May 9, 2002
Story and photos by Michitake Isobe

In 1984, the Museum played host to the memorable Ferrari Days, where over eighty choice Ferraris decorated the Museum grounds.

In April, our Japanese correspondent, Michitake Isobe, provided the background to the state of the automobile and sports cars in Japan during the 1950s and 1960s. Part Two describes how Mr. Yoshiho Matsuda started his collection. Click here for Part One

Mr. Matsuda bought two cars in 1970, a Mercedes 300SL Gullwing and a 1952 Aston Martin DB2, which led him into the world of "old" cars. One rarely saw the then- current DB6 and DBS models on the streets, so it was an exotic car even among the popular English sports cars.

Mr. Matsuda's initiation to the Western culture came when he lived for a while in the USA. He noticed how some families would have paintings (copies or not) decorated at their homes. Cars were everywhere on the streets. The automobile and fine art were actually a part of everyday life in America and those who wished could go to the local fine art museum and enrich their education and life in general. A huge contrast from "the longer you work the more you're respected" life style then in popular Japan.

The upper level of the Matsuda Museum houses a number of Ferraris, including the 365GTB/4 Coupe Speciale, S/N 12925, (on left) which was built for and displayed at the 1969 Paris Salon.

He built a garage in 1977 within the compounds of a membership golf club, north of Tokyo. The cars soon accumulated in number, and in 1979 the growing collection was moved his to Karuizawa, a famous mountain resort near the Japanese Alps. News spread of the new museum and I visited Karuizawa during summer vacation.

Inside visitors were able to see European sports cars and big English limousines at the Karuizawa Kotensha-kan (Karuizawa Motor Car Manor). There were two Ferraris of significance, a 250GT/L (4513GT) and the 365GTB/4 coupe speciale (12925). The coupe speciale was built only a few days before the 1969 Paris Salon and exhibited on the Pininfarina stand. It's still in the original and elegant metallic blue color with cream leather interior and seats, which are not the typical Daytona type. This notch back coupe is unique with its stainless steel "C" pillar and rear window in vinyl that can be unzipped. The bodywork is built by Pininfarina, a pleasant alternative to the production Scaglietti built berlinetta.

Word soon spread of another museum opening and this time devoted to Porsches. The collection had grown to 80 cars and all the Porsches were gathered under one roof in Hakone. The Stuttgart firm is probably the most popular and revered marque in Japan, having been raced in the Japanese GP in the '60s several times, and an official importer had been established also in the '60s. The 911 could be frequently seen on the streets in the bigger cities. Porsches of all sorts were exhibited including an early '60s 1.5 liter F1 car and the Le Mans winning 917 from the Porsche Museum.

The grounds of the Museum are often used in conjunction with Ferrari gatherings and club events.

The Sports Car Museum in Karuizawa was relocated in the early '80s to Hakone and a selection from his private collection was exhibited in the new Gotemba Sports Car Museum. Along with the Porsche Museum, the enthusiasts in Japan were finally provided with a place where they can visit as they wished, casually and for a reasonable fee. Accessibility was excellent as it was only a few minutes away from the Gotemba interchange on the Tomei Highway, just two hours from Tokyo.

The cars were exhibited in a clean display in a two story building, with boards describing each car. Visitors could see a Lotus Elan, Europa, an Alfa Romeo SZ and all the popular European sports cars from the '60s and '70s. With many visiting in their proud cars, its parking lot behind the complex sometimes was the stage for an impromptu Concours d' Elegance as well!

1984 marked one of the most memorable gatherings of cars. Eighty Ferraris had gathered for the Ferrari Days in Japan, an event similar to the 1981 Raid d'Epoca and the Ferrari Days that followed in Modena., Italy. The factory in Maranello and the importer in Tokyo were both represented. Classic Ferraris such as 250MM, 250GT Spyder California, 250LM, 400SA, 275GTB, 275GTB/4 and eight Dino 206/246GTs were gathered on the lawn of the Sports Car Garden.

Next month, Matsuda's Ferraris.