In 1996, production of the Z32 300ZX was coming to a close, and the word at the time was that its successor would be a couple of years away. This news was not received very well in the USA, which historically was the biggest market for the Zed car, since the very first S30 series 240Z in the early 70s. Little did they know that the 350Z was actually another 6yrs away, but Nissan of North America decided to do something to keep the flame burning until the new car showed up.

They would restore, and sell 240Z as brand new cars again, with a new car warranty. 10 dealers would be selected to be “Z Stores”, and having brand new 240Zs on the showroom floor would bring in valuable traffic. They’d heavily market their “Vintage Z” program in car magazines, Nissan would sell more cars, and everyone would be happy.

Oh yes. They actually did this.

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Mazda have utilised Facebook to launch a design competition, charging entrants with the task of determining what the Mazda 3 of 2018 will look like.The good thing about this design comp is that, frankly, it’s not much of one! If you lack any drawing skills to speak of, you’re still a chance as long as you know how to write. If you can aptly and imaginatively describe in 150 words or less what the 3 of 2018 will look like, you’re in with a chance.

So for those of you who love the retro-styled cars we’ve been seeing these days—such as the Mustang and the Camaro—this is your chance to revitalise the 3 with the classic stylings of the RX-3. Make it happen!

You’ll need to join Facebook first, but once you have, click here to join the Mazda Design Challenge.

[via JNC]

…to help design the new Mazda 3 of 2018.  The winner will have work with Mazda USA designers to have his or her design modeled into a life-size concept to be shown at the LA Auto Show this November with an all-expenses paid trip to the City of Angels.  Of course, you know what we’re thinking…. how about a a retro-styled FR hardtop coupe based evoking the spirit of rotaries past with design cues from the RX-2, RX-3 or RX-4?  We know from this drawing thread that you guys have spectacular skills, so get out there and show the world.

[Source: Mazda Facebook Group via Jalopnik]

I’m quite sure none of you need to be reminded that the Japanese Classic Car Show for 2007 is coming up in October, but for those living under a rock in a trench somewhere in the Pacific, get over to the JCCS website and get yourself registered to show off your car!

JapaneseClassicCarShow.com

Wagons are something you don’t see a lot of in tuner circles, and even more so among the classic JDM community. Ray Garbalosa’s RX-4 wagon is a fine example of what can be done when you want something classic but recognisable, and still remain unique.

Combine that with the heart of an FC RX-7 and the array of FC and FD donor parts modernising the guts of this ol’ Luce, and you’ve got yourself a killer classic with a contemporary twist.

Check it out at TheSpeedLounge.

He’s a demon on wheeeels. Alright, so the picture to the left of this paragraph isn’t Speed Racer, but Takumi just doesn’t have a catchy theme song.

Motivemag.com have posted their top 10 cartoon cars of all time, and while this would ordinarily be irrelevant to grandJDM, Takumi’s AE86 from Initial D came in at number 9, and Speed Racer’s Mach 5 came in at number 1. Now sure, the Mach 5 isn’t a real car, but look at it this way: It’s originally a Japanese cartoon, and a very old one at that. That makes it classic JDM, folks!

Aaaah twisted logic is the best kind there is.

Check it out at MotiveMag.

The Toyota Land Cruiser has long been the off-roader of choice for those intent on spotting animals in their natural habitat. But what if you want to spot Land Cruisers in their natural habitat? Well Toyota’s Open Road blog has put together a Land Cruiser spotter’s guide, which stretches from the 1942 AK10 prototype to the all-new 2008 Land Cruiser and includes a model or two that you’ll never spot unless you travel to some distant continents.

[Source: Toyota Open Road Blog]