It was a relief to wake up this morning and find the planet still here, meaning we survived those wacky scientists flipping the switch on the Large Hadron Collider. Here’s another story of survival. In 1972 Nissan introduced the Sunny Truck to South Africa, based on the B110 series Sunny (known as the 1200 here in the US). But while the passenger car evolved into the B210 a few years later, the Truck continued largely unchanged for 37 years. Until now, that is. (more…)
This is the news we’ve been waiting for and we couldn’t be happier to report it. The Datsun Heritage Museum will officially hold its grand opening on September 12-14 in Murrieta, CA! Excuse us as we jump for joy, do some cartwheels and pop open a bottle of champagne. Finally, a museum that honors a nostalgic marque, right here on US soil! (more…)
Aaaand we’re back, thanks to a new hard drive. We’re still trying to assess the data loss but it’s likely everything since the last backup was destroyed, based on the drive’s horrible scratching noise, which sounded like a school of piranhas chewing on a blackboard. Anyway, onto more nostalgic car news.
In his most recent column for The Telegraph in response to the 100 Ugliest Cars, Top Gear host James May reveals that he has just purchased a Datsun 120Y. You may know it as the B210 or Sunny, but we just call it brilliant! Here’s a guy that is among the most famous petrolheads in the world, a presenter on the number one car show in the world, and a bloke that can clearly afford any car in the world - as evidenced by the Rolls Royces and Bentleys in his stable - and he buys an old Datsun. We wonder if it’s that gorgeous black-on-lime green specimen that was on set in the GT-R episode and on track as it schooled Britain’s finest at the hands of the Stig.
When you think about it though, May is probably the only Top Gear man who would buy a Datsun. Who else would fit the bill, Lambo-owning power-sliding Clarkson? Porsche-loving metrosexual Hammond? Not bloody likely. On the other hand, May’s nickname is Captain Slow, so maybe this isn’t an entirely good thing for our cause. Regardless, May is our new favorite Top Gear presenter. Clarkson can go suck on a Peel P50.
The Japanese Classic Car Show, scheduled for October 12, 2008 in Irvine, California, is coming. Unfortunately for Nissan enthusiasts, the company is cutting back on event sponsorship and, unlike Toyota and Mazda, it seems like they will not have an official presence at the biggest vintage Japanese car event of the year.
But fear not, Datsun fans. You’ll have something just as good, maybe even better: special appearances by Datsun racing legend Peter Brock and his BRE booth. Peter and his wife Gayle have decided that it was time to start sharing his life’s work, particularly in light of renewed interest in nostalgics. You can find out more at his website, BRE2.net.
And speaking of JCCS, just a reminder that registration is still open until September 12. If you missed out on early registration, you still have a chance to get your car in the show and join in the festivities. Here’s our coverage from the 2006 and 2007 shows to whet your old school appetite. Be there or be square!
Sorry for the short notice, but this just came down the wire. Tomorrow, August 23, will be the NJ Z Club’s annual show in Bridgewater, NJ. Looks like last week of August in Joisey is shaping up to be old school central with the Team Toyminator Old School Toyota show coming up the following weekend (see next post). For more information, go to NJZClub.com.
UPDATE: JNCer QuasiMondo has posted pics of this show. Click here.
Back in 1979, you may have seen this flash across the TV while kicking back in your rec room. But don’t think of it as a commercial, think of it as a public service announcement ensuring that you don’t miss out on a guaranteed money-making investment!
Mazda’s RX-7 had just come out, and you were probably still kicking yourself for passing up on the MG TC, ‘53 Corvette and 240Z. We’re not sure what’s bolder, proclaiming that the RX-7 would be an instant classic, or acknowledging the classicosity of Nissan’s direct competition. Can you imagine Mazda calling any Nissan product “extraordinary” and classic in an ad today? Keep in mind the 240Z was only 9 years old at the time.
Which leads to the inevitable question, if you were making this commercial in 2008, what future classic would you have, say, an RX-8 pull up next to?
Aaaand we’re back, thanks to a new 
