Lowered Camaro ragtop looks good anywhere in the world.

Perspective is everything. Sometimes you have to travel far away to realize how good you have it at home. Probably the best example is a little ditty about an uppity gal from Kansas. She went on a wild ride and ended up seeing things from a totally different angle. Hokey “Wizard of Oz” analogies aside, come along to a land that might as well be as far away as Oz and take an automotive barometer reading on the state of  American car culture in Japan. Steve’sPOV shot the story.

If there were any doubt we’re in a new era of Detroit design influence, see these brightly colored automotive sculptures cruising around in Japan. We have a Furious Fuscia Challenger and three Camaros, a Synergy Green coupe, a nicely lowered red convertible and a black coupe with a “Tron” stripe treatment. Last but not least, check out the burly Mustang with a Starsky and Hutch side stripe thrown in for good measure.

Light signature is big deal over there…

These Japanese pony car enthusiasts are carrying the Detroit torch over 6000 miles away and nothing is lost in translation when it comes to American muscle. It’s interesting to see what (mostly cosmetic) mods the dudes have up their sleeves. Blinking lights and under chassis illumination is a “thing,” as well as swapping front fascia’s from hi-po models. See the ZL1 lower grilles on the Camaros and the Shelby fascia on the Mustang.

The cars that are commonplace here are exotic and rare in the Far East, with parts and mods shipped from half way around the world. Freight, certification and taxes make these cars expensive too.

Meanwhile back in America, we are so damn lucky to have a Chevy, Ford or Mopar dealer on every corner with ferocious models and comparatively cheap and plentiful speed goodies from a myriad of aftermarket suppliers. Even just a few years ago, who’d a thought 400+ factory horsepower would be the bare minimum spec to play ball in new age muscle car segment? We’ve got exotic materials, superchargers, 700+ HP, 8 speed paddle shifted gearboxes, and ceramic brakes the size of garbage can lids. With a warranty too.

All right here in our own backyard.

The “Tron” thing seemed goofy at first and then kinda grew on us.