Japanese cars are everywhere these days.
Hondas, Nissans and Toyotas ply the nation’s roads with aplomb, and are sales leaders in the marketplace.
But there was a time, back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, for example, when there was a stigma surrounding anything made in Japan.
“People used to turn their noses up at Japanese-made cars,” says David Myers of Edmonton. “But that stigma has gone away, and people of my generation and later now recognize that early Japanese cars can be a good (collector) investment.”
On May 17 in Kelowna, B.C., Myers, 45, is preparing to host his annual Datsun Matsuri. Matsuri is Japanese for festival, and this is his third gathering of the Datsuns at the infield of the Knox Mountain Hill Climb.
The hill climb is an annual event, and it’s been taking place for the better part of half a century. According to the official website (www.knoxmtnhillclimb.ca), the event ‘tests cars and drivers on a paved road course of 10 major turns, climbing 800 vertical feet over 2.2. miles’.
“The hill climb is a great backdrop for the Datsuns,” Myers says. “And, the reason I’ve been holding the event in Kelowna is because I like to attract people from Washington, British Columbia and Alberta. Some diehards even drive up from Oregon.”
In 2011, Myers held his first Datsun meet in Red Deer, Alberta. He had about 25 or 30 cars show up, and then in 2012 and 2013 he staged Datsun Matsuri in Kelowna. From an organizational perspective, it’s still a one-man show. And, he’s still getting about the same number of cars out each year. But his enthusiasm isn’t waning.
“It’s interesting to see what’s happening to the values of Japanese cars,” Myers explains. “For example, in the James Bond film, You Only Live Twice, there was a 1967 Toyota 2000GT.”
Only a limited number of Toyota 2000GTs were produced, with just 351 of them leaving the factory.
A rear wheel drive, front engine car, the 2000GT is considered a halo car for Toyota, helping draw attention to the fledgling automaker as it was breaking into world markets.
“One of those 2000GTs just sold at auction for more than $1 million,” Myers says. “Now, that’s an outlier, and the 2000GT would be a pinnacle example, but values of these early Japanese cars are increasing.”
Last year, in fact, automobile auction company RM Auctions sold two 2000GTs. In April, the first went for $1.15 million, and then in November another sold for $968,000.
Myers is interested in all early Japanese cars, but his heart is with Datsun. Early in his driving career Datsun automobiles captured Myers’ attention, and he’s simply carried on the passion. He’s owned notable models such as a 240SX and a 510. The 510 was a big project — more so than he would have liked.
Several years ago he sold the 510 and bought a running 1969 Datsun Sport 2000 convertible, and this is a car he continues to drive while slowly restoring it.
“The 1967 1/2 roadster is the holy grail of Datsuns,” Myers says. “They have the lower windshield and flat dash of the early models, but they have the larger 2.0-litre engine of the later models. In my opinion, the lower windshield is much more attractive.”
Regardless, he’s driven his own roadster several thousand kilometres, venturing over to the West Coast and points south, including Colorado.
Datsun Matsuri 2014 starts at 9 a.m. on May 17, and pre-registration is appreciated. It’s $35 per vehicle, and Myers likes to see all Datsun/Nissan products, from the perfectly restored to the daily drivers – including ‘Ratsuns’ – or projects on trailers.
Group drives are being arranged from cities including Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.
“Coming out in a convoy, that’s part of the fun,” Myers says.
Visit Myers’ website, www.myautoproject.com, for more information or to register.
Greg Williams is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Have an auto related item to share for the column or What’s Next? Contact him at 403-287-1067 or gregwilliams@shaw.ca. Visit his website at gregwilliams.ca
