Japan: Cars and Bikes

[nfpgasmask]

Wow, so the wife and I finally did our big trip to Japan. It was simply amazing. Obviously, being a car nut, I took a lot of pics of cars while I was over there. Sadly, I saw no VXes, no Troopers, and only one Isuzu street car, this one:



There were plenty of Isuzu Elfs though, like this, and a few other box trucks.



One of my favorite vehilces I saw a few of, were these older Land Cruisers. According to Wikipedia, these appear to be models from the 80s, but our domestic LCs looked nothing like this in the 80s. I even saw a 2DR SWB version.





Another model, I think ours looked more like this.


And while I saw only one Isuzu SUV, there was no shortage of little Suzuki 4x4s.















And what's that black SUV behind this little blue Suzuki?


That's right, a SWB 2DR G-Wagon. I didn't even know Mercedes made them like this!

[nfpgasmask]

What the heck is this?




And check this out. A Nissan Rasheen. I've never seen one of these before until I went to Japan. These SUVs are super short. And I mean top to bottom, not front to back. I would love to have one of these and lift it and put big meats under it. Its hard to tell in the photos, but this little vehicle was super low.




And a few Mitsus.










And then there are all of these, all of which I have never seen, and know little or nothing about.

?


Toyota Origin, I looked this one up.


?


?


And look at this, I don't know if it is new or old?!?!?


?


I think I didn't see many Zus because the cities were primarily dominated by mini trucks, mini cars and motorcycles, like these little vans:

[nfpgasmask]

And then there were the bikes. I'm not a huge bike fan, but there are some that I love.

Someone, PLEASE tell me you know what model Yamaha this is, because I seriously want one:




A few other notable bikes:


?






Some of the stuff that is street legal there could never be here, but I'm sure that works both ways:










Altogether an awesome trip. I already want to go back.

Bart

[Marlin]

Hope you had fun. There are a lot of sweet 4wd vans too. They reminded me a lot of australia with the brush guards and whatnot.
Did you make it to Ripungi (not sure on spelling). Its outside of Tokyo, like 5 blocks of just bars and clubs. China on the Garden is a really nice tour as well.

[Triathlete]

I like that mini-retro-vw-bus!

[nfpgasmask]

Did you make it to Ripungi (not sure on spelling). Its outside of Tokyo, like 5 blocks of just bars and clubs.

Roppongi, yep, went there and had a amazing night. Long story short, we ended up at this lonely karoke bar on the 9th floor of this building where a Japanese dude ended up buying us 2 rounds of drinks and 2 bottles of expensive champagne. Really weird, really fun and unforgettable.

Bart

[nfpgasmask]

I like that mini-retro-vw-bus!

Yeah, I think its a modern vehicle, made to look like the orignal VW Bus, only a mini version of it. Its really small. Here's another one selling crepes:



Bart

[vt_maverick]

Funny all those LCs (except the last) look more like Mitsu's than Toyotas. Btw, I am really diggin' this Suzuki:



I can't imagine ever living in Japan, but if I did I would have to put a line item in the budget for mods. Can you even imagine all the stuff that's out there?

[Marlin]

I can't imagine ever living in Japan, but if I did I would have to put a line item in the budget for mods. Can you even imagine all the stuff that's out there?

Sure, but howmany of em are offroad related? Can you even off road in Japan?

update-I googled Japan offroad, found a few dirt road pics, but thats about it. Weird that 4x4 vehicles would be popular, other than snow, I don't see any purpose for em?

[pbkid]

What the heck is this?
?

that honestly looks like a modified lexus to me....one of these, modified???.. maybe not that exact year, but you get the idea (tell me how to resize it and i will....)

And then there were the bikes. I'm not a huge bike fan, but there are some that I love.

Someone, PLEASE tell me you know what model Yamaha this is, because I seriously want one:




Bart

s
dude, that thing is freakin sweet!!!! i would definately sport one of those!

[vt_maverick]

Try editing the image link in your post to this pbkid:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...exus_LS400.jpg



For direct comparison:



It's always tough to tell with JDM vehicles, they have a limitless number of body kits over there for pretty much any vehicle ever made. My personal guess would be some sort of Nissan maybe?

[nfpgasmask]

Can you even off road in Japan?

That's a very good question, and one I wondered about when I was there. Obviously, the cities don't have any offroading spots, but out in the country there has got to be some stuff. There are plenty of mountains and areas that get a lot of snow, so there must be something...It would be interesting to find out.

Bart

[Ldub]

Sure, but howmany of em are offroad related? Can you even off road in Japan?

update-I googled Japan offroad, found a few dirt road pics, but thats about it. Weird that 4x4 vehicles would be popular, other than snow, I don't see any purpose for em?

That would be in keeping with the tidal wave of 4WD trucks & suv's sold in the good old US uv A every year...

99.9% have prolly never had the 4-lo clicked in, cept maybe by accident during the throes of barely middle aged passion, when a soccer mom'z foot takes an errant lurch...

[Scott Harness]

That would be in keeping with the tidal wave of 4WD trucks & suv's sold in the good old US uv A every year...

99.9% have prolly never had the 4-lo clicked in, cept maybe by accident during the throes of barely middle aged passion, when a soccer mom'z foot takes an errant lurch...

Soccer Mom Sex...Ahh...Yes...Paradise by the Dashboard Light
ps... extra credit for naming the the band

[vt_maverick]

Meat Loaf...