2012 Beaulieu Simply Japanese Day: low, loud and proud

Because one car show isn’t enough for a day, I also went to the Simply Japanese event at Beaulieu National Motor Museum on Sunday.

Slightly different crowd to the Wilton House event, but equally charming in its own way.

For obvious reasons I couldn’t get there until later in the afternoon, but the grounds out back of the museum were still packed with all manner of Japanese cars. The usual suspects were well represented, alongside a few classics and some less obvious choices, too.

Take these K11 Micras, for example. A neatly matched pair, neither had anything much like an interior left, and both were low enough keep the grass trimmed. And yes, the Micra’s a popular choice in grassroots rallying, but I actually love the style here more than anything. Micra and style in the same sentence. I know.

Want to go lower? No problem. I do hope the owner backed this Honda out, rather than risk ripping off the front lip on the kerb.

One of many, many Imprezas; another example won the day’s People’s Choice Award.

Serious roll-cage in this Mazda MX-5, no roof and no seat for a passenger.

This one, on the other hand did have its passenger seat. Although it’s presumably only welcoming to people happy to share space with airbrush art. And skulls. What was that about hairdresser stereotypes?

Final pic for here – there are a few more in the gallery link – and I think it tells its own story. Impressive perseverance, though.

• CJ's Beaulieu Simply Japanese Day gallery
• 2012 Wilton House Classic and Supercar Day: just a few more pictures