PRODUCT GUIDE: Koyorad First-Gen Toyota Celica Radiator

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Dan

Koyorad Toyota Celica radiator

If you swung by the JNC booth at Toyotafest this weekend you might have noticed this beautiful block of aluminum. It’s the the lastest design from Japanese radiator maker Koyorad and we’re happy to say that it’s another nostalgic car application. Hot on the heels of Koyorad’s Datsun 510 radiator comes a cooler for your first-gen Toyota Celica.

Specifically, it fits all first-gen Celicas with 1.6 or 2.0 liter engines. That means your stock 2T-C, 18R-C, or even twin-cam 2T-G or 18R-G can have now have stone cold antifreeze coursing through its veins. Typical of Koyorad units, it comes with a threaded 1/8-inch PT temperature sensor fitting and measures 48mm thick. Each radiator is TIG-welded and triple pressure tested. We’re extremely thrilled that aftermarket support for us old schoolers is constantly expanding, and that it’s not limited to just the ever-popular 240Z and AE86 (though Koyorad makes radiators for them too).

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MINICARS: Hot Wheels Flying Customs Kenmeri Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Ricky

Flying Customs Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R kenmeri

We know, it’s madness, but there’s yet another nostalgic Hot Wheels coming down the pipe. This time, it’s the first color of the kenmeri Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R since that casting’s initial release in 2011.  Continue reading →

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VIDEO: Crashing Classic Subarus

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Ben

Subaru Crash Test

And now for your viewing pleasure, Subarus crashing into walls. When we started JNC in 2006, you couldn’t get a Japanese automaker to cough up some vintage footage if your threatened the CEO’s grandchildren at gunpoint. Nowadays, they’re more than happy to promote their histories, even if it’s a cringe-inducing montage of old cars getting destroyed for the greater good. It’s interesting to note that Fuji Heavy was conducting pedestrian safety tests as far back as the first-generation Leone. Continue reading →

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QotW: What’s the greatest JNC of the 1980s?

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Ben

KDR30 Nissan Skyline Super Silhouette

If the question was simply the greatest JNC, it would be hard not to choose something legendary like a 2000GT or KPGC10. But since we’re on an 80s kick with our Made in the 80s theme for Toyotafest, let’s limit the answers to hachimaru heroes.

What’s the greatest JNC of the 1980s?

From touge terrorizing AE86s to Wangan blasting MA71 Supras, Bubble Economy Japan was a nonstop onslaught of fantastic machinery. From insanely turbocharged kei cars to the first wave of VIP ultra-luxe sedans, the land of the rising sun had it all.

What say you, dear reader? As always, the most entertaining or inspiring comment by next Monday will receive a toy. Click through to see the winner from last week’s question, “What’s the greatest Japanese Nostalgic Motorcycle?“  Continue reading →

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JNC GEAR: Made in the 80s

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Ben

Toyota Van Made in the 80s, Loved by the Ladies

JNC‘s 25-years-or-older rule has put the nostalgic cutoff at 1988. It’s time we embraced the 80s. This year, our annual Toyotafest shirt debut will be a tribute to the boxy designs of the techno-funk decade, the Turbo Era, the Bubble Economy. We’ll also be debuting a decal to go along with it. Continue reading →

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KIDNEY, ANYONE? Million Dollar Baby: 1967 Toyota 2000GT

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Ben

1967 Toyota 2000GT belatrix yellow 02

A couple of weeks ago John wrote about a 1967 Toyota 2000GT that had come up for auction with an expected fetch of $650,000 to $850,000. We rarely do a followup on Kidney Cars but this one bears mentioning. This past weekend, RM Auctions put down the gavel on the Belatrix Yellow beauty for a whopping $1,155,000. The record breaking price for the Japanese supercar turned heads in traditional collectors’ circles, shining a new spotlight on Japanese classics. In other words, you thought $5,000 for a 510 was high? Prices are about to get a lot higher.

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ART CORNER: Toyota 4A-GE made of Legos

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Ben

Toyota 4AGE lego

In retrospect it probably wouldn’t be too difficult to build an 80s Toyota out of Legos; they’re all pretty darn boxy. But an iconic 80s Toyota engine? Well, a Lego artiste by the name of Solde has created a plastic model of the legendary Toyota 4A-GE. What’s more, it actually moves. The starter has a moving plunger that meshes with the flywheel, there’s a complete valvetrain, pistons and crankshaft, and a throttle controls the speed at which the whole thing turns. In short, it’s amazing. Just watch the video for yourself.

Continue reading →

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QotW: What’s the greatest Japanese Nostalgic Motorcycle?

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Ben

Honda super cub c100

We talk a lot about cars here, but really, the most Japanese form of transportation is the motorcycle. From pimped scooters to crotch rockets the variety and performance spectrum of Nihon’s bikes is just as great as that of their cars. Therefore, we ask you:

What is the greatest Japanese nostalgic motorcycle?

With 55 years of continuous manufacture and over 60 million units sold, we agree with James May that the Honda Super Cub is perhaps the greatest machine ever built by human hands. And, as the primary mode of transport in third world countries across the globe, the Super Cub, it’s probably granted more humans the gift of mobility than any invention since the wheel itself.

What say you, dear reader? As always, the most entertaining or inspiring comment by next Monday will receive a toy. Click through to see the winner from last week’s question, “What’s the most environmentally friendly JNC?“  Continue reading →

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KIDNEY, ANYONE? 1965 Nissan President

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Kev

OPJFV

From 1965, if you wanted the very pimpest and plushest the Nissan empire had to offer, then you’d go to your friendly neighbourhood dealer and plunk down a not-trivial six million yen for a President. The Royal Family may have rolled in a Prince Royal, but the Prime Minister was wafted around in a Nissan President. Rather inexplicably, the H250 series President remained in production from 1972 until 1990, whereupon it was replaced by the first Infiniti Q45 (which was called Nissan President in Japan).    Continue reading →

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Documentary: Sayonara Speed Tribes!

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Kev

Ever since we started JNC, the sub-culture of the bosozoku biker gangs of Japan has always been a fascinating subject. The bosozoku were always a feeder-class as thugs for the mafia, but as we reported many moons ago, their outlaw traditions have been hammered into submission by constant police attention in recent years. But they’re also being left behind by an increasingly corporatized Yakuza.

Tokyo-based Figure 8 Productions has an hour-long documentary which has started screening in Tokyo this month, but you can buy the DVD  of the movie at their site. As the trailer says: Sayonara Speed Tribes chronicles Hazuki — an aging Japanese bike gangster and the crop of halfhearted youngsters he mentors.  As bike gang culture in Japan succumbs to police pressure he confronts his tough guy past and dwindling options for the future.”

Looks interesting!

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