The Japanese Classic Car Show 2025: Celebrating 20 years of heritage

Twenty years ago, the words “Japanese car” and “classic” were rarely mentioned in the same breath.

Back then, only a handful of enthusiasts viewed cars from Japan as collectibles, let alone worthy of being called classics. But visionaries Terry and Koji Yamaguchi had a different idea. They asked themselves: If vintage European and American machines could be celebrated, why not Japanese ones? So, they gathered a handful of like-minded believers and launched a car show in Southern California dedicated exclusively to machines from the Land of the Rising Sun.

“When we first started, we had no idea what to expect,” Terry Yamaguchi recalled. “We just wanted to share our passion and see who else felt the same way.”

Two decades later, the Japanese Classic Car Show – known to fans simply as JCCS – has grown to epic proportions. What began as a modest gathering has become a must-attend event for enthusiasts around the world. Each year, long lines form hours before the gates open at Marina Green Park in Long Beach, just steps away from the historic Queen Mary.

This year’s milestone 20th Anniversary Show was no exception. Among the featured guests was the legendary Pete Brock, accompanied by several BRE Datsuns that helped define an era of Japanese motorsport. Automotive photographer extraordinaire Larry Chen held a signing session of his recently launched photo book at the Carrara Media booth. There were even some who recognized me and asked for their copy of my novel signed. More than 500 vehicles were on display, ranging from rare race cars to pristine JDM imports. Attendance was estimated at 10,000 or more, a testament to the movement’s explosive growth. And the Japanese car makers themselves had a presence with Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota having their own booths.

Walking the show grounds is like stepping through time. There are always beloved icons such as the Toyota Sports 800 (Yota-Hachi), early Skyline GT-Rs, and countless lovingly restored examples of Japan’s automotive golden age.

“Our mission has always been simple: to preserve Japanese classic cars and the Japanese car community, for as long as possible. For 20 years, we’ve been honored to serve as one of the leaders of this incredible movement. It’s the teamwork and shared passion that made these 20 years possible. Here’s to the JDM, Kyusha (classic car in Japanese) community,” Yamaguchi said.

From humble beginnings to global recognition, JCCS has not only redefined what makes a “classic” but also cemented Japan’s place in the pantheon of automotive history. The future, it seems, is bright for the cars – and the community – that started it all.