Classic Japanese cars in photos - Datsun 240Z, Toyota 2000GT & S800, Honda S800 etc - Kurashikkukā

(Now) classic Japanese cars, from Honda, Datsun, Toyota & Mazda grew in popularity here in the UK throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s. In this video, I've gathered together a selection of photos featuring Japanese cars of the late 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. In addition, at the end I've added a further ten images of cars that, while perhaps not seen as "classic cars" just yet by everyone, are bound to end up in that category sooner or later - or have they already?
Perhaps Japanese cars of the 70s and 80s aren't your cup of sake, but there's no denying their significance in the British motoring landscape of those times.
(Correction, in the commentary I refer to the 2000GT as a Honda when of course it's a Toyota, doh!)
Growing up in the 1970s, cars such as the Datsun 120Y & 140J, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla were everywhere, their buyers who perhaps previously had opted to run British-built cars, had no doubt been tempted by the Japanese cars' growing reputation for above-average reliability, up-to-date designs, and generous standard equipment lists. These Datsuns and so on would rot away like anything else from the 1970s tended to do, but chances are they would start every morning, which sadly couldn't always be said for more locally-built offerings of the era. At the start of the 1970s, cars built in Japan were often viewed with contempt, and thought of just as a curiosity that would never really catch on. How wrong they were, and the same can be said for the motorcycle industry too alas.
I've never owned a classic Japanese car, although as we're on our third Mazda MX5 Mk1 I suppose we're knocking on the door of the classic world with that one. My wife ran a Suzuki Grand Vitara V6 for many years, and now has a Honda Accord. While rustproofing could be better, even on these more modern-ish automotive offerings, they are good cars - the Vitara was significantly less rusty underneath than the Discovery 2 I ran until a couple of years ago, despite being of similar age and the latter being significantly more expensive when new.
I've also include a handful of light commercials (pickups etc).
Anyway, in this video you'll find one or more of the following classic cars:
Honda S800 roadster & coupe, Z600, T360 Pickup (prototype), N600
Datsun 240Z, 260Z, 100A Cherry, Cedric Wagon, 120A FII Coupe, 510, 140J Violet, Fairlady, 120Y, 2000 Deluxe Six saloon
Mitsubishi Lancer, Colt Celeste, Colt Lancer Estate
Toyota 2000GT, S800, Crown Coupe / Estate / Super Saloon, Corona, Celica GT & Liftback, Corolla, Celica ST Griffith Sunchaser convertible, Land Cruiser
Subaru 360
Daihatsu Delta truck
Mazda RX7, RX3
Potential "future classics" also shown are as follows: Nissan Figaro, Toyota Will, Nissan S Cargo, Toyota Sera, Mazda MX5 Mk1, Nissan Primera (BTCC), Honda Accord (BTCC), Aston Martin Cygnet (Toyota iQ), Nissan Sunny, Toyota MR2 Mk1.
Thoughts welcome as always!
At the end of this Japanese car video I'll include a review I did of a 1970s Datsun brochure, which has received plenty of comments so far.
Please also take a look at the other classic car content now on this channel:
/ @oldclassiccaruk
#classiccar #classiccars #japanesecars
クラシックカー Kurashikkukā

[@theyjustwantyourmoney4539]

The Toyota crown brought back my childhood memories, used to enjoy its comfort and engine sound.

[@bazcar22]

It's clear that the UK had far more variants of Japanese cars than we had here in Australia, however the Mazda RX3 have seriously increased in value and are highly sought after.

[@johnd8892]

RX 2, RX4 and RX7 and the R100 also going up nearly as much. The rarest are the few original rotary Mazda Cosmo's sold in Australia. As a kid I got the brochure at least looking at it when we had motor shows. We actually got Japanese cars earlier than the UK. In 1964 to 65 we were the largest export market for Toyota . 64 we also got Datsun, Nissan, Honda, Isuzu and Prince cars. The first 66 or so Nissan Sylvia was Japan only apart from about 60 sold in Australia.

[@EMFRocks]

Very relaxing to watch, thank you, your voice and tone compliments greatly. 8,08 is a Toyota, not a Honda as you mention in the video, but do seem to know, as you correctly named the video. Thank you for a pleasant tour back in time.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Yes I don't know why I said Honda, doh!!! thanks for watching :)

[@Vince_uk]

I think all of the potential classics you suggested will be in the future especially the Figaro, which are quite sort after, as are both the MX5 and the MR2. The history of the MX5 is extremely interesting and the process that MAZDA used to design, build and manufacture it. It was all conceived using the Japanese technique of Ishikawa,, (fishbone analysis problem identification and correction model), and they actually invited customers to participate. I used this technique when I managed operations in the UK and China to great effect. It is one of the best designed and manufactured small sports cars of all time and even today the comment good prices. Coincidentally I am going with my brother on Saturday as he wants to buy a MX5, new one.

[@dashcam26]

A good video and nice cars. Of the cars I only remember the Datsun Cherry being a rot box.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Hi, thanks for checking out the vid, and also supporting the channel

[@NapalmBond]

The car in Portugal is an old Subaru 1400

[@steveschaffer9819]

I’ve enjoyed Old Classic Car website for many years and love what you’re putting on KZbin. Minor corrections..... The car pictured at 1:01 is an early 70’s Subaru DL, not a Mitsubishi, and the red car at 8:02 is a Toyota 2000 GT, not a Honda.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Yes I meant Toyota 2000GT, doh!

[@giulianomarco]

A colleague at work had an angular Toyota Celica in '87. I can attest that it's seals are excellent (going through flooding!) and that it'll do 110MPH if you're late for a course because of said flooding! Also: who made the "Stanza"?

[@oldclassiccarUK]

The Stanza was from Datsun/Nissan

[@paulbennell3313]

Oh deary me, that Toyota Crown Coupe! What an amazing looking car. I've never seen one in the flesh, used to see plenty of saloons and even the occasional estate. But what a good looking car the coupe is, suprising there weren't more of them over here. I suspect they were a bit pricey and the UK market was flooded with equivalent Granadas at the time. If there are going to be any future classics, I reckon most of them will be Japanese, at least the ones that can be afforded by mere mortals.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

As a kid in the late 70s I remember the neighbour opposite to us, he bought a new Celica and followed it with a Crown Super Saloon. Its many buttons inside was very impressive!

[@paulbennell3313]

@@oldclassiccarUK I sat in one at the 1979 Manchester Evening News Motorshow at Platt Fields near Manchester. By 1979 the vinyl upholstery had gone to be replaced by deep pile velour. It had tinted glass, a thing that made a noise if you left a door open, electric windows, radio and seperate cassette player with 4 speakers, power steering, power seats, power sunroof...It seemed impossibly modern to a 10 year old me!

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Hi folks, thanks for watching this video on older Japanese cars. A quick correction - I refer to the 2000GT as a Honda when of course it's a Toyota. Must be my age. Do you have memories of owning any of these cars? Even if you're not particularly a fan of them, it's hard to ignore the significance they had on the car-buying public here in the UK as the 1970s rolled into the 1980s and beyond. Please also take a look at the other old-car content now on the Old Classic Car channel: kzbin.info/door/KaTg9fPUvmUQi94FcnDbrg #classiccars

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Very evocative collection, thank you for the excellent memories. Even in Australia, these cars rusted badly after about 10-15 years and, because they were generally so reliable, most just wore out. I think the 'Mitsubishi Lancer' you photographed through a fence in Portugal is actually a mid 70s Subaru Leone. 😊👍

[@bailley222]

what about the copen ?

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Definitely classic potential with that one, and the Cappucino too

[@laffin04]

also a future classic....nissan cube?

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Good call

[@ramishrambarran3998]

8:01 Correction. Toyota, not Honda. Great presentation otherwise. From the early 1970s the Japanese automobiles took over our country. The English cars retreated ! Trinidad & Tobago.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Yes slip of the tongue there of course it's Toyota, thanks for watching

[@daddybob6096]

HubNut? I liked your videos before? Robert New Zealand. Or soon to be called Aotearoa. God save us.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

hubnut?

[@daddybob6096]

@@oldclassiccarUK Sorry mistaken for another British You Tuber. He did car videos here in NZ and across the ditch in Australia over recent years. Same voice as yours.

[@beowulf5982]

I like your channel but photos just don't do it for me. I'd like to watch on the road footage or you tinkering in your garage. Appreciates many like the photos and commentary. Real life has commitments and making videos takes a lot of time and effort. Was just an honest comment. Have a good day/evening .

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Thanks, all feedback's useful and of course not everything here will interest everyone, I had planned to do more "out and about" but the weather's been so foul lately I didn't want to subject anything old to the rain, gales etc :-)

[@beowulf5982]

@@oldclassiccarUK I appreciate your reply .Yes the weather has been foul and understands what you mean by "anything old" getting wet. Probably why the missus stops me going out. Love your channel, keep up the good work:)