TOKYO – A Toyota Motor Corp. museum will launch a special exhibit in October featuring iconic Japanese cars of the 1980s and 1990s, including its Sprinter Trueno and models made by its rivals, such as Nissan Motor Co.’s Skyline GT-R.
The display will run from Oct. 3 to April 5 at the Toyota Automobile Museum in Aichi Prefecture, highlighting JDM, an acronym for Japanese Domestic Market vehicles, according to Toyota. JDM cars have gained cult status worldwide, with enthusiasts modifying and restoring vehicles that were imported to foreign markets.
Mazda Motor Corp.’s Efini RX-7, Subaru Corp.’s Impreza WRX STi, Mitsubishi Motors Corp.’s Lancer Evolution VI Tommi Makinen Edition and Honda Motor Co.’s Integra Type-R are also among more than 10 models to be showcased, though vehicles on display will be rotated during the course of the exhibit.
The lineup includes models loaned by seven Japanese automakers other than Toyota and by the Motorcar Museum of Japan in Ishikawa Prefecture.
Japanese cars from the period, known as the “Rad Era,” featured advanced for their time electronics and innovative high-performance engines, Toyota said.
Although they were less well-received overseas than their European equivalents of the time, the cars have become popular with enthusiasts today, especially in the United States and Britain, according to Toyota.
“We hope to help visitors appreciate the unique value of JDM cars and recognize their contribution to national and global culture,” Toyota said.
The museum, established to commemorate the history of the automobile industry, is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for most Mondays.
AloJapan.com