Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Bargain Morgan’s…

A great insight Dave, you should write a book!

The auction is live now, 7 days to run (22 Jan). Currently no bids.

For me the fact it's a Japanese re-import would devalue it, there was a spate of re-importing classic Mini's and the previous owners had abused 'em somewhat, that underbonnet despite some heavy auction prep proves it's had little TLC in it's life

I thought that Japanese re-imports usually have the reputation of being particularly well looked after.

That's my experience too.

Another advantage of some Japanese imports of a certain age is that the road tax is less than an identical UK supplied car of the same type and age.

A friend of mine has a Japanese imported 2003 Jaguar XJ which is several hundred pounds cheaper to tax than it's UK equivalent. In addition it's in immaculate condition and totally corrosion free.

That has been my experience as well. As a whole, the Japanese tend to care for their cars to a high standard, the roads are not salted and grading a time of sale/auction is far more regimented and clinical than in the UK. I've bought from Japanese auctions on two occasions and the cars were clearly described and in far better condition than the grading insinuated (unlike many UK auctions where the descriptions can be poetic at best and blatant fiction at worst). The downside to JDM cars is that they often lack history (a bit like imports from North America); however, that doesn't mean they are worth discounting without doing your research.

I have been through a couple of Japanese imports and in the older days the specs were slightly different but variable. Some cars were made for many markets but some were Japan only. The Skyline GTR was Japan only and so had far less rust protection applied underneath for example. Number plate slots were usually odd but easy to work around. Some windows were not to same strength apparently, the insurance company wanted the glass changed across the car! I believe this has become much more harmonised now unless the car is Japan market only.

There were a couple of things that supported the better condition. The Japanese do seem to take get pride in their cars and so in general they are in good condition. I also heard that the amazing auctions they have result in the better cars being easier to spot and extract for export because they are so honest in their descriptions.

Wish the same could be said for camera equipment!

I have seen many Japanese imports in Hermany, mostly very well maintained. Air-cooled Porsches only from 964 onwards in larger quantities. Almost no G Models, The problem with these 964 types was that almost all of them had a very boring hydraulical automatic torque converter, which led to significant price reductions. On the other hand, the Japanese like to buy expensive German cars new as LHD, so it is a more attractive offer.
I visited a few used guitar stores in Tokyo and Kyoto. Whether 10, 20 or 50 years old, a Gibson is almost always mint. That's almost funny again with a 50-year-old guitar looking mint. But that's how the Japanese are.

Graham, is the photographic equipment not so well looked after in Japan?

It probably is well looked after by many owners - just beware of the second hand sales, there seems to be a lot of Japanese manufactured photo kit that definitely has not been well cared for. Examples of lenses which quote "no fungus, no haze, no fault" etc. frequently are not clean good examples. Similar can apply to camera bodies quoted as fully working, no faults, but to contact seller first should the camera require repair in your country. I wont buy kit from Japan now. I'm sure there are reputable dealers who test / repair kit, but you have to find them.

Not related to cars or cameras but on a less savoury note ... there was a really strong market in Japan for vintage Harleys (and Brit bikes) ... it hoovered up a lot of top-grade bikes ... the good stuff, knuckleheads, panheads and flatheads ... after the Tsunami, a suspicious number of those age bikes turned up back on the US market ( which had learned to better appreciate their own 'oldies' in the meantime) ... the word being that there was considerable looting of high-value bikes in the aftermath and they were containered back anonymously into the newly lucrative market. Not sure anything was proven considering the ensuing chaos but guys with in-depth knowledge of the bikes and market seem convinced.

K