Tag Archives: roadster

NEWS: Mazda launches Roadster restoration program

In another nod to the classic status of Mazda’s NA Roadster, the Hiroshima carmaker is launching an official restoration and parts support program for the world’s most popular droptop. Starting next year, owners in Japan will be able to have … Continue reading

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SEMA 2016: Mazda Miata concepts

It’s that time of the year, the automotive spectacle that is SEMA is almost upon us. Manufacturers have begun to preview their builds soon to debut in ‘Vegas. For their part, Mazda just dropped a pair of special MX-5 Miatas.

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EVENTS: Okutama Sunday Meeting

A short time ago, we were invited to attend the monthly Okutama-ko Sunday kyusha meeting. Loosely organized by the well-known Isuzu shop Eagle Sports, it always attracts a wide range of cars. This weekend was special though, as GT-B driving … Continue reading

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NEWS: One million Miatas and Counting

The Mazda MX-5 Miata (or Roadster if you’re in JDM-land), that modern symbol of the lightweight sports car, has just reached an impressive milestone: one million units produced.

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JNC RADIO: Sing along to the The Auto Show Song

Originally released in 1964, “The Auto Show Song” was composed by famed Japanese songwriter Tetsuro Hoshino and performed by action movie star/singer Akira Kobayashi (there are a lot of crossover entertainers in Japan). It was an old standard of the Showa Era, and sounded … Continue reading

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VIDEO: Circumnavigating North America in a Datsun Roadster

How should one traverse the continent of North America, spanning 37,850 miles, and have the most unadulterated and visceral driving experience? Do it in a Datsun. Or better yet, do it like Scott Fisher in his 1967 Datsun Sports 1600, … Continue reading

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NEWS: Mazda Celebrates 25 Years of the MX-5

Mazda knew when they unveiled the Miata at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show that they had built a true driver’s car, one whose stated purpose was to create joy. That was 25 years ago today. What they couldn’t have known … Continue reading

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Benvenuto l’Alfa Miata! Mazda X Fiat collab announced

And so it comes full circle. In 1989 Mazda launched the template for the modern roadster, the MX-5 Miata. It was so pure in formula that the Japanese model name was simply “Roadster,” a tribute to British and Italian droptops of … Continue reading

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Nostalgic Hero selects Top 20 Japanese Classics

The 150th volume of Nostalgic Hero just hit the stands as a special edition in which the editors pick the Top 20 Nostalgic Cars of 2012. Back in 2007 they issued a Top 50 list, and some have risen, some have fallen. … Continue reading

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JCCS 2011 Preview: Rolling in Style

It appears the Phoenix contingent has decided to caravan to JCCS in a rather unorthodox fashion. Sort of a stretch limo for your Dattos? Color me jealous…

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Kidney, Anyone? 1967½ Datsun 2000 Fairlady Roadster

If you’re parting with a major organ, it’d better be an ultra rare machine or something that’s been immaculately restored to exacting standards. Today’s kidney bait is the latter. The 1967½ Datsun 2000 Sports is a the most desirable of … Continue reading

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900,000 Mazda MX-5 Roadsters and Counting

The 900,000th Mazda MX-5 rolled out of Hiroshima last week, extending its lead as the best selling two-seat sports car in history according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The Miata got that title back in 2000 after surpassing … Continue reading

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EVENTS: New Year Meeting Part 02: Sports & GT Machines

At American shows, Z-cars dominate. At the New Year Meeting, there are surprisingly few, overwhelmed by the vast numbers of Sunnys, TE27s, and especially this year, kei jidosha. Let’s take a look at the sports and GT machines that joined … Continue reading

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Merry Christmas from JNC!

May your travels be safe and stockings filled with rare JDM parts. And may they arrive by Mazda Bongo, a rear-engined van that is retro-futuristic in a Jetsonian kind of way. The year of Mazda’s 90th Anniversary is almost over, and the … Continue reading

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EVENTS: Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 05

We have so much coverage from JCCS that we’ve skipped the Friday Video this week and spilling the final installment into the weekend. So like a fleet of ported rotaries roaring down the 710, let’s tear right in!

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EVENTS: Japanese Classic Car Show 2010, Part 04

We know Honda heads have often felt left out of the nostalgic car movement, but this year’s JCCS had more Hondas than ever. Luckily, the N600s and Z600s didn’t take up much space! It wasn’t just the kei-sized creations of Soichiro … Continue reading

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EVENTS: Japanese Classic Car Show 2010, Part 03

Mazda is one of two major automakers that sponsors JCCS, and there’s always a nice display of rotaries thanks to the legions of SoCal Mazdafarians. Here is a study in contrasts, the sleek and sexy SA22C RX-7 and its pistonless … Continue reading

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Honda Cub CM91 Boss Roadster

Okay, so this isn’t, strictly speaking, a car, but it is Japanese, nostalgic, and I saw it in person the other day. It’s also rare.

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Viva Libre! VTO Performance Retro 4

There’s a new retro wheel on the horizon. The VTO Performance Retro 4 replicates the look of the original American Racing Libre made famous by the BRE Datsuns. Right now the only two sizes available are 13×5.5 and 14×5.5, but … Continue reading

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These Boots Are Made for Motoring: Nancy Sinatra's Datsun 1600 Roadster

Did you know Nancy Sinatra drove a Datsun? A 1966 1600 Sports roadster, to be exact. It was a gift from her guitarist Lee Hazlewood when their song “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” hit #1 on the pop charts … Continue reading

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