Japanese Cars Changed Everything

In Episode 22 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry Shea, and Terry McGean look back at the rise of Japanese cars in America, from the days when Toyota, Honda, and Datsun were dismissed as cheap economy cars to the moment they became benchmarks for quality, reliability, technology, and performance.

The guys revisit the cars that changed their perceptions, from early Corollas, Civics, and Accords to the 300ZX, Celica, Supra, Prelude, and more, and explore why so many once-overlooked Japanese cars are becoming increasingly desirable collector vehicles.

They also clear up what "JDM" actually means, talk about the engineering that helped Japanese manufacturers earn enthusiasts' respect, and reveal which Japanese classics they'd put in their own garages today.

Plus: Is it time for a JDM project car in the Hemmings Garage?

It's a nostalgic look at the cars many enthusiasts once ignored and now can't stop searching for.