Special Cars Japan

Renault Alpine GTA V6 Turbo Le Mans Edition

2009-06-25T07:50:00.000-07:00

I don't think these cars are especially rare but i had to include it because it looks so fabulous.

I had forgotten how good the design of these 90's Renault Alpine's are.

A perfectly proportioned (in my opinion) sports car, incredibly squat looking and with a lovely arse. In fact the appearance doesn't really reflect in the performance if you were to compare the car to even modern day GTI's but who cares (probably a lot of people but not I).

The last of the interesting current stock at Collezione.

This example is a 1991 top of the range LHD Alpine GTA V6 Le Mans edition and it looks the dog bollox. The car has covered an average 69,000 km and has a complete maintenance history available that should be easy to validate as the car has spent its life here being a Renault Japan orighinal.

Those rims with the showroom polished tyres really set the car off.

Price is 2,980,000 JPY.

1961 Lancia Flaminia Sports

2009-06-25T06:55:00.000-07:00

An opportunity to acquire a rareish 1961 Lancia Flaminia Coupe Sports.

344 of the Zagato built sports car were produced.

The details on this particular car are unclear as almost no information is presented but it is confirmed as having the less powerful 2.5 litre engine as opposed to the 2.8 litre that was fitted to later cars.

Although the car seems to be outfitted as a race car it is unclear what, if any heritage it carries, however the event stickers on the car indicate that it must have been campaigned in a number 0f historical races by one of its previous owners.

It looks just like a Ferrari of the same era but a little smaller and more simple looking which probably befits the cars performance in comparison.

No price on the car but surely it will suffer a little in that regard as Lancia produced 150 of a more powerful Super Sports version with a larger 2.8 litre that will surely affect the desirability of this particular car currently for sale at French and Italian Specialist Collezione of Tokyo.

Lancia Delta Integrale Final Edition

2009-06-23T09:32:00.000-07:00

If you are a fan of the Integrale then this car is one if not the most desirable of them all.

The final Editon of the Evo 2 was sold only in Japan (250 made) and featured a special paint job of dark candy red with red and yellow stripes running down the center as well as some other special bits and bobs.

Lancia shops and clubs here regularly receive requests, especially from Europe to source one with a few making their way back.

Japan is likely the best place in the world to find a good Integrale of any description with lots of specialists and clubs with huge knowledge as the car was very much appreciated here and that's why Lancia decided to sell their last cars in this country.

The car in question (link above) is no 36 of production, has a full service history and has covered a largish 64,000 km. It has also had a sports exhaust fitted as well as front and rear strut braces which you can see in the pictures.

I like it but i have to say the colour doesn't give me the orgasm that it does some.

Collezione did have another car like this until recently with a lower mileage but it must have been sold recently (good on them).

If you want this one the price is set at 2,680,000 JPY and it'll sell.

Maserati Biturbo Spyder

2009-06-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

Another crap Maserati from the 80's.

Collezione have this 1992 Maserati Biturbo Spyder currently in stock.

Of course it isn't very rare and in most peoples eyes not very desirable but this example is notable for its outstanding condition assisted by the fact that the car has only covered 7,000 km with its one owner at the helm (lets hope that the lack of use wasn't investment influenced).

Car is an Automatic transmission version and although the ad doesn't say it looks to be black although i am colour blind so it's probably actually yellow.

Car is available for 2,980,00o JPY. Which is a lot of money for a Biturbo but really any MASERATI with only 7,000 km has got to be worth something like that to somebody, somewhere.

1971 Fiat Abarth 595

2009-06-22T08:40:00.001-07:00

Collezione of Tokyo have a number of interesting cars in stock but surely one of the best has to be this 1971 Fiat Abarth 595 for sale rather sillily with a price of zero yen.

Its difficult to find much info about these cars but this one is said to be a real car with full official certification as part of the paper work.

It's difficult to see from the pics how original it is but i would assume that some of the graphics and emblems have been added as well as the interior seems to have received some attention and looks like a little rust might have taken hold on the exterior sills (to be expected).

Very cool and in vogue, especially since the company launched their new 500 some time ago. The Abarth brand itself has set up special shops in selected Fiat dealerships in Japan to promote their resurgence in new models.

The shop that usually has the rarest Historic Abarth models available is however Delta classics.

Maserati Khamsin

2009-06-16T08:18:00.001-07:00

Following on from the wonderful third generation Quattroporte that loperaio had for sale (now seems to have been sold), they also have this very low mileage 1980 Maserati Khamsin offered as an automatic car and with a mileage of only 12,000 km since new.

Finished in white with a red leather interior the car is on the market for 7,250,000 JPY.

It looks in excellent condition but it might be more desirable in my eyes if it was a manual car.

Take a look.

http://www.wintel.co.jp/wintel/owa/pspe_stock_detail1?in_categorize=0&in_group_id=0002&in_shopno=237-1&in_carno=2875&in_mode=stocklist&in_designno=&in_cssno=&in_shop_disp=1

Lamborghini islero S

2009-06-10T09:04:00.000-07:00

Now the successor to the 400 series Lamborghini was arguably the better looking car. The original was maybe (i would have thought) a little polarising.

The Islero on the other hand had more of the aesthetic qualities that people associate with Italian sports cars from the era.

Having said that the 400 sold in slightly larger numbers than the Islero.　

Lamborghini was still in its infancy when this car came about and only sold 225 examples before nipping it in the bud and moving on to the still weird looking Jarama.

The Islero was built in two version the standard and a later Isero S which is slightly rarer.

It is also more desirable as it came with an uprated v12 engine able to produce a very healthy 350 bhp as well as a few appreciated subtle styling changes.

Directly named Dream Auto have this lovely red Islero S example for sale at the moment.

Although no details are given on the history, price etc a previous ad advertised the car as looking for offers over 16 million yen.

http://www.dream-auto.jp/l00056.htm

If the car checked out and had matching numbers etc as well as low mileage and or a very extensive restoration then that price would be pretty reasonable i would have thought.

A stunning propositon.

1988 Maserati Quattroporte

2009-06-09T08:53:00.001-07:00

Now i don't sign up to the camp that anything Italian is usually stylish, you only have to visit the country to have that illusion crushed in one fell blow.

And with good riddance because for instance Italian fashion is these days a load of bollocks.

However the language sounds nice and the best word has to be Maserati. Even though the cars were crap for a long time the name itself sounds so wonderfully exotic if you aren't Italian.

This car is from the crap era of Maserati when the company made cars that look like modern day Chinese Marques or top of the range Korean cars from the same era.

They looked rubbish then but now they look cool and this little gem is a case in point.

Glitzy Loperaio of Tokyo have a 1988 Maserati Quattroporte Royale For sale and it has to be one of the best available.

Surprisingly 1876 people liked the third generation Quattroporte during its time because that's how many people bought one. The cream of the range was the Royale, being an ultra luxury version of an already premium car. Only 55 of this final edition were ever produced.

This Tokyo car has only covered 8,000 km since new and looks immaculate in dark blue metallic. It's difficult to imagine that the car looked any better when it was delivered new. A full service history accompanies the purchase also.

These days you can buy an 80's Maserati for the same price as a flight to Japan (business class) but this comes in a little more at 4 million JPY.

The car has got to be worth that to a serious Maserati collector.

http://www.wintel.co.jp/wintel/owa/pspe_stock_detail1?in_categorize=0&in_group_id=0002&in_shopno=711-1&in_carno=1608&in_mode=stocklist&in_designno=&in_cssno=&in_shop_disp=1

New California in Japan

2009-06-08T08:01:00.001-07:00

Apparently it's a bit tricky to get get your hands on a new California if you didn't get your order in a few months ago.

A bit of a waiting list exists and so you might need to be patient if you plan on ordering one.

Alternatively you could get down to rs dino of Ibaraki and buy this one.

They seem to have imported a new one from Europe themselves and here it is for sale at
24,900,000 JPY which is more than the list price of the car in Japan at 23,600,000 JPY but then that's normal for early delivery Ferrari, Porsche etc.

The slight atmosphere of naughtiness of circumventing official Ferrari sales channels is enhanced by these dodgy pics of the car in a back room.

http://www.rs-dino.com/new09Ycalifornia01.htm

Ferrari 512 BBi In Kyushu

2009-06-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

The Ferrari boxers of the 70's and 80's are fairly abundant due to their long production run dating from the 1973 365. Particularly the 512 BBi which marked Ferrari's switch to injection from carburettor fed engines.

Their relative ease of purchase doesn't distract from their attraction to collectors and they remain one of the most coveted of all.

Best of all is that you can secure them for very much real world money although condition and mileage varies greatly.

This would have to be a good opportunity although the price is not mentioned in the ad.

1984 Ferrari 512 BBi, all over red, original car. This 512 has covered less than 6,000 km and has been maintained entirely, including a timing belt change at 5422 km.

It is an official Ferrari dealer car, being held as stock by Version G of Kyushu.

1984 was the last year of manufacture of the 512 BBi which started in 1976. What that of course means is that all the crappy little engineering shortfalls that may have cropped up in the earlier cars should have been ironed out by the time this one exited the Maranello factory gates.

Here's the link and would you just look at that engine.

http://www.wintel.co.jp/wintel/owa/pspe_stock_detail1?in_categorize=0&in_group_id=0008&in_shopno=334-1&in_carno=851&in_mode=stocklist&in_designno=&in_cssno=&in_shop_disp=1

Ferrari 430 GT3

2009-06-04T07:47:00.000-07:00

If you not spare of a few bob and fancy delving into a new hobby then this ready on the button brand new Ferrari 430 GT3 Held as stock by Miura Shoji might be the ticket for launching you into motor sport glory.

With sequential gearbox, carbon everything and a spare set of wheels and tyres you could be very competitive at any of the number of FIA GT3 races internationally that this car is eligible for.

You don't even need to be that good in the driving department with a quick scan of most of world GT series revealing that a large number of the field is made up of older inexperienced fat blokes but with wads of cash. To be frank that pretty sums up about 50% of world motor sport.

No idea of price but it would have to worth well over 40 million yen i would have thought as this used example from the UK is retailing at 195,000 pounds.

Car is third down on the left.

http://www.miurashoji.co.jp/menu/index.html

Bring it on.

Ferrari Enzo

2009-06-02T07:30:00.000-07:00

If you like fast cars not a lot can touch the Enzo for pure heart stopping performance, it is no doubt a huge achievement for Ferrari or rather so it bloody should be because these cars sold for a bloody fortune when new and now command even higher premiums with production long stopped.

Far more stupendous is that Nissans GTR is actually in reality faster than this car in many aspects and so is probably a special edition late model Mitsubishi EVO. Now that sort of talk doesn't go down well with the Ferrari purists for many reasons a lot of which are relevant but all the same you can buy similar performance in a car for the same price as the steering wheel in an Enzo.

And what a steering wheel it is.

It is a ridiculous looking car and quite hideous from most angles but it does look good with the engine cover raised when all eyes are averted from the ugly body to the glorious v12 engine.

Official Ferrari dealer Version G of Kyushu have a non priced 2003 edition that has only covered 3,000 km.

http://www.wintel.co.jp/wintel/owa/pspe_stock_detail1?in_categorize=0&in_group_id=0008&in_shopno=334-1&in_carno=776&in_mode=stocklist&in_designno=&in_cssno=&in_shop_disp=1

Warned it will be expensive, very expensive but buy one now because pretty soon their won't be any left as everybody keeps crashing them.

Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione

2009-06-01T06:38:00.000-07:00

This car is one of the rarest of the rare.

The lightened, race prepared 288 GTO was built to contest Group B racing before that series was scrapped on safety grounds. As a result only 5 cars were ever built and of those, two were designated developments mules for the subsequent F40. Those two cars are no more and so leave a grand total of only 3 genuine cars on this earth.

This is one of them (i hope).

An of course red 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione. No other details are of course forthcoming as the dealer is looking for serious enquiries on such an important car.

Holders of the car are Nakamura Engineering of Nara prefecture between Nagoya and Osaka who specialise in racing Ferrari and Lamborghini. they also have a number of F1 cars for sale.

With a whole extra 250 HP over the standard car and a significant weight reduction of 940 kg vs 1220 kg.

Styling is certainly an exercise of function over form with the originals athletic lines lost in an aerodynamicists wet dream.

Although this automobile is hardly steeped in motor sport glory, in fact it more represents what might have been, it would be hard to put a price on. It must be worth at least twice what a standard 288 GTO is, most likely much more than that.

Naturally the dealer have declined to state a figure.

This is the car in question.
http://nakamuraengi.heteml.jp/cgi-bin/nakamuraengineering2/siteup.cgi

Good info here on the car in general and heres a bit of a you tube complete with northern commentary.

Ferrari F50

2009-05-29T08:22:00.000-07:00

The Ferrari F50 has got to be one of the most exciting looking Ferrari of recent times. Scintillating performance by way of its 520 hp 4.7 litre v12 engine and outstanding chassis performance all add up to one of the most awesome performing cars to ever come out of Maranello probably. Naturally i have never driven one myself.

However i wouldn'ｔ have one, well of course i would in fact I'd be prepared to undertake some shocking ordeals just to have 5 mins to myself in in one but that goes without saying. Want i want to say is that i don't like it comparatively. In my feeble opinion it looks too flashy a bit medallion wearing hairy chested.

It must be that over done front, it looks almost like an after market body kit.

Some time ago in the horrible Japanese summer a convoy of Ferrari passed while i was walking by my local Suzuka circuit wearing a towel around my neck and salty sweat stains under my armpits after an afternoon watching the racing. In amongst all those exotic red machines was a lone hard topless F5o with beaming driver. I'll be honest he looked more of a prick than i did.

Most people would disagree with me though, then and now.

There are always F50 on the market but i thought i might include this brace of F50's that multiple dealer Version G of Hakata, Kyushu (southern island) currently have available.

This dealer are an official Ferrari dealer so both cars should be very solid with checked history.

In both cases the price is not specified but should be a pretty packet.

One car has only covered 890km and is a 1997 no 236 of 349 cars built. Included is an official photo album from the manufacturer of the car being built. Perhaps one of the lowest mileage cars available.
http://www.wintel.co.jp/wintel/owa/pspe_stock_detail1?in_categorize=0&in_group_id=0008&in_shopno=334-1&in_carno=759&in_mode=stocklist&in_designno=&in_cssno=&in_shop_disp=1

This car has covered 10,000 km and is also a 1997 but no 196 0f 349.
http://www.wintel.co.jp/wintel/owa/pspe_stock_detail1?in_categorize=0&in_group_id=0008&in_shopno=334-1&in_carno=796&in_mode=stocklist&in_designno=&in_cssno=&in_shop_disp=1

Much more interesting in my opinion is the lovely 1984 one tone 512 BBi this dealer also have in stock.

Brand New Jaguar XJR-15

2009-05-28T06:21:00.000-07:00

There are at least 2 or 3 of these rare Jaguars on the market in Japan.

Unlike the XJ220 it's easy to forget that the XJR 15 ever existed, so scarce is it (only 50 made) and hardly ever discussed in the press.

Powered by a race derived 450hp v12 engine it goes without saying that the Jag was a very fast buggy and very noisy which i can attest to. Some time ago while viewing another of these cars for sale in Nagoya the dealer kindly fired her up and in the enclosed confines of the maintenance garage the V12 reverberated off everything and everyone and left yours truly with a distinct feeling that i was under some sort of attack. A great noise in terms of decibels but not i might add a beautiful tune, more like an aggressive, malignant and dark force. Still, no need to drill a hole in the exhaust at least.

Xjr 15's also have a reputation for being very difficult to drive safely and perhaps that's why
AG Motoyama Garage of mountainous Gifu Prefecture are in possession of a repainted 1991 green car that hasn't turned a wheel.

Yes that's right, its brand new, never used and is available for 30 million JPY.

Now apparently these cars don't collect huge premiums at auction because mostly collectors don't feel confident driving them but it's easy to imagine that if you keep hold of one for a few more years that appreciation might follow such an epic automobile even if it is dynamically a bit disappointing

I have no idea how many of the original 50 still survive uncrashed today but if you buy this one, store it and wait for a bit until all the other XJR 15's have been totalled on track days etc you might get a good return when your car is the only one left.

Click here for details on the car in question.
http://www.days.ne.jp/ag-motoyama/others/xjr15_080501_3/

Some time ago I remember viewing an old Pubes for hair Jeremy Clarkson piece on this car on you tube but I can't for the life of me find it now. Help?

Comments below please.

Lotus Europa Special

2009-05-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

The last of the interesting cars currently held by Woodstock of Tokyo.

Lotus Europa Special

Surely one of the coolest cars ever to be produced by the British with that eccentric design where the cabin and rear engine cover meet. Coupled with widely reported sublime handling and performance to boot.

This Japanese car is the cream of the Europa models being a special from 1972. At that time Lotus aspirated the Ford twin cam (replacing the less desirable Renault) with Webber carburettors and so it was able to produce 126 hp, which when working with only a 740 kg total weight, offered scintillating performance.

The ad says that the car has recently undergone a complete brake master overhaul and that the engine has received regular maintenance during its life. The car has only covered 27,600km so even by British 70's standards of build and lasting engineering it should be okay for a bit more before an engine overhaul is needed.

Clearly some of the interior trim has been replaced but more interesting is the panel gaps in this old 70's car, thank god they don't make them like they used to.

Price is 2,799,999 JPY

De Tomaso Pantera SI

2009-05-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

Apparently there exists a hierarchy among the super car dealers of Japan. If so then unusually named Bingo Sports must be somewhere near the top of the heap.

Well established and with locations in Tokyo and Nagoya, they always have a good selection of new and vintage blue chip models. Among the Mclaren F1, 288 GTO, F40, a De Tomaso Pantera SI makes a case for itself as one of the rarest of Bingo's current stock.

The SI represented the last of the long running production of the Pantera. Launched in 1990 at the height of the super car boom before reality bit. The recession that followed ensured that only 41 examples of this last iteration of an iconic car made it out of the Italian Modena factory.

The new car had very heavily revised underpinnings and with a new Ford 5 litre V8. The exterior was almost entirely changed to drag the old Pantera in to the early nineties. Frankly you can find information about the SI by clicking here.

This Japanese owned automobile is now in Nagoya at Bingo's exclusive classic showroom.

Bingo state that it's a 1992 model and has only covered 17,000 km and is in perfect condition mechanically and cosmetically. The photos certainly do it justice, looks completely new. Finished in yellow and with a black leather interior.

It makes a stunning proposition but at what price? You'll have to contact the dealer for that information.

Luckily De Tomaso don't usually command excessive cost, mainly because people still think they are a bit rubbish and as far as i know they were not terribly, terribly expensive when new.

If you're a Pantera fan and you haven't got an SI yet then get on to this one and start negotiating. Click below for car Pictures.

http://www.wintel.co.jp/wintel/owa/pspe_stock_detail1?in_categorize=0&in_group_id=&in_shopno=632-1&in_carno=34&in_mode=stocklist&in_designno=&in_cssno=&in_shop_disp=1

Aston Martin Virage Volante

2009-05-25T07:38:00.000-07:00

Another Woodstock, this one.

1994, automatic, Aston Martin Virage Volante finished in Winchester Silver and only having covered a piddling 10,600km.

Cost is 10,499,000 JPY and for that you get one of the last of the hand built Astons and one of the final crap cars that the British marque made before moving on to more investment (Ford) and better considered cars.

Almost noboby liked them and that's why Aston only sold just over 1,000 of the Virage in all guises.

Of that small number only about 230 Volantes were produced which makes this featured car rarer than a ferrari 288 GTO and the whole series including the coupe and the Vantage of the this platform scarcer than a Ferrari F40.

Damnnnn.

http://www.woodstock-j.com/hpms/ws/carshow.php?carid=0702-046

Lamborghini 400 GT For Sale

2009-05-24T00:28:00.000-07:00

Appropriately named Dream Auto of Tochigi Prefecture keep a large stock of Exotic European cars including some wonderful examples from the 60's and 70's.

Perhaps most impressive of their current line up is a 1967 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2. Details are very limited with the only information showing on the ad is that the car has been completely restored.

Although with crap photos it's difficult to tell the condition of the car.

Offers over 18 million yen are invited.

http://shop.dream-auto.jp/i-shop/product.pasp?cm_id=167043&cm_large_cd=1&to=pr

Aston Martin V8 Coupe For Sale

2009-05-22T08:58:00.001-07:00

Any Aston Martin of Vintage is an extreme rarity on these shores in comparison to other European premium marques. It seems that until recently Japanese didn't really get the institutional British maker. In fact a lot of "car people" here hadn't really properly heard of them until Gran Turismo came out on the Play station.

Having said that up to not long ago a very blue chip Tokyo garage was dealing in some exorbitant Aston's of the 50's and 60's but their demise might be taken as an indicator of how far the marque still needs to go to establish itself.

I don't have any idea of the exact history of the brand in this country but something must have gone awry between the company's inception and up to a few years ago (not to mention a big old war) when a sprinkling of newly franchised dealers have sprung up to handle the Warwick shire firms new products.

A local dealer who specialises in antique British automobiles of every description except the manufacturer in question once said to me "Aston......,Aston Martin eh........, yes............,expensive......,more expensive than Jaguar but no better or even as good". That rather simplistic analysis may not reflect real sentiment but was nonetheless a telling remark.

All that aside classic Aston do exist here and with some real gems in current possession.

Woodstock have a fairly bog standard Series 2 AM V8 Coupe from 1973, finished in white and only showing as covered 25,000km the car is on the market for 5,999000 JPY.

The ad states that the car has never been exposed to rain and that owner has spared no expense in maintaining the automobile in its original condition, however a domestically produced Sanden air conditioning unit has been added. Lots of parts have been regularly imported to maintain the cars mechanics.

Service history has been extensively listed and most notably a full engine overhaul was undertaken in 2005.

It does appear to be mechanically very sound but to my untrained eye the interior could do with a bit of attention.

http://www.woodstock-j.com/hpms/ws/carshow.php?carid=0904-005

Ferrari 412 For Sale

2009-05-21T07:13:00.000-07:00

RS-Dino of central Japan are well known Ferrari Tuners and are heavily involved in the domestic motor sport scene.

They also do a little car dealing and the most interesting of their current stock has to be this glorious black, automatic 1987 412.

The car has covered 47,900 km and is a LHD European supplied import as opposed to an official Cornes (Japan's Ferrari importer) car.

History is recorded as far back as 15 years with the most recent work amounting to a transmission overhaul as well as general servicing.

A very elegant Ferrari and for me one of the most desirable and by the standards of the marque pretty reasonable for a car that is probably a lot rarer than you think (576 produced).

This car is on sale for 5,775,000 JPY

http://rs-dino.com/ucar87Y412.htm

TWR XJS

2009-05-19T22:56:00.000-07:00

This car has confused me for some time as i really can't understand how rare it is, anyway Jaguar XJS are pretty rare these days anyway even in England let alone here. Don't think i have ever seen one in Japan.

This, i'm assuming is the 6.0 litre TWR version with 380 horse power which would have been an awful lot in 1991.

It has to be said that the red doesn't really suit the car and in my humble opinion it looks a little childish with that body kit (original it may be).

The car looks rather cheap and by jove it is in fact at only 1.390,000 JPY which is less than my little Honda was new.

Car resides at Woodstock of Tokyo and the ad says that it is a German import and has full history(in German), exceptional condition. 92,000 km.

http://www.woodstock-j.com/hpms/ws/carshow.php?carid=0612-131

Here is a much more exciting version of the above, Enjoy.

Ferrari 288 GTO For Sale

2009-05-19T08:47:00.000-07:00

One of Japan's largest stock of rare ferrari are in the showroom of Miura Shoji the owner of which is a collector himself and a lot of his cars are not for sale.

This one is though.

A beautiful 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO That has only covered 6,000 km. As a result the car is in exceptional condition. The ad also states that the car has never been used in the rain.

Price is available upon enquiry although this dealer likes to keep things close to his chest.

Could be a fantastic opportunity to own one of the worlds greatest GTO's although the steep price of the current yen might put a spanner in the works if you were thinking of the car as an investment.

You can find the car second from top on the right.

http://www.miurashoji.co.jp/menu/index.html

Aston Martin Lagonda For Sale

2009-05-18T09:31:00.000-07:00

Here lies an interesting car.

Little point of Tokyo have a very green Aston Martin Lagonda of the year 1986 currently as part of their stock.

The car is described as continually kept inside although one might wonder how it achieved a monstrous by Japanese standards 110,000 km in that state. Price is on request.

A very dramatic car but ever so slightly strange or perhaps that could be exceptionally cool as one of the most off the wall designs to make it to production. Apparently 645 examples of this weirdo were produced which is frankly a lot more than I would have imagined.

Looks to be in pretty good nick. Check for yourself by clicking the link below.
http://www.little-point.com/cl02/detail-9.html

Classic Alfa for Sale

2009-05-17T10:35:00.000-07:00

The Alfa Romeo bug is alive and well in Japan with loads of clubs and specialist dealers devoted to the marque although that statement is rather contradicted by the sparse number of classic or rare Alfa's that are currently on the market.

Below are some that i have found that may be of interest. It is notable that the RZ and SZ series found particular popularity over here and enjoyed brisk sales of new and later used imports from abroad.

Kyowa Motors of Hyogo have this series 2 1974 2000cc Alfa Romeo Spider in red and is described as having never been driven in the rain. The car is totally original and has only covered 35,000km. Asking price is 2,680,000 JPY
http://kyowamotors.co.jp/php/detail.php?item_id=20060714195757

Interesting dealer Jiron Auto who run a classic shop alongside their multiple franchise dealer have a 1995 red Alfa RZ, production no 214 that has so far only achieved a minuscule 20,200 km. Price is available on request.
http://search.carhoo.jp/8597/car_detail1090558182.html?rf=2
They also have a rather attractive series 2 1979 2000cc Spider finished in white which is ever a popular colour for all things in Japan. Mileage is checked at 26,200km. Chassis no AR115410006688. Price is a not unreasonable 1,580,000 JPY or about the same price as a new Daihatsu Copen.
http://search.carhoo.jp/8597/car_detail1080417833.html?rf=2

Appia of the beautiful city of Kyoto are currently in possession of a very classic looking 1973 Alfa Romeo 1600 GTJ in silver and with unconfirmed mileage although the condition looks very acceptable. Car is RHD indicating it may be an original Japan car. A recent engine overhaul has recently been done as well as new shock absorbers put in place. Price is available on request.
http://appia.jp/cars02027.html#lcn012

Toy Car Land of centrally based Shiga Prefecture offer for sale this unashamed 1996 Alfa RZ in yellow. The car has covered a respectable 40,500km and the advertisement stresses that the car is in exceptional condition and has recently undergone a timing belt change. Price is available on request.
http://search.carhoo.jp/4039/car_detail1081141802.html

The gem of this bunch has to be Wing corporation of Tochigi Prefecture's Alfa Romeo coupe version of the beautiful Giulietta. The car is a 1964 example and has achieved a mileage of 82,000 km. Finished in a very appropriate dark red (although it is not clear if this is the original colour as the car has been repainted) and being extensively restored throughout, including a complete engine overhaul, the price is naturally available on request.
http://www.wing-corp.com/stock2/00084.html

Ferrari Dino 206 For Sale

2009-05-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

A Ferrari shape that almost everybody likes including those who profess to no fondness of the marques creations is the 200 series Dino of the late 60's.

Why? Well it looks like a VW or an early Porsche and has a kindness of lines and related perceived character which is mostly absent in the Italian brands other automobiles. Although this is probably intentional.

In fact Ferrari were not themselves very enamoured with the product and so decided not to emblazon the car with the prancing horse, rather using Dino as a separate brand in itself.

The Maranello maker made this distinction clear by advertising the car as "small, safe, almost a Ferrari" in their sales brochure, at least in initial 206 guise.

Dino's were very down on power compared to others in the Italian sports car line up and unusually for a Ferrari road car carried a V6 in favor of a V12 further cementing its entry level status.

Most of us know of the much better marketed 246 version that sold in large numbers from 1970 but before this an earlier initial 206 model made market entry in 1967. The 206 was less powerful than the 246 (180hp compared to 195hp) and sold in tiny numbers (150 only) and so is exceedingly rare, presumably because nobody wanted to buy one at the time.

However Woodstock of Tokyo have a 1968 exquisite yellow example of the rare 206 that has covered 50,405 km since delivery and is now on the market. Price on request.

Link below

http://www.woodstock-j.com/hpms/ws/carshow.php?carid=0802-266

MK 1 BMW M3's For Sale

2009-05-08T08:18:00.000-07:00

In a country which largely considers its own automotive industry still to be on top in terms of engineering quality it can be quite difficult to find European sports cars of the medium high performance variety. This market being very well catered for by the Japanese brands themselves.

The high end sports and luxury sectors are unaffected by this way of thinking.

A car that is held in high regard by the Japanese public and media alike is the BMW 3 Series and most especially the M3 in all its generations and guises.

It is one of the only foreign cars to make regular appearances in Japanese drift competitions that may not be everyones cup of Sake but it is a good indicator of the cars RWD dynamics.

German sports specialists Autobahn Sport of Osaka have a quartet of MK1 (the coolest of all) M3's available to purchase. None are special editions but all look to be in reasonable condition.

Prices start at 1,580,000 JPY for a red 1990 example with BBS wheels to 2,228,000 JPY for a 1990, white, lightly tuned car with 100,000 km on the clock.

One would think those prices might be very negotiable.

Heres the link. Scroll down to the bottom for the MK 1 cars.

http://auto-bahn-sport-abs.com/car.htm

Ferrari 512 BBi For Sale

2009-05-07T02:16:00.000-07:00

Although fairly numerous the Ferrari boxer is a popular acquisition for collectors and is viewed as having all the credentials that a REAL Ferrari needs as well as reportedly requiring a skilled driver to manage all the performance from the V12 engine. Not sure if that last part is positive or not.

Multiple dealer operator Bubu (bit of a silly name but actually part of the Mitsuoka group) currently have for sale this late model 1984 (which represents the last year of production) 512 BBi. The i of course standing for the Bosch injection which replaced the Webber carburettors of the 512BB.

Finished in all over red this car has only covered 19,000 km and benefits from a complete service including engine overhaul,belt changes and new clutch that was carried out at 16,600 km.

Price is 10,280,000 JPY and the car currently resides at their Western Japan premises in Hyogo Prefecture.

Follow the link for details.
http://www.tradecarview.com/used_car/japan_car/ferrari/512/901884/

Lamborghini Miura For Sale

2009-05-06T10:43:00.000-07:00

The Miura is surely one of the most coveted automtive treasures of all time.

A reminder that Lamborgini used to produce some wonderful design. Sadly the company now makes a lot of crap although i'm sure dynamically very good cars.

I went off modern Lamborghini when they came out with that Reventon thing a while ago. I think the idea was that it was supposed to look a bit like a stealth fighter so that the occupants could pretend they were pilots of sort on a bombing mission thereby showcasing the lethality of its performance or something along those lines.

Rather for those of a neo conservative bent or perhaps if you are only 10 years old.

Another nod to the chronically tacky was the teaming up of the company with notorious purveyors of bad taste Louis Vuitton to create an interior inspired by the french brand some time ago, nuff said.

Anyway Back to this rather more distinguised original Miura.

The dealer AP Shukugawa of Hyogo Prefecture have this lovely yellow editon. This particular car is a 1968 P400S which represents the second evolution of the model. Changes from the previous P400 model include a 20 hp improvement from its glorious V12 engine.

Ap Shukugawa's car was imported in to Japan in 2006 and apparently has covered only 7,550 km although the dealer has question marked this, presumably through a lack of documented history. It is described as being in excellent condition and an engine overhaul as well as interior restoration has recently taken place.

Asking price is 45 Million JPY.

Please follow the link for details.

http://www.ap-shukugawa.com/stock/06y_lamborghini_miura/index.html