What Can You Tell Me About This Abandoned Impala in my Tokyo Suburb?

"Kat Callahan" (kyosuke)
07/26/2014 at 22:07 • Filed to: None

100

What the hell is this doing here? It's not even two blocks from where I live.

Images via Kat Callahan.

Kat Callahan is a writer for Jezebel and currently the LGBT editor at Jezebel's LGBT+ subpage !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . She can be reached @JezebelKat on Twitter. She likes Japanese and German cars, with her loyalties being to Honda and BMW. She currently drives a JDM 2000 Honda Logo Sportic TS (GA5).

DISCUSSION (100)

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Kat Callahan
07/26/2014 at 22:09

Cali plate and it looks like it sat in the Cali sun a lot. No idea on Japan import laws though.

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > Kat Callahan
07/26/2014 at 22:10

that is cool

i've been obsessed with big 'murican land barges ever since i sat in my friend's 60's coronet

i was just looking a a 64' impala hardtop on CL for $2500

Kat Callahan > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
07/26/2014 at 22:10

It's pretty easy to import a car to Japan. But why do it just to let a classic like this rust?! It makes no sense.

GhostZ > Kat Callahan
07/26/2014 at 22:13

It's a 1966 Impala convertible. No crossed flags, SS, or "327" badge, which means either it's been rebadged or is a 250 or 350 engine.

Still, really unusual . With long-expired california plates, no less. Seems to me that it's a car someone just imported from the US, since the sticker on those plates expired in 1999, meaning it hasn't been driving in the US since then on those plates.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Kat Callahan
07/26/2014 at 22:13

The same type of people who let Ferrari's and Mercedes rust away in barns. Its sick.

Blondude > Kat Callahan
07/26/2014 at 22:14

Someone had the money to import it but not to restore it maybe?

Kat Callahan > GhostZ
07/26/2014 at 22:14

It has the crossed flags on it. The ones I associate with a corvette. They're on the fender, but I zoomed in too close to photograph them.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Kat Callahan
07/26/2014 at 22:14

Should find somone who can run that plate or get the VIN, might hold a lot of info.

Kat Callahan > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
07/26/2014 at 22:15

AGREED.

Kat Callahan > Blondude
07/26/2014 at 22:16

That would make sense. Importing it is cheap and easy comparison to going the other direction (Japan to the US). But, still... Seems like such a damn waste.

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > Kat Callahan
07/26/2014 at 22:16

make an offer! also what are you doing in Japan?

GhostZ > Kat Callahan
07/26/2014 at 22:17

For cars back then, "rust" is just a topical problem. They can rust for years and drive just fine, because the bodies were made of very thick steel. As long as the frame didn't rust, they were okay. Even if you got rust holes, you could just swap in a new part.

The car looks like it didn't get a new paint job for years, and the sun wore down the clearcoat. Wind and sand tears off the paint slowly to reveal the bare metal, which began to rust. It could take decades for a car like this to actually rust to the point of damage. Some people actually promote the rust so they can get a 'patina' look of a classic beat-up car that only decades of wear can provide.

Modern cars have much thinner panels and a lot more sensitive parts that become a problem when they start to rust. Additionally, modern cars have the body and the frame as part of the same unit (unibody) as opposed to body-on-frame like most old american sedans, meaning that if the body rusts, it can quickly become structural damage in a more modern car.

That being said, in the US, 60s impalas (while classic) are fairly common among classic cars and if it doesn't have a big block (Chevy engine block used for the 396, 454, and 427 engines, all around 7 liters or so) then it's not really that valuable or rare. They made tons of them in the 60s. So while it could be considered a classic, it isn't unusual to see one driven in semi-rough shape.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Kat Callahan
07/26/2014 at 22:18

It's been repainted as they weren't clear coated when new, only single stage paint. That was probably somebody's pride and joy, but it has been sitting in that same spot for a while as the staining on the pavement matches the outline of the car.

Kat Callahan > banjo cat ghost of oppo past
07/26/2014 at 22:18

I have nowhere to put it even if I bought it. What would I do with it? Car registration here is already enough of a nightmare and I'm still dealing with my Honda. No thanks.

Living in Japan. If you mean my job, I'm an assistant language teacher in the public school system, I teach English at a JHS. I'm also a Jezebel writer, I write my pieces at ROYGBIV . Not planning to ever leave Japan though. I'm here permanently.

GhostZ > Kat Callahan
07/26/2014 at 22:20

Ah, so it isn't de-badged after all. You'll need to find someone who knows Chevy's more (I know more about Ford and Mopar) but I think that means it had a 350 or 327 motor in it. I think the big-blocks were reserved for SS models.

Kat Callahan > GhostZ
07/26/2014 at 22:20

I understand that. But this is sitting in my suburb an hour out by commuter train from central Tokyo. It was a very WTF moment that I had to share.

AM3R > Kat Callahan
07/26/2014 at 22:22

how much would it be to insure/run one of these in Japan?

Kat Callahan > AM3R
07/26/2014 at 22:26

I'd estimate, if you're taking about registration costs, since it would be a white plate (full sized vehicle, not a kei car), assuming it would pass shaken (that's inspection plus liability insurance), we're talking maybe $1000/year. If you're talking about maintenance, that really depends on your own skills. Of course this is Tokyo, so there are at least a few classic car shops I know of in the regional area (you'd be fucked outside of Tokyo and maybe Osaka, or potentially Fukuoka, I would assume). Gas would be very expensive. It's a boat.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Kat Callahan
07/26/2014 at 22:28

Not planning to ever leave Japan though. I'm here permanently.

I can empathize with this, though I don't live there. Japan is a really special place.

PS9 > Kat Callahan
07/26/2014 at 22:43

I can tell you what I would do with it.

1) Fly to Japan.
2) Buy it.
3) Restore it.
4) Find whatever equivalent of a nightly boulevard cruise exists over there and join
5) Roll down the down the street and pick up all da ladies...

6) ...and quickly drop them off when you realize how broke you are between registration, insurance, drivers test fees, and gas, ohmyfuckinggod why didn't anyone tell me how expensive gas was over here, shit, I'm eating ramen everyday (and not the fancy kind) and now I'm trapped in Japan and can't ever leave due to this giant gas sucking POS sucking all my money away like a vacuum tasuketeeeeee

JR1 > Kat Callahan
07/26/2014 at 22:48

Poor thing. The stories this car could tell... If only someone cared enough to listen

Kat Callahan > PS9
07/26/2014 at 22:48

Accurate.

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > Kat Callahan
07/26/2014 at 23:05

Cooool I'll keep a lookout, but all that kinda gut kicks the fun I dreamt of having while owning something like this Impala in Japan. Along with a Hiace.

It's been a decade long dream to spend enough time in Japan to be comfy with the language (my avatar is usually a cat in a kimodo playing a shamisen). I seriously fear I would never leave. .gost too much stuff goin on here and 2x150lbs of fluffy dog love. Would be just fine with rural living, too liiike Kyushu or Hokkaido.. get great seafood, walk amongst that giant flower garden and still be able to be a powder ski bum. Maybe coach rowing or lacrosse and get into judo...

AM3R > Kat Callahan
07/26/2014 at 23:52

yeah that's what I figured. Thanks! A while back we thought about shipping an Impala or other old Luxobarge out to my grandpa in the Middle East but after some research it wouldn't work. He bought a mazda 3 instead.

Bandit > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 01:26

I can tell you that it is awesome and very bad ass! Sadly it's not an SS.

petebmwm > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 03:59

Dayton wire wheels.. looks like hydraulic switches... metallic heavy paint. someone's low rider toy

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 10:54

If I recall from the article about the guy who built the custom tv car, (can't remember the show...) the cost of driving a full size American car were downright abusive. He built on an old Buick (?) and the cost was high enough that he was not going to be able to drive it, even though it was pretty much his only "thing" that he would spend his money on.

Kaufmania: Mark Webber's Stunt Double > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 12:18

well if its abandoned I can tell you this... Take it

Kat Callahan > Kaufmania: Mark Webber's Stunt Double
07/27/2014 at 12:22

Can't.

You aren't even allowed to tow a car here in Japan. It's, I kid you not, unconstitutional . It's a violation of the right to property.

Kaufmania: Mark Webber's Stunt Double > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 12:42

whoa.... Well they are doing such a good job under their current administration of rebuilding their military machine I am sure you could make an argument for stealing cars.

The Sun rises.

Kat Callahan > Kaufmania: Mark Webber's Stunt Double
07/27/2014 at 12:46

Yeah about that, you see, I wrote a thing .

Vincent Davidson > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 14:13

Idk, but other than some necessary body work, it looks relatively intact.

It would be kind of odd to see this in Japan though.

ScreenShot > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 14:20

Looks like something someone from the military left behind.

MoparKetchup > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 14:21

Iwaswonderofwonders > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 14:28

Kinja'd!!!

Looks like a dead body in the back seat.

Kat Callahan > Iwaswonderofwonders
07/27/2014 at 14:28

Just some towels.

Iwaswonderofwonders > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 14:31

Oh ok. Thought we were going to have a chapter of "Kat Callahan Detective in Tokyo."

Brian, The Life of > ScreenShot
07/27/2014 at 14:33

Yeah that's what I was thinking. Military or a Foreign Service officer.

Corey CC97, MAZDA DPI IS STILL BAE JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV VISIT FLORIDA RACING LIVES FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 14:33

My theory is someone imported it and is/was planning on restoring it, but obviously hasn't gotten around to it. Doesn't look too bad though. It's probably drivable. Rust is nothing on old boats like that.

Kat Callahan > Iwaswonderofwonders
07/27/2014 at 14:36

Well, actually, I do sort of have a fictional mystery doppelgänger , it even sounds like she's a Jezebel writer of sorts!

In Tell-All, New York City writer Kat Callahan is just finishing an explosive unauthorized biography of Hollywood's 'It' couple, Alex and Victoria Janssen, when they mysteriously disappear along with their 7-year old son, Jeremy. Now Kat's publisher is hot on her heels to finish the book to cash in on the free publicity. Little does Kat know the charming cowboy who's just strolled into her life is actually Alex Janssen's brother, Luke, dead-set on stopping the book. He knows it will reveal a fiercely guarded secret that could destroy the lives of all four Janssens. Now he'll stop at nothing to ensure that doesn't happen.

blacktruck18 > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 14:37

I have a little knowledge on this. I met a Japanese guy at a car show last year who comes to America, goes to car shows/auctions and buys old American cars and then sends them to Japan and sells them, for a handsome profit. I also know there is a lowrider scene in Japan so that probably explains how/why it got there.

Iwaswonderofwonders > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 14:40

Good heavens! Well played and yes, I enjoy your posts on Roygbiv.

asenna > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 14:40

it was most likely brought over by an american serviceman

west-coaster > GhostZ
07/27/2014 at 14:43

That modern California plate was issued WAY later in the car's life (probably mid-to-late 1990s going by the sequence), so it could have started life anywhere and then brought in with the rust already present.

Pav > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 14:44

I've seen a few 80's Cadillacs and Buicks up north here. Most are rotting out in fields but I did see a running Skylark once. One of the Japanese Nationals I work with has a pretty nice lowrider Buick.

GhostZ > west-coaster
07/27/2014 at 14:45

Yeah, I point it out in another comment, but the tags say 1999 so it was likely brought over relatively recently.

Kat Callahan > Pav
07/27/2014 at 14:46

My grandparents had a Buick Skylark in gold.

west-coaster > GhostZ
07/27/2014 at 14:46

I was trying to explain why the car has rust on it. Plenty of original, unrestored cars around here with none at all.

Pav > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 14:50

They were just so comfy! I've seen some weird American things in Japan that just leave me speechless for some reason.

Fuel_of_Satan > GhostZ
07/27/2014 at 14:50

"Wind and sand tears off the paint slowly to reveal the bare metal, which began to rust. It could take decades for a car like this to actually rust to the point of damage."

Keep in mind Japan has a very different climate from Arizona. Rust can kill a untreated car in a single season with the wet, salty sea air. Specially if it gets to sit in the frame rails along with all the dust and dirt it gathers up.

SFHandyman > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 14:55

I wish ROYGBIV wasn't behind Jezebel. I've been reading Gawker, Jalopnik, and Deadspin for 10+ years, with forays into Kotaku, Gizmodo, and the rest and I just found ROYGBIV a couple of months ago.

Why is the lgbt blog stuck in the back corner of the ladies room?

Sorry, back to the Impala.

Kat Callahan > SFHandyman
07/27/2014 at 14:57

ROYGBIV has only existed since March 1st. And the reason it grew out of Jezebel is because queer theory grew out of feminist discourse, so you'll find of all the Gawker products, Jezebel had the built in audience for LGBT stories.

SFHandyman > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 14:59

Does Tokyo have the the ancient narrow pre-automobile streets problem like many old cities in Europe?

Kat Callahan > SFHandyman
07/27/2014 at 15:02

Pretty much all of Japan. I wrote about that in a piece about driving in Japan about a week back or so.

Reg Tidswell > SFHandyman
07/27/2014 at 15:05

I know, right? Total girl cooties.

factsonly1 > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 15:07

ask Hector

GR1M RACER : Wrong Most of the Time > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 15:19

Its sitting there gaining Street Cred.

Kat Callahan > GR1M RACER : Wrong Most of the Time
07/27/2014 at 15:25

MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!

Camry-Into-Canyon > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 15:27

I don't think this 66 (probably with a 283) is abandoned - I think that someone imported it as a barn/garage find and is waiting to restore it. However, these Cosmos are abandoned and a sad sight to behold.

Kinja'd!!!

StayPutReachJump > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 15:31

Here's my (entirely fictional) theory:

Car belonged to a gangster in east LA. Was involved in some crime and became an identifying item implicating said gangster, so it had to be "vanished". It gets sold on the grey market to a Japanese low-rider fan who imports it to Japan, where he suddenly becomes unable to drive it (for whatever reason), so its stashed in some forgotten corner of civilization to rust away in plain sight until its history is forgotten.

For Sweden > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 15:32

The only thing wrong here is that you haven't bought it.

Kat Callahan > For Sweden
07/27/2014 at 15:33

What do I do with it?!

For Sweden > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 15:35

Hoon it, obviously.

SFHandyman > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 15:43

(Warning: OT post)

Ah it's still farely new. Good. I've enjoyed what you all have been doing. I get the feminist allaince.

Since you are still fairly young, how about a "Hey come visit us post on Gawker?"

Sorry, no more non wheel related talk folks.

Kat Callahan > SFHandyman
07/27/2014 at 15:45

...ROYGBIV is only me, 'sides a few guest posts. And you mean here, on Oppo? I mean, that's why I include the bio at the bottom.

SFHandyman > Reg Tidswell
07/27/2014 at 15:46

I know. I wonder if I should be using an incognito tab when browsing 'Squee' posts.

SFHandyman > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 15:47

Thanks. Finding all kinds of cool stuff from you Kat.

D > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 15:51

"it makes no sense"

Abandoning the car probably wasn't something going through the owner's mind when they imported it.

SFHandyman > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 15:56

Since this is totally non-Jalop related I'll tweet to you.

9brghtn4 > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 16:15

California plates and all! Where I live, I've never seen a car on Cali plates (or any US plate for that matter), it would be so awesome to me. And even more if it's an old Impala :)

Captain_Spadaro > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 16:31

Sad Impala is sad.

Karmakazee > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 16:42

I like it as it sits. Get it running and driving properly, then dont change a thing about it. Survivor cars are way cooler then restored show cars.

Old-Busted-Hotness > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 16:50

Japan has pretty stringent vehicle inspections. Based on the lowrider wheels, my guess is that it failed inspection and was too expensive to repair.

JimEmery > ScreenShot
07/27/2014 at 16:58

That's what I was thinking- An American expatriate seems like a likely original importer. Just going by numbers, military would be the most likely. Perhaps a Japanese local bought it from him, and hasn't had the time/money to do anything with it?

utherjorge > Camry-Into-Canyon
07/27/2014 at 17:16

where is this pile of Cosmos?

gnarkiler76 > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 17:48

In the late 80's, early 90's the fad in Japan was to import old big American cars. They imported a ton of Cadillacs (or Cataracts as they call them) and other big American cruisers. Like everything else in Japan it soon fell out of fashion and you get abandoned cars like this. Japan has always had weird fads involving American culture. In the pawn stars guy's book he described making a fortune in the 80's exporting to Japan whatever the fad of the month was. Bomber Jackets, Zippos, certain blue jeans or sneakers, etc....

Margatroid > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 18:30

I'm tempted to think it is the other way around.

Japanese inspections are very strict on rust, and what was advertised by the seller as a "clean California car" may have had hidden rust that prevented it from being registered in Japan, and due to the cost of getting it repaired may have been abandoned.

Margatroid > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 18:38

Just curious, is that $1000 figure alarming for someone from North America?

Here in Australia, it costs about $1000 per year for registration, inspection, road tax and compulsory insurance on a large family sedan, and petrol is $1.75 a litre - not that different to Japan!

Kaufmania: Mark Webber's Stunt Double > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 19:12

excellent read

I've flipped through your sstuff today. All very good. I may troll Jezebel every now and then. But I promise to never troll your stuff.

Hat Tip, my lady.

Count Smorkula > JimEmery
07/27/2014 at 19:14

Don't think so. Expats don't normally import cars. It's usually a Japanese guy wanting a taste of Americana.

Count Smorkula > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 19:17

Kat, these are actually really not rare in Japan. Take a look at all the listings on Goo.

http://www.goo-net.com/usedcar/CHEVRO…

There's 38 vintage Impalas listed for sale there, which is way more than there is for basically any other car of that vintage.

Count Smorkula > petebmwm
07/27/2014 at 19:21

That's exactly what it is. There's actually a Lowrider magazine for the Japanese market.

Kat Callahan > Count Smorkula
07/27/2014 at 19:29

I've been here for six years and never seen a vehicle like this driving on Japanese streets.

Count Smorkula > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 19:34

Seriously? I have a couple by me (Chiba). There's a purple one that's been all lowridered that I see near my office pretty often, too.

Kat Callahan > Margatroid
07/27/2014 at 19:34

I can't speak to Canada, but for an American, it's outrageous. In Texas you're looking at maybe $100 between registration (currently $52.75, I think) and inspection ($39.99 seems typical).

You also need insurance of course, and that varies on many factors.

Kat Callahan > Count Smorkula
07/27/2014 at 19:36

Seriously! Take some photos!

Kat Callahan > Old-Busted-Hotness
07/27/2014 at 19:40

Yes, I am well aware of shaken . I do live/drive/own a car here.

Count Smorkula > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 20:07

Right! Will do, next time I have the opportunity. Lots of really cool old cars in Ichikawa/Urayasu/Edogawa...

smrtypants44 > GhostZ
07/27/2014 at 20:38

it looks like the paint damage happened in that spot though. You can see how the paint on the side facing the wall looks fine, it's only the top and opposite sides with the clear coat and fading issues.

Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg > Camry-Into-Canyon
07/27/2014 at 21:51

No words. Fire everybody.

alohahomer > Count Smorkula
07/27/2014 at 22:59

there is a low rider shop in Okinawa that had Impalas as well. Apparently a couple of Okinawan collectors bought a very famous low rider Impala at police auction. The comments on their YouTube video indicate a lot of racist disdain from Chicano community over that one. That's too bad. As long as they appreciate the cars better an owner that will take care of it no matter where from.

Maxie The Mistress > Kat Callahan
07/27/2014 at 23:52

How do you know it's abandoned? Or is that mere speculation or assumption in the part of the blogger?

DonKeybals > Kat Callahan
07/28/2014 at 00:39

Judging from the number on the Cali plate, which is the current generic style, starting with a 3...I'd say the plate was issued around 1998-99ish. A car that size barely fits through most streets in Tokyo. And alleyways? forget it. It makes this even more curious as to why one would import a car to a country with small roads and streets, and why such a classic would be left on an island, surrounded by high salinity content in the air, to rot?

thebullfrog > Kat Callahan
07/28/2014 at 00:49

It was the Winchester's. They used it temporarily when they had to track down an Oni in Tokyo. So sad that they just left it behind.

ohio991 > Kat Callahan
07/28/2014 at 00:53

everything above the 327 had the size listed on the bottom of the flags

327 had the 327 above the flags

Kat Callahan > Maxie The Mistress
07/28/2014 at 01:02

It's an assumption but one based on several similar experiences. It's really common because you are not allowed to tow here. The amount of dust on the inside plus the pavement outline tell me this thing hasn't been moved in many years. That's the mark of an abandoned car in Japan. This is just the first time I've seen a US car this old fit that.

Kat Callahan > ohio991
07/28/2014 at 01:04

I don't recall seeing a number. Just the flags.

Hiroto Kato > Kat Callahan
07/28/2014 at 03:24

What part of Tokyo? Mitaka?

Hiroto Kato > Kat Callahan
07/28/2014 at 03:35

In what part of Tokyo? Mitaka?

RoverMan > Kat Callahan
07/28/2014 at 04:33

Where in Tokyo do you live? If you go to Ikebukero and especially Shibuya on weekends I've seen plenty(by plenty i mean 3 at a time tops) of Caddies & Chevies all Cholo'd out my friends say that its been happening steadily since the late 80's. This is the first rust bucket I have seen in JP tho. Also if you walk from Harajuku to Shibuya you are bound to see one or any cars you wouldn't expect to see. I dont know if its just my luck but every time I've done that walk in Japan i see awesome cars.