Japanese Import 166

rs48635

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3,181
correct; nearly all BMW M, Audi RS, AMG, Porsche, Maserati, Ferrari, Lambo and even Bentleys are LHD. One of the many bewildering eccentricates in Japan (That could be whole thread on its on!!)
Could it be similar to the prestige value of certain European specials, which were only designed as LHD? Change to RHD can upset the handling or balance. Thinking 911 where pedal offset from wheel arch intrusion
Alpina where certain models could not retain original steering setup when flipped to rhd.
many lightweight specials or homologation cars. The battery often on opposite side to driver (maybe other components too) dining toward better balance / corner weighting.
 

rs48635

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3,181
These are rather nice:




ThanKS Nayf - another rabbit hole for me :)
Found rare blue 156 GTA marked as manual car.
For comparison uk based GTA much less expensive
 

CatmanV2

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48,543
These are rather nice:





Had two 156s with the sport pack and the tea-tray. First one was a TS which I sold for the 166. That was the car that determined for me that engines need >4 cylinders. So I bought a nearly identical 2.5V6. Then fitted a leather interior. Loved it. Eventually had it converted to LPG then sold it for a 3.2 GT

C
 

Guy

Member
Messages
2,000
Could it be similar to the prestige value of certain European specials, which were only designed as LHD? Change to RHD can upset the handling or balance. Thinking 911 where pedal offset from wheel arch intrusion
Alpina where certain models could not retain original steering setup when flipped to rhd.
many lightweight specials or homologation cars. The battery often on opposite side to driver (maybe other components too) dining toward better balance / corner weighting.
It may have started there and became a cult. My cousin lived in Tokyo for 7 years 30 years ago and made a lot of money in investment banking. He thought about ordering a Ferrari to keep there long enough to avoid tax when he brought it back to the UK. The trouble is that the Ferrari dealer refused to order a RHD car! Anyway, the cult has lost its logic as most Bentleys, RRs and AMs are also LHD there.....
 

Nayf

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2,734
ThanKS Nayf - another rabbit hole for me :)
Found rare blue 156 GTA marked as manual car.
For comparison uk based GTA much less expensive
That’s my favourite colour for them. I wanted my 147 in that colour, too.
You can apparently convert the Selespeed to a normal manual - after all, it is the same gearbox with an electronically controlled actuator. Quite how much it costs I don’t know, but given the rarity of 156s in particular and more importantly body parts, it might be worth it for the right car for someone not too concerned about money...
 

gb-gta

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1,129
ThanKS Nayf - another rabbit hole for me :)
Found rare blue 156 GTA marked as manual car.
For comparison uk based GTA much less expensive

Not sure that would be cheaper in the uk. That yen price is roughly 12k, I think.
I would wager a mint 156 GTA in that colour with less than 50k miles would be probably more.
 

Nayf

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2,734
Not sure that would be cheaper in the uk. That yen price is roughly 12k, I think.
I would wager a mint 156 GTA in that colour with less than 50k miles would be probably more.
Think the last one was at Mangoletsi in that colour; 60k miles. Advertised at £15k, sold for a little less IIRC.
John Holland in Sheffield sold a low-miler in black for around £20k this year.
 

Guy

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2,000
Most of the high-end RHD Alfas are - hence the GTAs/166s. The manual GTAs tend to be LHD over there.
There are some nice-looking 2.5 V6 156s in RHD about at the moment over there, as well as a few 145 Cloverleafs. A bit expensive at current exchange rates before shipping but if you want the best...
Here is an example of a RHD 147GTA sold a couple of months ago in Japan;


Lot numberAuction date
Auction
Model
Year Colour
Chassis IDEngine CC
Equipment
Mileage
Condition
Start
Sold for
Average
price
35036
07.10.2020
MIRIVE Saitama
ALFAROMEO 147
2006 red
937AXL
GTA Selector スピ-ド​
AT 3200 cc
AAC​
112000 km 3.5
0¥
288 000¥
sold
MAX 288000
MIN 288000

] x=[-85] y=[-10]" class="ajCurrAvg" style="cursor: help; color: rgb(109, 179, 235); font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9px;"> 288 000¥
add deposit for bid


Understanding the Japanese Auction Sheet
A1 Small Scratch
A2 Scratch
A3 Big Scratch
E1 Few Dimples
E2 Several Dimples
E3 Many Dimples
U1 Small Dent
U2 Dent
U3 Big Dent
W1 Repair Mark/Wave (hardly detectable)
W2 Repair Mark/Wave
W3 Obvious Repair Mark/Wave (needs to be repainted)
S1 Rust
S2 Heavy Rust
C1 Corrosion
C2 Heavy Corrosion
P - Paint marked
H - Paint faded
X Need to be replaced
XX Replaced
B1 Small dent with scratch (size like a thumb)
B2 Dent with scratch (size like flat of the hand)
B3 Big Dent with scratch (size like elbow)
Y1 Small Hole or Crack
Y2 Hole or Crack
Y3 Big Hole or Crack
X1 Small Crack on Windshield (approximately 1cm)
R Repaired Crack on Windshield
RX Repaired Crack on Windshield (needs to be replaced)
X Crack on Windshield (needs to be replaced)
G - Stone chip in glass
DESCRIPTION
Inspection: Jun. 2021, Rate ext: -, Rate int: -
 

rs48635

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Messages
3,181
Not sure that would be cheaper in the uk. That yen price is roughly 12k, I think.
I would wager a mint 156 GTA in that colour with less than 50k miles would be probably more.
The UK car on AT

6bcae74162bb438ab1975d5e216be267.jpg
 

rs48635

Member
Messages
3,181
Same colour as my 147. Looks good value.
It certainly does. Lucky for me there I already have four door sports saloon parked outside. When / If we move (smaller house / mortgage and bigger outdoor space) there might be more incoming cars.