Japan Fights Back - The Original Honda Civic, Datsun's Dominant 240Z, and Subaru's First Car!

Japanese cars hit the market! Honda, Subaru, and Nissan - you see them everywhere, but do you know where it all began? Meet the original Civic, Subaru's first automobile, and Japan's affordable answer to European sports cars.
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[@PaulErlich-cq6kj]

In 1972 I had a neighbor with a Jag, silver and red leather interior with wire wheels. She got tired of it in the shop too many times a year at $100 to lift the hood and bought a new white and black interior 240Z. She loved the car as it ran and never let her visit the shop so often.

[@reelreeler8778]

1976 CVCC Civic was my first brand new car. Bought mine for $3000 even. Was faster than you would think and handled like a go-kart. Fast forward to today, still a Honda guy, now driving a 2023 Civic.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Now, that's brand AND model loyalty!

[@angeloah]

A family friend had a yellow 76 cvcc from new till the 90s, then she had a rt awd wagon. A champ. Those are so cool wooden shifter and wheel, so class.

[@74Husky]

My 1st brand new car was a 1971 Datsun 510. I was a terrific vehicle. With it I got hooked on Time Distance road rallying. With very little money one could easily improve the power and handling. It really was a sports car with 4 doors!

[@richcoleman469]

Wanted a 240Z when I got out of the USAF in 71 but lacked the cash and I believe there was a waiting list. Ended up with a 65 Corsa turbo and was happy. In 82 in Argentina I got an 80 Accord and it was smaller than the Civic is now.

[@lamplighter5545]

The original 240Z is stunning! I think most generations of Z are good looking, but none of them hold a candle to original design.

[@writerconsidered]

In that regard its the same as the 911. Original design just nails it, everything else is a lesser copy.

[@johnpejnovich7722]

​@@writerconsidered& lamplighter, great comments, which begs the issue, why o' why British Leeland took a nihilistic approach by dropping the TR6 and replaced it with TR7 & 8. Talking with my fellow sports car owners at that time, some of them suggested that all B.L. had to do was take a page from Porsche and Datsun and evolve the lineage of the TR6. The V8 from the TR8 could have been an engine option for the continuation of the TR6. 👍🤙✌️

[@christaphersimmons2216]

It was in a class of looks previously reserved for jaguars Ferraris and BMW's but it was cheap and accessible to blue collar people I feel that was a big selling point that made them super popular

[@jimiverson3085]

@@johnpejnovich7722 The problem they were having with the TR6 was that it was essentially the same car as the TR1 which debuted in 1952. They still used a ladder frame with separate body and OHV engine (they replaced the original 4 cylinder with a 6 cylinder in the TR250). The car couldn't meet any safety regulations and was simply not selling. The problem with the TR7 was that Leyland had no resources to produce a totally new car, so it was compromised from the start.

[@44WillysMB]

I had a 73 Civic in 87, 73 240Z in 84, and a 76 260Z in 79. Loved them all. Wish I still had them. When I bought my 260, my Dad liked it so much, he went out and traded in his TR7 for a new 280ZX, and my oldest brother did the same.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Very cool!

[@blackscotydog]

My first car was a 72 240Z ...God I loved that car....Looking at that green one almost made an old man cry.

[@leftybass5860]

One of the cars I learned on was my mom’s ‘78 Civic with an automatic. It cornered like a go cart. Got it up on three wheels a couple of times.

[@tetedur377]

I remember the 360, but my first was the '73 GLC, which was the first year of the GL/DL. I've also had several Honda CVCCs, including 2 that we made into one. Around the same time period, I had a 240, a 260, and a 208ZX. All awesome cars.

[@UberLummox]

The 360 was a total tin can. Real bad. Abysmal build quality.

[@winstonstone]

Single overhead cam Donald. I know owned a 1973 240Z. I did my own valve adjustments every 15,000 miles. My first new car.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Yes, our mistake, we had just wrapped up a conversation about the Pajero and its DOHC V6.

[@winstonstone]

@@AudrainMuseumNetwork Well that is very understandable a more sophisticated engine. Not that Z's engine wasn't, once I added numerous upgrades from Bob Sharp tomy Z, I passed Corvette's a RT 24 on a regular basis. ;)

[@markwilson8985]

They did make the 432. Z that in fact had a DOHC. But, Rare. To the tune of 250K Sale price recently.. most are single though. ​@AudrainMuseumNetwork

[@winstonstone]

@@markwilson8985 the straight 6 dohc? that would unusual. i can't remember is the 3.0L v6 was dohc ot not.

[@markwilson8985]

@@winstonstone z31 was a single, the z32 was dual. The straight 6 DOHC was basically the GTR motor, minus turbo

[@melvinburwell8202]

This JDM content lately is very cool. The Z car is a legend. And that continues today. Very interesting segments. Thanks Mr. O. 👍❤️💙😎

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Glad you’re enjoying them! Plenty more to come… six, in fact. See you in the comment section!

[@jazzfan6]

This is a great topic! I currently own a Honda Civic and a Subaru Forester . . . and love 'em! The Japanese auto industry deserves an in depth review of its contributions and world impact. I continue to appreciate your erudite presentation style, as well as your snappy and tasteful mode of dress. If GQ hasn't featured you on their cover yet, they need to get cracking and do so!

[@user-ss7jl8ze9q]

I always thought of the Subaru 360 as the VW Beetle of Japan.

[@markwilson8985]

My love of the Z started in a 280zx at 13 during a ride of a friend of my brother. At 17yrs old I got my 1st 240Z more rust an metal. But, it was my Z. I learned how to work on them. Never been a time in life that I didnt own one. I had about a dozen-ish. From daily driver 91 300zx 2+2 , to award winning show car 240z, to thw 07 350 z graduation gift for my daughter, and also a project 240 for the grandkids to autocross in a few yrs. 3 Z's currently reside in my garages 40 yrs later.

[@gregsims5156]

I had a cvcc in college, fantastic car. Great mileage 50 mpg and easy to work on.

[@kennethswain6313]

I had a ‘78 280 x 2+2. It was the best car all around of any I’ve owned. 5 speed great gas mileage fast comfortable and did it have style ( it also had rust)

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Love the 70's CVCC. My uncle had one. Great little car. And I'd love to have any of the first few generations of the Datsun Z.

[@lancerbiker5263]

Loved it, lived it. lets not forget South Korea and their Hyundai Pony and how far they have come.

[@5CGQ]

In Australia the Civic wasn't even a hatchback. It came with a small bootlid like an early Mini.

[@flashg67]

I love the color combo on the 240z.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Green over tan FTW!

[@michaelcroos4713]

The first Z had a SINGLE overhead cam 2.4 litter six.

[@N2YTA]

I noticed that error too.

[@michaelcroos4713]

@@N2YTA I had a 1971, in that ruddy orange color. Great car, I'm an idiot to have sold it.

[@knuckles1206]

Lovely seeing these cars Donald! Shame thete wasn't a toyopet crown though.

[@timking2822]

Don't forget the Honda N600 sedan and the Z600 hatchback.

[@DanEBoyd]

Suburu sure has come a long way!

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Yes! The other Subaru in the exhibit is quite the little monster!

[@donc-m4900]

Donald always keeps the wardrobe interesting. Wondering when he will go blue demin. I know a guy.

[@JohnCBurzynski]

I had a cvcc as well. It was fun to drive. I have a thing for smaller cars even though I am tall. My cvcc was cool I painted racing stripes on it. Great channel!

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

We have a lot of big & tall friends who have an affinity for small vehicles. One of those vehicles being the Autozam AZ-1 which you will see in an upcoming episode. Make sure you’re subscribed and stay tuned! Thanks for watching!

[@spacepope-1]

Them pants is wild, reminds me of a James May shirt!

[@writerconsidered]

At the time that Subaru may not have worked with the American market but it may have worked in Europe alongside the Fiat 500. I think its gorgeous and love it as is. And still better than the Fiat with 25 HP versus 13 HP.

[@taelorwatson9822]

originally Yamaha came to them with a DOHC engine. they passed and it went to the Toyota 2000 GT. I wish they hadn't passed that would have been an awesome to have such a advanced engine at the time

[@danmccarthy4700]

I am fascinated by JDM cars in general and kei cars in particular. I'm also going to be on vacation in Rhode Island the first week of June. Hmmmm... PS- according to my folks, my first words were "Z-Car".

[@Steverinomeister]

In 1978 during college I had a 1976 Honda Civic 1200 Hatchback. Because of that short wheelbase they could be a little squirrelly. I know that for a fact because I had to swerve for a dog on the highway and I wound up fishtailing then barrelrolling about five times. If it had been an American car Ralph Nader would have made a second million demonizing Honda like he did GM and the Corvair.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Glad you’re here to tell the tale!

[@FunAtDisney]

My friend got the first Honda Civic in yellow. I don’t recall that green color at all though.

[@UberLummox]

Yeah, me either. Might not be a color for the US market. (?)

[@matdddd]

That Datsun is a single overhead cam. Not a dual overhead cam. And that Honda is a CVCC civic. The regular first generation Civic came after that. I like the content on this channel, but I expect it to be a little more accurate than this.

[@C10-BMC]

Who is the guy making funny faces behind the shelf’s around the five minute mark? 😂😂😂😂

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

😆About time someone noticed! That’s one of our curators and operations guys, Ben. He’s actually been in a lot of our other videos and was impatiently waiting his turn to shoot an episode.

[@C10-BMC]

@@AudrainMuseumNetwork 😃😃😃

[@walt3223]

Would to add Triumph gt6

[@mishumihai223]

The pants are ridiculous 😆

[@N2YTA]

Donald has his own style, he's a very dapper gentleman.

[@davidjernigan8161]

A car the size of the original civic couldn't be built today with all the required safety equipment.

[@Alfierk]

You forgot the MOST important and influencal car that took the place of the British roadsters at that time , the Japanese car know its the MIATA.!!

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

There's no forgetting the Miata, we love them! We've actually done an in depth video about the Miata that you can see here: (kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3fJZp6AbMt7ps0) However, the Miata is not part of this exhibition and, in relation to the 240Z, would not be conceived for another 20 years.

[@realshady16]

C'mon Audrain,,,at least put some tire shine on that 240Z. Imo,,that would really make that car look better than it already is.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Perhaps we need to make a video with our detailer about why we don’t like tire shine…👀😬

[@realshady16]

@AudrainMuseumNetwork haha!! Oh my,,,,I'm an old man and have heard all good and bad stuff about tire shine. It would still look better. Anyway,,I l always enjoy y'alls content and will continue to watch. Haha!! The car would still "look" better.

[@jimjones-pz1tt]

@@AudrainMuseumNetworkThere are several rubber cleaners/conditioners that do not leave a glossy shine. Meguiar's M40 Mirror Glaze Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner works very well. How can the detailer for a renown automobile museum with an international audience and reputation not know this. I can only assume your detailer is a DEI hire.

[@Steverinomeister]

Tire shine? No thank you.

[@Muttley3000]

Pants 🎖

[@christaphersimmons2216]

Why does Datsun have Nissan motor?

[@UberLummox]

"Datsun" was a name used for the US market, I believe. The name of the company was always Nissan.

[@jimjones-pz1tt]

I can only assume Donald's partner picked out his pants.

[@Steverinomeister]

Way off topic and rude.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

I'm not too sure about those slacks: you normally are a 'natty' dresser!

[@turbomustang84]

The Toyota corona I owned was superior to the Honda in just about every way as was the Datsun 510 and I still love the Celica and my only Mazda my 72 RX2. The Honda was revolutionary in not having to have catalytic converters but it was no more reliable than my 78 Datsun King Cab pickup . I presently am driving a Honda insight while I'm replacing the starter in my wife's 1993 Ford SHO and I can't wait to get out of that Honda . And my 1984 Ford GT turbo convertible still runs and if the hailstorm hadn't demolished my top I could be driving it instead this hateful little Honda LoL... Rant over

[@chassisresearchkid]

It wasn't designed for our roads, cuz our roads have ALWAYS SUCKED!!!! Just like now.

[@davidboysel4509]

No at 1 time we had an amazing interstate system.Now we're too busy giving our money to everybody.Who can run jump or swim here and have no money left to improve our infrastructure

[@johndavey72]

Good evening Sir ! Donald , l must take issue with your claim of the British obsolescence of their sports cars , particulary the TR6 . Yes indeed ,the M.G was past it's sell by date .But that was because "we"... British Leyland , misinterpreted the strict laws the U.S were introducing and wasted hundreds of thousands of pounds adapting the MGB into a mere shadow of it's former self . i.e a lifeless , breathless , wheezing old fart ! Had we looked deeper into the legislation it would have needed none of the crippling changes, ie the ride height , impact bumpers and power reductions . But this was our incompetence for not interpreting the U.S legislation rules correctly. It seems the TR6 dodged the bullet in many ways but the US emissions precluded the employment of the Lucas fuel injection system thus reducing the output from 150 bhp to a mere 95bhp !! However, that beautiful 2.5litre straight 6 still seduced many owners into purchasing that Karmann designed beauty . As for the Datsun 240 Z , it pinched the essense of the Healey 3000 , which really had reached the end of the line , and adapted it into the legend it became . However that too became a shadow of it's former self . Thankyou Donald , always a treat to view your latest show's .

[@herrunsinn774]

Those pants, Donald; No, just no! 😱😱😱

[@loumontcalm3500]

240Z had a cheap looking interior, which Japanese cars all had at the time. Thin vinyl, hard plastics. Interior didn't hold up well, and they're rust prone even in California It's beautiful, however.

[@74Husky]

But that Datsun plastic interior held up pretty well with all that daily driving wear and tear. Mine held up for over 100,000 miles.