Nostalgic cars from the Showa era: A special feature on memorable classic cars spotted on street corners
The legendary cars that raced through the streets of the Showa era had a unique charm that today’s vehicles simply don’t possess.
The flowing lines of the Fairlady Z, the Corolla with its endearingly round headlights, the commanding presence of the Cedric.
These nostalgic cars, once an everyday sight, now stand out in memory as symbols of their time.
Family drives, dates with a loved one, faithful commutes—days spent together with these cars.
We invite you to savor the allure of the iconic vehicles born in the Showa era, alongside the memories they created.
- Nostalgic foods of the Showa era. Let’s trace the memorable flavors and the memories they evoke.
- Heartwarming nostalgia: scenes of Showa-era streets that bring back memories.
- A nostalgic feature on Showa-era magazines: looking back at the popular magazines of the time.
- The nostalgic world of Showa-era films. Revisiting masterpieces that linger in the heart.
- [Nostalgic Showa Fashion] The changing trends that feel both nostalgic and fresh
- [Showa TV Special] Beloved Classic Shows & Heroes of Our Memories
- A must-see for the Showa generation! Nostalgic popular snacks from the old days
- A roundup of nostalgic Showa-era home appliances, including rare ones you don’t see anymore!
- Special feature on popular anime from the Showa era. Looking back at the hit shows of the time!
- Nostalgic ice cream from the Showa era. From today’s classic staples to old-time favorites.
- [Nostalgic Memories] Popular Menu Items from Showa-Era School Lunches
- Have fun with classic Showa-era games! Simple yet profoundly engaging traditional pastimes
- [For Seniors] Recommended for Brain Training! Nostalgic Showa-Era Quiz
Nostalgic Cars of the Showa Era: A Feature on Beloved Classics Spotted on City Streets (1–10)
Nissan Skyline
Known by the nicknames “Hakosuka” and “Kenmeri,” Nissan’s Skyline debuted its first generation in 1957.
The third generation, nicknamed “Hakosuka” (a blend of “hako,” meaning box, and “Skyline”) for its boxy design, arrived in 1968.
Car enthusiasts will fondly remember the 2000GT and, of course, the GT-R—essentially a racing-spec Skyline made available to the public.
Next came the fourth generation in 1972, dubbed “Kenmeri” after the “Ken and Mary’s Skyline” TV commercials that became a social phenomenon.
Its sleek, streamlined design was embraced by many young people.
Nissan Cedric
The Nissan Cedric, whose first-generation model was launched in 1960, was once Nissan’s flagship luxury sedan and the company’s first independently developed passenger car.
It later became a sibling model to the Gloria and was commonly known as the “Cedo-Guro.” The Cedric was widely adopted as a taxi, police car, and driver’s education vehicle.
Notably, the third-generation model introduced in 1971 is the only one to have surpassed its longtime rival, the Toyota Crown, in domestic sales—at a time when the Crown’s boldly styled redesign alienated many users.
Toyota Corolla
The Corolla, which could be called the quintessential Japanese mass-market car, debuted with its first-generation model in 1966.
Positioned as a rival to the Nissan Sunny, which had been announced slightly earlier, Toyota marketed it with the slogan “an extra 100 cc of leeway” at a time when 1-liter engines were the norm.
Setting itself apart from the simple, utilitarian image of small cars up to then, the Corolla offered excellent driving performance and comfort at an affordable price, earning broad support.
It has continued to be sold as one of Toyota’s flagship models, and in 2021 it reportedly reached a cumulative global sales total of 50 million units.
Beloved cars from the Showa era: A special feature on memorable classics spotted on street corners (11–20)
Suzuki Alto
The Suzuki Alto, which pioneered the history of kei cars with the catchphrase “Alto for 470,000 yen,” debuted its first generation in 1979.
Taking advantage of the benefits of being classified as a “commercial vehicle” exempt from the commodity tax, it was positioned as a light commercial vehicle that effectively functioned as a two-seater kei passenger car in the front seats.
By pursuing simplicity in equipment and rigorous cost reductions, it was sold at the shocking new-car price of 470,000 yen.
In 1987, the Alto Works made its debut as a forerunner of high-performance kei cars.
It was equipped with a DOHC engine featuring a turbocharger and an intercooler—an unusual setup for kei cars at the time.
Honda Civic
The nostalgic Showa-era classic, the Honda Civic, debuted its first-generation model in 1972.
Its spacious interior made possible by front-wheel drive (FF), compact body, excellent economy, and the CVCC engine—which met America’s Muskie Act (emissions regulations)—earned it worldwide acclaim and popularity overseas.
The third-generation model, released in 1983 and nicknamed the “Wonder Civic,” won Honda’s first Japan Car of the Year award.
The name “Civic” comes from the English word “civic,” meaning “of the citizens,” and was chosen to reflect the goal of creating a basic car for people around the world.
Mazda Savanna RX-7
The rotary engine that only Mazda mass-produces in the world.
The Mazda Savanna RX-7, equipped with a lightweight, compact rotary engine, debuted in 1978.
Amid the headwinds facing high-horsepower sports cars due to the late-1970s oil crisis and emissions regulations, it was a car that brought a fresh breeze to the scene.
It also possessed the sharp styling unique to sports cars.
Notable features include a low-drag slant nose and a retractable headlamp system in which the lights pop up at the front edge of the hood only when illuminated.
Nissan Cima
For the older generation born in the Showa era, the Nissan “Cima” is a beloved dream car, with the first model debuting in 1988.
The late 1980s were the height of Japan’s bubble economy, and this car symbolized an era when “expensive things sold.” Despite its high price, it sold over 36,000 units in a single year, giving rise to the term “Cima phenomenon.” With its full-size, three-number-class body, overwhelming performance, and cutting-edge technology for the time, it became a quintessential high-end Japanese car.
It’s also known as the beloved car that actress Kazue Ito has driven for over 30 years.