Author Archives: Ken Lee

MOTORSPORT: The Prince R380

While other Japanese historic racing cars generate equal amounts of enthusiasm and respect, one particular car has sat in relative obscurity for many years. Known only to a few otaku but integral in both the rising dominance of Japanese cars on … Continue reading

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EVENTS: Automobile Council 2016

In an already packed calendar, a new event has appeared on the Japanese auto show roster. Recently, Tokyo hosted the inaugural Automobile Council, an affair whose stated goal was “Encouraging car culture to blossom in Japan.” That’s a noble aim if there ever was one, … Continue reading

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Stay safe out there, Tokyo!

Typhoon Mindulle is hammering Tokyo right now with epic rains. A tunnel on the Chuo Expressway in Tokyo saw some epic flooding this morning. The storm is headed towards Tohoku next. Looks like I won’t be driving my Skyline for a … Continue reading

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TUNE UP: Mazda Cosmo Sport on Unicorn album cover

Last week the Japanese rock band Unicorn released their thirteenth album, and lo and behold, there’s a Mazda Cosmo Sport on the cover. It’s not clear why the band has taken a liking to the classic rotary sports car, but … Continue reading

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LEGENDS: An interview with Yoshikazu Sunako, original Skyline racing driver

Motor sports stories come in many types: the rookie driver winning their first race for a big name team, legendary drives from last place to the checkered-flag, the somehow magical performance in the rain that astounds everyone watching, and perhaps … Continue reading

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EVENTS: Showa Car Preservation Meeting

The Old Car Club of Tokyo recently held it’s 3rd annual Showa no Kurma wo Mamoru Tsudoi or “Preserving cars made in the Showa Era” meeting. This is a gathering for cars made during the Showa Era, which ended in 1989 according to the … Continue reading

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BUYER’S GUIDE: Prince Skyline GT-A & GT-B

I recently purchased a Prince Skyline 2000GT-B. For those unfamiliar with the car, here is an explanation and short video of its historical significance. With interest in landmark Japanese cars at an all-time high, it’s quite possible that the six-cylinder Prince … Continue reading

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EVENTS: Tokyo Bayside Classic Cup season closer

One of the great things about owning a classic car in Tokyo is that you can find a car club revolving around almost any make and model you desire. Soon you’re welcomed into the fold with typical Japanese hospitality, and as … Continue reading

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PROJECT B: Owning a classic car in Japan, Part 03 — The Streets

In Part 01 of this series I went in search of my first classic car, a Prince Skyline GT-B. In Part 02 I proved to the city of Tokyo, where I live, that I had space to park it and went through Japan’s infamous … Continue reading

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PROJECT B: Owning a classic car in Japan, Part 02 — The Shaken

In Part 01 of this series, I went through the process of searching for the appropriate classic car. Even though I live in Tokyo, it turns out the best way to get the car I wanted, a Prince Skyline GT-B, … Continue reading

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PROJECT B: Owning a classic car in Japan, Part 01 — The Search

Welcome to a new multi-part series on JNC, in which we document what it’s like to buy, register, and own a classic car in Japan. The car in question is a Prince Skyline GT-B, the car that started the Skyline Legend, owned by our … Continue reading

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