The Classics From A Time Of Peace, Love & Horsepower
From rotary buzz-saws to box-flared turbos, Japan’s golden era delivered machines with personality, ingenuity, and everyday usability. We’ve picked 25 icons from the 1970s and 1980s—one per “slide”—and highlighted what made each a classic, plus the performance specs enthusiasts care about. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R “Hakosuka”
The road-going homologation special introduced the GT-R to the world: a 2.0-liter S20 DOHC straight-six that produced 157HP in a light, sharp sedan/coupé shell. Race-bred hardware and impeccable balance made it a giant killer in touring car racing. With boxy fenders, purposeful stance, and motorsport blood, the Hakosuka set the template for every Skyline GT-R and remains a cornerstone of Japanese performance heritage.
Follow the beginning of the past, Wikimedia Commons
Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R “Kenmeri”
Built for just one year (1973) with around 197 produced, the KPGC110 carried the S20 engine forward but landed in the middle of the oil crisis. That timing made it instantly rare and highly collectible. Its styling featured longer, sleeker lines, subtle fender blisters, and quad round lamps, creating an unforgettable “Ken & Mary” era silhouette. Though racing ambitions were curtailed, its mystique and scarcity ensure mythical status today.
Nissan Skyline Kenmeri GTR Ride On Kenmeri GT-R KPGC110 Exhaust Sound, Shiraiwa Masuo
Datsun 240Z (S30)
Often called Japan’s affordable E-Type, the 240Z paired a 2.4-liter L24 inline-six that produced 151HP, with a sub-9-second 0–60 MPH sprint. It made true sports-car performance accessible to ordinary buyers. Long-hood, fastback lines delivered timeless beauty, while SCCA victories in C-Production confirmed its competitive chops. Stylish, affordable, and quick, the Z became the car that put Japanese sports cars on the global map and remains a cult favorite worldwide.
Datsun 510
Understated looks hid a gem: OHC 1.6-liter four (96 hp), independent rear suspension, and nimble handling made the 510 a budget BMW. BRE Racing and John Morton’s Trans-Am triumphs gave it giant-killer credentials. Owners loved the tune-friendly chassis, everyday practicality, and underdog charm. Its balance of affordability, style, and racing pedigree make the 510 one of the most beloved compact classics, still hot property among racers and collectors alike.
Mazda RX-3 (Savanna)
The RX-3 shrunk the rotary formula into a smaller, lighter package. The 10A and 12A twin-rotors brought zingy rev-happiness and surprising pace, wrapped in curvy coke-bottle styling. With a light chassis and eagerness to rev, it became a grassroots racing darling. Its success on track and the sheer uniqueness of rotary performance in such a compact shell make the RX-3 a true classic for enthusiasts who love unconventional thrills.
Mazda RX-7 (SA22C/FB)
Mazda nailed the sports-car brief with the RX-7: a 100HP-producing 12A (later upgraded to 135HP 13B GLS-SE), featherweight chassis, and steering so direct it felt telepathic. With under 2,500 pounds to move, it danced on backroads. Sleek pop-up headlights and the teardrop rear glass made it an ‘80s design icon. Affordable, agile, and stylish, the first RX-7 defined rotary fun for an entire generation of drivers and remains endlessly desirable.
Mr.choppers, Wikimedia Commons
Toyota Celica (A20/A40)
Nicknamed the “Japanese Mustang,” the Celica democratized style and driving fun. Tidy proportions, long hood/short deck, and revvy four-cylinders gave ordinary buyers a taste of pony-car excitement. As Japan’s first “specialty car,” it helped create the blueprint for fashionable coupes across the industry. With endless trims and body styles, it appealed broadly while still delivering real driving enjoyment. It’s an everyman classic that showed Toyota could do style and sport.
Toyota Supra Mk2 (A60/Celica Supra)
The second-generation Supra fused wedge styling, pronounced fender flares, and optional louvers with the smooth punch of a 2.8-liter 5M-GE straight-six. It balanced comfort and speed, serving as a capable GT and spirited canyon carver alike. The A60 marked the transition from Celica-based sporty coupe to the Supra’s own identity. With modern features, muscular stance, and real-world usability, it bridged the gap between stylish GT cruiser and serious sports car.
Jacob Frey 4A, Wikimedia Commons
Toyota Corolla AE86 (Levin/Trueno)
The AE86 perfected the formula: high-revving 4A-GE, lightweight RWD chassis, and near-perfect ergonomics. Affordable and endlessly tunable, it became the car that taught a generation to drift. Balanced dynamics meant it could handle mountain passes as well as racetracks. Its cultural resonance—from grassroots motorsport to anime fame—ensured lasting legend status. Few cars combine such everyday simplicity with such dynamic purity, making the AE86 one of the ultimate cult classics.
Follow the beginning of the past, Wikimedia Commons
Datsun 280ZX (S130)
The 280ZX leaned further into GT territory, prioritizing comfort and technology while still packing performance. Turbo models cut 0–60 mph times into the seven-second range, impressing period testers. Sleek aero lines, available T-tops, and luxury touches spoke to changing buyer tastes. Though softer than its predecessor, the 280ZX remains beloved for blending real performance with daily comfort. It defined late-‘70s and early-‘80s Japanese style, showing Nissan’s versatility in sports cars.
Jeremy from Sydney, Australia, Wikimedia Commons
Nissan 300ZX (Z31)
Digital dashboards, voice alerts, and futuristic styling—this was Nissan’s leap into the tech-heavy ‘80s. With a VG-series V6 under the hood, Turbo versions offered muscular acceleration and autobahn-capable cruising. Sharp wedge lines and broad haunches gave it unmistakable road presence. It was a poster car for a generation, symbolizing Japanese performance confidence. Today, the Z31 remains an affordable entry into classic Z ownership with growing recognition of its importance.
Nissan Silvia/200SX (S12)
The angular S12 embodied ‘80s folded-paper design, with crisp lines and pop-up headlights. Engine choices ranged from humble fours to the exotic twin-cam FJ20, even a VG30 V6 in some markets. Lightweight and rear-driven, it offered enthusiasts tunability and fun. Though overshadowed by later Silvias, the S12 delivered style and capability. For fans of retro futurism, its sharp profile, RWD fun, and attainable performance make it a hidden-gem Japanese classic.
Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR (A73)
The Lancer 1600 GSR brought rally pedigree straight to the street. A rev-happy 1.6-liter four sat in a lightweight, boxy sedan that looked simple but proved rugged enough for Africa’s brutal Safari Rally. Its purposeful stance and motorsport success foreshadowed Mitsubishi’s long rally dominance. Affordable, straightforward, and durable, the GSR became a cult icon for those who value competition history. It laid the groundwork for future Evos and Mitsubishi’s rallying reputation.
Follow the beginning of the past, Wikimedia Commons
Mitsubishi Starion
The Starion was Mitsubishi’s answer to the turbocharged sports-car craze: widebody flares, intercooled power, and rear-drive handling made it a true 944/RX-7 rival. With a 2.0 or 2.6 turbo, it offered stout acceleration and strong in-gear pull. Angular styling and massive fenders screamed aggression. Road testers praised its balance of performance and comfort. The Starion’s bold look and tuning potential ensure it stands tall as one of the wildest Japanese ‘80s coupes.
Subaru XT/Alcyone Turbo
Few cars looked stranger: a low, wedge-shaped body inspired by aerospace, complete with flush glass and quirky digital readouts. Underneath, Subaru added a 1.8-liter turbo flat-four that produced 136 HP with AWD available. It wasn’t the fastest, but it was futuristic and unique. The XT showed Subaru’s willingness to experiment beyond practical wagons, creating a cult classic. Its blend of oddball styling, turbo punch, and AWD presaged Subaru’s quirky performance future perfectly.
Honda CRX Si (1st Gen)
Honda turned efficiency into exhilaration with the CRX Si. At under 2,000 pounds, with a fuel-injected 1.5-liter that produced 91HP, it was nimble, responsive, and quick enough to embarrass bigger cars. Tossable handling made it a slalom champion, while great fuel economy kept it sensible. Its distinctive hatchback form and low-slung roof added charm. Few cars blended economy and fun so successfully, cementing the CRX Si as a cult hero worldwide.
Mr.choppers, Wikimedia Commons
Honda Prelude (2nd Gen)
With pop-up headlights, a glassy cabin, and Honda’s signature precision, the Prelude of the early ‘80s offered both looks and capability. The Si trim’s 2.0-liter four delivered eager power, while double-wishbone suspension gave poised handling. It struck a rare balance: refined yet sporty. Its combination of everyday drivability and striking design made it a hit among young professionals. Today, it’s a symbol of Honda’s engineering brilliance and stylish approach to coupes.
Caughtin16k, Wikimedia Commons
Isuzu 117 Coupé
Styled by Giugiaro, the 117 Coupé blended Italian elegance with Japanese reliability. Under its smooth lines lived DOHC fours producing up to 130 PS, offering real performance to match its looks. Hand-built early cars exuded craftsmanship, while later production expanded its reach. The flowing silhouette and restrained details made it timelessly beautiful. Rare and understated, the 117 remains one of the most graceful Japanese classics, proof that Isuzu once built dream cars.
Isuzu Impulse/Piazza
Another Giugiaro design, the Impulse (or Piazza) epitomized the ‘80s wedge. Turbo models delivered real performance, while later “Handling by Lotus” suspension tuning gave it sharp dynamics. Its angular body stood out against more conventional coupes. Although never mainstream, it attracted enthusiasts who wanted individuality. With distinctive styling, turbocharged pace, and surprising handling credibility, the Impulse is remembered as one of the boldest experiments of the Japanese car industry’s heyday.
Kuha455405 at Japanese Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons
Toyota MR2 (AW11)
The MR2 packed exotic layout into an affordable package: mid-engine 4A-GE (~116–122 hp NA; up to 145 hp supercharged in Japan) in a sub-2,300-pound chassis. It darted through corners with razor-sharp reflexes. Origami styling, pop-ups, and compact size made it unmistakably ‘80s. More than a novelty, it proved Toyota could do fun with engineering daring. The AW11 remains one of the most joyful, driver-focused machines of its era—pure sports car magic.
Jacob Frey 4A, Wikimedia Commons
Mazda Cosmo AP (RX-5)
Larger and more luxurious than Mazda’s earlier rotaries, the Cosmo AP offered GT comfort alongside 12A and 13B rotary performance. Its angular styling carried a sense of upscale presence, with plush interiors emphasizing long-distance appeal. Though overshadowed by the RX-7, it bridged the early Cosmo glamour to Mazda’s sporty future. Collectors value its rarity and rotary uniqueness. The Cosmo AP is a reminder that Mazda experimented boldly with rotary luxury coupes.
160SX (talk), Wikimedia Commons
Mazda 323 GTX (BFMR)
A true homologation special, the 323 GTX delivered turbocharged 1.6 power (~132–135 hp), AWD grip, and rally toughness in a humble hatchback shell. Boxy arches and chunky spoilers added Group A credibility. Capable of sub-9-second 0–60 mph runs, it was both practical and potent. Its rally roots gave it immense street cred, and its rarity today makes it highly collectible. The GTX brought rally-bred excitement to ordinary drivers like few cars could.
The original uploader was Mpwt at Polish Wikipedia., Wikimedia Commons
Nissan Skyline 2000RS/RS-Turbo (DR30)
The DR30 Skyline, nicknamed the “Newman Skyline,” carried the FJ20 DOHC four-cylinder. In Turbo RS guise, it delivered ~190 PS and serious pace. Its boxy, ruler-straight lines gave it brutalist presence, contrasting earlier curviness. Motorsport appearances boosted its reputation. As the bridge between classic Skylines and the high-tech R32, it’s crucial in the lineage. The DR30 embodied Japan’s embrace of turbocharging and squared-off ‘80s design, ensuring its place in enthusiast lore.
Toyota Soarer (Z10)
The first-generation Soarer aimed squarely at Japan’s luxury GT buyers. Smooth six-cylinder engines—including the 5M-GE—and high-tech features gave it prestige. Its glassy, upright coupe body balanced style with understatement, while interiors packed gadgets. It set the tone for Lexus’s SC a decade later. The Soarer blended technology, comfort, and straight-line speed with Toyota reliability. It’s a landmark in Japan’s personal luxury market and still admired for its restrained yet elegant presence.
Nissan Leopard (F31)
Cousin to the Infiniti M30, the Leopard combined plush cruising with V6 power, including turbocharged VG-series options in Japan. Its formal coupe shape and subdued luxury reflected Japan’s growing GT segment. Inside, comfort and features mattered more than lap times, but performance was still respectable. Though often overlooked, the Leopard signaled Nissan’s capability to build refined grand tourers. Collectors now appreciate its blend of smoothness, rarity, and understated Japanese sophistication.
NISSAN LEOPARD 3000 Ultima【V6 TWIN CAM 24VALVE】2023 Nostalgic 2days, Shijin Rider X Car & Bike
Which Was Your Favorite Classic Japanese Car Of That Era?
We could go on—Cressidas, Bluebirds, rally Celicas, and countless kei cars all deserve space. But the 25 cars here embody the DNA of the era: lightness, rev-happy engines, rear-drive thrills, and designs that ranged from boxy minimalism to pop-up-laden futurism. Each contributed something essential to Japan’s rise as a performance-car powerhouse. They weren’t just cars—they were statements of intent that forever changed how the world viewed Japanese automotive engineering.
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