Ed Loh watched a parade of majestic Bentley 8 Litres cruise onto the green at August’s 69th annual Concours d’Elegance. Powered by immense six-cylinder engines, the 1931 vehicles would soon line the lip of the Pacific Ocean in a breathtaking display of their maker’s final all-new model before being acquired by Rolls-Royce.

Not far from Mr. Loh stood an exhibit of much newer automobiles that, to younger collectors and enthusiasts, have become increasingly intriguing. For the second year running, the famously selective show — renowned for its presentations of ultrarare European and American models — included a large display of Japanese cars.

It was Mr. Loh himself, the editor in chief of MotorTrend, who had organized the 54-car Japanese Automotive Invitational.

“For all its global prestige, the concours’ leadership recognizes the need to stay fresh, to attract younger enthusiasts,” he said. “Japanese cars are showing they have a strong appeal to that demographic.”