Live Report! TTAC Shows You All The American Cars In Japan! (Gobs And Gobs Of Whacky Pictures!)
Certain misguided members of the not-so-mainstream media perpetuate the myth that American cars are unsalable in Japan, that nobody wants them, that they are “dasai” or uncool. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The Japanese love American cars so much that they lay on a big festival a few times of the year, dedicated to the celebration of the great American car. I blew TTAC’s travel budget and went all the way to Yokohama to attend today’s Amefes, and to snap a lot of pictures of a lot of old and new American cars in Japan.
Right this way, dozo…
“Amefes” actually means “American Festival,” but the Japanese have this thing for abbreviating everything. Nissan for instance used to be “Nippon Sangyo.” “Family Mart,” a chain of convenience stores, is referred to a as “Famima,” and the remote control, or rimoto kontorora in Japanese, turned into “rimokon.”
The full name of Amefes is actually “Ikura’s American Festival.” Baldheaded Ikura is the owner of “L-Garage”, a customization, restoration and classic car shop in Yokohama. Ikura is also the lead singer of a mildly famous soul and funk band that goes by the same name. Abbreviating “Ikura’s American Festival” correctly would yield “Ikuramefes.” But that’s too long for Japanese tastes. Above is the bald head honcho and rock star, giving last minute directions before the show begins.
Amefes must attract most American cars that actually are in Japan. For instance a whole lineup of manly muscle, one of them a rare 396 Turbojet.
True love.
The little red Corvettes attract lots of admirers.
There are little red Corvettes with a classic dash (someone left am amplifier on the floor.)
And there are little red Corvettes with a mad dash.
Pink Cadillacs are popular with the ladies …
They are popular with the gentlemen as well. He’s looking very hard whether there’s a Marilyn Monroe in there, somewhere. OK, how about a Marilyn Monroe lookalike?
Cars come in all colors, for instance burgundy.
Did we mention burgundy?
Speaking of colors: For some strange reason, the Chevy vans have a cult following in Japan.
Chevy Astrovans even more so. Maybe, because they save the expense for a love hotel. Which they resemble. In color, shape, and size.
But does this love hotel have a Hemi? Note the flag on the toolbox.
At some Amefes occasions, they have real drag races. This one has only stationary dragsters.
Stationary dragsters are not very popular with some of the crowd: “You promised me a real drag race, dad!”
The show has the finest examples of American ingenuity. For instance, the car that absolutely CANNOT have a 5mph bumper.
There are demonstration vehicles for the double wishbone suspension.
And superb examples of forced air induction.
Such an array of exciting technology remains not without effect on the male visitors of the show.
Back to cars. Here is a Ford that is to die for.
Another Ford that is to die for.
And speaking of dead ….
These three guys got a great deal on a small fleet of brand-new Chryslers. So they started a brand-new Chrysler taxi service. If you are tired of the Toyota Crowns, go to the Kannai station in Kanagawa, after 9 pm, that’s where they hang out.
Wait: Is Elvis alive?
It wouldn’t surprise us. Here is the Japanese cast from Grease.
There you have it. Elvis lives! In Yokohama with wife and sleepy son.
Back to cars: How about some triple orange?
Would you have expected a Plymouth Duster here?
Or this fine example of a Chevy Stepside?
“So THAT’S that Transam!”
Already classics.
Not a single sign of anything Japanese. All true blue American.
Required reading: The 1971 Chilton.
A WHAT is inside?
Even the female shapes are Americanized. Japanese shape (right) for comparison only.
Need a Christian air freshener? Or a Republican air freshener? Or a tax and spend air freshener?
There’s even a Caddy for Junior.
Frau Schmitto-san can’t make up her mind: Fluffy dice or fake boobs?
This one had me stumped. Can you figure it out?
Who buys all these American cars? Japanese people from all walks of life. Here some inner-city customers.
Customers from a high net-worth zip-code in Chiba.
Customers from the South Side.
Customers who love sex.
This customer hasn’t made up his mind yet.
The show isn’t just for old cars. Toyota brought their FJ Cruiser. Lots of them. Now also available in Japan! They even brought an urban off-road course.
Want a Jeep on the cheap? Financing deal! The pricing is an old Japanese custom: They just drop the last four zeroes. That Jeep sets your back 3,990,000 yen. Or $47,500
You can have the Jeep in white also. With that trim and option package, it will cost a little extra. If you had to ask …
Speaking of which: A hopped-up Dodge Challenger, a.k.a. Saleen SMS 570. Price upon request.
Want a new Chevy Camaro? They brought SEMA right with them.
The GM boothbabes need a little work. He definitely does not come with the car.
Oooops. Two cars that went to the wrong show.
And that was this year’s Amefes, American cars in Japan! Reporting live from Yokohama, for Thetruthaboutcars, this is Bertel Schmitt.
That Karmann Ghia reminded me: There is a German Christmas market, right next door to Amefes, right here in Yokohama. I treat myself to a Bratwurst and a beer. If you want real Christmas, or real American cars, you must come to Japan!
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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Wow! Great article Bertel! American cars=Dream cars for the very few. A V8 is something most here have never experienced. And never will. Sigh
I had to wait until I got to work to view this post as my dialup at home is just too slow to load. Worth the wait! Love to see how the world views American cars.