Let’s all take a moment to remember the first-generation Celica, perhaps one of Toyota’s finest designs, the timeless A20 Celica. Of course, in the US they were technically RA coded, but nonetheless we celebrate the best of the breed on this day. Happy TA22 Day from JNC!
Looks like there’s definitely going to be a successor to the Subaru BRZ after all. Earlier this week, we had a little hand in spreading to the English-speaking world the rumor that the next-generation Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ had been axed. We were wrong, and that’s reason to rejoice. Continue reading
If you’re the kind of person who dreams about driving a Hakosuka Skyline even when you’re just sitting around at home, have we got a chair for you. Behold, the GT Chair, a seat inspired by that of of Nissan’s iconic coupe. Continue reading
The high-end collector car auction world has been dominated for years by a handful of North American and European firms that cater to a demanding clientele. Firms like RM Sotheby’s, Gooding & Company, and Barrett-Jackson have become household names among the world’s most affluent car enthusiasts, and yet somehow, despite a steady and healthy demand for blue-chip automobiles in Japan, that country has never had a world-class collector car auction house of its own, until now. Continue reading
Ninety-nine years ago, Toyo Kogyo Cork Company was established in Hiroshima, Japan. Though it’s had many ups and downs over the decades, that humble little firm would grow up to become one of the most innovative and enthusiast-oriented carmakers in the world. Here’s to 100 more.
In 2003, Fuji Speedway was shut down for a year in order for a major redesign. It wouldn’t be its first, but it would be substantially different than any of the previous configurations. To celebrate the last days of the 4.4 km era, Best Motoring sent Motoharu Kurosawa onto the track in a replica Hakosuka Skyline GT-R race car for one last blast. Continue reading
For 2020, Toyota is releasing a Land Cruiser Heritage Edition, celebrating the go-anywhere SUV’s 60-plus years of continuous sales. Toyota established their US offices in late 1957, and have sold Land Cruisers in the states ever since then. Not even the Corolla can boast that kind of longevity. Continue reading
There may not be a next-generation Subaru BRZ or Toyota 86, according to reports coming out of Japan. The automotive tabloid Best Car is prepared to report in their upcoming February 26 issue that the Toyobaru twins will be canceled. Apparently, Subaru and Toyota have deviated on their development policies, and have decided to take separate roads. However, we think this might make way for the return of the MR2. Continue reading
Over the weekend Honda published a new illustration of its upcoming electric vehicle, scheduled to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in early March. Unfortunately, it’s pretty disappointing. It looks as if it has lost much of the retro, first-gen Civic charm that drummed up much excitement among JNCers when the original concept debuted. Continue reading
Welcome to another edition of Drive, Sell or Garage, JNC‘s version of Bang Marry, or Kill. This time, your choices are three entry-level drift machines that have grown to legend status. Each has its own mechanical advantages and weaknesses, and its own storied heritage. You probably can’t go wrong with any of them, but we want to hear your choices and your reasoning.
Drive, Sell, or Garage: Toyota AE86, Nissan S13, or Mazda NA Miata.
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Should carmakers use classic nameplates for new models?” Continue reading
Our final feature from the Tokyo Auto Salon is a vehicle that we probably would have walked right by, but proved immensely popular with our Japanese friends. Built by students at the Fukushima Science and Technology College, the 1990 Isuzu Elf 250 got a lot of attention. One reason was that large cab-over medium-duty commercial trucks simply don’t get modified that much. Continue reading
One of our favorite cars at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon was a humble Nissan Cedric sedan. Built by students at Tokyo Automobile University School, the car represented a brief period in the 1960s when Japan tried its hand at NASCAR-style stock car racing. Continue reading
The classics of the chrome era at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon could be split into two camps. Restomods look towards the future, using a nod to the past to incorporate new and modern ideas. Then there are the cars that stand firmly in tradition, incorporating old school Japanese style to make a statement. Continue reading
At the Tokyo Auto Salon this year the carmakers of Japan joined forces for a display of their iconic rally cars. Toyota, Nissan, Subaru and Mitsubishi each brought turbocharged monsters to the halls of Makuhari Messe. For rally fans, it was a rare opportunity to see all the cars at once, without having them fling dirt and rocks at you. Continue reading
The first production A90 Toyota Supra has sold for $2.1 million at auction. It’s an eye-watering sum, though it is going to two very worthwhile charities. Seven digit sales figures aren’t that unusual in these much-hyped, first-to-market auctions, but in this case the sky high number is at once meaningless and significant. Continue reading
Last week, we finally got a glimpse of the forever-teased fifth-gen Supra. Toyota can now add their historic nameplate back into their lineup to evoke the glory years of exciting expressway champions and literally unbelievable “Gentleman’s Agreement” performance. Honda and Nissan also have historic badges running the streets in the NSX, Z and GT-R, as well as upcoming models like the Urban EV. Looking at the selection, we ask you to ponder:
Should carmakers use classic nameplates for new models?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s the coolest JNC you’ve spotted in the cold dark of winter?” Continue reading
Even after 27 years, The Tokyo Auto Salon is still the premier showcase of automotive fashion from a country that has no shortage of them. Many trends have come and gone over the decades, but TAS will probably always have classics in one form or another. Updated with today’s technology and build techniques, here are (to borrow a term from modernized muscle cars) the Japanese restomods. Continue reading
Carbon fiber came out of the racing and tuning world, but has grown stale over the years. The epitome of this has to be the faux carbon fiber appliqués stickered onto the so-called “sport” trims of new cars. At this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, we finally spotted a fresh take on carbon fiber, and it incorporates one of the most traditional Japanese patterns into its design. Continue reading
Here’s another quick snap from the Gazoo Racing booth at the Tokyo Auto Salon last weekend. Looks like CEO Akio Toyoda has commissioned another Century GRMN, this time in its most proper color, black. Continue reading
The Suzuki Jimny is one of the coolest SUVs to debut in recent years. With its true body-on-frame construction, transfer case, and low-range, it’s mor of a true off-roader than most of the bigger, tough-looking crossovers on the market today. Plus, with a starting price of ¥1,458,000 ($13,400 USD), you can afford to have fun with it. That’s exactly what one company did at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, when they dressed one up as a Toyota Land Cruiser.
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