Japanese car history at InterClassics Maastricht

Legends of the Rising Sun is the theme of 31^st edition

MECC Maastricht will once again be opening its doors for the 31st edition of InterClassics Maastricht from Thursday, 15 through Sunday, 18 January 2026. After the record-breaking anniversary edition in 2025, the classic car fair will focus on a special theme in 2026: Legends of the Rising Sun. Having become true icons worldwide, Japanese sports and race cars will be gracing the main stage this time. From the elegant Toyota 2000GT to the savage Mazda 787B, InterClassics will pay homage to the Japanese car world that takes a unique approach to unifying technology and tradition. Ticket sales start on 1 September 2025.

With this new theme, InterClassics bridges the gap between nostalgia and innovation. Once seen as purely functional, cars from Japan developed to become legendary models unlike any other – both on the road and on the track. Showcasing around twenty prized specimens, the Legends of the Rising Sun exhibition will show how Japanese brands like Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda pushed boundaries and set new standards for performance, reliability and design.

Exhibition manager Erik Panis says:
‘With Legends of the Rising Sun, we aim to introduce visitors to a new side of automotive history. Japanese sports cars are not only impressive for their technology, but also their cultural value. Each model tells a story of dedication, passion and sophistication. This makes it an honour to bring these cars to Maastricht and present their story.’

Japanese sports cars sold for millions
Visitors will be treated to a collection of sports and race cars that are a perfect representation of Japanese car culture. One of the eye-catchers is the Toyota 2000GT, an elegant 1960s coupe that is also featured on this edition’s poster.

Unlike many other Japanese manufacturers, after World War II, Toyota chose to chart its own course. In cooperation with motorcycle manufacturer Yamaha, the company developed a car that many consider to be the first truly Japanese sports car. Toyota importer Louwman is making one available especially for the exhibition. The value of this type of vehicle is around one million euros. The racing version of the 2000GT even became the most expensive Japanese car ever: in 2022, a Toyota-Shelby 2000GT sold at an American auction for 2.5 million dollars.

More recent Japanese sports cars will also receive attention. With the support of F1 legend Ayrton Senna, in the 1990s, Honda introduced the NSX (New Supercar eXperiment), a sports car developed for everyday use. A recent auction proved that these youngtimers are also in demand. During the Concours d’Elegance at Villa d’Este, a 2003 model sold for a whopping €934,375 – an absolute record amount for this sports car.

In addition to the themed exhibition, InterClassics Maastricht will once again present around 800 classic cars, youngtimers and supercars, displayed on over 35,000 square metres of exhibition space. As usual, the event will offer plenty of opportunities for trading as well as sharing experiences and stories. Visitors interested in learning more about the background of the cars on display can take a guided tour every day of the fair.

InterClassics Maastricht will be held at MECC Maastricht from Thursday, 15 through Sunday, 18 January 2026. The classic car exhibition attracts over 40,000 buyers and enthusiasts. Admission tickets are available for purchase online at a discount: Online price for adults: €22.00 (normal price at the door for adults: €25) Children 8 and under: free of charge. Children ages 8 to 15 pay €12.50 at the door. For further information on the exhibition, please visit interclassics.events.