Tag Archives: r380

Tetsu Ikuzawa’s 1967 Japan Grand Prix-winning 906 gets factory homage from Porsche

No, you haven’t mistakenly clicked on German Nostalgic Car (no relation). Granted, this isn’t the type of car we normally cover, but it’s too cool not to share. Porsche Japan has created a one-off factory custom tribute to Tetsu Ikuzawa’s … Continue reading

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Kunimitsu Takahashi, legendary racing driver and grandfather of drifting, dies at 82

One of the greatest names in Japanese motorsports has died. Kunimitsu Takahashi, motorcycle rider and automobile racing driver, passed away on March 16 at the age of 82. In the final years of his life, Takahashi had been battling lymphoma. … Continue reading

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RIP Yoshikazu Sunako, 1932 — 2020

It was announced yesterday that on January 3, 2020, racing driver Yoshikazu Sunako passed away at the age of 87. The former Prince and Nissan works driver was a pioneer during the nascent years of Japan’s motorsports scene, perhaps most … Continue reading

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VIDEO: Listen to the wail of the Prince R380

At the second Japan Grand Prix in 1964, Prince Motor Company pit a family sedan against a race car. And even though Shinichiro Sakurai stuffed a two extra cylinders down the nose of the Prince, the purpose-built Porsche 904 won … Continue reading

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NEWS: Infiniti Prototype 9 envisions a retro racer from the 1940s

Infiniti has revealed the Prototype 9, a true dream car project. Built from authentic old school construction methods and designed with parameters limited only by human imagination, it fantasizes a “what if” scenario that saw Infiniti competing in the so-called Golden … Continue reading

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VIDEO: See the Prince R380 on US soil for the first time at the Amelia Island Concours D’Elegance

As far as we know, the 1966 Prince R380 has never been shown on US soil. That’s about to change this weekend when this pivotal Japanese race car makes its North American debut at the Amelia Island Concours D’Elegance. 

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50 YEAR CLUB: Fuji Speedway

In a year of momentous anniversaries for Japanese automotive institutions, one stands above all others in shaping the cars we love. Fuji Speedway, which opened in 1966 and turned 50 this year, has been the birthplace of countless legends, whether … Continue reading

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EVENTS: 2016 NISMO Festival at Fuji Speedway

For 20 years, Nissan’s motorsports division has put on an annual gala for followers of its many racing machines and successes. The NISMO Festival is a Burning Man for Nissan nuts, a mecca for fans of Sunny and Skyline alike. Best of all, … Continue reading

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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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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: Tokyo Motor Show, Day 01

We’ve already covered the biggest reveal of the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, and it was a doozie. But it wasn’t the only thing to see at the wild and wonderful event that showcases what the automakers we know and love … Continue reading

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NEWS: Nissan 360, Part 01 – Racing Heritage

For the Nissan faithful, the name Zama needs no introduction. The sleepy little town outside of Yokohama is home to Japan’s largest and most wondrous collection of classic and race cars, wholly owned by the Nissan Motor Company. For decades … Continue reading

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Shinichiro Sakurai, Father of the Skyline, 1929-2011

On January 17, 2011 in the quiet Tokyo suburb of Setagaya, Shinichiro Sakurai, the father of the Nissan Skyline, passed away due to heart failure at the age of 81. Every major newspaper and reporting agency in Japan ran a … Continue reading

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