Piston Slap: Has The World Gone Mad?

Clint writes:

It seems odd to me that some old Japanese cars are becoming collectible. Some cars are understandable like Toyota 2000gt, 240z, RX3, etc. It seems that rarity plays a huge role in what people consider collectible. A good example is a Toyota Cressida Wagon. Its not a sports car, its not attractive but it some how has some pizazz. I do not foresee many American Classics from the mid 70’s becoming collectible. There will be a few but it seems like people love Datsun, Toyota and Mazda’s from that era. Even low mile Subaru’s are become collectible. Has the world gone mad?

Sajeev answers:

Heavens no, the world is just right! Many people are programmed to collect, either by sheer desire or chemical imbalance. Everything is collectible, if presented in a historically relevant condition.

This is the way its been, and the way it should be! Austin 7s, Hudson Hornets, Nash Metropolitans, Lincoln Zephyrs (the original), BMW Isettas, SAAB Sonnetts, Datsun 510s…hell, according to the Internet, even the Hindustan Contessa turned into a cult classic Muscle Car in my mother land! If you think a Toyota Cressida Wagon has pizazz but “is not attractive”, you need some Vellum Venom. Most, if not all, Cressidas are clean, well proportioned (for their eras, esp. compared to other Toyotas in the lineup) and are well crafted designs that stand the test of time. And with modifications, they look more than a little eye-catching. It’s a classic design that deserves more than a little credit.

People can and should pay good money for well-preserved old Japanese iron. That is how the collector car biz works.

More to the point, the problem is with you, my friend. When you say, “I do not foresee many American Classics from the mid 70’s becoming collectible. There will be a few but it seems like people love Datsun, Toyota and Mazda’s from that era” I counter with:

The Ford Gran Torino. It was a fantastic sales success, and super clean examples fetch decent money for younger collectors interested in re-visiting their past. The same is true for any other American iron from that era that disco-dancin’ children fell in love with. More to the point, this particular model inspired the likes of Robert Bechtle (thanks Murilee!) and starred in one of the best TV shows that I was too young to see outside of syndication. So awesome, in fact, the car was the star for the recent (and horrible) movie remake of this amazing show.

The car was the only good part of that movie. And when they jumped/crashed them, I cursed the producers for wasting perfectly good Disco Street Muscle when they coulda given it to me! I mean, come on son!

Big Bumper’d disco iron is absolutely fuckin’ awesome! You can find many, many more proper cuts of disco Iron on flickr.com. So shut up and do it. Right now. ALL OF YOU.

Send your queries to sajeev@thetruthaboutcars.com. Spare no details and ask for a speedy resolution if you’re in a hurry.