Other countries, other cars and prices? Auction in Japan
12/20/2017
Classic car auctions are less commonplace in Japan than usual, but BHAuction will now be putting 16 cars under the hammer at the Tokyo Auto Salon in Makuhari on January 12, 2018. It is worth taking a closer look, especially because the offerings are different and much more "exotic" from a local perspective and because it is natural to wonder how prices are set in the Land of the Rising Sun.
It starts with a Honda S800 from 1968, as you see it here in Germany from time to time. The small coupé caused quite a stir at the time with its high-revving 800 cc engine, which could accelerate the car to 160 km/h. However, with an estimated value of EUR 37,500 to 60,000, it was one of the most expensive of its kind in our part of the world.
The Nissan Skyline GT-R also has a loyal fan base here, especially among the British and Americans. The PGC-10 from 1970 is said to cost between EUR 67,500 and 82,500.
The Datsun Fairlady 2000 (SR311) was based on the MGB in the 1960s. The 1967 example was estimated at EUR 60,000 to 75,000.
The Toyota Sports 800 is almost unknown in this country. With its small engine and unusual design, however, it is certainly interesting, but at EUR 45,000 to 66,000 as an example from 1969, it is not cheap either.
Many people know the SPOON Hondas primarily from the Playstation. A Honda S2000 from 2014 will be looking for a new owner for EUR 43,500 to 67,500.
The only European car in the BHAuction auction is a De Tomaso Pantera Group 4 from 1972, a factory racing car of the type "Tipo 874 A" with chassis number 02874, which has been in Japan since 1977 and has always been driven.
The estimated price of EUR 210,000 to 262,500 reflects its rarity, as only a few Group 4 cars were produced at the time.
The Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR34) from 2001 gained its popularity in the West through its appearances in films such as "Fast and Furious". The white example is said to cost EUR 1875,00 to 225,000, which is certainly at the upper limit of what people in this country are used to.
Another SPOON racing car based on the 2002 Honda NSX was estimated at EUR 101,250 to 138,750.
Lot 09 is probably the most sought-after Japanese car in Europe and the USA, a 1967 Toyota 2000 GT in white, which was estimated at EUR 487,500 to 660,000.
There are also specialized tuning companies in Japan. Iding took on the Ferrari 512 TR from 1997 and tuned it to almost 700 hp and also refined the chassis, while the appearance looks standard. The estimate is between EUR 187,500 and 240,000.
Another tuning vehicle is a Nissan 300 ZX from 1991 as a Jun Bonneville from 1991. EUR 60,000 to 82,500 is the estimate.
Probably the fastest road-going vehicle in the auction is the Toyota Supra, now called Top Secret TS8012V (JZA80) and estimated at EUR 60,000 to 90,000 as a 1994 model.
You certainly get the most horsepower per EUR here, as the extensively modified model is said to have over 900 hp, which makes a top speed of well over 300 km/h possible.
The 1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR32) goes on sale for a budget-friendly EUR 56,250 to 71,250.
The most expensive car in the auction is the Nissan R90CK, a Le Mans racing car that is said to have taken pole position at the time. The history of the chassis on offer is not fully known, but the estimate of EUR 1.11 to 1.49 million shows the importance of the Group C racing car.
Two 1996 Datsun 240Zs round off the sale! They come from a series that was rebuilt from parts in the USA with factory support. With prices between EUR 63,750 and EUR 82,500, they are priced even higher than we are used to for original 240Zs in this country.
We will find out in the new year whether BHAuctions' rather high prices can be realized. In any case, the offer is definitely interesting and clearly sets itself apart from what we are used to seeing at auctions in this country. More information (in Japanese) about the cars can be found on the BHAuctions website.
Vehicles on offer
The following table lists all vehicles on offer with estimated prices in Yen and EUR. The conversion was made at the daily exchange rate (1 YEN = 0.0075 EUR). All information without guarantee.
The list can be sorted as desired by clicking on the column headings.
| Lot | Vehicle | Year | Yen Estimate | € Est from | € Est to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Honda S800 | 1968 | 5000000 - 8000000 | 37500 | 60000 |
| 02 | Nissan Skyline GT-R (PGC-10） | 1970 | 9000000 - 11000000 | 67500 | 82500 |
| 03 | Datsun Fairlady 2000 (SR311） | 1967 | 8000000 - 10000000 | 60000 | 75000 |
| 04 | Toyota Sports 800 | 1969 | 6000000 - 8800000 | 45000 | 66000 |
| 05 | SPOON (Honda) S2000 ST-4 | 2014 | 5800000 - 9000000 | 43500 | 67500 |
| 06 | De Tomaso Panttera Group 4 | 1972 | 28000000 - 35000000 | 210000 | 262500 |
| 07 | Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR34） | 2001 | 25000000 - 30000000 | 187500 | 225000 |
| 08 | SPOON (Honda) NSX-R GT | 2002 | 13500000 - 18500000 | 101250 | 138750 |
| 09 | Toyota 2000GT | 1967 | 65000000 - 88000000 | 487500 | 660000 |
| 10 | Iding (Ferrari) F512TR SIII Type A | 1997 | 25000000 - 32000000 | 187500 | 240000 |
| 11 | Jun Bonneville Z32 Nissan 300ZX | 1991 | 8000000 - 11000000 | 60000 | 82500 |
| 12 | Top Secret TS8012V (JZA80) "TOYOTA SUPRA" | 1994 | 8000000 - 12000000 | 60000 | 90000 |
| 13 | Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR32） | 1990 | 7500000 - 9500000 | 56250 | 71250 |
| 14 | Nissan R90CK | 1990 | 148000000 - 198000000 | 1110000 | 1485000 |
| 15 | Datsun 240Z "Vintage Z" (S30） | 1996 | 8500000 - 10000000 | 63750 | 75000 |
| 16 | Datsun 240Z "Vintage Z" (S30） | 1996 | 9000000 - 11000000 | 67500 | 82500 |
