Originally Posted by Otter 718

I just bought a 1979 Takara Grand Touring 960, 23" this afternoon. I got a great deal off Craigslist. Understanding that this was never a very high-end bike, it does appear to be of better than average quality, with hand painted lugs and good Sun Tour components. It is in excellent condition, with all original parts (except the brake levers, replaced by the original owner when the bike was first purchased). It was, until today, a one owner bike, and came with the Takara catalog for 1979.

As beantownbarry suggested, I do believe this was an American company. The back cover of the catalog gives an address for the Takara Bicycle Company in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. My particular frame is marked as Made in Japan.