Author: Brian Baker

Brian serves as the Information Technology Manager for Sports Car Market magazine. As a fourth-generation automotive enthusiast, he has a particular passion for Japanese cars spanning the 1970s to the 2000s and is actively involved in the North American kaido racer community.

1973 Datsun 240Z

Shaped by Nissan executive Yutaka Katayama’s deep understanding of what Americans desired in a sports car, the Datsun 240Z was an overnight sensation on its arrival in the United States in January 1970. Its combination of good looks, 6-cylinder power and capable handling, coupled with an affordable price, put it […]

You Got the Look

1978 Toyota Chinook 4×4 Conversion S/N OR52523. 148,600 miles. “47k miles shown, replacement 2.2-liter inline-4, G52 5-speed manual transmission, dual Mikuni side-draft carburetors, Walnut Metallic paint, two-tone vinyl upholstery, dual-range transfer case, suspension lift kit, Nippondenso air conditioning, Recaro seats, pop-up roof, hammock and fold-out bed, dinette and kitchenette, Suburban […]

Half-Japanese

1991 Plymouth Laser RS S/N 4P3CS44R3ME148237. 148,600 miles. “2.0-liter inline-4, 5-speed manual transmission, front-wheel drive, 16-inch wheels, pop-up headlights, pop-up sunroof, cloth upholstery, automatic front shoulder belts, power windows, air conditioning.” Condition: 1. SOLD AT $5,538. Cars & Bids, 5/22/24. Chrysler teamed up with Mitsubishi to create Diamond-Star Motors in […]

Money Haulers

1987 Nissan Van S/N JN8SC26SXH4018504. 120k miles. “Turbocharged 2.0-liter SR20DET inline-4, 5-speed manual transmission, welded differential, white paint, maroon cloth upholstery, 14-inch basketweave-style wheels, lowered suspension, right-rear sliding door.” Condition: 2+. SOLD AT $16,538. Bring a Trailer, 4/24/24. Few Japanese vans were sold in the U.S. in the 1980s. The […]

Year of the Rotary?

1985 Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE S/N JM1FB3322F0899133. 4,800 miles. “1.3-L 13B rotary, 5-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential, Royal Maroon Metallic paint, gray cloth upholstery, 14-inch alloy wheels, removable glass sunroof, factory cassette stereo with graphic equalizer, cruise control, A/C, power accessories.” Condition: 1. SOLD AT $35,700. Bring a Trailer, 3/21/24. This […]

Nothing Vanilla About It

1976 Datsun 280Z “Alpha 1 GTO” S/N HLS30303255. 82k miles. “Used in 2001 film ‘Vanilla Sky,’ 350-ci Chevrolet V8, Edelbrock Performer intake manifold, MSD Atomic EFI, 3-speed automatic transmission, Alpha 1 GTO fiberglass body, dark blue paint, black vinyl upholstery, wood-rimmed steering wheel, sliding side windows, rear hatch, 15-inch wire […]

Unknown Numbers

1972 Nissan Skyline 2000GT-X S/N KGC10042480. 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles) shown. “2.0-liter L20 inline-6, 4-speed manual transmission, white paint, black upholstery, 15-inch Watanabe wheels, aftermarket front big-brake kit, triple Mikuni carburetors, Koyorad aluminum radiator, front and rear spoilers, black fender flares.” Condition: 2+. SOLD AT $73,500. Bring a Trailer, 1/18/24. […]

Well Bought and Sold

1993 Nissan 240SX S/N JN1MS36P6PW309175. 236,800 miles. “2.4-liter, 4-cylinder KA24DE, rated at 155 horsepower and 160 lb-ft of torque, 5-speed manual transmission, 18-inch NISMO RAYS 57CR wheels, a JDM Kouki 180SX Type X body kit, APEXi N1 coil-overs, NISMO front and rear lower control arms, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Brembo […]

A Rare Rotary Comes Around

1972 Mazda RX-2 Coupe S/N S122A104481. 64,000 miles. “Replacement 1.1-liter rotary engine, 4-speed manual transmission, Herschel Orange paint, black vinyl upholstery, 13-inch widened steel wheels, front disc brakes, shortened springs, Panhard bar, Craig AM/FM radio, original purchase order.” Condition: 2. SOLD AT $34,650. Bring a Trailer, 11/9/23. The RX-2 was […]

Rising Sun, Falling Prices

1998 Toyota Century S/N GZG50003437. 161,100 kilometers (100,100 miles). “5.0-liter V12 1GZ-FE, 4-speed automatic transmission, Dual Electro Multi-Vision Package, 16-inch wheels, soft-close trunk, leather upholstery, digital instrument panel, heated front and rear seats, front passenger’s seatback pass-through, massaging and reclining rear seats, automatic climate control, power-operated rear curtain, rear air […]