Greatest Iconic Jap car of all time
Discussion
I think an interesting topic to discuss is what everyone thinks is the "greatest" Japanese car of all time....
For me it's the R32 GTR, the way it dominated motorsport and set prescident for the future models to come has to make it an icon IMO. AWD and twin turbo straight six is also a classic theme of jap muscle!
What's everyone else's thoughts?
For me it's the R32 GTR, the way it dominated motorsport and set prescident for the future models to come has to make it an icon IMO. AWD and twin turbo straight six is also a classic theme of jap muscle!
What's everyone else's thoughts?
You need to set the scope a bit more. Otherwise people wil restrict their comments to just road cars, or just motorsport cars.
From your first post, I assume you mean a specific car that has helped put all of the other Japanese manufactured products in a position where they were both noriced and then coveted by the ordinary man? Both as something to own on the road and admire for its motorsport capabilities?
I have to agree, the R32 was the first Japanese production car to bring (what at the time) was eurpoean supercar performance to the mass market place for a realistic price. Its on tract record was very good.
From a lower model perspective, the Starion took the honors from the Montego Turbo as the fastest production 2.0 car, only to lose it within 2 years to the 3dr Cosworth (which is most peoples first choice as the UK Icon).
From your first post, I assume you mean a specific car that has helped put all of the other Japanese manufactured products in a position where they were both noriced and then coveted by the ordinary man? Both as something to own on the road and admire for its motorsport capabilities?
I have to agree, the R32 was the first Japanese production car to bring (what at the time) was eurpoean supercar performance to the mass market place for a realistic price. Its on tract record was very good.
From a lower model perspective, the Starion took the honors from the Montego Turbo as the fastest production 2.0 car, only to lose it within 2 years to the 3dr Cosworth (which is most peoples first choice as the UK Icon).
Not sure what I'd go for personally but I think these are all in with a shout for varying reasons:
R34 GT-R
MKIV Supra TT
NSX
Mcrae impreza 555
FD RX-7 (Spirit-r perhaps)
Datsun 240z
R32 GTR
EVO VI Tommi Makinen Edition
If pushed I'd be inclined to go with the R34 GTR as it's just so universally lusted after, it's the "playstation generation" icon, still looks fantastic, aggressive and purposeful and is clearly holding its value pretty well.
R34 GT-R
MKIV Supra TT
NSX
Mcrae impreza 555
FD RX-7 (Spirit-r perhaps)
Datsun 240z
R32 GTR
EVO VI Tommi Makinen Edition
If pushed I'd be inclined to go with the R34 GTR as it's just so universally lusted after, it's the "playstation generation" icon, still looks fantastic, aggressive and purposeful and is clearly holding its value pretty well.
I can't see how the corolla is iconic at all?
I think there's some confusion between the word iconic and important/influential/greatest.
Sticking with the thread title the corolla really doesn't fit regardless of how many have been sold.
Icon:
"somebody or something widely and uncritically admired, especially somebody or something symbolizing a movement or field of activity"
"One who is the object of great attention and devotion; an idol"
"a person or object regarded as a sex symbol or as a symbol of a belief or cultural movement"
I think there's some confusion between the word iconic and important/influential/greatest.
Sticking with the thread title the corolla really doesn't fit regardless of how many have been sold.
Icon:
"somebody or something widely and uncritically admired, especially somebody or something symbolizing a movement or field of activity"
"One who is the object of great attention and devotion; an idol"
"a person or object regarded as a sex symbol or as a symbol of a belief or cultural movement"
Japveesix said:
I can't see how the corolla is iconic at all?
I think there's some confusion between the word iconic and important/influential/greatest.
Sticking with the thread title the corolla really doesn't fit regardless of how many have been sold.
Icon:
"somebody or something widely and uncritically admired, especially somebody or something symbolizing a movement or field of activity"
"One who is the object of great attention and devotion; an idol"
"a person or object regarded as a sex symbol or as a symbol of a belief or cultural movement"
Or another definition: An important and enduring symbol, or which the corolla is on both counts.I think there's some confusion between the word iconic and important/influential/greatest.
Sticking with the thread title the corolla really doesn't fit regardless of how many have been sold.
Icon:
"somebody or something widely and uncritically admired, especially somebody or something symbolizing a movement or field of activity"
"One who is the object of great attention and devotion; an idol"
"a person or object regarded as a sex symbol or as a symbol of a belief or cultural movement"
Arguably the best acid test for a car would be one that is recognised by your layman in the street, i.e. it's reputation transcends that of the car world into the world of the general public, and very few Japanese cars actually do that. Possibly the only one that is recognisable to your non car person is the Subaru Impreza, because of the Colin Mcrae factor and the joy ride publicity. The Evo certainly isn't, and the Skyline is even less so.
rhinochopig said:
Or another definition: An important and enduring symbol, or which the corolla is on both counts.
Can't argue with enduring. Important? would the world (even just the car world) have been different without it, perhaps though probably not. Important to toyota no doubt as it made them lots of money. I think you've missed the key word though "symbol" - the corolla isn't a symbol to anyone, it's not symbolic in the same way that it's not iconic. It's just a car that's sold in good numbers. Replace the word symbol with car/thing/object and you might have a point but symbol has a more specific meaning than that.
rhinochopig said:
Arguably the best acid test for a car would be one that is recognised by your layman in the street, i.e. it's reputation transcends that of the car world into the world of the general public, and very few Japanese cars actually do that. Possibly the only one that is recognisable to your non car person is the Subaru Impreza, because of the Colin Mcrae factor and the joy ride publicity. The Evo certainly isn't, and the Skyline is even less so.
I do agree with this to some extent and would agree that a generic blue/gold rally-stickered impreza is perhaps the most iconic Jap car within the wider world.prEVOke said:
I think an interesting topic to discuss is what everyone thinks is the "greatest" Japanese car of all time....
For me it's the R32 GTR, the way it dominated motorsport and set prescident for the future models to come has to make it an icon IMO. AWD and twin turbo straight six is also a classic theme of jap muscle!
What's everyone else's thoughts?
Trouble is, iconic depends on your views, tastes, age and where you live or are from.For me it's the R32 GTR, the way it dominated motorsport and set prescident for the future models to come has to make it an icon IMO. AWD and twin turbo straight six is also a classic theme of jap muscle!
What's everyone else's thoughts?
The R32 wasn't as well known in the UK/Europe at the time and even less known in the US where it wasn't sold at all until the R35 variant.
apart from things like to Corolla and Hi Lux I suspect an Impreza or maybe Evo would be good candidates and the MX-5.
Or in the luxury sector maybe the LS400.
Japveesix said:
I do agree with this to some extent and would agree that a generic blue/gold rally-stickered impreza is perhaps the most iconic Jap car within the wider world.
Another +1 with rhinoshopig 
superman84 said:
Impreza 22B
R34 GTR
I reckon the 22B just pips the R34 on the Iconic scaleR34 GTR
superman84 said:
NSX
I've owned 4 scoobs and Bias but for me the NSX would be No1Tony
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