Category Archives: Uncategorized
Honda S2000 20th prototype shown at Tokyo Auto Salon
Last weekend Honda unveiled its S2000 20th Anniversary at the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon. Man, that’s a lot of twos and zeroes. The car exhibited several minor changes, mostly subtle and cosmetic, that kept true to the original design.
QotW: What’s your favorite Japanese car from 1995?
Today is Coming of Age Day in Japan, the day when all those who turn 20 years old between April 2 of the previous year and April 1 of the current one officially become adults. It’s fitting, because as is … Continue reading
Set an hour aside to watch this truly excellent Mazda Miata documentary
At this point we all know that the Mazda MX-5 Miata is a very special car. Despite four generations and 30 years in the books, it is one of the last enthusiasts’ cars left that remains pure to its original … Continue reading
Acura resto-modded an SLX with 350-horsepower and a modern drivetrain
When one ponders the modified Acura, it’s usually a B18C-swapped Integra or some kind of insane time attack NSX. The SLX is probably pretty far down that list, if one can remember that is exists at all. However, Acura — … Continue reading
VIDEO: How Japan’s best-selling compacts stacked up against the Ford Pinto
Here is a 1977 Ford commercial that is great on several accounts. First, it pits a Pinto against the best-selling Japanese compacts, which include an E30 Toyota Corolla, first-gen Honda Civic, and Datsun B210 (Honey Bee!). Second, it has none … Continue reading
Happy Evolution Day from JNC
We don’t think Charles Darwin had flying Mitsubishis in mind when he published On the Origin of Species in 1859, but nevertheless, here we are, 160 years later, to celebrate Evolution Day. All our ancestors were running across the savanna … Continue reading
VIDEO: The Toyota Land Cruiser helped build Australia
Toyota Australia is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and the company is celebrating the brand’s early years in the country. The back story starts with the Snowy Mountains Scheme, Australia’s largest construction project. With seven power stations, 16 large … Continue reading
VIDEO: The Mitsubishi Galant GSX offered AWD in a sporty sedan package
Everyone remembers the Eclipse GSX, Mitsubishi’s wildly popular sports coupe. Everyone also remembers the Galant VR-4, their rally-bred, turbocharged, AWD sedan. Before that arrived, however, Mitsubishi also offered a car that we almost forgot existed: the Galant GSX.
VIDEO: Nissan gets the whole family together to celebrate 50 years of GT-R and Z
As regular JNC readers know, 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Nissan GT-R and the Nissan Fairlady Z. The GT-R debuted on February 21, 1969 and the Fairlady Z debuted on October 18, 1969. Nissan has released two videos … Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: RealTime Racing Integra Type R restored (and raced)
“Between 1997 and 2002 the Acura Integra Type R dominated the Speed Touring Car Championship,” says Peter Cunningham. The founder of RealTime Racing and prolific Honda/Acura racer and collector would know. “RealTime won five of the six championships, and no … Continue reading
The new Lupin III trailer has Bluebird-Cedric police cars
There’s a new Lupin III movie coming out, and the latest trailer shows a car chase with some classic Japanese police cars. At first glance they appear to be 510 Bluebird Coupes, but of course, it would be kind of … Continue reading
Japan slammed by worst typhoon in 60 years
Japan is still trying to assess the damage done by Typhoon Hagibis over the weekend. According to the Japan Times, the death toll is up to 68, and rescue crews are working around the clock to find more survivors. The … Continue reading
What cars were parked at Toyota USA headquarters in the 1980s?
Toyota is long gone from southern California, but back when they were still in Torrance, their massive campus was a showcase of its then-current models. This was especially true in the 1980s, when their star was on the rise. These … Continue reading
NEWS: Japan’s postal service honors 50 years of GT-R and Z with postcards
Like Christmas cards in the US, Japan has a tradition of sending nenga, or New Year’s postcards for the upcoming year, during the year-end holiday season. This year, to honor the 50th anniversary of the Nissan GT-R and Fairlady Z, … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? Original-owner 1988 Nissan Van
Here’s your chance to own perhaps one of the rarest JNCs ever sold in the US. You’ll probably see more Hakosuka Skylines on the road than the second-generation Nissan Vanette, known simply as the Nissan Van in the States, as … Continue reading
VIDEO: The Plymouth Colt showed what Mitsubishi was capable of at its peak
It’s no secret that Mitsubishi hasn’t been at its best in recent years. Back when it was firing on all cylinders and spinning all its silent shafts, its lineup was actually described as “terrific” and full of “show stoppers,” according … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 660-mile Nissan 300ZX 50th Anniversary
What if you were offered the lowest mileage Z31 300ZX Turbo 50th Anniversary edition that you’ve ever seen? The good news is that it’s fully optioned out and perfectly preserved. The bad news is that it’s fully optioned out and … Continue reading