Gallery: LA Celebrates JDM Car Culture at the Japanese Car Cruise In
If you had a love for all things JDM, including true and rare imports, then the Japanese Car Cruise In was a can’t miss at the Petersen Automotive Museum.
If you’re a fan of Japanese and true JDM import cars—ones that you “legitimately” import straight from the island country of Japan that were only sold there—then Southern California is your favorite place to be. Some of the best and finest quality of the cars from the Land of the Rising Sun can only be found in enough quantities around here that it makes the expensive gas and high rent worth it. To celebrate this part of the Tuner culture, the Petersen Automotive Museum hosted the Japanese Car Cruise In during Labor Day Weekend and it was worth the warm, early morning rise.
What really made the Japanese Car Cruise In special was the vast amounts of classic and true JDM cars on display. Cars that you normally don’t see in the US included two Mitsubishi Pajeros (one diesel-powered Intercooler Turbo 2800 and one Evolution), a Nissan Bluebird SSS, and a Toyota HiAce Super Custom Limited that we’ll feature in a later story.
There were also interesting builds ranging from purpose-built time attack machines to an old school racing influenced Bosozuko trio. One favorite of ours was a Honda N600 with a Honda VFR 800 motorcycle swap, of which the 800cc V-4 engine now makes 80 hp more than the original 600cc twin-cylinder engine’s 35 hp did. It also featured modified 1967 and 1968 Chevrolet Camaro bumpers, Mazda Miata subframes, and a Ford 7.5-inch differential connected from the custom driveshaft feed by the original VFR 800 six-speed gearbox.
Another car that was getting many looks was a Mazda Miata NA. While that isn’t particularly exciting, what made it unusual was this somewhat stripped out and roll-hooped Miata sported a pair of suicide doors. Just beside it was a very clean Acura Integra Type R with Spoon Calipers, Group G NC-01 wheels, and the JDM Honda Integra Type R front swap. To top it off, these cars weren’t even a part of the show that took place a floor down.
Overall, it was an awesome time celebrating all things JDM and catching up with some very familiar faces in the crowd. It really makes us look forward to our own Japanese car-focused show, Super Street After Dark coming up in just a few short days in Compton, California. Check out the full gallery from the event above.
Having experience in many forms of the automotive industry, Justin Banner has done more than just write about cars. For more than 15 years, he's had experience working as an automotive service technician—including a stint as a Virginia State Inspector—service advisor, parts sales, and aftermarket parts technical advisor (a fancy way of saying he helped you on the phone when you had trouble fitting your brakes over your aftermarket wheels and the like). Prior to his tenure as a full-time editor, Justin worked as a freelance writer and photographer for various publications and as an automotive content creator on YouTube. He’s also covered multiple forms of motorsports ranging from Formula Drift, drag racing, and time attack, to NASCAR, short course off-roading, and open desert racing. He's best known for breaking down complex technical concepts so a layperson can more easily understand why technologies, repairs, and parts should matter to them. At MotorTrend, Justin is part of the news team covering breaking news and topics while also working as a judge for MotorTrend Of the Year events and other major comparison tests.
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