The Tokyo Auto Salon started in 1983 under the name “Tokyo Exiting Car Show” (yes, they really should have kept that name!), it was organized by Option magazine’s original editor-in-chief Daijiro Inada and got really popular abroad during the Fast and Furious era.
With the crazy builds, the legendary tuners, and big public reveals, it really was a middle finger to the Tokyo Motor Show. This was in contrast to the very polished and professional manufacturer show. When the Salon first debuted, mainstream Japanese public opinion didn’t think too well of anyone with a modified can and was more likely to associate tuner vehicles with street crime.
Public perception has changed greatly, though the cars remain absolutely wild. I told you about some of the youth projects, the throwback 2000s cars, and the NASCAR-style Mazda truck build.
In the more than 40 years since its inception, the show has also grown greatly in size. Close to 1,000 cars were showcased in total this year, and doing an article per car would take me quite a while to say the least. So how about a good ol’ photodump?
Let’s get going!
The star of the salon was of course Liberty Walk’s Lamborghini Miura. Whether you love it or hate it, it really was quite a sight to behold!
Rocky Auto brought their latest R380 replica, the Rocky380
All photos by the author
Some day I will see this show in person. I’m still angry at myself for not getting to Rocky Auto during my time at Mitsubishi. They’re in Okazaki, same city as Mitsu’s tech center.
Thanks for the pics Flavien! And I can’t even be mad at the LB Miura. It’s awesome.
Nice! Thanks for the pics. I’ll take a Skyline GT-R, that Lambo Miura, and definitely that Testarossa please…
The Caroll looks like a delectable death machine.
I believe it’s the Mazda Carol, with just one L. There is a typo in the article.
(Actually, there are several typos. Apparently editing is expensive and most people won’t notice, so the heck with it.)
I think the main point of this show is to demonstrate that perfection in car wheels design was achieved 60 years ago and perfected to reach an absolute peak in the nineties.
The sad things on the Prius are there just as a counterpoint to show how the might have fallen.
what? the prius is an awesome!
Now I’m desperately looking for a Prius in the photos but can’t find one.
At the Exiting Car Show, they’re all about showing you their taillights.
And modified cans.
I’m sure there’s nice pipes for those that enjoy them.
I know some may love them, but I really wish LW would stop chopping up rare and valuable cars.
You want to make crazy Skylines and Hondas? Have at it. But, come on, leave Miuras alone! It’s already one of the best looking cars of all time. Have you no shame?
What’s next? Hacking up an E-Type into a boxy wide-fender abomination?
Slap a giant wing and some huge bolt-on fender flares on a Ferrari 250 GTO?
It’s entirely possible they found one in really rough shape, like rusted up to the sills.
I’d love to see a widebody E-type. There are plenty of them.
https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/car/5600/Jaguar-E-Type-V12-Group-44-45017.jpg
Hell yeah.
https://images.pistonheads.com/nimg/39281/Showpiece_Gr44JaguarXJS_01.jpg