Welcome to part three – the best part, in many ways, because we’re starting with Alfa Romeo. OK, so maybe the Coda Tronca isn’t your favourite model, but it’s the perfect car for a late spring Sunday morning ride.
Although a Giulietta Spider would also be quite excellent for this task, if you’re more in a ‘50s state of mind.
I think this is the first 2-litre Bertone 105 GTV (1971-76) I’ve seen here. Even with the slight facelift, the original 1963 design remained almost intact. Not all cars were this fortunate.
We’ve had the pleasure of looking into a Junior Zagato 1600 a few months back. This is the slightly shorter 1.3 litre original version, made between 1969 and 1972. Don’t fret, we’ll take a gander at the Giulia SS someday. Maybe an Alfa week will be required…
Lost in the outer limits of north Tokyo, for whatever reason, was this oasis of Italian classics. Four CCs for the price of, well, nothing at all. How could one resist?
These Singles Outtakes simply couldn’t avoid the traditional Lancia Delta HF. I’d call it a staple, at this point.
Quirky design, that 1995-2003 Lancia Y. At least you can’t mistake it for anything else. Nice Alcantara interior, too.
Not the first A112 Abarth I’ve posted in this Outtakes series, so it probably won’t be the last either. This one could use a little TLC to be up to Tokyo’s usual standards, presentation-wise.
The rarest and oldest of the lot was this Abarth 850 TC. These were made between 1961 and 1969 and had a lot of track success throughout the ‘60s. Ugly little things, but ruthlessly efficient.
The little brother of the 850 TC, based on the 4-cyl.-powered Fiat 600, was the Abarth 595, based on the 2-cyl. Fiat 500. These were meant to be driven with the twin out in the open – it helped with both cooling and aerodynamics, apparently.
The Fiat Abarth 131 garnered over a dozen WRC event victories in its heyday in the late ‘70s and won Fiat the manufacturer’s championship title in 1977, 1978 and 1980 fair and very, very square.
I was fearing we’d not have a Maserati on this edition, but this pulled up. Not the rarest, but definitely one of the best, in my opinion.
Easing into the Ferrari realm with a sexy black Dino 208GT4. I think we’ve already seen this specific one, but it bears a repeat.
This one, I believe, we haven’t seen before. Awesome airbrakes on that thing, eh?
The 308 GTB is broadly speaking a short wheelbase version of the Dino. Love that centre stack.
Ten years later, and Ferrari were still doing the same basic car, now dubbed 328.
This had me stumped when I encountered it. It got a lot of attention from the Jingu Gaien crowd, too. As it should – a veritable sculpture of aluminium and Plexiglas, showing off its insides like one of those translucent frogs.
Bandini?… Well, that’s what the web is for. So this is the 1968 Turin Motor Show car, thus nicknamed “Saloncino” coupé. It has a 987cc DOHC hemi-head engine good for 105hp, mated to a 5-speed manual. Like most Bandinis, it’s pretty much unique – the marque produced 75 cars in total between 1946 and 1992.
Almost the same production time-span as Bandini, but millions made. Escargot power!
A blurry XM is better than no XM at all. Might make that my new motto.
When did Peugeot officially stop giving a merde and just do pure badge-engineering? A low point for the double-chevron marque, the Peugeot 106-based Saxo replaced the AX in 1996 and lasted till 2003. These were originally sold as the Citroën Chanson in Japan, but this post-facelift car with the 120hp 16-valve 1.6 litre was allowed to be called Saxo (Honda apparently owned the name for the JDM).
This edition’s Peugeot is surprising – but iconic, in certain countries: the 50cc moped known as the 103. These were made in France from 1971 to 2006, and continued production in Morocco for another decade. This one seems to be a mid-‘80s model, i.e. the model’s commercial peak.
When I was a kid, one would mock anybody’s exaggerated top speed claims by saying they had been measured with a Peugeot speedo. This was because of the 103’s amusing little unit, which as we can see here, claims the bike is doing 10kph even when standing still.
A flock of Renault 4s prowled the streets of downtown Tokyo, looking menacing in their berets and smoking unfiltered cigarettes. Some were probably wielding cheese-loaded baguettes and sharpened croissants, too.
The four-wheeled French find of the (bi-)month has to be this nearly immaculate Renault 10. These are among the ugliest Renaults ever devised – and that’s saying something, though this is the facelifted 1300cc version (1967-71), which is a slight improvement on the original design.
It might return and sit still for long enough so it gets its day as a stand-alone CC. I’ll reserve the vitriol I harbour for these ungainly and dangerous shitboxes until then. Ooops… Let’s move on swiftly to the Detroit iron, shall we?
Only one Chrysler representative, sad to say. And really, it’s a Benz in drag. But I still quite like these – bold styling, for the times.
Manual gearbox, lacking a flux capacitor and the obligatory Doc Brown treatment altogether? Now there’s a DeLorean after my own heart.
On the Ford side of the equation, we find a slightly modified Model A coupe.
Again, I’m suspecting this ’64 Falcon is not 100% stock. Great colour, in any case.
What do we think is behind that shiny grille, mated to that 5-speed manual? Big block V8 or 660cc Suzuki triple?
We’ve seen this original Japanese market Mustang before, but it won’t be too taxing, I hope, to look at it again. Interesting wheels on this one – can anyone tell the rest of the class about them?
This thing was absolutely massive. Must be quite a challenge to park (and drive) in Tokyo…
The Mercury marque is seriously underrepresented in these posts; I might have found a half dozen in five years. Nice to see there are a few recent ones about as well.
Someone’s getting a little work done to their vinyl top. And a bit of a tune-up, most likely.
Speaking of vinyl tops, they just look out of place on cars of the more modern era. This Signature L had a neighbour that exemplified this axiom quite well, too.
The Caddy wears its plastic toupee with grace and aplomb. The Lincoln looks like it has a bad case of psoriasis.
On the other hand, this has to be one of the ugliest dashes Cadillac ever made for their senior cars.
These Fleetwoods would still look acceptable with a vinyl top, but much better without.
The popular classic Cadillac is of course the mighty ’59. Nice duo of sedans here, sporting both greenhouse styles.
And they’re not necessarily all sitting in their garages, either.
Quite a few interesting Hummers about, for some reason. The H1 is always a daunting sight, even when the owner is a very kind and genial Japanese dad.
First time I’ve seen a “small stretch” Hummer in Japan. Not too bad, actually. Almost restrained.
These, however, are just cartoonishly over the top. And the sides.
Yikes! Bit of an obsession with giant angry-looking American 4x4s on this parking lot.
Most of these bear Chevy bowties, but this one bucked the trend.
Case in point. Kinda like the GMC grille better.
I can handle the green – it was the ‘80s, after all. But wire wheels? On an El Camino?
The elusive Japanese market 4th gen Camaro. Let’s be kind and call it “peculiar.”
Wheels aside, this is infinitely better.
Same problem with this (otherwise sublime) C1 Corvette. Cool colour combo.
Somehow, the oversized wheels and lowered stance don’t appear as jarring on the C3.
Again, we have a classic Chevy with silly wheels, but at least they’re black (as is most of the chrome trim on this 1970 Chevelle), so a little less obnoxious.
Too bad I didn’t catch this one for my Chevy custom post from a few months ago. But worry not, we’ll end things on a high note.
As promised, the grand finale: a 1954 Townsman “tin woody”. Proof that mods can be tastefully done. And that’s it for this edition of the T87 Singles Collection. See you in September, unless the super humid 35°C weather gets me first.
I can’t identify the mag wheels on the Mustang, but they’re very much period pieces from the “early” mag wheel era. What’s interesting is that they are four lug wheels, which makes this a six cylinder Mustang, and makes the wheels even rarer. I’m stumped, but they are an exceptional addition. It is possible that they are European and happen to fit the Ford six bolt pattern? Maybe for a European Ford?
I think they are from Yokohama’s Almex YS series; JDM.
Similar, but not quite the same. But quite likely they are modern takes on classic mag designs.
Great sleuthing ACB! They’re Yokohama Almex YSA rims, available from 1974-81 in 4.5×12, 5.5×13, 6×13, 5.5×14 and 6×14 sizes, with PCD sizes of 4×110, 4×120 and 4×114.3. website kyushashoes.com has more images and sizes, including the centre-cap logo with matches the Mustang.
I’ve been told some Toyotas share the same PCD as early Mustang/Falcon worse they look vaguely familiar but as rims at a junkyard with no car attached, somebody will know and prove me wrong.
The 4×4.5 bolt pattern is quite popular: https://www.wheel-size.com/pcd/4×4.5/
Among JDMs, Daihatsu, Datsun/Nissan, Honda, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, all have models that fit. Many are classics.
Perhaps this has been covered before, but I have a tough time considering the DeLorean to be an American car. Sure, JZD himself was an American, and it appears the company was incorporated in the US, and most of the cars were sold in the US, but…
The car itself was built/assembled in Northern Ireland, and used a French/Swedish built engine and (I think) a German transaxle. It was designed by an Italian firm. Et Cetera.
You tell me.
Redesigned so it could actually be built by Chapman at Lotus UK.
And so that Chapman could pocket a bunch of money that was never accounted for. Had he not died before it came to light, he might very well have gone to prison for it.
Agree, it’s got a PRV (Peugeot Renault Volvo) 90degree V6 that was supposed to be a V8 but the fuel crises caused them to lop off two cylinders and the car was built in Ireland so it’s not especially American. It was in Back to the Future though so that makes it a bit iconic. Then again Michal J Fox is Canadian so…
I would love an Alfa Spyder, Giulia, Alfetta, or 2000 between 1970-75 (CA smog), as I rode in a few back then and super impressed. Yet once again this is one of the brands I don’t trust. Granted no PCM’s to mess with but still a parts black hole.
Oh, that poor 70 Chevelle. Now so ugly. The white Mark obviously has a tear in the bottom of the driver’s seat. I’ve seen that solution before.
The four bolt mag wheels on the Mustang is a rare sight. I would like to get a close up view of the center cap as I think that would be the clue as to manufacturer.
The Mustang – I couldn’t take my eyes off the side view mirrors waaaayy out there on the fenders.
Two 59 Caddys – nice to see a front and a rear view in the same photo, one can see the similarities between the two ends.
How do the one in the garage and the blue one out driving appear to have the same license plate number (19 59)? Is there some other numbering that distinguishes the unique registrations of each?
That Hummer may have been restrained, very much the opposite of the 59 Caddys.
That 64 Falcon looks all original to me. No updates at all. Even the original steering wheel .
Thanks for these great posts!
There are a lot of things other than those large numbers on a Japanese license plate. There are five main bits, essentially:
1. the seal (essentially to prevent theft), with the prefecture’s name
2. the locality where the car was registered, written in kanji. Since 2006, the list was updated; there are now over 100 place names. Some prefectures only have one, some with larger populations have several, e.g. seven for Tokyo metro, Hokkaido or Saitama, eight for Aichi, four for Osaka, etc.
3. the vehicle class. For a car, if it starts with a 3 (or less commonly a 1 or an 8), it’s “oversize” (over 2 litres and/or 170cm width). If it starts with a 5 or a 7, it’s “regular” size. prior to 1970, only one number. from 1970 to 2000, two numbers. Since 2000, three characters (usually numbers, but some latin alphabet letters can also be in there)
4. Hiragana (Japanese alphabet) letter.
5. Main numbers. Can be as few a one ( * * * 1) to four (9 9 9 9)
So the two ’59 Caddies do have the same big numbers, but could be registered in a different locality, or have a different vehicle class number, or a different hiragana — in this case, all three are indeed different.
Very interesting! Thanks!
Great assortment as always! Never heard of Bandini and the Mustang wheels look vaguely familiar but not ringing any bells. The Revcon Trailblazer looks pretty cool, love the flat-top ’59 Caddie sedan, but I’d choose the Lancia Y, all that Alcantara looks very tactile and inviting.
It’s strange to see a 1961 Corvette with a 58-60 grille.
The Bandini is so sculptural so sensuous and so seductive. Below is an brief excerpt and link to an article posted around five years ago about the great Ilario Bandini and how his nephew, Dino has created a museum to celebrate his creations.
“And the sale, also in Japan, of a Bandini Saloncino, one of the four berlinettas built by my uncle, at a staggering figure of one million two hundred thousand euros.” $1.3 million US conversion as of today
http://motorvalley.it/en/story/dino-bandini-automobile-collection-bandini
Oh, that Giulietta Spider is drop-dead gorgeous.
Looks like this summer will be even hotter than last year. Those 35 degree days like yesterday are killers.
Saw a 54 MK7 Jag with similar wire wheels as the El Camino in Russell recently looked ok on the Jag.
Giulietta Spiders are so tiny and beautiful.
Those 1950s designs seem to look lovely in white – and I generally detest white cars. Especially modern Fridge White.
Bandini’s a new one on me!
Japanese enthusiasts do have wonderfully eclectic tastes.
That El Camino is a stunner, as is the Corvette (wheels aside).
And my favourite, the Ferrari 308GTB
Another great set!
You’re right about the Maserati Fourdoor. By modern standards, which are so low that the basement is the penthouse, it’s a lovely shape. But a bit common for Tokyo, so probably used for deliveries and such.
And you’re right about the R10. Even amongst its highly-competitive antecedents and descendants from the Regie, it prevails as the winner. It doesn’t even get to “characterful”, as they (mostly) did. Funnily enough, I really rather like the R8, which had some style in its severities, and certainly some concept of proportion: whereas the 10 took the cabin and stuck an absurd, gigantic portmanteau and some tv screens on the front. Yukky.
As for Fiat 500 Abarths, I always find the hoiked-bootlid look a tad distasteful, like someone who not only has the arse out of their pants but has decided to make a display of it. The strada is not a darkened club, sir.
The Townsman Twoody as COTD for me (though I do so wish folk would leave the wheels of oldfartmobiles alone so that old farts didn’t have to write what I just did).
My Dad owned an R10 bought new in ’68, as far as style, yeah, it really didn’t have hardly any (though I liked the front bumper shape that allowed access to the under “frunk” spare tire door). My Mom thought it looked like you could get in the back seat and drive it looking out the back windscreen.
However, it did have its points, compared to the ’59 Beetle that my Dad owned right before it. The seats were very comfortable, it was water cooled (so no chance that a rusty heater exchange could introduce carbon monoxide into the passenger compartment) and it had 4 doors rather than 2 and I think significantly more storage space in its “frunk”. Maybe the 10 was more along the lines of a VW that doesn’t get much respect, the 411, which I think strove to be a “luxury” air cooled VW with more amenities than the type 3, let alone the Beetle, but got a pretty cold reception (even with its gas heater). Also remember the 4 wheel disc brakes on the R10. And…if you like clean sightlines, drive one of these…maybe only an 80’s Honda had better vision out, you seemed to sit up high in it so you could see very well out of the vehicle.
Funny thing, a lady I met my first day at work after getting my undergraduate degree came to town a couple years ago, I now live close to 2000 miles away and haven’t seen her in close to 40 years…turns out she also had a Renault 10 right before she bought the ’79 Datsun 310 coupe she had when I met her. Guess it never came up back when I saw her nearly every day (she also lived in the same apartment complex as I back then) but somehow in a 3 hour lunch and drive (she was in a nearby town for a destination wedding, I volunteered to drive her there so her kids could do their think in their rental car) I found out she also had one back in the day and a bright chartreuse color (she wasn’t a shrinking violet).