Japanese Collectibles: 1967–70 Datsun 2000 SRL311, 1976–77 Toyota
Celica GT Liftback, 1967–72 Mazda Cosmo 110S - Feature
Three classic Japanese cars now worth a
lot of yen.
BY PAUL DUCHENE
May 2010
Japanese cars grew up fast in the 1960s. They were toddling by
1966; walking by 1970; and, by 1975, the Honda Accord was a runaway success. Some of those cars are
now edging into the collector market. One rare toddler is an original
1966 Toyota Corona Deluxe four-door with less than 9000 miles. It
stunned the crowd at the Silver Auction in Arizona in 2007 when it sold
for $16,740. The same car sold for $38,160 at Me*****’s Indianapolis sale
in May 2009, to collective gasps. The original price was $1760, or about
$11,600 in today’s dollars.
Simple and durable, that ’66 car
serves as a reminder that the race does not always go to the swift, or
even to the handsome, but to those who can finish. Which raises the
question: Which ’60s and ’70s Japanese cars are collectible? Ignoring
for the moment the everybody-had-one Datsun 240Z and the
nobody-could-afford-one Toyota 2000GT, here are three suggestions
spanning a sizable price range.
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It’s a brilliant revival of the 1969 Mustang Mach 1, right down
to the ducktail and the triple vertical taillights. Features include
the bulletproof, 2.2-liter 20R motor; rear-wheel drive; a five-speed;
lots of gauges; and effective air conditioning. Stylish and reliable,
without being a razor-sharp performer, it’s an ideal first collector
car.
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As street racers have learned, this angular roadster may look
like its 1600-cc pushrod sibling, but with a 2.0-liter engine and a
five-speed, it’s quicker than it appears. A factory race kit offered up
to 150 horsepower and Jaguar E-type performance. The first-year,
low-windshield model is preferred. Rust is a real threat, so shop in
southern states. Timing-chain troubles can be catastrophic; check
records.
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This eccentric sports coupe housed Mazda’s first production
rotary engine. Its looks are an acquired taste, with early Lamborghini
touches (before Lambos achieved total awesomeness). Spares are
nonexistent, all Cosmos are right-hand drive, and beware of
rotor-apex-seal issues on early cars. There’s a handful in the U.S.:
Leno has one; Mazda North America has two.
