There is really something special about American Muscle that seems to beckon not only the classic car guru but the modern-day enthusiast as well. That love doesn't just permeate the States either, it extends well beyond our borders - and Japan is one country that is all about some classic Americana. From old-school Corvettes and Camaros to Shelbys and even Squarebody pickups, Japan has a secret culture of classic American car lovers that nearly rivals our own.
Here we'll take a deep dive into why the Japanese love our cars so much, having a look at some of the classic culture along the way, and get into some of their few-and-far-between meets that boast somewhat impressive versions of our well-known Muscle on the other side of the Pacific. Let's take a ride and explore Japan's love affair with American Muscle.
Japan's Modest Muscle Car Beginnings
Regardless of the status and popularity of our muscle cars they are still quite rare on the streets of Japan, and for good reason. While JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) cars have long-time been a thing in the United States, the same can't be said for the classic American Muscle car on the Island chain across the Pacific.
With a reputation of being inefficient and extremely expensive, as well as having high import tariffs, our muscle cars have somewhat been looked down upon in Japan - especially considering the regulations and taxes owed in the country for driving cars with larger-displacement engines. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
An American Muscle Revolution
Around the turn of the Millennium, technology began to advance at astounding rates, and across the world, the love of American Muscle skyrocketed as well. With the debut of The Fast And The Furious movies and the Gran Turismo video game franchise, the whole planet became infused with car culture and automotive tuning that seemed to grip even the non-enthusiasts.
A point to take note of here - the third film in the Fast And Furious empire was titled 'The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift,' which follows an American military kid in Japan and his exploits in the car scene there. In the film, the main character Sean (played by actor Lucas Black) works to fix up his father's 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback to race against DK.
With the strict importing regulations and laws in Japan, it's very difficult (and expensive) to have an American-made muscle car brought over there from the States, and that doesn't include the Annual Road Tax that is based on engine size and specifications. The yearly cost for a 1.0-1.5 liter engine is around ¥34,500 (about $310) and only increases from there, costing ¥111,000 (around $844) for a 6.0+ liter engine.
The majority of American Muscle owners are from the areas of Chiba and Yokohama, where Americana is particularly popular due to the surfing culture and presence of U.S. military bases in the region - the latter of which is an easy way of avoiding heavy penalties if you or your family is active-duty or enlisted and on base in the country. But that still hasn't stopped the import and ownership from taking place by regular citizens as well, especially if they have the Yen to do so.
The Classic American Car Shows In Japan
One would probably think that even the American cars owned and driven in Japan would be full of technological devices with neon lights and crazy paint jobs and vinyl wraps, and while that may be the case in some instances it isn't the case every time. You can check out a video of a meet and cruise near the Tatsumi Parking Area in Koto City, Tokyo here.
There are literally very real and true classic American car clubs that have regular meets and keep the cars as pristine and original as possible in Japan. For instance, on the second Sunday of every month, a regular meet happens at the Daikanyama T-Site in Shibuya City, Tokyo that would rival any classic car show here in the States. Some of the most authentic cars from America's historical Muscle are on display for the car guru and passerby alike.
With everything from Challengers to Camaros, Mustangs, and Corvettes, the classics are always in full attendance. The Daikanyama Morning Cruise is just one of many devotees to American Muscle, too, and have had many dedicated-theme meets over the years - one of the largest being the pre-1975 American car get-together.
A Dark Side To Japan's Americana
With any culture you take the good with the bad, and while there is a thriving community of muscle car enthusiasts in Japan who do everything by the books and legally, some of these enthusiasts often modify their cars to make them massively powerful, as well as take part in illegal street races and drift competitions just as some do here state-side.
Another little-known bit of information that very few people are aware of is that classic American cars, such as Lincolns and Cadillacs were also used by (and associated with) the Yakuza. Using the 'tanks' of our classic automobiles and always painted black with tinted windows, these cars came to symbolize wealth and power for the top organizations on the Islands.
While this stigma fades and Americana scene begins its ascent in Japan, one thing can be said for certain - Japan's love affair with American Muscle is just getting started, and we can only hope the relationship lasts.