Coppa di Tokyo 2024: Classic Cars in the Japanese Capital

A red vintage Alfa Romeo passes through the Coppa di Tokyo banner as spectators watch on a city street. — Car: Alfa Romeo
Lens: Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM at 105 mm (1/500 sec at f/8.0, ISO 3200)

The rumble of a vintage Maserati engine echoes off the glass towers of Shiodome. Light flashes off the chrome of a Porsche 550 Spyder turning a corner in Asakusa.

If the thought of timeless European classic cars taking over the streets of Tokyo gets your heart racing, then the Coppa di Tokyo 2024 was an event you shouldn’t have missed. But if you did, here are my photos from the day.

Sleek red vintage racer at the Coppa di Tokyo car rally, with two passengers and other classic cars in the background. — Car: Bandini 750
Lens: Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM at 43 mm (1/250 sec at f/10, ISO 3200)

Vintage European cars in Tokyo

Starting on Italia Street, the event was more than a car museum. It was a regularity rally, sending nearly 100 vehicles on a circuit through the city. I spent a Saturday morning with these incredible machines, and the sights and sounds were unforgettable.

A sleek yellow vintage racer #38 at the Coppa di Tokyo 2024 car rally, with crowds and photographers in a city plaza. — Car: Buckler DD2
Lens: Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM at 81 mm (1/320 sec at f/8.0, ISO 800)

A classic red Alfa Romeo with a smiling couple on a red carpet at Coppa di Tokyo rally. — Car: Alfa Romeo
Lens: Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM at 105 mm (1/250 sec at f/8.0, ISO 1600)

Silver Porsche 550 Spyder leads a pack of vintage cars at the Coppa di Tokyo car rally on a paved city square. — Car: Porsche 550 Spyder
Lens: Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM at 28 mm (1/320 sec at f/8.0, ISO 800)

The variety was staggering. Japanese enthusiasts have a deep love for European classic cars, and it showed. Gleaming Ferraris and Alfa Romeos were parked alongside stoic BMWs and Porsches. There were even quirky Messerschmitts and Abarths.

Classic black Corvette Stingray at the Coppa di Tokyo car rally, surrounded by onlookers in a stone-paved city square. — Car: Corvette Stingray
Lens: Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM at 53 mm (1/125 sec at f/8.0, ISO 800)

Even a few Americans snuck into the rally, with the unmistakable shapes of a Corvette and a Mustang adding some muscle to the mix. For petrolheads, it was heaven.

Driver taking a selfie in a red Triumph TR3A during the Coppa di Tokyo car rally as crowds watch in a city plaza. — Car: Triumph TR3A
Lens: Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM at 56 mm (1/250 sec at f/8.0, ISO 1600)

Coppa di Tokyo’s route through the city

The rally was a test of precision, not just speed. Drivers followed a course that took them to landmarks like Asakusa, Ueno, and Jingu Gaien (2022 photos), aiming to hit checkpoints at exact times.

Bright blue BMW Isetta bubble car drives through the Coppa di Tokyo car rally with spectators in the background. — Car: BMW 600
Lens: Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM at 50 mm (1/250 sec at f/10, ISO 3200)

Two men in a silver Porsche 550 Spyder at the Coppa di Tokyo car rally, wearing driving goggles and headsets. — Car: Porsche 550 Spyder
Lens: Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM at 105 mm (1/320 sec at f/8.0, ISO 800)

My trouble getting to the start line

I arrived at 9:30 to be there ahead of the 10 a.m. start. I thought it would give me time to photograph some cars before they headed out. But, when I arrived the air was already thick with the smell of gasoline. Engines were revving to life.

The event was underway, and excitement was in the air.

Light blue Lotus Europa at the Coppa di Tokyo car rally with a white Mercedes-Benz and spectators in an urban square. — Car: Lotus 47
Lens: Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM at 24 mm (1/250 sec at f/11, ISO 3200)

A good crowd of several hundred was in attendance. Cameras and smartphones were everywhere. How many more were at the checkpoints, cheering the drivers and their vehicles on? People walking around Tokyo that day were surely delighted to see them.

My favorite classic cars

With so many legends on the road, picking a favorite felt impossible. If I had to choose, the lines of the Alfa Romeo Gran Sport Quattroruote, with its open cockpit and delicate wire-spoke wheels, probably took the prize.

Red vintage Alfa Romeo #66 at the Coppa di Tokyo 2024 car rally, driving past onlookers on a cobbled street. — Car: Alfa Romeo Gran Sport Quattroruote
Lens: Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM at 53 mm (1/125 sec at f/8.0, ISO 800)

Teal Porsche 356 at the Coppa di Tokyo car rally, parked among other classic cars in a paved urban plaza. — Car: Porsche 356
Lens: Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM at 28 mm (1/250 sec at f/10, ISO 3200)

But, the legendary Porsche 550 Spyder, a giant-killer of its era, was a close second. To see more classic cars in Tokyo, look at [Remembering Odaiba’s History Garage].

Plan for the next Coppa di Tokyo

It was a perfect Saturday morning spent among blasts from the past. I’ll be back for a future Coppa di Tokyo, though I’ll set my alarm clock even earlier to get more photos. If you love cars, you should also check out [Tokyo Motor Show 2019].