Driven by Passion: Engineers Igniting a Generation ―Japanese Cars and Motorcycles of the 1980s-1990s－
Toyota Supra (1993)
Nissan Skyline GT-R V-spec II (2000)【Photo courtesy of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.】
Kawasaki GPZ900R（North American brand name: Ninja ) (1984)【Photo courtesy of Kawasaki Motors, Ltd.】
Honda VFR750R(RC30)（1987）* The color of the vehicle on display will differ from that of the vehicle in this photo.【Photo courtesy of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.】
This is the second exhibition in a series featuring Japanese cars produced in the 1980s and 1990s.
In those decades, young people would be captivated by a variety of sleek cars and motorcycles. These vehicles would never have been created without the passionate dedication of Japanese manufacturers and engineers. Eager to catch up with the rest of the world and establish themselves as genuine global players, these visionaries sought breakthroughs tirelessly despite facing many obstacles.
This exhibition spotlights the engineers—the people who played a crucial yet unseen role in Japanese vehicle development during the 1980s and 1990s.
Eight Japanese car and motorcycle manufacturers generously loaned their vehicles for this exhibition, which marks the Toyota Automobile Museum’s first attempt to showcase both two- and four-wheeled vehicles. We hope that the unwavering dedication of the engineers involved in these vehicles shines through in the exhibits.
| Date | Friday, 10 April–Sunday, 12 July 2026 |
| Venue | Cultural Gallery 2F Special Exhibition Room |
Displayed Vehicles (by theme)
（Listed by model year and Japanese syllabary order.）
The exhibition features 17 cars and motorcycles and highlights the challenges the engineers of those vehicles faced in the 1980s and 1990s.
(Two more vehicles will be put on display at the entrance to the Cultural Gallery.)
| Theme | Vehicle | |
| 1 | Four-wheeled | Mazda Savanna RX‑7 (1985) |
| Eunos Cosmo (1990) | ||
| Honda NSX (1991) | ||
| Toyota Supra (1993) | ||
| Mitsubishi GTO (1996) | ||
| Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon GT‑B (1997) | ||
| Nissan Skyline GT‑R V‑spec II (2000) | ||
| ２ | Two-wheeled | Kawasaki GPZ900R（North American brand name: Ninja ) (1984) |
| Kawasaki ZXR400R（1989） ＊ To be put on display at the entrance to the Cultural Gallery | ||
| Kawasaki ZZ-R1100（North American brand name:：Ninja ZX-11）（1990） | ||
| Suzuki GSX1100S KATANA（1984） | ||
| Suzuki RG400Γ（1985） ＊ To be put on display at the entrance to the Cultural Gallery | ||
| Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa（1999） | ||
| Honda VFR750R(RC30)（1987） | ||
| Honda CBR900RR Fireblade（1992） | ||
| Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird（1996） | ||
| Yamaha RZV500R（1984） | ||
| Yamaha VMAX（1990） | ||
| Yamaha YZF-R1（1998） |
Displayed with the cooperation of:
Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. / Suzuki Motor Corporation / SUBARU Corporation /Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. /Honda Motor Co., Ltd. / Mazda Motor Corporation /Mitsubishi Motors Corporation / Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
（Japanese syllabary order）
Related event: 「The 2nd Classic Car Meeting」
| Date and time | Saturday, 16 May 2026 10:00-16:00 |
| Venue | P1 parking lot and Cultural Gallery 1F Hall |
| Outline | Featured activities will include a gathering of owners of 1980s and 1990s Japanese vehicles, a commemorative photo session, and a ride-along. Food trucks will also be present at the event. Details will be announced on our website and social media channels in 23 March. |
Related Event 「Special Interviews by museum director Sakakibara」
Our museum director, Yasuhiro Sakakibara, will interview the engineers behind legendary cars from the 1980s and 1990s that still have many fans today. Expect to hear some interesting facts and stories!
1. An interview with Mr. Kozo Watanabe, who was responsible for the development of the Nissan Skyline R33 and R34.
| Date and time | Saturday, 16 May 2026 13:00-14:00 |
| Venue | Cultural Gallery 1F |
2. An interview with Mr. Nobuhiro Yamamoto, who oversaw the development of the Mazda Roadster ND.
| Date and time | Saturday, 6 June 2026 13:00-14:00 |
| Venue | Cultural Gallery 1F |
Special Display
1.Meet the much-talked-about Supra
| Dates | Thursday, 23 April–Sunday, 24 May 2026 |
| Displayed vehicles | This sportscar was formerly owned by Sanae Takaichi, who donated it to Nara Toyota before becoming Prime Minister. |
| Venue | Automobile Gallery 1F Entrance |
2.In celebration of the 90th Anniversary of the Toyoda Model AA
| Dates | Tuesday, 26 May–Sunday, 12 July 2026 |
| Displayed vehicles | Toyota Model AB Phaeton（1938）、Toyota Model AC（1947） |
| Venue | Automobile Gallery 1F Entrance |
Other Events
Demo Runs
In celebration of the 90th Anniversary of the Toyoda Model AA
| Date and time | Saturday, 18 April 2026 11:00-11:30 / 14:00-14:30 |
| Vehicles | Toyoda Model AA (Replica)（1936） Toyota Model AB Phaeton（1938） Datsun Model 16 Sedan（1937） |
| Venue | Parking lot P1 |
* Subject to cancellation due to rain. Vehicles may change without notice.
