About DCY Europe

OUR HISTORY

DCY Europe is the birth child of 2 teenage car loving friends from York in the UK. 1n 1998 Barrie Rycroft & Jamie Beavers setup Distinctive Cars York specialising in Sports & Performance vehicles. It wasn't long before focus on JDM cars become number their one priority.

DCY Europe are one of the most well know and longest trading UK Japanese Car Importers.
DCY Showroom in York has a constant stock of freshly Imported cars. DCY are still sourcing vehicles direct from Japan for stock and special vehicle orders.



"A small £900 investment in 1998 expands into
the UKs most well known JDM car Importer"


Please read how we have evolved over our last 20+ years in the industry


2022 New Chapter
DCY are happy to announce the new relationship with CarDealer5 who will be taking care of DCY's website. New design, same content with improved features to continue the online dominance DCY have provided for the last 20+ years. Most importantly a easier platform to view our large selection of Japanese Imports in stock.


2021 The COVID Years
After a surprisingly strong 2020, the UK moves into early lockdown 2021. DCY continued to buy cars from Japan, Importing to the UK and into stock. The Majority of vehicles sold was done via a "click n deliver" / "click n collect" service they offered. DCY put allot of concentration into the order service, throughout 2021 sourcing some fantastic cars for collectors & dealers. 2021 wasn't a bad year for DCY in way of sales, obviously hampered by the restrictions, however the new acquittances and relationships we built made 2021 a brilliant year.


2020 COVID-19 Lockdown
2020 kicked of very strong at DCY, taking a record number of orders (in any 1 month) to source specific cars. Unfortunately the Coronavirus put the brakes on what was setting up to be a record year. As a company from the 90's, DCY are built of tough stuff! Riding out a couple of economy crashes, market price drops, vehicle availability, petrol/diesel trends they've experienced pretty much everything. Between George, Barrie, James & the team they have managed to guide DCY Europe through, whilst keeping them at the forefront of the Japanese Import Industry in the UK & Europe. Measures were put in place early to enable DCY to keep serving throughout the pandemic.


2019 New website
After having one of the most visited, import car classified/informational websites for such a long time, it seems only fitting to revamp with a new site, using todays platform but yesterdays way of doing things! We hope you enjoy the new site.


2017 Business takeover
In the name of progression DCY Europe climb the corporate ladder and go limited. No change to the daily running's nor the management team that's in place.


2016 Record numbers
2015 & 2016 see the largest number of imports per year imported to date. The turnover of vehicles in the hundreds. Impressive stuff for a small outfit.


2014 Exit from Motorsport
DCYs R32 Drift now in it's 10th+ year of competition running now in the European Drift Championship. Unfortunately while racing at Brands Hatch it developed a bottom end rumble, this was to be the last time the car ran. 2014 become a double sad year as our first race car (DCY Drag) was sold, thankfully it continued in motorsport, drifting under new ownership out in Spain.


2012 New Blood
Until now George & Barrie had staff'd the Showroom at DCY Towers but as stock levels rasied so did the work load. To help maintain the high standards another staff member was required. James fit straight in at DCY as if he'd been born there.


2011 The big move
The oppertunity couldn't be missed to move into a new unit, a brand new development on a delightful business park only 5 miles away. Welcome to DCY HQ, indoor & outdoor showroom. Very capable of holding 50+ cars.


2010 Record numbers
The plan to concentrate on car sales during the recession was wise. DCY never experienced any drop in sales. Profit percentage was much lower than previous years but with an increase in vehicle sales overall business was greatly improved.


2008 Batten down the hatches
The UK slowed with the recession, DCY stayed busy with sales, as a precaution the race calendar for 2009 was ditched in favour of spending time sourcing the best Japanese Cars possible. Making sure every vehicle was desired and in demand.


2007 Need for speed
The DCY stable gets bigger, new customers bringing race cars in for work and setup. Securing the Main Dealer status for Carbaonetic Motorsport parts. DCY 4 strong race team was out alongside several customer/tuner cars.


2006 Distinctive Cars York becomes DCY Europe
DCY are running 3 cars in Time Attack & 1 in the European Drift Championship. Racing played a huge influence in the name shortening to DCY. High numbers of cars were been exported into Europe, so to accompany the DCY it was only fitting to add Europe. DCY Europe Japanese Import Specialists was the new face of Distinctive Cars York.


2005 Distinctive Cars York out n' about
Regular attendance at all major Japanese / Car tuning shows, hosting x2 track days, competing in eurodrift. Writing a monthly 3 page drifting editorial in Banzia car Magazine, giving a great insight into how to start drifting.


2004 Distinctive Cars York in Motorpsort
The foundations of DCY are those 2 young men, once boys, with a passion for sports cars prodomantly to a high standard. The opportunity to purchase half built drift car couldn't be missed. This car later went on the race at pro drift level in the UK. Another massively iconic car from the grass routes in UK drifting.


2003 New forecourt
DCY build a nice outside compound North of York. Capable of securing 35 vehicles and for the first time giving a base to call home.


2003 Distinctive Cars York in drag
Sports & Performance has always been the driving force at DCY, so no surprises when they build a 700hp Drag Nissan Skyline R32 GTR Japanese Import. The R32 claimed instant fame and since become an iconic car of UK import tuning history.


2002 Distinctive Cars York online dominance
DCY launch there new Import Specialist website. Claiming top spot on all search engines and becoming the UK biggest online Japanese Importer.


2002 Get the Mechanics right
Car sales is easy when you have good cars. Unfortunately good cars can have the odd hiccup. Securing the Knowledge and expertise of M.Wade ex race car builder & BTCC winning team engineer, enabled DCY to consistently supply Imports in the best possible condition free from any faults.


2002 "Order Service" The birth
DCY launch their all new Japanese Import Order Service. (Still in use today)
DCY completed orders from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, covering all of the UK and as far as Europe.


2001 Distinctive Cars York 12,000 mile round trip
DCY touchdown in Japan with a week in Tokyo. Attending various auctions, building a good team and reliable contacts. A whole change of direction as DCY strive for quality and become Japanese Importers...


2000 Expansion at Distinctive Cars
Car sales is predominantly the nature of business but the purchase of a new 7.5 vehicle transporter sees the launch of DCY Recovery with the bonus of a local contract that's huge!


1998 Distinctive Cars York the birth
A new Venture is launched and York has a new car dealership. By the name of Distinctive Cars York. Specialising in Sports & Performance vehicles.


1997 Our Roots
The history of DCY Europe starts back in 1997 when 2 young boys (Barrie & George) bought a Mini; then decided to sell it at auction, making £60 each! It wasn't long before both were attending auctions buying predominantly sports cars but rather than selling at the auction they sold to the public.