first cruiser to come out of the Japanese manufacturer’s stable, and it was also their first V-twin. Now, when it first launched in the United States, the Vulcan featured a 699cc because of the tariff restrictions on motorcycles above 700cc that were imported from Japan. These restrictions were lifted in 1986 and the Vulcan then received the 749cc engine that duty in the rest of the world. Even today, the average Vulcan owner continues to love their ride with very few willing to trade in. Those who do, however, usually talk about the more modern Vulcan 800 or 1000.
The Virago first appeared in 1988 as a smaller, novice-friendly cruiser from Yamaha’s stables. Essentially, the little sibling to the XV750 and XV1100, the Virago was purpose-built and aimed squarely at competing with cruisers already servicing the US motorcycle market. The Virago’s engine may not have been the most exciting, at least at the top-end considering V-twin’s 38 horsepower output, but it certainly was engaging when riding day-to-day thanks to the meaty midrange. Then you had the short seat height which meant shorter riders and women found it to be an especially friendly bike. All of this, along with its gentle handling characteristics made the Virago one of the best first big bikes for many riders.
7Honda Africa Twin
Honda
Vintage motorcycle standing in white room facing right.
Yes, the Africa Twin was more iconic in the 90s, but there is no denying the fact that it was the 1988 XRV650 that paved the way for the Africa Twin as we know it today. This was based on the Dakar-winning NXR750 and if there is anything you need to know from these races, it’s that the bikes are built to take massive amounts of thrashing. Everything from the sculpted fairing to the engine components were purpose-built with one sole idea in mind: Go anywhere, do anything. Of course, a year later, Honda also gave us the XRV750, the second generation to hold the Africa Twin title. The XRV650, today, is extremely difficult to obtain outside the collector’s market making them that much more valuable.
6Ducati 851
Ducati
Ducati 851 in red, facing right
The Ducati 851 was perhaps one of the most exciting sportbikes of the year when it launched in 1988 thanks in part to the financial injection provided by the then-new owner, Cagiva. This directly resulted in a new 93 horsepower-producing 853cc V-twin liquid-cooled engine. The 851 was pretty to look at exuding the Italian design that it is known for even today. Yes, the 916 that came almost 5 years later is probably more fondly remembered, but the 851 is the one that paved the way for the Ducatis that we know and love today.
5Suzuki DR Big
Suzuki Motorcyles
Side view of the Suzuki DR750 finished in blue
Here, we have the Suzuki DR Big, aptly named due to its gargantuan proportions. The DR Big was the best performer when it came to other ADVs in its class, but a lot of the features that you first saw on this motorcycle, you see even today. Take for example the beak: the DR Big is the first bike to sport one. Then there is the tall seat that comes on every ADV today. And finally, the absolutely massive 30-liter fuel carrying capacity. The DR Big also had one of the largest single-cylinders the world had ever seen – a full 727cc power plant producing 51 horsepower.
This auction bike has a set aftermarket exhausts to further amplify your riding experience
Do you like Top Gun? Yea, us too, so we may be biased, but the Kawasaki GPZ900R had quite a few things going for it. For example, when it launched in 1984, the first ever Ninja became the first production bike to break the 150-mph mark topping out at 151 mph. It debuted the world’s first 16-valve inline-four engine. This was also used as a stressed member in the frame which allowed for lower weight and better maneuverability. Within three months of its first unveiling, three GPZ900R bikes were entered into the Isle of Man TT where they won first and second place. And, Tom Cruise rides it! What more do you need to make it ionic?
Another race-derived machine in the 80s was the Honda VFR750R RC30. Soon after its launch in 1987, the VFR750 RC30 went on to win the first two World Superbike Championship titles back-to-back in 1988 and 1989. Now, when we call the RC30 a ‘production’ bike, we use the term fairly lightly and that’s because only 3,000 units were ever produced. Additionally, a lot of the components on the RC30 were high-performance competition parts. For example, it had titanium connecting rods, intake and exhaust valves, fully adjustable Showa suspension, a single-sided swingarm, and a slipper clutch.
2Suzuki Katana
Suzuki
Side view of the early Katana 1100, demonstrating the unique style it introduced.
If retro is cool today, in the 80s futuristic was the way to go in the motorcycle world. And, no other bike did that better than the Suzuki Katana. Designed by the Target Design team from Germany, the Katana has been an inspiration for many sportbike designs for years to come. According to Suzuki, the Katana was also the fastest mass-production motorcycle thanks to its 1,075cc transverse V4 engine. Today the Katana is back with an all-new engine, but the original sold right up till 2006 and while it is rare in the used market, the 1,000cc race editions are more difficult to find.
1BMW R80 G/S
Mecum Auctions
Perhaps the most iconic motorcycle of the 80s has to be the BMW R80 G/S. This bike single-handedly created an all-new segment today revered as the go-anywhere adventure tourer. But when it launched, the R80 basically failed in the eyes of the media. It was big and burly and didn’t quite fit either on the streets or the off them. But the balance was evident. The R80 gave up a little street performance to do well in the dirt and vice versa. The R80 G/S went on to become one of BMW’s best-selling models and continues to do so despite the numerous revisions to everything from the engine to its design.
The 80s was a time of motorcycle reinvention. Manufacturers the world over were trying new concepts, entering classes they weren’t previously in, and even creating whole new segments. Kawasaki entered the cruiser segment with the Vulcan, Yamaha built a new power-cruiser called the VMAX and BMW gave a very odd bike that went on to define its own segment almost 10 years after it first launched. Most of these motorcycles have continued to stay in the market. While some of these stayed relatively the same over the years, some are now unrecognizable. Some, like the Suzuki Katana, are even coming back as all-new motorcycles complete with new engines and modern designs.
There were so many incredible machines that launched over those 10 years that it is almost impossible to list them all without exceeding our word count. So instead, we decided to list down 10 of the most iconic of those motorcycles which, coincidentally, also happen to be 10 of our favorites from the 80s. Now, yes, this is a Japanese-heavy list, but that is because the Japanese bike manufacturers kept pushing out something new almost every year.
n “” data-modal-id=”single-image-modal” data-modal-container-id=”single-image-modal-container” data-img-caption=””Yamaha””>
Yamaha
Perhaps one of the biggest names from the 80s has to be the Yamaha VMAX 1200. A true power-cruiser in every sense of the term, the V-Max (as it was originally spelled) set the industry standard for performance cruising. The reason for this was the potent 1,197cc liquid-cooled V-four engine that produced a whopping 145 horsepower. With that many ponies strapped to a low-slung rocket, you’d expect handling to go out the window. And, you’d be right. The question was, however, would you rather carve mountains or be the fastest down the quarter mile? With 120 horses at the rear wheel and a 10-second quarter mile, the VMAX would take on any other cruiser that looked at it sideways.
9Kawasaki Vulcan
Kawasaki
A front three-quarter shot of a 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 750
First introduced in 1984, the Kawasaki Vulcan was then known for two things. It was the first cruiser to come out of the Japanese manufacturer’s stable, and it was also their first V-twin. Now, when it first launched in the United States, the Vulcan featured a 699cc because of the tariff restrictions on motorcycles above 700cc that were imported from Japan. These restrictions were lifted in 1986 and the Vulcan then received the 749cc engine that duty in the rest of the world. Even today, the average Vulcan owner continues to love their ride with very few willing to trade in. Those who do, however, usually talk about the more modern Vulcan 800 or 1000.
The Virago first appeared in 1988 as a smaller, novice-friendly cruiser from Yamaha’s stables. Essentially, the little sibling to the XV750 and XV1100, the Virago was purpose-built and aimed squarely at competing with cruisers already servicing the US motorcycle market. The Virago’s engine may not have been the most exciting, at least at the top-end considering V-twin’s 38 horsepower output, but it certainly was engaging when riding day-to-day thanks to the meaty midrange. Then you had the short seat height which meant shorter riders and women found it to be an especially friendly bike. All of this, along with its gentle handling characteristics made the Virago one of the best first big bikes for many riders.
7Honda Africa Twin
Honda
Vintage motorcycle standing in white room facing right.
Yes, the Africa Twin was more iconic in the 90s, but there is no denying the fact that it was the 1988 XRV650 that paved the way for the Africa Twin as we know it today. This was based on the Dakar-winning NXR750 and if there is anything you need to know from these races, it’s that the bikes are built to take massive amounts of thrashing. Everything from the sculpted fairing to the engine components were purpose-built with one sole idea in mind: Go anywhere, do anything. Of course, a year later, Honda also gave us the XRV750, the second generation to hold the Africa Twin title. The XRV650, today, is extremely difficult to obtain outside the collector’s market making them that much more valuable.
6Ducati 851
Ducati
Ducati 851 in red, facing right
The Ducati 851 was perhaps one of the most exciting sportbikes of the year when it launched in 1988 thanks in part to the financial injection provided by the then-new owner, Cagiva. This directly resulted in a new 93 horsepower-producing 853cc V-twin liquid-cooled engine. The 851 was pretty to look at exuding the Italian design that it is known for even today. Yes, the 916 that came almost 5 years later is probably more fondly remembered, but the 851 is the one that paved the way for the Ducatis that we know and love today.
5Suzuki DR Big
Suzuki Motorcyles
Side view of the Suzuki DR750 finished in blue
Here, we have the Suzuki DR Big, aptly named due to its gargantuan proportions. The DR Big was the best performer when it came to other ADVs in its class, but a lot of the features that you first saw on this motorcycle, you see even today. Take for example the beak: the DR Big is the first bike to sport one. Then there is the tall seat that comes on every ADV today. And finally, the absolutely massive 30-liter fuel carrying capacity. The DR Big also had one of the largest single-cylinders the world had ever seen – a full 727cc power plant producing 51 horsepower.
This auction bike has a set aftermarket exhausts to further amplify your riding experience
Do you like Top Gun? Yea, us too, so we may be biased, but the Kawasaki GPZ900R had quite a few things going for it. For example, when it launched in 1984, the first ever Ninja became the first production bike to break the 150-mph mark topping out at 151 mph. It debuted the world’s first 16-valve inline-four engine. This was also used as a stressed member in the frame which allowed for lower weight and better maneuverability. Within three months of its first unveiling, three GPZ900R bikes were entered into the Isle of Man TT where they won first and second place. And, Tom Cruise rides it! What more do you need to make it ionic?
Another race-derived machine in the 80s was the Honda VFR750R RC30. Soon after its launch in 1987, the VFR750 RC30 went on to win the first two World Superbike Championship titles back-to-back in 1988 and 1989. Now, when we call the RC30 a ‘production’ bike, we use the term fairly lightly and that’s because only 3,000 units were ever produced. Additionally, a lot of the components on the RC30 were high-performance competition parts. For example, it had titanium connecting rods, intake and exhaust valves, fully adjustable Showa suspension, a single-sided swingarm, and a slipper clutch.
2Suzuki Katana
Suzuki
Side view of the early Katana 1100, demonstrating the unique style it introduced.
If retro is cool today, in the 80s futuristic was the way to go in the motorcycle world. And, no other bike did that better than the Suzuki Katana. Designed by the Target Design team from Germany, the Katana has been an inspiration for many sportbike designs for years to come. According to Suzuki, the Katana was also the fastest mass-production motorcycle thanks to its 1,075cc transverse V4 engine. Today the Katana is back with an all-new engine, but the original sold right up till 2006 and while it is rare in the used market, the 1,000cc race editions are more difficult to find.
1BMW R80 G/S
Mecum Auctions
Perhaps the most iconic motorcycle of the 80s has to be the BMW R80 G/S. This bike single-handedly created an all-new segment today revered as the go-anywhere adventure tourer. But when it launched, the R80 basically failed in the eyes of the media. It was big and burly and didn’t quite fit either on the streets or the off them. But the balance was evident. The R80 gave up a little street performance to do well in the dirt and vice versa. The R80 G/S went on to become one of BMW’s best-selling models and continues to do so despite the numerous revisions to everything from the engine to its design.
Let’s take a trip back to 1982 and explore the fascinating world of the Chevrolet Citation. Now, you might be wondering why we’re talking about a Chevy Citation, which was not exactly a beloved car. However, this particular model, the X-11, stands out from the rest.
The X-11 was the performance version of the Citation family, which primarily consisted of three-door and five-door hatchbacks. In its debut year of 1980, there was even a two-door coupe, but it didn’t last long due to lack of interest. However, the hatchback versions were incredibly popular, with over 800,000 units sold in the first year alone.
Despite its initial success, the Chevy Citation was not known for its long-term reliability, which explains why they are so rare to find today. Nevertheless, the X-11 model, with its sporty features and performance enhancements, has managed to maintain its appeal over the years.
In the 1990s, there were some interesting automotive brands that are now defunct. One such brand was Eagle, which was introduced by Chrysler in 1988 as an enthusiast brand aimed at a younger customer base. The lineup mainly consisted of rebranded models from Mitsubishi, Plymouth, and Chrysler, but the brand had its own identity and charm. However, stock examples of Eagle cars are now hard to find.
Recently, the WD Detailing team discovered an original Eagle Talon TSi that had been abandoned for 12 years. The Talon TSi had a turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive. As seen in the video, the car is missing some parts, with the main issue being the lack of an engine under the hood. Finding the original turbocharged four-cylinder engine for the Talon is becoming increasingly difficult.
The specific engine in question is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with around 195 horsepower in the all-wheel drive configuration. The front-wheel drive Talon had a slightly lower rating of 190 horsepower due to its more restrictive exhaust system. Models equipped with a four-speed manual transmission had 180 horsepower due to a different turbo setup.
The Talon was essentially a rebadged and slightly redesigned version of the Mitsubishi Eclipse, which was also sold under the Plymouth brand. While they were mechanically identical, the three coupes had their own design elements such as different bumpers, taillights, and wheels. All three cars were manufactured by DSM (a joint venture between Chrysler and Mitsubishi) at their plant in Normal, Illinois.
In its current condition, this black Eagle Talon TSi has potential, despite being far from its factory condition. Not only is it a rare turbocharged all-wheel drive model, but it also doesn’t have significant rust spots on its body. If you owned this vehicle, would you choose to restore it to its original condition or install a more powerful and modern engine? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
If you’re not deeply involved in the world of motorcycles, you might not be familiar with CZ, a motorcycle manufacturer founded in Czechoslovakia in 1919. Originally a branch of Škoda Works, CZ transitioned from producing weapons to motorized bicycles in 1932. The company started making CZ-branded motorcycles in 1935 and continued to do so until the 1990s, with a brief interruption during World War II when they made machine parts for the Germans.
Now that we know a little bit about CZ’s history, let’s dive into this fascinating restoration video by the Crazy Restoration team.
The video features the restoration of a mid-60s CZ Model 453. This particular motorcycle had seen better days, with its engine locked up, extensive rust and dirt, bent wheels, and a large dent with a gash in the fuel tank. At first glance, it might seem like a lost cause.
However, the Crazy Restoration team doesn’t give up easily. Over the course of around six months, they put in countless hours of hard work, sanding, fabricating, painting, and laboring to bring this motorcycle back to life. They salvaged and reused as many parts as possible and sourced new old stock (NOS) and aftermarket parts where needed. The result of their efforts is truly impressive.
If you’re curious to see the transformation, I highly recommend watching the video. It’s a testament to the team’s dedication and a joy to witness another classic bike saved from the scrapyard.
Update: As we had been writing this text, Mercedes-Benz dropped one other teaser confirming a brand new C 111 idea is coming. A brief video reveals a digital grille that illuminates with the phrases one eleven spreading between spherical headlights.
Something is brewing at Mercedes-Benz, and it is associated to the household of C 111 idea vehicles from the automaker’s previous. Shared right this moment on Mercedes’ social media channels, we’re handled to a pair of photographs displaying some digital lights with spherical shapes and a curious shade of orange. And that is not all.
First, we direct your consideration to the Mercedes-Benz Instagram account. One photograph reveals a spherical digital headlight in an oval grille, with the opposite displaying a spherical taillight. Of explicit curiosity for the entrance photograph is what’s behind the grille. We’re used to seeing various levels of silver or grey from Mercedes however that is clearly an orange header with a hood line seen simply behind. The coloration is a clue, because it appears to be like very near the shade used on the early C 111 prototypes. As for the spherical lights in an oval body, there is a robust resemblance to the C 111/II, the second and arguably most well-known of the collection that debuted in 1970.
Without extra context, a C 111 reference to these teaser photographs can be tough to justify. However, Mercedes-Benz lately shared a number of photographs of the basic C 111/II on its social channels main as much as this teaser publish, and a few of these have very comparable angles to the teaser headlights and taillights. This cannot be a coincidence.
And then we now have the coup de grace for this teaser marketing campaign, coming not from the automaker immediately however slightly, from Mercedes-Benz Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener. He additionally shared photographs of the outdated C 111 on social, then dropped a teaser of his personal whereas flat-out saying “The timeless C 111 is ready to inspire a new era of iconic luxury.”
Wagener’s publish provides a 3rd teaser picture to the combination, and it is one which leaves us with some questions. We see what seems to be H 243 lit up in a taillight housing. H243 is the generational code for the Mercedes-Benz EQA. Could this imply a brand new C 111 idea is coming that comes with points of the EQA into its design? Or does this designation imply one thing else?
For these nonetheless sussing out precisely what the C 111 is, Mercedes-Benz launched a cool orange sports activities automotive idea known as the C 111 in 1969. It was powered by a rotary engine, and in 1970 a follow-up known as the C 111/II debuted. It’s the idea most frequently seen in photographs, however the C 111 story does not finish there. A dozen C 111/II take a look at vehicles had been constructed, ending with a turbo diesel changing the Wankel engine. Things obtained loopy after that with the C 111/III getting a radical aerodynamic physique and a extra highly effective diesel engine for excessive speeds. The closing idea was the C 111/IV in 1979, packing a twin-turbo V8 and a 250-mph high velocity.
Are we on the cusp of seeing the C 111/V with an electrical powertrain? Based on these teasers, it is secure to say one thing is coming and we could have all the knowledge as quickly as Mercedes sees match to share it with the world. Stay tuned.
Watching Matt Walksler get his hands on a new-to-him piece of ultra-rare American motorcycle history is almost as exciting as new bike day. Walksler is known for his vast realm of knowledge in his area of expertise, making his unboxing videos even more enjoyable to watch. In this video, he explores a 1942-ish Harley-Davidson TT racer which the Museum received about six months ago. Walksler believes it is an ultra-rare 80 cubic inch version of the typical 45 cubic inch race bikes at the time.
The excitement begins as Walksler takes a quick walk around the bike in its complete form, noting the racing features such as a set of Flanders racing bars, a TT racing seat, and a short oil tank for racing which ultimately allows for better ground clearance and better cornering on a TT bike. The engine cases, although dirty and grimy, give no indication of the fascinating details on the inside that Walksler is about to share.
Assisted by a colleague, Walksler delves deeper into the bike, showing off the polished connecting rods, ported cylinders, and shortened three-ring pistons. He points out that everything inside the engine case has been lightened in the interest of going faster, from lightened flywheels to gears with holes drilled out to add lightness. However, Walksler also acknowledges that everything done to improve the bike’s speed is what people typically did in the early days of racing. They didn’t have the knowledge that we have now, making it all the more fascinating today.
Wheels Through Time plans to restore and fire up the bike in their next video. Stay tuned.
The ’80s were not one of the best times in the car industry for muscle cars, but it sure left things open for sports cars. Small cars with big engines that could push out more horsepower than any of the big displacement engines could have ever dreamed of, which is where the idea of a supercar comes in. The label of a supercar is as debated then as it is now, with some saying that the Ford GT1 was the first, others claiming that the original supercar was the Ferrari Miura, while others say you need to go back even further to the 1954 Mercedes-Benz.
No matter how you feel about the subject, the one thing that most experts can agree upon today is that a supercar is a high-performance car (usually a sports car) that can pump out over 400 horses and reach speeds of over 200 MPH. Of course, that is by today’s standards which the vehicles in the ’80s could not meet, at least not the top speeds anyway.
NOTE: Since this list could be organized in many different ways, please note that it was designed to go from the supercars that produce the lowest horsepower to the ones that top out at the highest power numbers for the decade. It considers the amount of torque each can pound out, but it has no deciding factor on the list’s placement.
Even though the base-level Ferrari Testarossa back in the 80s does not fall under the definition of a supercar today, back in the day, it was one of the premier supercars on the planet. If you were riding around in a Ferrari (or a Lamborghini), you were on top of the world. The mid-mounted 380 horsepower 4.9L flat-12 engine pushed the torque to the rear drive tires through a five-speed manual gearbox, pushing the car from 0 to 60 in a mere five seconds.
Ferrari Testerossa Pros
Easy handling due to sensitive controls
Full of luxury for the decade
Aerodynamic without spoilers
Ferrari Testerossa Cons
Noisy when driving over 95
Upholstery comes apart at the seams
Issues starting when the engine is warmed up
91985 Lamborghini Countach: 455 Horsepower
Mecum
Front and side view of a 1985 Lamborghini Countach
The 1985 to 1988 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV was the most powerful version throughout the ’80s, only giving way to the Lamborghini Diablo in 1990. For the end of the decade, the company stuck with the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-12 engine behind the cockpit in the middle of the car. The 455 horsepower could accelerate the car from 0 to 60 in 5.1 seconds, rocketing it down the quarter-mile track in right around 14 seconds.
Lamborghini Countach Pros
Superb handling
Craftsmanship is top-of-the-line inside and out
Carburetors have been replaced with fuel injectors
Lamborghini Countach Cons
Very warm in the cockpit when driving
No power assist anything
The pedals are too far to the right
81987 Porsche 959: 450 Horsepower
Mecum
Front and side view of a 1987 Porsche 959
Pure excitement is what you get when climbing behind the wheel of a 1987 Porsche 959. It only takes 3.6 seconds to reach 60 mph from a dead stop on its way to the top speed of 199 mph due to the 450 horsepower twin-turbocharged 2.8L flat-six Boxer engine. Mated to the engine is a six-speed manual transmission that sends the 368 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. Under the car, you will find all kinds of innovative technology for the time period, such as active suspension and an all-wheel drive system that can send the power and torque to the drive tires that need it.
Porsche 959 Pros
Adjustable ride height adjustments
Automatic transfer of power to drive tires needing it the most
The 1987 Ruf CTR may look like a basic Porsche Carrera on the outside, but you would be wrong. The Ruf CTR is a version of the car that has been stripped, updated, improved, and put back together. The supercar has been bored out to a 3.4L that can push out 463 horses that is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The 408 foot-pounds of torque is sent to the rear tires through the drivetrain, pushing the car from 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds, with a registered top speed of up to 213 mph.
Ruf CTR Pros
Steel body panels were all replaced with aluminum to reduce the weight
Intake ducts were added to rear flares to help cool the engine
Ruf CTR has a full roll cage inside for added safety
Ruf CTR Cons
The manual gears are hard to shift unless you are paying full attention to the task
Can skid sideways when under power very easily
Steering jerks sideways
61987 Ferrari F40: 471 Horsepower
Ferrari
Front and side view of a 1987 Ferrari F40
When you take a car engineered for a rally race, converted over for road racing, and produced for the street, you get a beast of a supercar. In this case, that specific car is the 1987 Ferrari F40 with a 471 horsepower twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V-8 that shoots the car from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. The 426 pound-feet of torque is sent to the rear-wheel drive tires through the five-speed manual transmission, helping the car achieve its top speed of 201 mph.
Ferrari F40 Pros
Simple and to the point: build to perform, not to impress
The actual power output of the engine may well be over 500 bhp
Three-pipe exhaust system (one specifically to remove gases from the twin turbos)
Ferrari F40 Cons
Extremely low ground clearance caused issues on uneven roads
The Interior had no creature comforts, including no radio, door panels, or door handles
Distorted and blocked view in all directions
51986 Ford RS200 Revolution: 600 Horsepower
Another car initially designed to compete in the Group B rally races that quickly became known as a supercar was the 1986 Ford RS200 Revolution. It was powered by a 600 horsepower 2.1L turbocharged Cosworth BDT-E inline four-cylinder stashed in the middle of the Ford. The 400 pound-feet of torque is pushed out to the all-wheel drive tires through a five-speed manual transmission mounted in the front of the car, helping push the car from 0 to 60 in just over 3 seconds (a world record that stood for over 10 years.)
Ford RS200 Revolution Pros
Front drive tires always engage first, producing better traction
Double wishbone suspension helps with handling on all types of road surfaces
Exceptional ride quality on and off the beaten path
The 1989 Vector W8 may not have been designed and produced by one of the more familiar car companies. However, it still tops the list of one of the most powerful supercars of the 80s. It was a mid-engined design offered a 625 horsepower twin-turbocharged 6L eight-cylinder that could help the car from 0 to 60 in 3.8 seconds. The three-speed automatic transmission moved the 649 pound-feet of torque to the rear-wheel drive tires to help it reach its claimed top speed of 242 mph.
Vector W8 Pros
High-quality interior construction made from aircraft-grade materials
GM engine and transmission, so easy to find parts for
GM parts make it easy to work on and modify even further
Vector W8 Cons
No anti-lock brakes were ever included in the design
Power steering was not thought to be a necessity, so it was cut out to reduce the weight
Three-speed transmission limits high revs
31980 Aston Martin Bulldog; 700 Horsepower
edvvc via Wikimedia Commons
Front and side view of a 1980 Aston Martin Bulldog
One of the most futuristic-looking cars on this list is the 1980 Aston Martin Bulldog, but in the ’80s, it did not look all that out of place. Under the hood was a 700 horsepower 5.3-liter twin-turbocharged eight-cylinder engine that could push out up to 499 pound-feet of torque. The Bulldog makes use of a five-speed manual transmission to get from 0 to 60 in 5.1 seconds, and as of 2023, it finally reached its mark of reaching its top speed of 200 mph.
Aston Martin Bulldog Pros
The wheels have integrated cooling fans to keep the brakes from overheating
Lights were hidden in the hood to help improve aerodynamics
The gullwing doors come up to allow ease of entrance and exit
Aston Martin Bulldog Cons
The fuel injection system has been removed and replaced with dual Weber carbs
Front and side view of a 1988 Callaway Corvette Sledgehammer
A supercar with all of the creature comforts still in the cockpit was hard to find in the ’80s, which may be one of the biggest draws towards the 1988 Callaway Corvette Sledgehammer. For others, it may be the 880 horsepower 5.7L eight-cylinder engine with twin turbochargers. From 0 to 60, the car can accelerate in 3.9 seconds, and overall, the Sledgehammer can top out at an incredible 254.76 mph. It uses a six-speed manual transmission and has been lowered by an inch compared to the average 1988 Corvette to offer better handling and performance.
Callaway Corvette Sledgehammer Pros
Block is up to NASCAR specifications with forged pistons and connecting rods
Heads are aluminum made by Brodix
Stainless steel exhaust with four mufflers for perfect combustion
Callaway Corvette Sledgehammer Cons
The electrical systems are known for shorting out on the 1988 Corvettes
The original brake master cylinder can malfunction and cause the brakes to stop working
If you think the 1988 Koenig Competition looks a bit like a Ferrari, you would be right on the nose because it is based on the Ferrari Testarossa. The Competition offers a mid-engine 1,000 horsepower twin-turbocharged V-12 that can push out up to 737 pound-feet of torque. If that is not enough to raise the hair on the back of your neck, imagine going 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds on your way to its top speed of 229 mph. The five-speed manual transmission is smooth and easy to shift, making this car the rightful top dog of the 1980s supercars.
Koenig Competition Pros
The racing suspension was added for better handling and performance
Racing brakes were added for better stopping power
The chassis is stiffened to account for the added power and torque
Koenig Competition Cons
1000 bhp car was a special order, the base level was only 800 bhp
Takes both hands on the wheel when launching to keep control
We don’t get many Shercos to test, so we were delighted when a big crate showed up on our doorstep with a 2023 125SE enclosed. Sherco is one of those sneaky companies that quietly stays just ahead of the curve. The 125SE has been around for years with a mix of old-school tradition and cutting edge technology. Electric start? Got it. Electronic powervalve? Got it. Multiple maps available on the fly? Got it. The 125SE still has a carburetor, and that’s fine with us.
Pete Murray, our resident 125 lover, on the Sherco 125SE.
This isn’t our first experience with this bike, but it is the first time we have had a chance to ride one on U.S. soil. When the bike was first introduced in late 2017, Sherco invited us to test it in Italy. We loved it, but in the wildly unfamiliar environment over there, we had no idea how it would stack up to other 125s off-road bikes. Actually, “other” 125 off-road bikes were rare. Beta and TM had them, but the KTM 125XC and Yamaha YZ125X were still years away.
The Sherco 125SE Factory sells for $9999.
To back up a little, Sherco started off as a Spanish maker of trials bikes, then built a fancy new factory in Nice, France to expand into the off-road world. They had immediate success in extreme enduro and most Americans perked up when Cody Webb signed up with the Sherco FactoryONE team. The 125SE is very similar to the 300 two-stroke that Cody Webb rides in extreme enduros. It has a steel frame, KYB suspension and Brembo brakes. The motor has had an electronic powervalve from the start. There’s no kickstarter and no place to put one. The battery is mounted so low in the chassis it’s hard to find. Check under the air filter. The carb is a 36mm Keihin PWK.
The bike arrived a little rich, but we dropped the needle one position and it came alive. The bike is super easy to ride. It has decent low end (for a 125) and over-rev that’s not bad. We had a brand new Yamaha YZ125X for comparison, and the Sherco held its own. It had more low-end, a smoother transition and similar peak power. One area where the Yamaha has an advantage is weight. The Sherco weighs 226 on our scale without fuel, which is about 20 pounds more than the Yamaha. Why such a difference? Most of it is in the electric starter, of course. But the Sherco is a very substantial feeling bike. It has a hydraulic clutch and many frame components that seem like they were taken straight from the 300. As we have pointed out many times, though, engine characteristics have as much to do with handling as the chassis. The Sherco has such a mellow, benign power delivery that you feel like you can toss it around like a BMX bike. We will be testing the bike for some time, and a feature will appear in the September, 2023 print edition of Dirt Bike.
FUN WITH GIFs
Want to see how the 2024 Kawasaki KX450 compares to the ’23 model? Here’s a fun tool. The two bikes obviously are similar in overall dimension. There are big changes in the motor’s top end, muffler, frame and bodywork.
VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS
The 2023 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Royal Enfield takes place July 21-23 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The event will include many exciting opportunities for classic-bike fans, including North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet, a classic bike show, vendor displays and much more.
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Steve Wise will serve as the Grand Marshal of the three-day event and will be on site to sign autographs, speak to enthusiasts at the AMA Soundstage, participate in a Lap For History on each day and more.
There will also be plenty of vintage motorcycle racing — from hare scrambles, to motocross, to road racing, to flat track and more — for racers and spectators to enjoy. Racers can register to participate in all the vintage racing fun at VintageMotorcycleDays.com/page/racing/.
If I were to write about the history of cars, a single chapter wouldn’t be enough to talk about the Japanese car industry’s impact in shaping that history. I’d need a few chapters to properly encapsulate what Japan’s car history means to the larger history of the automotive world. From humble beginnings to global domination, Japan’s car scene has given so much to the auto world.
That includes some of the most iconic car models to ever hit the road. These ten models are classics in the basic sense of the term “classic.” More importantly, these ten models are classics because they’ve earned the right to be called one, whether it’s through sheer popularity or long-lasting impact in the business.
Updated June 10, 2023: Beyond the big four automakers of Japan, Mitsubishi has also produced some noteworthy models that deserve to be on this beefed up list of 15, and we have added three models along with the Honda S600 and the Subaru Leone.
The Toyota Corolla GT AE86 deserves a chapter of its own. The Corolla GT AE86’s list of accomplishments runs long and deep. That’s owed to the car’s nimble handling, responsive steering, and a 1.6-liter twin-cam engine. All of that came together to make the AE86 one of the best driving cars in the market and a go-to car for racers and drifters alike. Speaking of drifters, no less than Keiichi Tsuchiya, better known as the Drift King, drove the AE86 to reach his status as one of the greatest drifters of all time.
Toyota Corolla GT AE86 specifications
Engine:
1.6-liter twin-cam engine
Horsepower:
112 horsepower
Torque:
100 pound-feet
0 to 60 MPH:
8.6 seconds
Top Speed:
118 mph
As accomplished as the AE86 is, you can argue that the model’s greatest claim to fame is its starring role in Initial D, one of the most popular Manga comic series of its era. To this day, the Toyota GT AE86 remains a hot ticket item among fans and collectors. Good luck trying to find a good-condition AE86 today. If you do, prepare to shell out at least $30,000 for it.
front 3/4 view of a 1980_Toyota_Land_Cruiser_(FJ40)_hardtop
Not every car on this list is of the performance variety. It’s a testament to the J40’s stature as one of the greatest SUVs of all time that Toyota produced the model from 1960 to 2001. That’s over 40 years of the same model hitting the market without interruption.
A front 3/4 shot of a 1967 Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S parked
When you mention the word “Cosmo” to car enthusiasts, a lot of them will immediately remember what is arguably one of the most important Japanese sports cars in history. But the Cosmo’s true claim-to-fame is its stature as one of the first production cars to feature a two-rotor Wankel rotary engine. The single-piston engine took the industry by storm when it was introduced.
Mazda Cosmo specifications
Engine:
Two-rotor Wankel rotary engine
Horsepower:
110 horsepower
Torque:
96 pound-feet
0 to 60 MPH:
8.2
Top Speed:
115 mph
The rotary engine was not only smaller and lighter than conventional engines, but it also produced more power and had a higher-revving capacity than standard engines of that time. The history of Mazda’s Wankel rotary engine will always be tied to the Cosmo, making the latter one of the most important vehicles, not only of its era but the overall history of cars.
Front three-quarters shot of a 1977 Honda Civic CVCC parked in front of water
Every model that has made it big in the industry has roots to a time when automakers were just trying to make an impact in the business. That sentiment holds for a lot of models these days, none more so than Honda’s super popular Civic compact sedan. At that time, Honda needed an economical, durable, and affordable car to beef up its automotive lineup after initially finding success in the motorcycle segment. That’s when the Civic came into the picture.
1972 Honda Civic specifications
Engine:
1.2-liter four-cylinder engine
Horsepower:
73 horsepower
Torque:
74 pound-feet
0 to 60 MPH:
13 seconds (est)
Top Speed:
80 mph (est)
It wasn’t the fastest car by any stretch of the imagination, nor was it the fanciest ride that money could buy. But it checked a lot of requirements that Honda needed for an affordable ride. It’s not a coincidence that the Civic turned into Honda’s first commercially successful vehicle. Since then, it’s become one of the most identifiable vehicles in the entire auto industry. It’s even evolved from a cheap subcompact to a sophisticated compact vehicle that’s teeming with a lot of Honda’s newest technologies. That’s how far Honda and the Civic have come in 40-something years.
5Datsun 240Z
What else has to be said about the Datsun 240Z that hasn’t been said already? Also dubbed the Fairlady Z, it arrived in 1970 at a time when safety regulations effectively placed domestic performance cars in a state of flux. As people started to look elsewhere to satiate their thirst for vehicular performance, the 240Z arrived like manna from the skies, packing a 2.0-liter straight-six SOHC engine that produced a stout 130 horsepower.
Datsun 240Z specifications
Engine:
2.4-liter inline-six engine
Horsepower:
151 horsepower
Torque:
146 pound-feet
0 to 60 MPH:
Eight seconds
Top Speed:
126 mph
It helped, too, that the 240Z stood out from the crowd with a drop-dead sexy design that reminded folks of exotic European cars of that era. From the Porsche headlights to the Jaguar body to the Aston Martin profile, the 240Z was an affordable performance car that looked way more upscale than it actually was. American car buyers gravitated towards the 240Z like moths to a light, and to this day, the “Fairlady” remains a hot ticket item among car collectors and enthusiasts.
6Toyota 2000GT
Bring A Trailer
Much like Honda, Toyota wasn’t the car brand that it is now. There once was a time when the Japanese auto giant was an obscure automaker with dreams of selling cars in the U.S. in small quantities. One of its models, the 2000 GT, was a small but peppy Japanese sports coupe that sported an underrated six-cylinder engine. Its arrival in foreign markets, the U.S. most notably, helped put Toyota on the map.
Toyota 2000 GT specifications
Engine:
2.0-liter inline-six engine
Horsepower:
148 horsepower
Torque:
129 pound-feet
0 to 60 MPH:
10 seconds
Top Speed:
128 mph
Not only did it look astonishingly sexy, but the aforementioned six-cylinder unit had enough bite (150 horsepower) that it delivered impressive performance capabilities to go with racecar-like handling credentials. It’s an understatement to say that Toyota struck gold with the 2000 GT. Toyota didn’t sell too many 2000 GTs in the U.S., but it did do something far more important than putting money in the automaker’s coffers; it introduced Toyota to a region that would end up becoming the automaker’s largest market in the world. That’s called impact, folks.
front 3/4 view of a silver 1971 Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R coupe
When you’re talking about Japanese performance cars, no name can elicit swoons and over-the-top gasps like the Nissan Skyline GT-R. That’s what the OG Skyline GT-R looked like. But underneath the boxy profile and the squared lines sat a 2.0-liter six-cylinder engine that produced 160 horsepower, enough to turn heads back in the late 1960s.
Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R Hakosuka specifications
Engine:
2.0-liter inline-six engine
Horsepower:
160 horsepower
Torque:
129 pound-feet
0 to 60 MPH:
8.1 seconds
Top Speed:
121 mph
The Nissan Skyline GT-R will always be one of the greatest automotive marvels Japan has ever produced. That it was never imported to America has made it that much more expensive and highly collectible among car collectors the world over. Remember, whenever we talk about the car we know as Godzilla today, proper homage must go to the Hakosuka as well.
Not a lot of people remember Isuzu as a carmaker, but back in the ‘60s, Isuzu built some ravishing car models, including the 117 Coupe. You don’t expect a Japanese automaker back then to come out with a coupe that carried stylish curves and swooping lines, but that’s exactly what Isuzu did when it rolled out the 117 Coupe.
Isuzu 117 Coupe specifications
Engine:
1.6-liter inline-four engine
Horsepower:
118 horsepower
Torque:
105 pound-feet
0 to 60 MPH:
10.2 seconds
Top Speed:
120 mph
Of course, the real secret here is that the 117 was actually penned by Georgette Giugiaro, which explains the car’s aesthetics. Isuzu enjoyed a lot of success with the 117 at the helm. Production lasted until 1981, and while the coupe wasn’t exactly a bastion of performance, it was elegant in ways very Japanese cars were back then. Good luck finding a well-maintained Isuzu 117 Coupe these days.
front 3/4 view of a 1966 Mazda Luce at Mazda museum
The Mazda 1800 Luce wasn’t a powerful car, and it certainly wasn’t a fast one, either. In top form, the sedan was powered by a 1.8-liter engine that barely produced 100 horsepower. You’re not going to win a lot of races in the 1800 Luce. That much is certain. So why is this model on this list? For all intents and purposes, the Luce was Mazda’s moneymaker when it entered the U.S. market in the early 1970s.
Mazda 1800 Luce specifications
Engine:
1.8-liter inline-four engine
Horsepower:
100 horsepower
Torque:
112 pound-feet
0 to 60 MPH:
12 seconds
Top Speed:
103 mph
Like the Civic in Honda’s case, the Luce gave Mazda credibility and recognition outside of its home market, and the Japanese automaker has built on that credibility since then. On top of that, the Luce also remains one of the best-looking Japanese cars ever built. That’s a credit to Mazda’s decision to venture to Europe and have famous Italian design house Bertone pen the design of the Luce.
frontal view of a 1973 Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR Rally in a museum
Mitsubishi Lancer is one of the most iconic nameplates when it comes to Japanese performance cars. When combined with the Evolution moniker, the Lancer is a formidable rally car for the road. But the Lancer went rallying long before the “Evo” came to be. In 1973 Mitusbishi introduced the first-generation Lancer, internally-dubbed A70. The brand’s rally aspirations spawned the Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR.
Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR specifications
Engine:
1.6-liter inline-four engine
Horsepower:
110 horsepower
Torque:
108 pound-feet
0 to 60 MPH:
8.4 seconds
Top Speed:
108 mph
In Europe, the car was sold as the Cold 1600 GSR while the US got a rebadged, non-performance version called the Chrysler Valiant Lancer. The car was made to race off-road and propulsion was entrusted to a 1.6-liter inline-four with 169 horsepower and 119 pound-feet. While street versions were less-powerful, this is the Japanese classic car that paved the way for all of Mitsubishi’s future rally models, including all generations of the Lancer Evolution.
11Toyota Celica
JoachimKohler-HB via Wikimedia Commons
Front and side view of a Toyota Celica
As much love as the Toyota Supra has received, it’s worth mentioning that it wasn’t the only performance car that helped Toyota become a big player in the global car scene. For those who couldn’t afford the admittedly pricey 2000 GT, Toyota built a budget-friendly sports coupe that still carried a performance vibe to it. Enter the Toyota Celica. The first-generation Celica arrived in 1970, and the model immediately took off.
Toyota Celica specifications
Engine:
1.6-liter inline-four engine
Horsepower:
114 horsepower
Torque:
105 pound-feet
0 to 60 MPH:
11.5 seconds
Top Speed:
108 mph
It lasted seven generations, spanning 36 years before Toyota shelved the nameplate in 2006. More than its longevity, the Celica proved that Toyota was also capable of offering an affordable performance model that allowed owners to enjoy the thrill of a Japanese-built sports coupe without having to pay too much of a premium for it. To date, the Celica remains popular among car aficionados, so much so that rumors of a return are never far from the surface.
12Honda S500
Maysy via commons.wikimedia.org””>
Maysy via commons.wikimedia.org
front 3/4 view of a red 1964 Honda S600 cabriolet next to a red red Honda S600 coupe
In the past, Honda was known solely for its motorcycles. In 1963, the Japanese carmaker introduced its first sports car – the Honda S500. The compact, nimble sports car came as a soft-top convertible or a fastback coupe. This was, not just the first sports car from Honda, but also its first passenger car. The S500 is the first of three versions and featured a 531cc (0.5-liter), inline-four with 44 horsepower.
Honda S500 specifications
Engine:
0.5-liter inline-four engine
Horsepower:
44 horsepower
Torque:
33 pound-feet
0 to 60 MPH:
18.5 seconds
Top Speed:
80 mph
The S600 came a year later and was the most high-revving version of the car. With a redline 9,500 RPM, it was the most high-revving, road-going car for many decades and even today, very few cars manage to top that. Honda’s motorcycle roots were firmly imbedded in the small sports car, since the rear axle was chain-driven. The Honda S500 set the tone for future Honda roadsters like the iconic S2000.
front 3/4 view of a white 1984 Mitsubishi Pajero Superwagon
Toyota’s Land Cruiser may be the definitive Japanese offroader, but from 1981, it shared the off-road scene with Mitsubishi’s Pajero. In modern days, the Pajero is a more budget-friendly alternative to the Land Crusier, but in truth, Mitsubishí’s off-road model was a lot more consistent in Rally Dakar, where it saw great success. When it came to the regular versions, sold to the public, the Pajero was sold as a five-door or a three-door, short-wheelbase SUV.
Mitsubishi Pajero NB specifications
Engine:
3.0-liter V-6
Horsepower:
139 horsepower
Torque:
165 pound-feet
0 to 60 MPH:
12.2 seconds
Top Speed:
99 mph
4X4 was always standard and the Pajero came with a variety of petrol and diesel units. The range-topping variant introduced the 6G72 engine, which was most notably-used in the Mitsubishi 3000 GT (GTO in Japan). Mitsubishi is no stranger to partnering with Chrysler and between 1987 and 1989, the first-generation Pajero was sold in the US as the Dodge Raider. Regardless, the boxy Japanese SUV marked the beginning ot a long lineup of rugged Mitsuvishi offroaders, among which the legendary Pajero Evolution.
Subaru is mostly known for its rally-bred Legacy and Impreza models that dominated WRC throughout the years. The brand, occasionally, dipped into the sports coupe segment and its first attempt was with the Subaru Leone. First introduced in 1971, the Leone was a front-wheel-drive model that came in three generations. Four-wheel drive was always optional and in true Subaru fashion, only flat-four engines were available.
Subaru Leone 1st Generation specifications
Engine:
1.6-liter flat-4
Horsepower:
71 horsepower
Torque:
83 pound-feet
0 to 60 MPH:
17.1 seconds
Top Speed:
91 mph
The first and second-generation Subaru Leone also introduced a pick-up version called the BRAT. The third-generation Leone came in 1980 and was the first Subaru to enter the World Rally Championship. The rally ream was led Noriyuki Koseki, who would later, found Subaru Tecnica International (STI). The Leone would, eventually, be succeeded by th Legacy, which in turn was replaced by the Impreza STI in Subaru’s rally efforts.
front 3/4 view of an orange 1971 Mitsubishi Colt Galant GTO MR at a car event
The Galant nameplate first arrived in 1969, and is tyoicalyl associated with the brand’s most luxurious sedans. Granted, Mitsubishi is, rarely, associated with luxury, but in 1970, the Galant GTO arrived as the brand’s first model, officially recognized as a grand tourer. GTO stood for Gran Turismo Omologato, and is considered to be the rarest of the Colt Galant models. It was also a homologation special for the JCCA, but the OPEC oil embargo from 1973 meant the car would never see a racing circuit.
Mitsubishi Colt Galant GTO MR specifications
Engine:
2.0-liter flat-4
Horsepower:
123 horsepower
Torque:
105 pound-feet
0 to 60 MPH:
8.9 seconds
Top Speed:
124 mph
Like other Japanese coupes from the time, the Galant GTO resembled a downsized, American Muscle car. Instead of torquey V-8 engines, Mitsubishi’s coupe came with inline-four engines ranging from 1.6 to 2.0 liters. The MR edition was the range-topped, powered by a 4G52 engine with 125 horsepower. The Galant GTO is Mitsubishi’s first luxury-sports car and would pave the way for future models like the GTO/3000 GT.
FAQ
Q: Where to buy classic Japanese cars?
Classic Japanese cars are available in a lot of places, including dedicated dealerships and online car sites. You can score good deals in any of these places, though the rarer the classic, the pricier they are.
Q: How to buy Japanese classics?
If you’re buying a Japanese car that’s deemed a JDM, you’re going to have to go through a long and stringent process that includes plenty of paperwork on the authenticity of the said car. It’s easier to buy a Japanese classic JDM that’s already located in the U.S. That means that it already went through the proper channels to become legal to purchase.
Q: What do people think about Japanese Classics?
Classic Japanese cars have gained popularity in recent years as prime collectibles, in part because a lot of these models only became legal to be imported to the U.S. in recent years. The demand for these cars has skyrocketed as more have become available to purchase.
Q: Are Japanese Classics legal in the United States?
Classic Japanese cars are legal in the U.S., provided that they are over 25 years old, and meet the exemptions laid out by EPA and FMVSS regulations.
Q: Are classic Japanese cars valuable?
Some classic Japanese cars have become valuable in recent years as more of the models become available in the U.S. The demand continues to stay on an upward trend, so expect a lot of these classics to gain prestige in the coming years. The more prestigious they are, the more expensive and valuable they become.
Unlock Your Automotive Passion and Explore the Road Ahead
