I'd argue that it was a Japanese car. 1) It was assembled here. 2) The van and wagon used some Opel panels ( Opel symbol stamped into them), ditto the Hella of Germany tail lights. 3) A fair percentage of local components. The automatic trans, entire rear axle & brakes, wheels, interior soft trim. More of a world car than Japanese. To drive? Fun. Stiffly sprung, but the thin, vinyl seats were really, really comfortable to me ( and my cousin, who put over 200,000 Km on his TD van) adequate performance, especially with a downdraft Weber and advancing the timing. A great turning circle too, direct rack & pinon steering and the offset steering wheel didn't bother me. Down side? I missed the 5 speed and 4wheel discs that my Fiat 125S had. And it was unlucky, 2 big prangs, one my fault, the other not (thanks Stefan Najic, in your VJ Valiant at the Dayboro rd intersection in 1981!!!!!) And two roo hits. What lead me to it? I was apprentice to a Holden dealer, so I knew the cars. Wouldn't touch an Escort-and still won't. Corrolla Panel van? As if. The coupe is as story for another day.