An American HAMB in Japan...

[Jive-Bomber]

It was pretty ironic that the amazing hot rods and low riders in Japan post came up a mere week before I was going to Tokyo for business. Without time to hit Mooneyes in Yokohama...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

[thepolecat]

I am always amazed at what other countries do with hot rods. Every time I see posts from the international hambers about their car shows I am blown away!

[NoSurf]

Neat. You gotta have respect for those guys that eat/sleep/breath this stuff across the big waters.

(Buddy Lee Rules!!! Lee Jeans were started in the building across the street from my work.)

[Philbilly]

The Japanese really have a great passion for American hot rods and bikes. There are a lot of great builders over there. I would love to visit over there during the Mooneyes show.

[ClimisCD]

Kind of ironic considering how much todays young americans love Japanese 2nr cars.

[Bigcheese327]

It’s amazing how good the overseas guys are at getting it right. When I think of perfect hot rods, Sweden usually comes to mind, and the Japanese get customs RIGHT.

The Japanese are into all of our old stuff, down to even making the best reproductions.

I think you’re right, they’re good at it because of the dedication it takes. We’re not far enough removed from it to appreciate it adequately, I guess.

-Dave

[1950ChevySuburban]

Got any more pics? Thats a really cool peek into their culture. I would love to visit Japan someday

[JeffreyJames]

JAPAN is on the top of my list of places to visit. I never really thought of their stuff being spot on correct but more of a romanticized version of the original but cool none the less. I do like how they are doing things as well as the europeans. I think Japan has the lowrider and custom culture locked and the europeans have the early Hot Rod days down to a T. I wanna go!!!!!


I will say that one of my favorite parts of building a car which also happens to be the hardest is getting the details right. I love doing research on small things that make the car such as radiator hoses, fuel line clamps, and the welds on headers. So many cars have an interpreted idea of what they were like and don't really want to do it exactly how it was done because so many of those cars were not perfect. So welds get smoothed out and everything gets metal finished etc and they often lose the feel and spirit of what they were doing so long ago. One thing's for sure, those wacky Japanese have the spirit alive and well over there.

[GZ]

Thanks to the power of the HAMB, I just sold a 1937 Chevrolet Master Deluxe Four Door to HAMBer Shingo Deguchi of Arts Body Shop in Japan. The car left Detroit a couple of weeks ago for Long Beach, California and should be boarding a boat for Japan any day now. Shingo plans on showing the car at the Yokohama show next month. Right now, the car is all stock but I am sure they have some exciting plans for it. It would be great to be able to see the old car at the show....

[sololobo]

I dealt with the Japanese folks with vintage clothing for twenty wonderful years. The nicest, most gracious community I have ever been associated with. I had a couple of customers with hot rods, it is very hard to do there with limited space for all things. I still am in touch with many ex-customers and enjoy the relationship, great pride in their reputation. ~Sololobo~

[SAVAGE]

Too Cool. . I want to Go over there and take my Car!!!

[MeanOlB]

I'm not seeing any irony at all.

[weez]

I'm pretty sure rat Fink is as recognizable as Mickey Mouse in Japan. I go at least once a year and have a deep respect for the level of passion and dedication they have for hot rods, custom cars and bikes. (And really anything authentic or handmade.)

[Mark in Japan]

Wow.........fond memories!

Nothing is at street level in Tokyo!
Everything cool is hidden in back alleys, basements or 3 floors up!

I spent many Tokyo afternoons teaming up with expats from all over the world, just wandering around aimlessly, hunting for the path less travelled, just to stumble on little gems like you have pictured here!

If you ever go to Tokyo......have the guts to ignore the tourist crap.....and head down the back alleys!!!!

MIJ

[autobilly]

"Dedicated passion for 30s- 60s American style, deep respect for our specific (HAMB) car culture, and an intricate study of every minute detail in the American clothing, vehicles, and history of the rebel, the biker, the greaser, and customizer."

Having lived in Japan for nearly four years in the mid 9o's, I totally agree. "America Mura" (America Village) in Osaka was/is a whole three or four city blocks in Minami filled with vintage USA "Kustom/Pop Kulture". This includes back alleys, basements and 3 floors up, as Mark says.
I was interested in the origins of this obsession and after a bit of reserch found that most agree it started during the occupation after the war. Japanese culture has a deep respect for the victorious and strong. Having been beaten by, then occupied by US Servicemen and introduced to their blue jean, Jazz/R'n'R, Coca-Cola "culture", seems the young embraced these as desirable winner's traits. They have been symbols of Japanese youth cool and rebellion ever since.

[BrerHair]

Great post, Jive-Bomber.

Herman Munster, Charlie McCarthy, Rocka-Rolla, Rat Fink, Radio Flyer . . . who knew? (Besides Mark and sololobo)

How 'bout that Mazooma ! Rat Fink is adored by the Japanese!

[pwschuh]

I miss those aspects of living in Japan. It's not an easy place to live due to the difficulty of the language and the very high cost of everything, but once you get used to it, it's definitely a cool place to live. Would love to be able to afford (in both time and money) to go back once a year for a week or so.

[imfatdad]

I will second what MiJ suggested, one can have a great time discovering things off the path. There are many many little "culture shops" like pic'd, all over, and most locals do know some English.

Sorry I was not in town during your trip Jive-Bomber... Hopefully, if there is a next time...

[Krash]

I have some issues of Burnout Magazine which are written in Japanese. They cover their style of cars, shows and the whole culture to go with it. I have some issues that cover Mooneyes Japan and they rule! The artwork in the magazine is top notch. I dig their dedication to the American past time and old cars. Sweden has a pretty cool scene going on too.

[Rebracer]

Wow... anyone notice the STP cans in the window behind the Rat Fink! Great photographs I had no idea