Nissan has just released a new beautifully shot video for the launch of the 2018 GT-R in Hong Kong. It’s filled with shots of an R32, R33 NISMO 400R, R34 Vspec II Nür, and the R35 gliding through the urban streets. I will admit that I rolled my eyes at the cheesy opening scene, but by the end of the two-minute video I felt the pang of my heartstrings getting seriously yanked. Continue reading
Road Atlanta is truly a sight to see. Its rich history and beautiful rolling hills make it the perfect venue for vintage racing. After spending most of the prior afternoon and evening swapping differentials, we entered Day Two with high hopes for a successful race day. Continue reading
In case you were under a rock all weekend, you probably know Childish Gambino’s video for “This Is America” debuted on Saturday and has already garnered over 18 million views. The work is fraught with commentary on violence and slavery, but JNCers will undoubtedly be most captivated by the garage full of old Japanese cars. Continue reading
It’s getting harder and harder to buy a JNC for a song, but not impossible. Even as prices and general awareness about the value of old Japanese cars rise, once in a while you can still find a good deal. You just have to be quick, clever, or able to pull of miracles. It’s rare, but sometimes you still see an AE86 advertised as an old Corolla.
What’s your greatest tale of JNC acquisition?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “How safe do you feel on the road with your JNC?” Continue reading
So you’re the ultimate Sith Lord, second in command of a galaxy-spanning Empire. You have the entire might of the imperial fleet at your disposal. Still, sometimes you need to travel across planetary surfaces at great speed. What mode of transportation does Darth Vader himself choose? Apparently, a Mitsubishi GTO twin turbo. Continue reading
There’s nothing like the early morning start to a race weekend. Your mind becomes clear. Any lingering stress from your day job is replaced with the smell of a coffee and race gas mixture. Nothing else comes close. An early rise to Day One of the Mitty was met with rain clouds in Braselton, Georgia, home of Road Atlanta. I was about to take my restored ex-SCCA Datsun 240Z race car to its first race here in 35 years. I caught a ride from the hotel with our friends at Z Car Garage, who had prepped the legendary No. 46 BRE 240Z. The legend himself, John Morton, was in the back seat next to me. Continue reading
Back in January we wrote about an exciting new series of 1:18-scale models of iconic Japanese cars of the 1980s. Made by LS Collectibles, they were still in the prototype phase, and the first one was the long-awaited A60 Toyota Celica Supra. The cars are very close to completion, and are now available for pre-order. Continue reading
The Mitty was this weekend, and Nissan was the featured marque. We’ll have a full report on what it’s like to race at Road Atlanta in a Datsun 240Z coming soon, but for now check out this video of John Morton behind the wheel of his rebuilt BRE 240Z race car. Continue reading
The third-gen Corolla Sport is under appreciated. So let’s appreciate it today, May 1, otherwise known as TE51 Day. May the Corolla gods smile upon you.
It’s hard to believe, but the Suzuki Sidekick is 30 years old. In some markets it was called the Vitara, or Escudo, or Geo Tracker, but we know what it really was — a nonstop barrel of monkeys. Continue reading
No doubt, new cars are safer than our beloved JNCs. The latest vehicles have systems to make sure that you, and the car, are in a heightened state of awareness, from automatic braking to lane keeping Assistance. Heck, the highest level of safety on some JNCs are seatbelts, and ABS brakes if you’re lucky. That said, how do you feel driving around in your JNC? Do you wonder about a possible fender bender, damaging your prized possession, or an injury?
How safe do you feel on the road with your JNC?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your argument for keeping a JNC in a relationship?” Continue reading
With the prices of the most popular JNC models entering unattainable status for many younger enthusiasts, it’s time to highlight another painfully overlooked yet still affordable (for now) model. Welcome to another Consider the Following installment, in which we ponder the original DA1-4 Acura Integra. Continue reading
Honda has released a video called “Why we Race.” The title is taken from an impassioned speech founder Soichiro Honda himself back in the day. Honda’s actual words is played over archival footage of Honda’s racing successes (and failures) from bikes at the Isle of Man to F1 cars at Monza, making for an inspiring picture of Honda’s racing history. Continue reading
The decision to make the trek out to Road Atlanta for the Mitty after hearing Nissan was going to be the featured marque was an easy one. The preparation that the car would require to drive at the Road Atlanta? Not so much. Continue reading
Today is National DNA Day, which celebrates the discovery, 65 years ago, of the double helix structure comprising life’s building blocks by James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, and Rosalind Franklin. And while DNA usually applies to, you know, biological organisms, cars can have DNA as well. What’s your favorite example of classic DNA found in a newer car?
The premiere of JDM Legends on Velocity Channel premiere is old news by this point, but as a watcher of many automotive-themed TV shows I wanted to sit down and actually think about how I feel about the program. As the first TV series centering around classic Japanese cars, it is a watershed moment for our community. Other programs have included bits about Japanese cars and classic car YouTube channels review them, but often it’s in a condescending tone. Statements like, “The 2000GT is really good, it’s like a Japanese E-Type,” get thrown around, as if Japanese cars needed the comparison. Continue reading
It was only a few weeks ago that a near-new EM1 Honda Civic Si sold for $22,750. As far as we know, that was a record price for the much lauded 1999-2000 Civic Si, but in less than a month it has already been broken. Continue reading
Rumor on the street has it that Mitsubishi is bringing back the Lancer, a name used on its compact sedan for over 40 years, as a crossover. The idea is perhaps not as egregious as the Eclipse Cross, as the Lancer did famously have some dirt throwing AWD versions, but still. Continue reading
Editor’s note: Vintage Racing Journal is a new segment on JNC following the exploits of Glenn Chiou, owner, restorer, and vintage racer of two historic Datsun race cars. Glenn is based in California and actively participates in vintage motorsports, and his series will document what it’s like to own, drive, and campaign a Japanese nostalgic race car.
For over 30 years, the Mitty has been vintage racing’s diamond event of the South. Road Atlanta offers the ideal racing venue with its perfect formula of long straights and challenging bends. Before the Sports Car Club of America started rotating track venues for their championship finale, the SCCA Runoffs, Road Atlanta was the track that crowned SCCA National Champions for 23 years. Continue reading
JNCs have some tough love when only half of a couple is enjoying it. Sometimes a relationship between two people feels like three if you include a JNC that smells of oil and gasoline. It can get harder to justify that 2-door sedan with bucket seats and no aircon when you want to get away for the weekend, too. In that case, an ultimatum is cast: me or the car. Tell us, what’s your argument for keeping your JNC when your significant other is not feelin’ the love?
What’s your argument for keeping a JNC in a relationship?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What part on your JNC just refuses to stay fixed?” Continue reading
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