Japanese carmakers released some legendary vehicles over a seventy-year period. The most important classic Japanese cars are made up of both sports cars and regular family cars that have gotten a cult-like status in recent years. Classic cars are classics for a reason.

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Though not all classics are eye candies, some of them are the most stunning classic Japanese cars we have ever seen. As time went by, demand increased, and the cars' value skyrocketed. Today, some Japanese classics are worth far more than brand-new supercars.

10 1955 Toyota Crown

To most people, Toyota is a carmaker that has been producing affordable and reliable cars since the 1960s. However, the Japanese carmaker goes way back, with the mid-1950s seeing the apparition of one of Toyota's longstanding sedans.

Originally introduced as the Toyopet Crown, the Crown is Toyota's very first attempt at producing a mid-size sedan. The following editions of the Crown greatly influenced the production of luxury sedans for both Toyota and Lexus. The luxurious Crown is still being produced today. As far as the value of the first-gen Crown is concerned, there are absolutely zero 1955 Crown in mint condition for sale. Most of them are stored in museums.

9 1967 Mazda Cosmo 110 Sport

Mazda is one of those Japanese carmakers that released some of the best and worst vehicles ever. Its legendary RX-7 can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, while its MX-3 is an absolute abomination. Though most carmakers make mistakes every now and then, it is as if Mazda was never able to hit the nail right on the head 5 times out 10.

It is quite clear to see where the inspiration for the Miata came from. The classic roadster is just as elegant as a European car of the same era. As the name indicates, the two-rotor engine produced 110hp, which is not bad for a car of that size. Sadly, this Mazda costs as much as a Charger Hellcat. Going for over $85,000 at auction, the Cosmo Sport is not your every day Mazda.

8 1969 Subaru 360

Subaru, which is partially owned by Toyota, is known for its Impreza WRX and STI but also for its Legacy GT. Back in the days, the Japanese carmaker even released a mini pickup car called the Brat. What is less known is that Subaru has been around for quite some time. The car manufacturer was not always producing the demonic cars it produces today.

This 360 should be among the most obscure Japanese cars collectors would love to own. Though car fans may wonder why collecting this 360 is the right thing to do, collectors will know. This Subaru is proof of the evolution of the Japanese car company. Despite its awful looks and performance, the 360 is a collectible that is only increasing in value. 360s in poor condition sell for more than $7,000.

7 1971 Nissan Fairlady Z 432

1971 Nissan Fairlady Z 432 Cropped
Via: Nissan

Datsun is the precursor of Nissan. During its tenure, Datsun engineered some of the cars that today are considered groundbreaking. The entire Z-Series was originally from Datsun. The 350Z would have never existed if it was not for Datsun's Fairlady. That is correct, the Z-Series was initially marketed as a decently powered car for the ladies.

Datsun 240Zs are a dime a dozen. However, their value has been increasing steadily over the last couple of years. The Fairlady Z 432 is among the rarest Japanese cars ever. The difference between the regular 240Z and the 432 is in the engine bay. The 432 is equipped with the 2.0L inline 6-cylinder engine found on the Hakosuka Skyline GT-R. The 432 reached a whopping $900,000 at auction in Japan.

6 1971 Datsun Skyline GT-R

The number of truly legendary Japanese cars is quite low compared to American and European made cars. However, when a Japanese car is iconic, it trumps its American and European counterparts. For the longest time, cars such as the NSX, the Supra, or the RX-7 were the nemesis of non-Japanese carmakers.

The Hakosuka is the car that started everything. Thanks to Datsun's Skyline GT-R, the Japanese automotive field saw the apparition of sports cars that would obliterate several European and American sports cars. Given the legacy of the Hakosuka, it is almost impossible to find an original one in mint condition for less than $300,000.

5 1973 Mazda RX-3

Mazda is known for its iconic RX-7. Looked upon as the mother of all rotary engines, the RX-7 is Mazda's most successful pocket rocket. What is less known is that the predecessor of the RX-7 was just a racy and modular as the RX-7 itself. The Mazda RX-3 is an absolute beauty that even muscle car fans would appreciate.

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The RX-3 is the sort of Japanese cars that are perfect for modifying. When looking at the pictures above, some classic car fans may want to blow their savings on one of those Japanese bad boys. Though the car will have more value if left stock, the RX-3 is an amazing car to customize. A 1973 RX-3 in mint condition with matching numbers was sold at auction for $80,000 in Australia.

4 1980 Mitsubishi Lancer EX Turbo

Mitsubishi is known mostly for its AC units and elevators. That is what the general public knows about Mitsubishi. For most gearheads out there, Mitsubishi is a Japanese carmaker and nothing else. Given what Mitsubishi released over the years, it is understandable that automotive fans did not spend a second looking into the Mitsubishi Group and its subsidiaries.

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When looking at this really cool retro Lancer, car enthusiasts can easily tell that it was the Japanese sport sedan of the 1980s. The EX Turbo is equipped with a 1.8L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that cranks out between 135hp and 160hp, depending on whether the factory intercooler system is installed or not. Due to the limited production of the car, finding one in terrific condition may cost as much as a professionally modded Evo 8.

3 1980 Toyota Celica Supra

A lot of car companies create cars that are beyond exceptional. These cars get a facelift once or twice every decade and end up being iconic. However, car manufacturers like Toyota have created amazing vehicles that ended being discontinued after decades. Poor designs combined with sluggish engines usually translate into low sales volumes. The Celica is the prime example.

Since the Celica Supra is the car that led to the creation of the almighty Supra, it has a certain notoriety that no other Japanese cars will ever have. The performance of the Celica Supra would make anyone chuckle today. However, it was one solid vehicle during the 1980s. Its value did not really go up, which is a clear indicator that collectors should hurry up. For less than $10,000, it is possible to get a Celica Supra in decent condition.

2 1990 Nissan R32 GT-R Nismo

The Nissan Skyline is one of those Japanese cars that were total game-changers. The most recent Skylines (from the early 1990s onward) are some of the fastest and sportiest cars ever made by a Japanese carmaker. It is safe to say that most gearheads would settle for a Skyline over a mass-produced Mustang.

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The R-32 Nismo is among the fastest Japanese cars of the 1990s. That is undeniable. What is even crazier is the fact that only 500 units of the R-32 were ever produced. As a result, the Japanese monster is far from being a common sight. There are hundreds of clones out there, but very few original R-32 Nismo. This is why a true Nismo can go for $87,000 and up.

1 1997 Nissan Skyline GT-R Autech Version

In the mid-2000s, Dodge did something that no one was expecting: it released a new version of the Dodge Charger. Muscle car fans worldwide were waiting for a long-overdue facelift of the Charger. However, when the car was released as a four-door sedan, purists were not satisfied and vilified Dodge and its Charger. The same phenomenon did not happen with the Skyline.

The Skyline sure is one of the coolest Japanese cars of the 1990s. It was such a cool car that Autech Japan Inc. decided to create a sedan version for the Skyline's 40th anniversary. With only 416 units of the Autech version produced, this limited edition Skyline can be found for $90,000 and up.

NEXT: 5 Classic European Cars That Are Now Surprisingly Cool (5 Classic Japanese Cars We'd Rather Buy)