So what's YOUR take on it?

[Chuck Most]

But there are other Japanese cars that can bring big money..., not just the Z.

Yeah, but I'm not going to list every example. The Z is my go-to for that kind of discussion. :) 

 

I believe you have international scout confused with early bronco, cuz scout have only had value for the last 5 years or so and it ain't much.....well it shouldn't be.

First gen Bronco are hipster bait now, so that doesn't help with the whole affordability thing. And I'm not going to go on a hipster rant right now... Scout stuff shouldn't be pricey, but International guys are even more insane than Mopar guys. We're talking about guys who say stuff like "I bought this rusted out D-series pickup for $500 because it has good tail light lenses. I'll figure out if I can use anything else later, for now it'll just go out behind the barn with the other 50 hulks I bought for one or two good parts. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to spend the next fifteen years looking for a master cylinder with the proper embossed date code. Wait, first I"ll take a break to go online and berate a guy for upgrading to a 12 volt charging system."

[john510]

I'm all for more popularity with the Datsun name.How can anybody complain about the value of their Datsun increasing ? most of us here already have one don't we ? as far as this show goes,it's not the reason a Datsun has become more expensive.It's just natural that a car that's becoming more rare because of age increases in value.

[q-tip]

Yeah, but I'm not going to list every example. The Z is my go-to for that kind of discussion. :)

 

First gen Bronco are hipster bait now, so that doesn't help with the whole affordability thing. And I'm not going to go on a hipster rant right now... Scout stuff shouldn't be pricey, but International guys are even more insane than Mopar guys. We're talking about guys who say stuff like "I bought this rusted out D-series pickup for $500 because it has good tail light lenses. I'll figure out if I can use anything else later, for now it'll just go out behind the barn with the other 50 hulks I bought for one or two good parts. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to spend the next fifteen years looking for a master cylinder with the proper embossed date code. Wait, first I"ll take a break to go online and berate a guy for upgrading to a 12 volt charging system."

Sounds about right. :Lol: I have a shit ton of 80/800 scout stuff with the prices doing what they're doing it's going to be my retirement. :Lol:

[240zness]

I'm real into the old original parts , plastic etc. NOS

 

Dosnt really change my thoughts

[Angela]

So, tomorrow night we find out what kind of show this JDM Legends is going to be. Thanks to all of you that chimed in with your 2 cents to answer my question.

 

If the price hikes & all the good, bad & ugly that comes with this kind of exposure is indeed "bound to happen" as most of us kinda figured, I pray that at least we get to enjoy watching beautiful Datsuns (& other JDM treasures) be restored, built & saved. 

 

Personally, I have come to love the sort of low-profile, close-knit Datsun family/community that's operated on the fringes helping each other keep their rides on the road for many decades. That culture will likely change but I really hope it doesn't disappear completely.

 

According to the program guide they are supposed to be restoring a 240Z & a '86 Toyota Levin this week, but next week will feature restoration of a Skyline & '66 Bluebird Race car.

 

We'll see...

 

Feel free to keep adding your 2 cents after each episode...

[datzenmike]

I never think about what my Datsun is worth only it's value to me as a driving experience. I just like driving an old hunk o junk that I can like. I put a lot of time and effort into it for my enjoyment, working on it and making small improvements. It may never be truly finished.

[racerx]

Saw the show last night, pretty cool.  But I didn't get into my Datsuns to make money.  Even though it has paid for itself and I can actually sell it for more than what I paid for. 

[G-Duax]

I watched a little before changing the channel.

Disappointing, like most auto shows these days.

[Angela]

I watched the show & was "entertained" as much by this formulaic reality show as any other I might waste an hour watching on Velocity. At least I got to look at Datsuns, hear talk of Datsuns, etc. Glad there wasn't much melodrama & "time crunch" bullshit...at least for this 1st episode.

[Dolomite]

Give it time, they’ll fuck it up like always. Remember when monster garage was decent, contestants had to stay under budget or loose the prize? By season two every episode was packed with “freebies” in excess of the “budget”.

[danfiveten]

With the premium 510 and 620's have already gone up,  im glad to have 2 510's and a 620.    

 

And on a serious note, i find this shit strange.   I grew up with datsuns,  remember them getting shat on at every big show.  It feels weird to pull into a car show now and get love even from the american muscle guys.    Just feels so damn strange.  

[racerx]

Yep...I remember when people couldn't stand Japanese cars and even electronics. People used to make fun of them, then the oil crisis happened in the early 70s, suddenly people started liking them because they got 25 mpg, some got more. Then Japanese cars improved as time went on. I even remember the old Hondas, I think n700, people used to pick them up and move them and played tricks on their friends. Now, they are collectibles with funny names like patina as if rust is sexy. Or the moniker JDM, young bucks at flocking, to try to get their hands..oh the, ironic and funny.

[Dolomite]

You brought back some memories there racerx. Two of my buddies and I once lifted the ass end of an eg civic hatch and faced it the wrong way and parked too far out in the road. It belonged to a friend of my buddie’s big brother, dude was a dick so we got him a parking ticket.

[racerx]

Yep...we did lift one in high school, funny as hell.

[G-Duax]

Yeah, I had my '60 VW bug lifted up, and turned between 2 parked cars.

[Dolomite]

I drove a 70’s A body, no one could fuck with it. A buddy tried to push me into another friend in front of me, I reversed his ass into the old chevy 4x4 behind him.

[petercscherer]

I thought the show was low budget (and that's a good thing), the main guys are genuine car-guys, not actors or goons; but I really feel that they're over "fluffing" what they do. They make it sound like they are the sole entities preserving the "JDM Heritage" (whatever that means) and that they need to "make these cars right", rather than just make them to the clients preferences. I don't like being mainstream and following everyone else's trends. Just because Watanabe's look great on a 240z DOESN'T mean they are the only proper rims... And just because you use black flares DOESN'T make your car "JDM". 

 

I guess I'm more of a custom car guy than most, but I don't care about trends or styles. I just have visions of how cars/trucks can look, and I strive to accomplish those dreams. No recipes in my kitchen!

~Peter

[Angela]

Seriously?

Just reminds me how much I love Ratsun & the ways of Ratsun.

"Built, not Bought"

 

 

"JDM Legends is world famous for its restorations of vintage Japanese cars. For your satisfaction and the nature of our high quality builds, we can only take on the most serious of projects and are typically booked out quite a ways. These projects can require a lot of time and money and as such, we require a committed customer to see these vehicles through till the end. 

***IF YOU CANNOT ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS, WE WILL NOT PROCESS YOUR APPLICATION AND YOU WILL RECEIVE NO REPLY.***

1) I realize the minimum cost for a restoration is a glass-out respray at $15,000 USD. Typical restorations range from $30,000-$50,000 with high end restorations (for example a Hakosuka GT-R) going as high $75,000

2) I realize that JDM Legends specialty hourly shop rate is $120 an hour. This does not include sublet labor from outside contractors such as a powder coater for, example. Those rates may vary.

3) I realize that from a glass-out respray to a complete frame-up restoration can take anywhere from 6 months to a year to complete.

4) I realize that restoration cost can vary based on customer needs and unforeseen issues, leaving any type of quote void of any contractual merit.

5) I realize that JDM Legends may currently be booked out and may not be able to start my restoration for 6 months to a year.  

6) I realize JDM Legends only restores Japanese cars from the 1960s-1990s. 

7) I realize as a small specialty shop, JDM Legends only accepts so many restorations per calendar year and I may receive no reply if my application is not a good fit. My application will remain on file until I can reapply next calendar year. 

8) I realize that the more information I put on this form, the better my chances are for being selected.

Do you agree to the above terms?

[thisismatt]

$120/hr shop rate is ridiculous, and I'm not one to underrate shops or tradesmen (I am one).

[racerx]

That's how much a typical run of the mill shop charge. One who specializes, like mods and fabrication will charge more.

[Jesse C.]

I would have rather seen a show about this and other shops that specialize in Japanese cars. Maybe some from Japan, Europe and the ones in the U.S. 

 

There is no denying they do very nice work, a bit repetitive, but nice work. And if they can get that kind of money for their builds, good for them. But they are not getting it from me. 

And there are some other great caliber shops that do more specialized work than they do and I would like to see what they do. 

 

I know this show was supposed to be different than the others, and it is as far as what they work on, but, it is the same old formula we have seen since the dawn of reality T.V. 

 

I will watch it when I can catch it, but I am not going out of my way to see it on their scheduled night. 

[racerx]

They are pricey but there's people out there that will pay...i.e.BAT. I'm sure it took lots of work, sacrifice and dedication to get to where they are at. More power to them

[Dolomite]

I thought the show was low budget (and that's a good thing), the main guys are genuine car-guys, not actors or goons; but I really feel that they're over "fluffing" what they do. They make it sound like they are the sole entities preserving the "JDM Heritage" (whatever that means) and that they need to "make these cars right", rather than just make them to the clients preferences. I don't like being mainstream and following everyone else's trends. Just because Watanabe's look great on a 240z DOESN'T mean they are the only proper rims... And just because you use black flares DOESN'T make your car "JDM". 

 

I guess I'm more of a custom car guy than most, but I don't care about trends or styles. I just have visions of how cars/trucks can look, and I strive to accomplish those dreams. No recipes in my kitchen!

~Peter

Haven’t you seen Initial D? Watanabes and black flares are so JDM yo.

On a serious note, sounds like I won’t be watching.

[G-Duax]

I think this line is from the movie The Magnificent 7, and it goes like this:

"If God didn't want them sheared, he would have not made them sheep"

 

Glad these two guys find enough sheep to keep their doors open.

Do I care to watch them stumble through 'restoring' someone's car ?

Nope....

[hang_510]

I remember getting rid of 510s because i could get another cheaper than fixing a blown headgasket.

 

 

Now I'm selling the sedan, waiting for more than I'm asking.