Description
By: Paul Guinness .
Introduction
The Japanese car scene has changed immeasurably since the 1970s, when the odd machine that was actually exciting or interesting was soon outnumbered by mass-selling models carrying such daft names as Sunny, Violet Cherry and Gloria. These days, a big proportion of the models from Japan are very fine cars indeed, and many of them are seriously desirable by any standards.
Whatever your particular Japanese car penchant, you'll probably be able to think of a few models that ideally should have been included in this book. But with a finite number of pages available, we had to stick resolutely to 40 different models — and that meant a long time spent agonising over the final list. Here it is then. Forty of the top Japanese fun, sports and performance cars. They're not all blisteringly quick or amazingly expensive, and neither are they all from one particular era. In fact, we've managed to cover every decade from the 1960s through to the early years of the 21st century, so we're pretty sure there's something for everyone.
Over the next 40 chapters, you'll find 240Zs, CRXs, GTI-Rs, VR-4s, GTIs, NSXs, GTs, Type Rs and lots more brought together as a tribute to all that's great about Japanese sports and performance cars. And that makes this book essential reading matter for anybody who loves Japanese cars, owns a Japanese car or is thinking of venturing into the Japanese car scene for the first time.
Some fantastic cars for drivers have emanated from Japan over the years, and it's these that this book is here to celebrate. Each one has a fascinating story to tell. Each one is a bit of a beast.
Acknowledgement
Researching a book that involves no fewer than 40 different models of Japanese sports and performance cars is no mean feat, so I am grateful to everybody who has offered advice, help and encouragement along the way. Among the many names I could mention, I'd particularly like to thank Rod Jones for always being there, Howard and Sarah Darber for their unstinting support, and Frank Westworth for so much authorial inspiration over the years.
I am also indebted to Haynes Publishing's Mark Hughes and Steve Rendle for their professional help and personal encouragement through this and all other projects. I'm equally grateful to Tim Wright and Kathy Ager at LAT for helping to source some terrific photography. Finally, to all the hard-working people in the various UK press offices that represent Japanese motor manufacturers, a heartfelt thank you.
I hope fellow Japanese car fanatics enjoy what follows...
Paul Guinness July 2005
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