American classics
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American Classics Are Taking Over Japanese Collectors’ Market

The muscle car era made an irrevocable impact on American consumers at a time when production was taking new shape. These compacted vehicles became a symbol of freedom, constructed on performance, good handling, and low pricing. No fuss, sleek styling. All the things that consumers were craving in the late 1960s. Half a century later, these iconic name brands are still some of the most decorated possessions stowed away in garages and warehouses across the nation. It’s fair to say that most Americans hold a special admiration for the Shelbys and Camaros of the world, even if they’ve never owned or driven one. It just goes to show the hype behind muscle mayhem will never actually die. And now, we’re seeing that same love for American-made models extend far beyond state lines. Japan, the birthplace of popular JDM models, has its own weakness for American classics.

Here, we’ll take a look at the thriving muscle car community in Japan as well as these collectors’ commitment to authenticity.

Where it all began

It may be a regular occurrence to see Toyota and Honda models cruising down mainstream highways in the U.S., but it’d be a rather rare experience to see a Ford pickup doing the same in Japan. While we’ve spent decades importing Japanese makes to satisfy the wide range of American consumers, our American-made vehicles rarely get exported to the Pacific. Japan, in particular, upholds some of the strictest importing regulations, making it both challenging and costly to get a U.S. manufacture on Japanese soil. In most cases, car enthusiasts in Japan have better chances of finding old collector models from countries like China and getting it shipped directly from there. But even so, it’s not a simple process.

With American classics being such a rarity as well as difficult to obtain, the question remains: How did Japanese collectors become infatuated with American muscle cars? Or perhaps, How did a country with limited access create such a  booming American car scene?

Movies like The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift certainly played a part. However, car enthusiasts far and wide know that muscle cars are some of the most fun to refurbish. And of course, drive. Though it might not be the easiest feat to get your hands on these iconic vehicles, Japan is proving that with the right funds and resources, it is possible. The obsession there is quickly rising, and we’re glad to see it.

Here’s a first-hand look at Japan’s growing fascination for American muscles:

Staying true to American classics

One of the coolest aspects of the growing muscle car community in Japan is that collectors are staying true to the build. Although some might expect flashy tech upgrades and uncharacteristic mods, most Japanese collectors are remaining faithful to the original design. A number of these enthusiasts gather for meets and actual classic car events throughout Japan. Namely in Koto City and Shibuya City in Tokyo. There you’ll surprisingly find some of the most authentic and well-restored American classics in the world. Admittedly, it’s pretty cool to see.

A shifting Japanese car culture

For most auto enthusiasts, the obsession with muscle cars is not hard to understand. They are timeless vessels in a sea of constantly evolving tastes. Though our market has gradually shifted away from these classic designs over time towards functional SUVs, we’ll never be unimpressed nor unexcited to drive one. Today, it’s refreshing to see a piece of American culture taking place in Japan through the automotive community. And we have a feeling the classic car scene is just getting started there! We hope to hear more news about American car clubs taking share across the Pacific.

What do you think of Japan’s secret love for American classics? Share your thoughts with the Headlights community below! If you’re interested in talking more about muscle cars, check out our guide on the 5 Most Sought-After Muscle Cars of all time.

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Michaella Malone
Michaella Malone is a content specialist and full-time freelancer with 5+ years of experience working with small businesses on online platforms. She is a graduate of Florida State University (Go Noles!) and avid traveller, having visited over 25 countries and counting. In addition to blogging, ghostwriting, and social media content, she has contributed to the development of English as a Second Language (ESL) curriculums for international programs.

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