I’d like to introduce one of the cars I purchased through a private sale from an enthusiast in Japan, imported to the United States, and still own today.
From the late 1980s to the 1990s, drifting became a distinct part of car culture in Japan.
There were videos showcasing cars sliding through mountain roads, and on weekends, you could even see drift cars running along the waterfront roads near Yokohama’s Bay Bridge.
It was during this era that the A31 Cefiro found its place.
The Cefiro Behind the Skyline
The A31 Cefiro shared its chassis with the R32 Skyline and the C33 Laurel, all rear-wheel-drive platforms powered by Nissan’s RB-series engines.
This meant the Cefiro had strong performance potential and made a solid base for a drift car.
At the same time, the Skyline was not always affordable for younger enthusiasts. As a result, many turned to the more accessible Cefiro, often found in the used market at a lower price, and began building drift cars from it.
Cars That Were Modified
It became common to convert automatic cars to manual, turbocharge naturally aspirated engines, and install stiff suspension setups with lowered ride height.
As this trend grew, more and more Cefiros were modified, and clean, original examples gradually disappeared from the market.
What Remains in the U.S. Today
Today, most Cefiros found in the U.S. reflect that history.
Many have been heavily modified, and even manual cars are often conversions from automatic.
While these cars can be enjoyable to drive, they represent a different kind of value. They are not always the best examples when it comes to preserving the original character of the car.
The One I Chose
Against that backdrop, there are still a few cars that remain untouched.
The Cefiro I own is one of them—still equipped with its original RB20 engine and automatic transmission.
It has clearly been well cared for over the years, and among the Cefiros currently in the U.S., it is rare to find one that remains this close to its original condition.
Why This One
The Cefiro is a car that has been shaped by the culture around it.
Because of that, an original example carries a different kind of value—one that goes beyond performance or specifications.
That is why I chose this car.
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