In the autumn of 1983, Mitsubishi unveiled an extraordinary machine at the Tokyo Motor Show: the Starion 4WD Rally. It…
Classic & Iconic Cars
Classic, unusual and historically important cars from Japan and around the world. We revisit why certain models became legends, why others disappeared, and why some forgotten cars deserve another look.
Before the Famous TV Ad: How a Butcher’s 20 Shops Helped Sell the Daihatsu Midget
For many Japanese classic-car enthusiasts, the Daihatsu Midget is inseparable from comedian Kon Omura and his lively television commercials. The…
Why Did Mitsubishi’s 200 PS Starion Shut Off an Intake Valve?
In June 1984, Mitsubishi added a 200 PS model to its Starion sports coupe lineup: the 2000 Turbo GSR-V. Under…
The 1982 Mitsubishi Starion Was Meant to Be Smaller—Until Chrysler Stepped In
On May 14, 1982, Mitsubishi launched the Starion, a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe with a distinctly futuristic profile. It measured…
Same 180 PS as the Gemini Coupe, Yet ¥80,000 More: What Was the Yanase-Only Isuzu PA Nero 160R?
When I first heard the name “PA Nero,” I assumed it was some kind of successor to the Piazza Nero—the…
Why Did Suzuki Build the Mighty Boy? The ¥450,000 Kei Pickup With a 66 cm Bed
A cargo bed just 660 mm—about 26 inches—long. Two seats. A 543 cc engine making 28 PS. A maximum payload…
How Did the Nissan Z Come Back? From the 350Z to the RZ34
In August 2000, production of the Z32 ended and Nissan’s Z-car disappeared from showrooms. Normally, that would sound like the…
Why Did Nissan Put Two Boosters on a 930cc March? The Strange Logic Behind the Super Turbo
On January 17, 1989, Nissan added a rather peculiar model to the first-generation March lineup—the small hatchback known as the…
Toyota’s FWD Celica Cost More Than the GT-FOUR—What Happened to Its Active Suspension?
In September 1989, Toyota unveiled a rather strange version of the fifth-generation Celica. It was not turbocharged. It was not…