“Old-school” Japanese cars took over Marina Green Park in Long Beach, California, on Saturday, October 11. The occasion marked the 20th anniversary of the Japanese Classic Car Show (JCCS) – a signature event that has become a highlight of the classic-car scene in California and beyond. Organizers remarked, “Back in 2005, Japanese cars weren’t even widely seen as classics. Now, thanks to a passionate community of fans, builders, and collectors, we’re proudly celebrating the craftsmanship, culture, and legacy that continue to thrive in the U.S. and beyond.”
There were a few specific themes on display this year:
- Datsun BRE 240Z – Referring to the Datsun 240Z cars prepared by Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) for SCCA racing in the 1970s. Founder Peter Brock and racing hero John Morton were on-site for a live reunion at the Nissan booth.
- Toyota Celica – An iconic fastback that helped define early Toyota performance.
- Mazda RX7 – One of the most important cars in showing the world what rotary-powered performance was all about.
- Honda Z600 – A car “small in size, but gigantic in soul.” It was one of the vehicles that paved the way for Honda’s success in the United States.
Merchandise is always a highlight of the show. With that in mind, BRE and JCCS released some exclusive diecast cars. And special guests this year included world-renowned automotive photographer Larry Chen, as well as the host of “Diecast Talk,” John Lambert.
Here were just a few of the stand-out vehicles that were on display, in order by model year.
1974 Honda Civic “RS” Restomod
This eye-catching first-generation Civic was reimagined as a modern-day interpretation of Honda’s early compact. Mike from Utah has been working on the car for nearly two years, and being able to showcase it at JCCS was a huge goal. His efforts paid off: The car received a first-place award as “Best Civic” as well as a plaque for “Best of JCCS Open Modified Class.”
1980 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
JCCS isn’t just for cars – the event is also open to trucks, vans, and sport-utility vehicles that fit the age demographic. This olive green 4×4 Toyota was equipped with a “2H” 4.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine. The FJ has long been praised for its go-anywhere capability and rugged chassis.
1985 Toyota Celica GT-S
The forerunner to later Supra models, this wedge-shaped “A70” generation Toyota has been a popular vehicle in the collector marketplace. It was powered by the legendary 2.4-liter “22R-E” engine. This white example at JCCS was among a limited production group of rare convertibles. American Sunroof Company (ASC) performed the conversions.
1992 Mazda Miata
Only about 1,500 Sunburst Yellow “NA” Miatas were produced, making them rare today. It was fitting to see this car on display at JCCS, especially as a tribute to its original designer, Tom Matano, who recently passed away. Mazda’s lightweight convertible two-seater will forever have a place in the collector community.
1992 Nissan Maxima SE
This Maxima, owned by Mark from Portland, has been the product of a light – but very detail-oriented – restoration and made the nearly-1,000-mile trip to Long Beach. Mark said, “It was the first long trip I’ve taken in it, and it did great.” The Maxima was Nissan’s famous “4DSC” (four-door sports car) designed to deliver an exhilarating driving experience with sedan space and comfort.
1997 Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution
This right-hand-drive SUV’s origins date back to its development for the Dakar Rally. It came with a 3.5-liter V6 and became known for its capable “Super Select 4WD” four-wheel drive system. Only about 2,500 total units were produced between 1997 and 1999, making the Pajero a sought-after collectible today.
As the JCCS website said, “More than just cars – they’re milestones, memories, and moving history. Through every challenge, this community endures.” With that in mind, we look forward to seeing the evolution of JCCS for many years to come!
