Star Road is known for wild overfendered FRP body kits on Fairlady Zs, but what they revealed at the Tokyo Auto Salon was surprisingly stock-appearing. The unpainted sections aren’t really stock, though, because they’re made out of aluminum. The goal was to reduce weight while increasing strength and offering body panels that looked factory once installed and painted. Continue reading
Nissan Fairlady Z aluminum body panels unveiled at Tokyo Auto Salon
Posted in Tokyo Auto Salon
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Rocky Auto R380: A street-legal Prince race car appears at Tokyo Auto Salon
Built to conquer purpose-built racing Porsches, the Prince R380 was Japan’s first prototype race car. It never had a road-going counterpart and was retired after it fulfilled its reason for being, but now a street-legal version can be yours. At the Tokyo Auto Salon restomod shop Rocky Auto showed off a stunning and faithful replica of the R380. Continue reading
Posted in Tokyo Auto Salon
Tagged japan grand prix, nissan, porsche, prince, r380, rocky auto, tokyo auto salon
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Los Angeles wildfire relief at State of Speed this Sunday
Join JCCS, TORC, and JNC in supporting LA fire relief efforts. We’re hosting a fundraising event at State of Speed on this Sunday, January 19th.
Your generous monetary donations will directly aid those affected, and as a token of our appreciation, donors will receive JCCS stickers.
- Event Details: State of Speed Los Angeles
- Date: Sunday, January 19, 2025
- Time: 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Location: 500 West 190th Street, Gardena, CA
How You Can Help: The JCCS booth will be collecting monetary donations to support the relief efforts. Every contribution counts and brings hope to those in need. JCCS may also be selling merch, and profit goes to support LA fire relief.
The State of Speed official booth will be collecting newly packaged hygiene supplies, underwear (mens & womens), and socks. All info will be updated throughout the week at @stateofspeedofficial as needs may change. No clothes will be accepted at this time.
Please help spread the word. Share this post and invite your friends to join us in making a difference. Together, we can support our community during this challenging time. Thank you!
Posted in Reminder
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This 1000-horsepower Sera is the Honda-Nissan merger we’re hoping for
With the impending Honda-Nissan merger, the big question is what kind of cars will the joined companies build? If an example from the Tokyo Auto Salon is any indication, we are all for it. At first glance it might not be clear what this fenderless creation is, but the Twin Dragon is powered by two engines, a Nissan SR20 and a Honda K20A, making a coombined 1,050 horsepower. Continue reading
Posted in Tokyo Auto Salon
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The Work VS-KF# revives a 5-spoke favorite
Work Wheels’ iconic VS-KF wheel is making a comeback. Announced at the Tokyo Auto Salon over the weekend, the tuner favorite will enter production again later this year after a long hiatus. The revived version, called Work VS-KF#, has seen the internet light up with schadenfreude for hoarders of the originals, but perhaps there are some slight differences. Continue reading
QotW: How do you save a car from a natural disaster?
Over the last few days I’ve been racking my brain on how I could have better prepared for the terrifying California wildfire scare we experienced last week. Aside from my family and a few heirlooms and photos, the most valuable/sentimental/precious things that I own are my cars. I packed the family into the Land Cruiser, but had to leave behind others. In retrospect I should have moved them to a nearby shopping center parking garage where there’s not much vegetation long before the fires even got close, though that leaves them open to thieves.
We’ve seen videos of ingenious saviors putting cars on concrete blocks during a flood, but are curious what other measures have you come across? We realize we’re talking about objects here and human lives come first, but if there’s the opportunity to save a car we want to hear your ideas. Oh, and we’re talking all calamities, not just fires.
How do you save a car from a natural disaster?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What car and color combo is the perfect fit?“. Continue reading
New Honda Prelude back in black at the Tokyo Auto Salon
The new Honda Prelude may not be the rousing sports car we want it to be, but at the very least it’s a stylish coupe in a world where coupes are all but extinct. At the Tokyo Auto Salon that started today Honda revealed a Prelude in black, and it looks rather sinister. Continue reading
Happy 110 Day from JNC
Despite a tremendous effort the Nissan Automotive Technical College, an actual C110 looks better than a V35 dressed up to be one. There’s just something about the clean lines, the massive C-pillar, and the fact that it’s dumped on Yayois. The NATS car will be on display at the Tokyo Auto Salon, which is happening right now. We’ll have any relevant stories from there soon. Happy C110 Day from JNC!
Posted in Holidays
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Packing up the Land Cruiser
Last night as my wife, 5-year-old son and I sat down to dinner we looked out of our window and saw flames. For the last 48 hours smoke from wildfires has been billowing into Los Angeles’ skies, but this was different. A couple of spots on the top of a hill visible from our backyard were glowing bright orange. Within minutes a good portion of the ridge was engulfed. It was go time. Continue reading
Purple Nissan Skyline adds splash of color to Daido Moriyama photo
Renowned Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama began capturing Japan’s postwar street scenes in the early 1960s. Throughout his distinguished career Moriyama won several photography awards around the world, including ones issued by camera manufacturers Hasselblad and Asahi. He has published over 150 photo books, but the majority of his work was done in black and white. This photo of a Kenmeri Skyline is one of Moriyama’s rare color images, and what a colorful one it is! Not only is the custom C110 metallic purple, it’s driving in front of a brightly decorated Tokyo pachinko parlor. Fortuitous capture of a kaido racer mid-transformation, or a keen eye seizing upon the societal upheaval taking place? As with all good photographers, perhaps a bit of both.
‘Tokyo Xtreme Racer’ returns after 18-year hiatus on January 23
The long wait is almost over. The developers of Tokyo Xtreme Racer have announced that the first TXR game in 18 years will be released on January 23 on Steam. The team has also been sharing glimpses of the game itself, with a promising roster of cars and the names of some familiar Wangan rivals fans will recognize. Continue reading
QotW: What car and color combo is the perfect fit?
Today, January 6, is Color Day in Japan because the first syllables of ichi (one) and roku (six) color, can be combined to spell iro, which is “color” in Japanese. Color on cars is interesting, because the right combo can send hearts aflutter, but the wrong one can ruin an otherwise fine automobile. Some colors are so iconic for a particular car that it’s hard to conceive of it in any other hue, like Safari Gold on the Nissan Fairlady Z432, or Championship White on an Honda Integra Type R. Sure, those cars can be painted other colors, but will it look so satisfyingly apt?
What car and color combo is the perfect fit?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your automotive resolution for 2025?“. Continue reading
Nissan Technical College students build a modern Kenmeri Skyline, U11 Bluebird, and Z wagon for Tokyo Auto Salon
It’s almost time for the Tokyo Auto Salon, and that means wild vehicular creations are afoot. The Nissan Technical Colleges around Japan have completed three custom cars that they plan to display at the show, which include a modern Kenmeri Skyline, a Z wagon, and U11 Bluebird. Here’s a preview before the arrive at Makuhari Messe. Continue reading
Posted in Tokyo Auto Salon
Tagged bluebird, c110, kenmeri, nissan, Nissan Technical College, nissan z, RZ34, skyline, v35
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Nissan 240SX barn find gets first wash in almost 30 years
In Japanese tradition an osoji (literally “big clean”) is conducted to welcome in the new year with a fresh start. Therefore, here is a 45-minute video in which a barn find Nissan 240SX gets a thorough wash and detail. It’s extremely satisfying to watch an S13/mouse residence get its first wash in almost three decades. Continue reading
Happy New Year from JNC
Hello 2025! The Japanese tradition for ushering in a new year is to wake up early and see the hatsuhinode, the first sunrise of the year. It is said that it is an ideal time to wish for good fortune and health, or make a resolution. We hope you were able to catch it and that 2025 will be a good year for you. Happy New Year from all of us at JNC!
Mazda RX-7 daily driven by 80-year-old grandmother begins new life
For the final post of the year we wanted to end on a heartwarming story about Naoko Nishimoto, the coolest lady you’ll ever meet. Nishimoto just turned 80 years old on December 18, and has been dailying an FD Mazda RX-7 for the last 25 years. The Japanese grandmother from Nagasaki recently became a viral sensation in Japan when she announced in a TV interview that she’d be turning in the FD’s keys on before her 80th birthday. Continue reading
QotW: What’s your automotive resolution for 2025?
A new year is almost upon us, which means new opportunities, new perspectives, and new resolve. We don’t know what the year will bring, but let’s head into it with the bright-eyed optimism and energetic enthusiasm of Japan in the 1960s. There’s nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it. So get out there and ganbatte!
What’s your automotive resolution for 2025?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What are you asking JNC Santa Claus for this year?“. Continue reading
Happy Holidays from JNC
Happy Holidays frmo all of us at JNC. Thanks for reading and hanging out with us in this little corner of the internet. Be good to each other, and to the cars. We wish you peace and joy and petrol.
Posted in Holidays
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QotW: What are you asking JNC Santa Claus for this year?
There’s a legend in Japan that a jovial, rotund man in a white suit with a big red dot on it lives at the northernmost tip of Hokkaido. He keeps a list of lonesome car boys and girls and for those deemed good, on the night of December 24th he drifts down all the mountain passes of Japan in a white and red Roadster to sneak into their garages and leave them any wish their hearts desire. For those on the naughty list, however, they’ll wake up to find all their 10mm sockets replaced with 11mm ones. JNC readers mostly fall on the good side though, so we can put in a good word for you.
What are you asking JNC Santa Claus for this year?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What mods have you regretted making on your JNC?“. Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
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Lexus digital gauges mimics that of classic Toyota 2000GT, AE86, and more
At the Japan Mobility Show last year Lexus unveiled the LF-LZ, an electric flagship concept. We didn’t pay much attention to it at the time because looked like any number of EV concepts developed by various automakers over the last few years, just with some sharper edges. There didn’t seem to be anything relevant to classic Toyotas, but we were wrong! Recently Lexus shared a nifty feature of the LF-LZ, the ability to have its gauge cluster mimic the instruments of a number of classic Toyotas. Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged 2000gt, 24 Hours of Le Mans, ae86, century, concepts, corolla levin, fj40, GR010, land cruiser, lexus, lfa, sprinter trueno, toyota
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