What J tin is this ?

mazda cosmo and toyota Sera

Cosmo is gorgeous





;D

and iirc the sera was banned from certain countries, including teh UK, because the doors were totally unsafe... could just be tey weren't imported here though, lol

*picky head on* It's actually a Cosmo Sport 110s *picky head off*

theres alot of seras kicking about - theres a black one i see everyday on the road. they're cool!

Have to agree.

I find most J styling to be utterly derivative. Name it: Z car, MX5, RX7, SillyKa, 600, Zero, whatever, whatever, and you'll find an Italian, British, German, or American analog they are closely copying. The Cosmo reeks of Bertone. I find that intellectually dull. My own little torture, that I deal with on a daily basis.

I agree but conversely (or perversely) I find that part of the charm.

Overhang looks odd in photos and from certain angles but works IRL and from other angles.

Now now everyone!

Its a bit vague to say that 'J styling is derivative' though, theres plenty of examples of the japanese employing the italians to get involved with styling and come up with something original, izuzu 117 and Piazza for example. Anyway the derivativeness is part of the appeal IMO, its just another countrys take on what 'looks right'.

You could argue that everything about japanese cars is derivative, as the whole post-war J car industry started off by refining and improving versions of old european cars anyway, and i think its fair to say that one of the main strengths of the japanese, industry-wise, is their ability to take an existing product and find ways to improve it. If there is a japanese car which has been as original as the mini or the Land-rover or the Citroen DS, I am not aware of it, but japanese cars impress in other ways.

Also, european and yank car companies could equally be accused of derivative styling as they faff about over their 'brand' and try to come up with something which is suitably compliant with their brand image.

My old mazdas have plenty of american influence, but I like that, it doesnt make them any less interesting to look at.