A gathering of Kyusha-Kai (that’s Japanese for old or classic cars)
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When I covered the annual Japanese Classic Car Show a few years ago, it was held in the shadow of the massive and statuesque Queen Mary luxury ocean liner docked and displayed in Long Beach, California. I loved getting the ship in the background of my photos.
But this year, for the 16th such event, we weren’t in Long Beach. Instead, we were in the parking lot of Angel Stadium, the major league baseball facility in Anaheim.
Show founders and organizers Koji and Terry Yamaguchi explained the change in venue: “Due to Covid-19, the City of Long Beach was not able to guarantee our home location in Long Beach at this time. Rather than wait for confirmation, we decided to move to Angel Stadium of Anaheim, so we can proceed with organization of the show.”
Although I was hoping the show would be held inside the stadium, much like the Copperstate 1000 vintage sports car rally in Tempe, Arizona, or the recent Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance in Nevada — both held on the playing fields — this event was staged on the 12,500-spot parking lot.
My disappointment was temporary when I realized the event now could handle more than 500 vehicles displayed, including superb, rare and classic Japanese vehicles, some of which I had never seen before or, in some instances never even heard of previously.
There also was a show within a show — the 10th anniversary of the Japanese Motorcycle Show, plopped dead center in the massive parking lot.