QotW: What JNC should’ve had a shooting brake variant?

Subaru XY6 Alcyone shooting brake

With news of the new Toyota 86 Shooting Brake prototype, we at JNC have been ruminating on the idea of the shooting brake. It’s a a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup of cars. “You got wagon in my sports car!” “You got sports car in my wagon!” Together they taste great.

What JNC should have had a shooting brake variant?

What say you, dear reader? As always, the most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What JNC should Ryan buy for $8,000?” 

464-JR3779_Nissan-200SX-SilviaS12-640x427

Although Randy‘s post recommending 20 different cars and Byron Chiu‘s post directing me towards an F31 Leopard/M30 tied for second place, Andrew‘s dissertation of my life was, without the question, the victor:

Ooh– What Car Would You Buy, JNC Edition! I like it.

You enjoyed your CRX Si well enough to get up over 300k and you dig synthwave, from which we can deduce that you enjoy 1) a pure, responsive driving experience and 2) angles and digidashes. Based on these facts I’ll admit a Z31 fits the bill, but my ultimate recommendation for you would be an S12 Silvia.

Reasons

1. The S12 has the most ’80s digidash ever, with little arcade-style lights running all the way through the passenger side. Look at this: i.imgur.com/bxnG4Xq.jpg

2. It easily fits your $8k budget.

3. You can stick with the hatch layout if you want or move to a coupe.

4. Pop-ups.

5. Power options. These cars came with anything from CA fours to VG sixes, turboed or otherwise. That makes them fantastic platforms for any Nissan swap you want.

6. They’re moderately rare. You can still find them on craigslist, but not everyone at every show will have one. Also they have a decent chance to go up in value as clean examples become scarcer.

An S12 can be anything from a stock cruiser to a shakotan sled to a subtle sleeper to a RallyX beast to a grocery-getter, which is why IMO you’d be hard pressed to do better with ¥853,560 and a penchant for ’80s styling. Keep us posted!

Omedetou, your comment has earned you a set of decals from the JNC Shop!

JNC Decal smash

Image: Subaring.

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13 Responses to QotW: What JNC should’ve had a shooting brake variant?

  1. Banpei says:

    Simple, the AE86 shooting brake:
    http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4482519814_7a97b2cf83_o.jpg
    http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4481873449_770c13a5c1_o.jpg
    These photoshops have been circling the interwebs for about 10 years now and it completes the circle: 2 door coupe, 3 door hatchback and 3 door shooting brake. (liftback anyone?)

    To be honest: the Levin and Trueno have been mashed up with a third generation Honda Accord Aerodeck and that car already is considered a shooting brake:
    http://dev.hatchheaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/honda_accord_aerodeck_1_86.jpg

    But still…the original AE86 would have looked awesome as a shooting brake, a worthy successor of the Corolla E70 liftback! 🙂

  2. Punto8 says:

    Um….that’s a hatch”ish”. Let’s stop using technical/JDM terminology for things we’ve seen a million times before. Wasn’t the sacred and most desirable “AE86” a hatch? Nothing to see here folks…back to work! Lol

  3. Dylan says:

    I have never had an affinity for the car, but the Toyota 2000GT is hands down the most fitting for the look in my opinion. Shooting brakes are of European origin, so it’s only fitting that the most Euro looking JNC should get the treatment. There are a few photoshops that have been done, and look ok at best, but the roofline doesn’t fit right. I think a rear cargo area done similarly to the Lamborghini Flying Star would be stunning on a 2000GT. Having a little more room to store your groceries on your way home never looked so good!

  4. Jim Simspson says:

    Yup Shooting Brakes, have much to recommend them… these are stylish and would be a worthwhile project…

  5. Gerka says:

    I always wish the First gen Celicas had a wagon version. The RV concept that Toyota made is seriously cool but as much as I love the experimental gullwing windows and all that I would have loved to have seen an actual marketable version.

    https://41.media.tumblr.com/b03accf4f2452d30ec89325e5856ce24/tumblr_nr9pceofg91ti77kbo1_500.jpg

  6. Gerka says:

    Oh also that Xt wagon is just incredible looking

  7. Greylopht says:

    For a shooting brake that should have been put into at least euro production would have to be the AB Prelude. Pop up headlights, pop art interior, flatish floor pan. The extended roof would have made it quite the little hauler.

    I mean really the only detraction is the fact it is front wheel drive, but that makes it so much more practical thanks to the flat floor.

    Unfortunately my photo shop skills do not even come close to being able to do a mashup.

  8. Sammy B says:

    Miatas for sure. If they kept it a 2 seater, I think it would have been (and still can be!) a very nice “Clown Shoe” alternative to the BMW Z3 coupe. Call me crazy but I’d gladly give up the convertible top for the ability to carry some additional gear. Plus it would just be good looking!

  9. melvin says:

    Eunos Cosmo. A rotary engine shooting brake. An absolute undiscovered gap in the market. Believe me, it would sell like hotcakes.

  10. Taylor says:

    First, I think the S12 Silvia as the next choice is an excellent rec! There’s one here in my town and I ogle it all the time!

    And yes, I support the AE86 shooting brake. Second choice might be an early gen Honda Prelude shooting brake. That could be interesting.

  11. Ant says:

    Suzuki Cappuccino. After seeing the recent Daihatsu Copen shooting brake and the old Esqueleto Style Copen wagon, the idea of a kei sports-based shooting brake is hugely appealing.

    Let’s face it: kei sports cars aren’t the most practical vehicles as it is, and weird styling is already part and parcel of ownership. So embracing the weirdness and getting extra practicality into the bargain has real merit.

    Since the Copen has already been done and the exercise would be a bit pointless on a mid-engined kei sports like the Beat or AZ-1, that leaves the Cappuccino. Get to it, internet.

    • Andrew says:

      >Embracing the weirdness and getting extra practicality into the bargain has real merit.

      Well said, and I too would love to see a Cappuccino shooting brake. I second your motion to get the Internet to it.

  12. Raymond says:

    Does the 1986 – 1989 Honda Accord Aerodeck count like a shooting brake http://dev.hatchheaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/honda_accord_aerodeck_1_86.jpg

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