What Car Announced Japan’s Arrival?

I don’t think there was any specific car that made a huge splash. The Japanese invasion started in the 1960s, but as was said, went unnoticed by Detroit. The invasion hit full force in the early ’70s, with Datsun, Toyota, Honda, Mazda, and Subaru all selling inexpensive reliable cars that got good mileage. Detroit started to respond, but their response was to little to late. The Pinto, Vega, and Gremlin all came out before gas prices tripled overnight. The best Chrysler could do was buy these imports and rebadge them as Dodges and Plymouths. The Pinto, Vega, and Gremlin looked a lot better than most of the imports, but Detroit has always had a thing for styling. But the imports were more reliable, and slowly started looking better. Back in 1972, My dad bought a brand new Pinto woodgrain station wagon, and I still have that car to this day.

Then in the last couple of decades, things started turning around. Japanese cars were built in the U.S., while American cars were built out of parts sourced from all over the world. The Japanese and Americans began to copy each other to the point where today there really is no difference between Japanese and American cars. Sadly that wonderful Detroit styling was one of the casualties. Today’s cars, no matter where they are made, are designed from the getgo to be disposable, to be used up and recycled, rather than being repaired. And that, to me, is where Detroit eventually won. My Pinto in now 42 years old, and I should have no problems keeping it going for the rest of my life. Try that with any late model car, or any early ’70s Japanese car, with the possible exception of the Datsun Z car, which has developed a cult following. It is a gorgeous car, but it was not designed by the Japanese.

What Japanese car looked good, sounds great, goes better than anything else, was reliable, and just generally better than American cars of the time?

The Datsun 240Z

Middle to late sixties in SoCal you couldn’t go anywhere without noticing the Datsun 410’s and 510’s and Toyota Coronas.

I think that everyone who said that the 240Z truly announced the rise of Japan in the American market. However, I think that one of the main features of the 240 that people missed was that it established a racing pedigree for the Datsun name. We all know the old saying, “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday” and nobody did this better than Datsun. Starting with the 510 in ’69, Datsun went to dominate it’s class in Trans-Am, securing the title for this prestigious race with the 240Z from ’71 to ’73. The fact that these pieces of “Jap-crap” were dominating on the official circuits-and in none too many street races too-meant that Americans had to accept that they were here to stay.

I am temped to say the 240Z… but I think it happened later. Much Later.

Acura Legend, Q45, and the Lexus LS. Sure, the Japanese makes were healthy brands but nothing announced that the imports have “arrived” and not just as a lower-cost option.

The 1969-70 period when U.S. Volkswagon sales was peaking; Datsun pickup, 510 and 240Z; Toyota pickup, Corolla, Corona and Celica ST (in ’71); then the first gen Honda Civic (’72/’73?).

The 1969-70 Toyota Corona was a car that they definitely should have been paying attention to. It was inexpensive, reliable, could haul a family of 4 or 5 and got terrific gas mileage which became a major issue in a few short years. Both my father and uncle who were long time Detroit auto drivers and car guys bought one and loved them. For my Dad, it was the beginning of a long line of Japanese cars that followed including a Datsun 1200, 510, 610 and at least 3 Datsun trucks. He did not give up on Chryslers however for many years, though they were relegated to special trip duty.

In my opinion, Datsun at the time, in the early ’70’s, had the most complete line-up of cars to compete with a good segment of the market. That combined with the condescending attitude of the likes of Lee Iaccocca who proudly stated that they would drive these Japanese cars back in the ocean with the Pinto and the Vega, pretty well assured that the Japanese cars brands in short order would take over a slice of the market that they never relinquished.

I think it was a 240Z that convinced America that Japanese cars were truly viable alternative to what was available. It was fast, good looking, efficient, cheap, reliable, and even handled good – it didn’t fall apart like Italian counterpart, it was more economical and reliable than American offerings. I think, for the first time people who care about cars looked at Japanese cars and said, “I could like that over (insert what you want).” And American has bought more 240Zs than anybody else.

Great job on the question today Petrolicious this one really made me think 😀 I cant really think of a answer but im stuck between two cars for my answer.i First of all is the Honda S500 sports car. Sports cars are all about fun and technical achievements. The S500 was a fun little sports that was pretty advanced for its time as well. It came with a 4 speed transmission, 4 wheel independent suspension, DOHC 4 cylinder. All components that were pretty high tech for the day. i’m convinced if this car had a British or Italian badge it would have sold like hotcakes. Next would be the Datsun 510. It was a simple, pretty looking small car that was reliable,practical, got good gas mileage but also had IRS and front disk brakes which gave the car very good performance on the street and race track at a price far less then the European brands.