Youngtimer and oldtimer from japan 10 japanese to love
The proof of the pudding is in the eating, as the saying once went about Japanese automakers. But from the 1960s onward, they set off a technical and marketing fireworks display. We tell the story and present ten trendsetters.
In 1967, the first Japanese car to be tested by auto motor und sport made author gert hack’s heart beat faster at the speed of its 791-cubic-centimeter engine. A "little scoop be this tiny engine, which can reach speeds of up to 10 rpm.000/min effortlessly, writes hack. its elasticity, sporty driving characteristics and highly developed engine technology also made it a model for german carmakers – especially in view of its low price: "it’s worth taking a look under its hood", judges gert hack. You probably knew it: we’re talking about the honda S800.
the "rappelrutsch
Just one year later, under the headline "the landslide", the following development follows the ice-cold shower. This time we’re talking about the honda N360, another kei-car, as the popular, tax-privileged small cars are called in Japan. Engine characteristics and comfort are an insult, tester reinhard seiffert complains, the car is at best a city car. "a citroen 2CV is a comfortable road cruiser in comparison." that did the trick!