So what about Japanese collector cars?

Collectors and car buffs concentrate on European and American cars, especially U.S. muscle cars during the past few years. All those autos are treasured for their beauty, rarity, power, nostalgic appeal, unique character and potential for monetary gain.

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The 1997 Acura Integra Type R.

It's rare to find Japanese cars at collector car auctions, and they draw few bidders because hardly any are considered collectible. That's a shame, because some are quite good. Most sell for low prices, partly because they haven't developed a market to assure good monetary appreciation, as have U.S. and European cars.

That situation might change because the population is aging, and many younger folks fondly remember colorful Japanese autos, mostly from the 1970s to the 1990s. These were cars they wanted when they were new or drove in new or used form. They thus are good candidates to become collectibles with rising prices.

Most 1950s and 1960s Japanese autos will never be collectibles because they were resolutely ordinary, "disposable" economy models. Only a few are classics, such as the European-style 1970-73 Datsun (now Nissan) 240Z sports car and gorgeous 1967-70 Toyota 2000GT coupe; it's valued at up to $266,000. Only 337 2000GTs were built from a Yamaha design, mainly for publicity.

The following Japanese autos are collectible. They're reasonably priced, which can't be said for many American or European collectibles in good, original condition. For instance, the first Pontiac GTO convertible in top original shape is a 1964 model valued at up to $66,450, and a 1969 GTO Judge convertible is worth up to $160,000.

But those GTOs, like most old cars, have old-style components such as suspensions and brakes. However, mechanically updated models aren't worth as much as cars with original parts because collectors highly value originality.

The sleekly styled 1992-97 Subaru SVX has a solid modern car design, with all-wheel drive, good acceleration from a Porsche style 230-horsepower six-cylinder engine and sharp handling. It's valued at $3,825 to $7,200, which is chump change in the U.S./European collector car market.

Here, in no particular order, are other Japanese cars worth considering as collectibles. (Most prices are from the Collectible Vehicle Value Guide and are for cars in top, original condition.)

1970-73 DATSUN (NOW NISSAN) 240Z ($14,500-$14,900): This solid sports car was the first Japanese auto that made American sports car buffs sit up and take notice, with its Jaguar-type styling, an overhead-camshaft engine and an all-independent suspension.

1990-99 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA ($5,000-$10,550): This sports car is a superb, reliable copy of the unreliable-but-sophisticated British Lotus Elan of the late 1960s and early 1970s. It's a tiny two-seater with little room, but is a blast to drive.

1992 MITSUBISHI GALANT VR-4 ($3,974): Never mind that this is a four-door sedan because it's a slick, technically advanced one with a turbocharged/intercooled 195-horsepower four-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering and all-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. It was a one-year-only car that could outrun European sports cars.

1967-70 DATSUN 2000 ($9,650): This solid two-seat sports car is reminiscent of the classic British MGB. It had a twin-carburetor four-cylinder engine with 135-horsepower for lively acceleration, besides a five-speed manual gearbox.

1995-96 MITSUBISHI 3000GT VR-4 SPYDER ($14,850-$16,550): Folding hardtops are all the rage now, but this advanced sports car had one. It also featured a twin-turbocharged/intercooled 320 horsepower V-6, all-wheel drive, six-speed manual transmission and even four-wheel steering. And it looked great.

1988-95 TOYOTA SUPERCHARGED MR-2 ($6,450-$12,775): This slick, turbocharged mid-engine two-seater often was called a "baby Ferrari," especially the sleeker, faster second-generation 1991-95 models.

1979-85 MAZDA RX-7 ($4,650-$4,925): This original RX-7 sports car had smooth styling and the world's only rotary engine, which was reliable but a little gas-thirsty. It also was a kick to drive.

1993-95 MAZDA RX-7 ($12,875-$15,125): This third-generation RX-7 was one of the sexiest looking Japanese sports cars. It had a more powerful twin sequential turbocharged 255-horsepower rotary engine. While far more costly at $32,500 than earlier RX-7s, it looked zoomier and had nearly a race-car design.

1987 ISUZU IMPULSE RS TURBO ($1,650): What a deal! You can buy this rear-drive coupe for virtually bicycle money because few know about it. The RS had a classic Italian exotic car styling descended from a concept car displayed at the Geneva, Switzerland, auto show. It was a white-only special edition model, with color-coded alloy wheels, sport suspension and a limited-slip differential. Power came from a spunky fuel-injected 140-horsepower four-cylinder.

1997-98 ACURA INTEGRA TYPE R ($12,750-$14,475): Acura built only 500 race-car-style Type Rs in 1997, and it was the most costly Integra. To keep weight down and performance up, the Type R coupe had lightweight parts and no sound deadening or sunroof. It weighed more than 100 pounds less than the standard base Integra and had a high-revving, dual-overhead-camshaft 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 195 horsepower. Other features: A close-ratio five-speed manual gearbox, lowered sport suspension, unique interior trim, torque-sensitive, limited-slip differential and a high trunk spoiler. The 1997 Type R "production racer" was snapped up, so Acura built 1,000 Type Rs for 1998. The car was dropped for 1999, but returned for 2000 and 2001 with air conditioning. However, the scarcer, more-purposeful 1997-98 Type Rs are the most collectible. Acura replaced the Integra with the more refined RSX in 2002, making the Type R pretty exclusive.