Described derisively by our mainstream motor trade as ‘grey imports’ there was nothing intrinsically wrong with these cars, despite their strange names.
Popular arrivals included Soarers and Supras from Toyota, Nissan Silvia and 180SX coupes the GTR ‘Godzilla’ plus twin-turbo versions of the 300ZX. Australia already knew Mazda’s 323, but not the all-wheel Familia Turbo version that made a big impression on the rally world. And, of course, there were 4WDs like the Toyota Surf and Nissan Terrano.
Thirty years later and most of the early arrivals are gone. Any that survive, especially Skyline GTRs and Supras, are valuable and regarded as legitimate collectables. Cars from the 1980s and ‘90s do still appear on JDM auction screens too, but today they may generate big money and be headed to the USA.
JDM stands for Japanese Domestic Market and describes the place where cars of unique specification are sold by the millions in order to satisfy Japan’s voracious appetite for motor vehicles.
Esta historia es de la edición Issue 481 de Unique Cars.
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Esta historia es de la edición Issue 481 de Unique Cars.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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V8 MATES
THIS HOLDEN SL/R 5000 BUILD WAS THE CATALYST FOR A GREAT FRIENDSHIP
ICE ICE BABY
TAKE ONE VOLKSY FASTY AND ADD A SUBY FLAT FOUR ... SIMPLE
LOST & FOUND!
THEY THINK THEY MIGHT HAVE FOUND AMELIA EARHART'S PLANE...WE ALREADY HAVE HER CAR!
CAB CHARGE
WHEN IS AN EX-TAXI NOT AN EX-TAXI? WHEN IT'S A FORMER WEDDING-CAR. THIS RARE EBONY BLACK VG VALIANT WAS FOUND BY SHEER LUCK
CBX1000
HONDA'S BIG-SIX TOURER IS A COMPELLING RIDE
1967 FORD MUSTANG FLASHBACK
THIS 1967 MUSTANG MIGHT LOOK LIKE ANOTHER BULLITT TRIBUTE, BUT WHAT LIES UNDERNEATH IS NO ORDINARY MUSTANG
HONDA S2000 SPORTS
THERE ARE numerous contenders for the title of 'World's Best Four Cylinder Engine' and Honda's F20C, twin overhead cam powerhouse must be right near the top of the list.
FORD ESCORT 1970-80
FORD VERY nearly turned the Japanese small-car tide with its conservative but groundbreaking Escort.
ROLLING BACK THE FEARS
HYBRIDS AND EVS ARE BECOMMING MORE POPULAR, BUT A RECENT RETHINK SEES ICE ENGINES, THEREFORE CLASSIC CARS, SET TO ROLL ON FOR MANY YEARS TO COME
SUPERCAT ON THE PROWL
TWR HAS revealed its limited edition Supercat, with a price tag of $428,000 plus taxes, with deliveries to commence late 2024.