Japanese car modifying history

A lot of it is borne out of racing.

Boso/Garuchan in particular can be seen as the extreme of a path trod by those who made the first race replicas in the seventies; arches, splitters, spoilers, oil cooler out t'front...

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While the domestic japanese motor industry dates back to the turn of the last century, it didn't really get into it's stride until after the second world war and it wasn't really until the 1960's that a car became something most of the population could own. Subsequently their modifying scene didn't really get rolling until the end of the 1960's.

In 1953 when the big three in the US were churning out cars by the million, Japans total domestic car sales numbered 76,185 in total of which only 49,778 were local production! Four years later that had risen by just 100,000. But by 1965 it had rocketed to over 1.6 million and by 1970 topped 4 million. A staggering rate of growth. Also, you should bear in mind that prior to 1950, the bulk of japanese vehicle manufacture and sales was trucks. Less than 5% of total output were cars. By the mid 50's that was up to 30% and reached 60% by the 70's so you can see why they'd have been a long way behind the rest of the world when it came to car culture. They certainly made of for it since the mid 60's though! ;D

I've rarely seem pictures of obviously modified cars much older than the late 70's from Japan. There's no evidence to suggest they copied the US scene , which I'd think unlikely as pre war cars in Japan were extremely scarce.
Remember than whilest the US was very wealthy during the 50's and 60's, Japan was utterly devastated by the war financially. Most private individuals didn't even get the chance to own a car until the late 60's let alone modofy it!

Most car modifing is inspired by motorsport, something which was very small scale in Japan until the 60's. For example, Nissan's first international Motorsport effort wasn't until 1958 and they weren't really successful in anything until a decade later.
At that time, any personal car modifying would have been limited to trying the extract a few extra ponies for you engine rather than any extrnal mods i suspect.

The successful racing saloons of the late 60's and early 70's, the PMC Skyline 2000GT, the GTR, the Celica, Sunny and Corrolla were clearly the greatest influence of modied cars in Japan during the later 70's, a style which is still apparent today only I more a outlandish form. This tradition Zokusha (bosouzouku)style seems to be the combination of an early 70's racecar look combined with the wild bodywork of the early 80's group 5 cars. Most early examples seem to be quite mild with just some deep dished steel rims and some circuit inspired aerodynamic mods. Occasionally an external oil cooler. This kind of look...





These days it's evolved to have become almost a caracature of itself. I guess the Zokusha style and the modern 'tuner' look are Japan's greatest contributions to car culture.

if some one mentions J style mod now i instantly think of the style which the above red car has been done, i don't think of tuners (thank god).