1993 Nissan AP-X concept by Marcello Gandini was rumored to be a Z32 successor

At the 1993 Frankfurt Motor Show Nissan debuted the AP-X, a sports car concept meant to blend driving pleasure and environmental responsibility. The futuristic coupe was penned by Marcello Gandini, he of Lamborghini Miura, Countach, and Lancia Stratos fame. There was also a rumor that the AP-X was a planned Z32 successor. Gandini passed away Wednesday, March 11 at the age of 85, so lets take a look at the legend’s sole Japanese work. Continue reading

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Life-size Nissan Silvia S14 recreated for car lover’s wedding

A Japanese couple recently went viral on social media for having a Nissan Silvia S14 displayed at their wedding. The car in the photo above isn’t just any S14, though. The groom’s beloved Silvia proved impossible to get into the venue. So a life-size scale replica of the car, light enough to be carried through a doorway, was built instead. Continue reading

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Japanese detailers clean up a Toyota TE27 Corolla Levin

After seeing several detailers work their magic on classic Nihon steel, we wondered how such things are done in Japan. We weren’t able to unearth a video of anyone cleaning a full-on rat poop-infested husk, but we were able to find one of a shop thoroughly detail a TE27 Toyota Corolla Levin. Continue reading

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QotW: What tool has saved you the most agony?

Today, March 11, is National Worship of Tools Day. This oddly named day is meant to be spent taking care of the instruments that make our lives possible and convenient. Maybe take some time to organize your toolbox, cleaning grease off your implements or, as they did in the old days, putting linseed oil on wooden handles. There is absolutely no substitute for using the right tool for the job. Often when that’s not available people take shortcuts that turn out to be long cuts. For example, you can try to wrestle snap rings using other methods, but there’s nothing like a set of snap ring pliers to get it right the first and every time. And the rings don’t go flying off into no man’s land.

What tool has saved you the most agony?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “How do you tell a ‘car enthusiast’ from a car enthusiast?”. Continue reading

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Nissan puts classic Skyline, Silvia, Fairlady into the Metaverse

Nissan has opened a series of heritage car studios in the Metaverse to teach users about traffic safety.We have only the most rudimentary understanding of what any of that means, but if it means another way to experience classics like the Kenmeri Skyline then sure, why not? Continue reading

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Honda celebrates Collection Hall reopening by revving classic race engines

We can’t think of a more Honda way to open a museum than revving the crap out of some classic racing machines. Recently, the Honda Collection Hall in Japan reopened after a months-long remodel, and Honda held an opening ceremony with two of its most important vehicles, the 1965 RA272 Formula 1 car, and the 1966 RC166 Grand Prix motorcycle. Continue reading

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Tokyo Vice‘s cars elevate a pretty great yakuza series to something totally unprecedented

The yakuza series Tokyo Vice is currently on its second season. It’s not the most mind-blowing crime story, but one thing it has going for it is its excellent use of period correct Japanese cars. The series is set in Japan’s capital city in 1999 and while automobiles don’t play a central role, the sight of cool Nihon steel, even as background scenery, is a JDM carspotter’s dream. Continue reading

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Mitsubishi Starion getting first wash in 12 years is extremely satisfying

It’s not clear why someone would let a built Mitsubishi Starquest sit unused in a barn for 12 years, but that’s what happened. It gets even more curious when the builder is your father and one of the longest-serving experts on the Starion/Conquest platform. Luckily, the car was rescued from its life as a petri dish and given a thorough wash and detail job for a second chance at greatness. Continue reading

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QotW: How do you tell a “car enthusiast” from a car enthusiast?

Many people claim to be car enthusiasts, but are only superficially interested in things that go vroom-vroom. Sometimes what really appeals to “car enthusiasts” is the perceived status that owning a loud, flashy, expensive thing confers on them. Many go through that phase but some never grow out of it. Some give other car enthusiasts a bad name when they do stupid things on public roads. They range from mildly annoying to incredibly dangerous.

How do you tell a “car enthusiast” from a car enthusiast?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What should be the last purely gasoline-powered car ever produced?“. Continue reading

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The Nissan Fairlady Z stunt driver almost didn’t survive one of Japanese TV’s most insane automotive leaps

Over its five-year run Seibu Keisatsu was known for its share of crazy car chases, but there was one stunt that stood out from all the rest. Episode 104, “Rush to Glory”, is remembered for an insane jump in which a Nissan Fairlady Z flew 98 feet across a Tokyo canal. In the show the car is seen driving off on the other side with no issues, but in reality the driver nearly died. This leap year, let’s take a look behind Japan’s most famous automotive leap. Continue reading

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Mitsuoka announces production of “M55” Honda-based Kenmeri Skyline

Mitsuoka announced on February 29 that it will put the M55, shown last November as a concept, into production. The M55 was built to mark Mitsuoka’s 55th anniversary and is based on a modern Honda Civic, but the body has been completely restyled as an homage to the Kenmeri Nissan Skyline. Continue reading

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Toyota GR cars fight off boring autonomous vehicles in anime series GRip

Toyota has launched an anime miniseries to promote its Gazoo Racing lineup of sports cars. It’s called GRip: A Toyota Story, and its first two letters cleverly match the prefix in the series’ three star cars, the GR Corolla, GR Supra, and GR86. GRip takes place in a dystopian future where automated cars have taken over most of the streets and human-driven cars have to stick together. Continue reading

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NISMO twin-cam head for Nissan L-series straight-six unveiled

NISMO has been busy reissuing heritage parts for RB26-era Skyline GT-Rs, but recently they dropped a bombshell by building something completely new and unexpected for the previous generation of Nissan straight-sixes. In honor of the 40th anniversary of their founding in 1984, a NISMO race engineer designed a twin-cam head to replace the single-cam unit on classic L-series motors. Continue reading

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QotW: What should be the last purely gasoline-powered car ever produced?

If the rumors are true, the upcoming and very limited MR2 will likely be the last Toyota powered solely by gasoline. All future models will either be a gasoline-electric hybrid, electric only, or hydrogen-powered (either fuel cell or hydrogen fuel). It might be the last gasoline Toyota, but it might not be the last gasoline car. What if other automakers followed Toyota’s plan to revive a limited-run model as a last hurrah to internal combustion?

What should be the last purely gasoline-powered car ever produced?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Which Mitsubishi model is the most Mitsubishi?“. Continue reading

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Toyota MR2 revival reportedly mulling single or double decklids

According to reports from Japan Toyota’s upcoming MR2 is progressing nicely. The question apparently isn’t whether they should pursue an MR2 at all, but whether it should have one or two decklids. On the one hand, a single rear door that opens to reveal the engine and a storage area would make it more exotic, like a Ferrari or new NSX. On the other, previous generations of MR2 have used a “double deck” setup with separate doors for engine and trunk. Continue reading

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Weds Racing Forg, Japan’s first forged 3-piece wheel reissued

In 1977 the Weds Racing Forg made history as Japan’s first 3-piece forged wheel. It immediately became popular among touring car race teams. To commemorate Weds’ 60th anniversary in 2024, the wheel company is remaking the Racing Forg in three variations. Continue reading

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Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS sedan: Not quite a WRX, but deserving of a nod

It’s hard to overstate how badly we yearned for a Subaru WRX in the 1990s. But even as Fuji Heavy Industries stubbornly refused to import them due to a misguided belief that US market conditions weren’t right, they did toss us a bone with the Impreza 2.5 RS. Rather than a turbocharged EJ20, we got a naturally aspirated EJ25. It wasn’t quite a rally car for the road, but it was good enough for Motorweek to describe it as the best-driving sport compact around. Continue reading

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QotW: Which Mitsubishi model is the most Mitsubishi?

We’ve previously asked which models best represent the essence of Honda, Toyota, and Subaru. Now it’s Mitsubishi’s turn. The company was once known for having an entire portfolio of turbocharged cars, and for their broad AWD lineup. They’ve also been known for tough trucks and for being rally legends. But if you had to pick one car that best represents the brand, what would it be?

Which Mitsubishi model is the most Mitsubishi?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “For which post-1980 JNC is zenki better than kouki?“. Continue reading

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Help a JNC reader find his dream Toyota Hiace van

We have a special request today. Taylor C., one of JNC‘s long-time readers and repeat QotW champion, is on the hunt for a Toyota Hiace van. Unfortunately, what he wants is, in his words, “a unicorn”. He’s about to settle for a van that’s already sitting on the lot of a US-based importer, but before he flies cross country to buy it, we’re going to do him a solid and see if anyone out there can find him his ultimate van. Continue reading

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Come join JNC at the American Honda Collection Hall this Saturday, Feb 17, for Cars, Bikes & Coffee

So the Honda Collection Hall is reopening in Japan, but if you can’t make it all the way to Tochigi, here’s a much closer option. The American Honda Collection Hall in Torrance, Calif. is opening its doors this Saturday, February 17, for a Cars, Bikes & Coffee event. Doors open from 9am to 12pm, and all types of cars and bikes are welcome, not just Hondas/Acuras. JNC has been invited to set up a booth, and when Honda calls you don’t say no, so be sure to stop by. See the cars on display but also check out the newly opened American Honda Collection Hall. Here is the official flyer with parking and directions. See you there!

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