さて、前回のCaliforniaの日本車特集に続き今回も70年代、Californiaで見かけた日本車を紹介します。 |
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まず5マイルバンパーの付いたTOYOTAカローラはSanta Anaの道端で撮影しました。リアになんとFatなタイヤ、Deepなホイルを履いてますがフロントがノーマルスチール ホイルではちょっとがっかりです。しかしこのカローラ、何とトラクションバーを装着していました。エンジンは分りませんが多分ノーマルですよね。 |
そしてこれからの3台はDrag Race仕様の日本車です。 |
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まずマツダRX3、日本名サバンナ、RX3なんて呼び方なんともいいですね。特別なクルマって感じですが、日本では当時サバンナは暴走カーと言う印象があったのであまり好きではありませんでしたがこのクルマをPomonaで見つけ驚いてしまいました。エンジンはロータリーをチューンした物と思います。フロントはアップさせてDrag Stripを疾走していました。 |
こちらもPomonaでみたDatsun Zです。多分V-8が入ってるのでしょう。Air Scoopの形が時代を感じますが迫力です。Zはこの年代が好きです。 | ![]() |
同じ時期、日本では太いタイヤを履くとレースカーでもこういう状態でした(Photo:A)。 | ![]() Photo:A |
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当時、三菱車はDodge, Plymouthで販売されていましたが、何か日本車に見えなかったです。 |
Continuing from last issue of Japanese cars in California, This issue I focus on Japanese cars I have seen in California in late 70s'. First this TOYOTA COROLLA with 5 miles bumper is pictured on street in Santa Ana California. It had really fat rear tires with deep dish wheels and original steel wheels on front was depressing. But it had traction bars on rear. Don't know about the motor but probably stock. In the shop is the TOYOTA CELICA. There was a lot of Celica entry in shows I have mentioned in last issue, In late 70s' Celica used to be so popular to Young Japanese Americans in Gardena area. With 13 inch LIBRE WHEELS and small rear spoiler is so USA style compare to Japanese Celica. Slightly lowered height and Vitaloni Mirrors were popular Japanese American style. Its fresh to see the tall tires on 13 inch wheels now. This kind of Celica is not seen in Japan. Third one is the Drag Race style Japanese car. Its Mazda RX3. Its Japanese name is Savanna, Name RX3 sound good. Sounds special car but back than it used to be Wild Speed Car in Japan and I couldn't like it than until I saw this car in Pomona. I think Motor is tuned Rotary engine. It was racing on Drag Strip with Front end raised up. This is NISSAN/DATSUN Z also seen in Pomona. Probably V8 on this one, Air Scoop tells its age but its impressive. I prefer these years Z. Next is DODGE COLT I saw in Orange County Raceway (OCIR). Think its V8 powered too. Japanese Cars are small and light so it must be fast if powered with big size V8 but with short wheel base and narrow tread, It must been scarily to drive with powerful couple hundred horse powered engine. Before than European ANGLIA, HEALEY and VW BUGS had V8 powered cars but from 70s number of Japanese race cars increased. RX3, Z & Colt had all rear tires fit in fenders and clean which I admire about USA. In same time cars with fat tires in Japan was like these(Photo:A). Back than MITSUBISHI was sold by Dodge, Plymouth dealers and it didn’t look like a Japanese cars. |