Earlier this year, in a desperate financial situation, Nissan announced it would close seven of its 17 factories around the world. Among the facilities on the chopping block was the Oppama plant, founded in 1961 and long considered the “mother” plant of Nissan for steering the company’s ascendance during the post-war and Bubble Economy years. To save it, Nissan is now considering a deal with Foxconn to let the Taiwanese electronics manufacturer build EVs there. Continue reading
QotW: Which Japanese car needs to be preserved for posterity?
Today, July 7, Sevens Day, but also World Heritage Day in Japan. On this day 21 years ago the sacred pilgrimage route in the Kii Mountain Range was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The trail traces a path from Kyoto to Nara, both once capital cities of Japan, passing Shinto shrines that date back to the 9th century. In Wakayama Prefecture, which the route passes through, there’s an ordinance that says it all: “This irreplaceable asset of humankind must be protected, utilized, and passed on to future generations.” There isn’t a UNESCO designation for cars, but if there were, what’s one historic Japanese car would fit that description?
Which Japanese car needs to be preserved for posterity?
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 craziest car parking story?“. Continue reading
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Happy Independence Day from JNC
To commemorate the day 249 years ago when declared our independence from the British crown. This Tomica Nissan Fairlady Z has nothing to do with that, but a few years ago Japan’s favorite diecast toy company released a series of cars decorated with flags of the world. The cars were released exclusively via the Japanese grocery store and home goods chain Apita, and this Z sported USA livery that we thought would be fitting for today. Happy Independence Day from JNC!
‘Subaru and Subaru’ promises to unite the worlds of ‘Initial D’ and ‘MF Ghost’
Subaru and Subaru, the sequel to Initial D and MF Ghost, launches in a few weeks. As the debut approaches, the series’ plot summary and setting has emerged. Apparently it will take place after the events of MF Ghost, in the same universe that Initial D occurs in. There’s also a new image of the ZD8 Subaru BRZ (above) that will be one of the star cars int he series. Continue reading
Toyota Land Cruisers at Tokyo Outdoor Show to promote 60, 70, and 80 series GR Heritage Parts
Toyota entered the Tokyo Outdoor Show over the weekend with a pair of classic Land Cruisers. The trucks, an FJ40 and FJ60, hailed from the Toyota Automobile Museum’s collection and have undergone impeccable restorations. They were on site to promote Toyota’s GR Heritage Parts program, which recently expanded to include J60, J70, and J80 Land Cruisers. Continue reading
Akio Toyoda presents awards to SuperGT and JGTC masters
How many jobs does Akio Toyoda have? He’s already chairman of Toyota, a semi-pro race car driver, and president of the Japan Sumo Association. Now he’s adding another feather in his cap, chairman of the Automobile Business and Culture Association of Japan. For years the trade organization has operated without much fanfare, but now that Morizo’s in charge he wants to make some changes. One of his objectives is to shine a spotlight on Japan’s motorsports. So for his first official task as chairman Toyoda presented awards to four “Iron Men” of SuperGT. Continue reading
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Tagged akio toyoda, Hiroaki Ishiura, JGTC, kazuya oshima, Lexs, nissan, SuperGT, toyota, Tsugio Matsuda, Yuji Tachikawa
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QotW: What’s your craziest car parking story?
Parking is one of those unfortunate tasks that accompanies the fun of driving. Whether it’s circling for open spaces, dealing with ornery/incompetent drivers, paying exorbitant prices, of fending off door dings, parking is fraught with peril. Yet we have no choice but to endure any number of indignities that come with securing real estate for something that’s dear to you but seen by the majority of the public as a nuisance at best. This QotW was inspired by a garage that checked your entry and departure by license plate, yet failed to read ours, sending us on a Sisyphean side quest of negative net value.
What’s your craziest car parking story?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s the greatest Japanese luxury sedan?“. Continue reading
Toyota GR Garage acquires a clapped out AE86
Here’s a good one for Toyotafest Eve. Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division has picked up a decrepit AE86. They say it’s the start of a new restoration project, but why begin with something so far gone? Surely Toyota has the resources to find a better starting point. Well, the selection appears to be intentional because the plan is to show what is possible using Toyota GR Heritage Parts. Continue reading
Toyota built a one-off open-top Century SUV for sumo champions
Is the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet too common for you? Toyota might just have the ultimate droptop crossover in the form of the Century SUV. The bad news is, there’s only one in the entire world, and you have to be a sumo champion to get a ride in it. Continue reading
Iconic SP will be “a good successor for RX-7” says top Mazda exec
Few companies are making pure, timelessly beautiful sports cars any more. The Mazda Iconic SP might be the very last one that uses gasoline, if it gets made. A few more details about it have surfaced, and it seems like Mazda engineers are stopping just short of telling us that it’s green-lit. Continue reading
A 1977 Toyota Celica is driving 10,000 miles from the Czech Republic to Japan for the Osaka Expo
There are 158 countries participating in the Osaka Expo, currently being held in in Japan. As far as we know, the Czech Republic is the only one sending a delegation of vintage cars across Europe and Asia to get there. Among them, a first-generation Toyota Celica that will drive nearly 10,000 miles to visit its homeland. Continue reading
Get $5 off your Toyotafest admission with this coupon code
The 29th annual All-Toyotafest is coming up this Saturday, June 28. The location is the same as last year, Marina Green Park in Long Beach, California. We would like to offer JNC readers a coupon code that will discount admission by $5 per ticket. These must be purchased online. Just enter JNC5 in the “Coupon Code” box before you check out. Tickets are available here. We look forward to seeing you there!
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QotW: What’s the greatest Japanese luxury sedan?
If you’ve ever flown on a Japanese airline or shopped at a Japanese department store you know that Japan does luxury better than almost any country on Earth. That’s why it’s a bit odd that Japanese luxury cars faced such an uphill battle in brand perception. There are so many good ones, and we don’t just mean those wearing Lexus, Infiniti, or Acura badges. And we know the Toyota Century is the obvious answer, and no hate if you must choose it, but let’s try some deeper cuts as well. And no matter which one you choose, please show your work (explain why).
What’s the greatest luxury sedan?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s the most Gen X car?“. Continue reading
NISMO twin-cam conversion kit for L-series engines headed for production
The Nissan L-series is one of the most popular engines at any car show for Japanese classics. Installed in everything from Datsun 510s to Z-cars and Skylines, the tried-and-true SOHC motor is beloved the world over. Earlier this year NISMO showed an experimental head that converted the L-series to a twin-cam. Now it’s officially going into production. Continue reading
Honda announces reproduction parts program, starting with the NSX
Following on the heels of many Japanese carmakers in recent years, Honda has announced a reproduction parts program. The goal is to keep the company’s iconic classics on the road, and the first recipient of the program’s benefits is the incomparable first-generation Honda NSX. Continue reading
Initial D creator to debut Subaru-centric manga set in the Fujiwara universe
With MF Ghost having concluded and the 30th anniversary of Initial D fast approaching, author Shuichi Shigeno has announced a new manga. Subaru and Subaru will take place in the same universe his two previous street racing epics and will shift the focus from Toyotas to, as astute readers may have guessed, Subarus. Continue reading
Posted in manga
Tagged ae86, Initial D, MF Ghost, Shuichi Shigeno, subaru, Subaru and Subaru, toyota
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Honda Super EV concept looks like a return of the City Turbo II
Honda has released an image of its upcoming EV concept car ahead of its official debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The Honda Super EV Concept is camouflaged and likely digital, but several design cues hint at a shape inspired by the City Turbo II. Continue reading
QotW: What’s the most Gen X car?
Today, June 16, is National Gen X Day, celebrating those born between 1965 and 1980. I was born in the inaugural year of the Celica Liftback but I don’t think I’m biased when I say it’s the best generation. Our parents weren’t helicopters, we had just the right amount of technology, grew up with the best music, and got our driver’s licenses just in time for the golden age of cars.
Any vehicle from the 80s and 90s could probably be a Gen X car. All you need is a Pearl Jam or Public Enemy cassette in the tape deck and a Douglas Coupland book on back seat. For me it’s the first front-drive Corollas, but the GM versions of them. My two best friends from high school both drove NUMMI Novas, and my sorta girlfriend had a Geo Prizm. Aside from the west coast most of America wasn’t quite ready to embrace Japanese cars with open arms, but liked the idea of a fuel-efficient 4-cylinder that was screwed together right. When we got our licenses in the 90s, these GM-badged Toyotas made the perfect hand-me-downs. But everyone probably has a different idea based personal experience.
What’s the most Gen X car?
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 favorite radio control car?“. Continue reading
Aussies know how to make a Toyota Land Cruiser commercial
A new commercial from Toyota Australia proves that it’s possible to hawk the Land Cruiser. It has just the right amount of heritage and humor, and it shows a bunch of Cruisers tearing through the Outback. It’s much better than any American Land Cruiser ad, in that we have never seen Toyota market the Land Cruiser in the US. But the Aussies, they are serious about their Land Cruisers down there. Continue reading
RIP Brian Wilson, Beach Boys songwriter who loved Hondas
Singer and songwriter Brian Wilson has died. Co-founder of the seminal surf-rock band The Beach Boys, Wilson is credited with creating the California sound that defined an era. His musical style created a movement centered around seasides, cruising, and carefree summers, and brought 1960s California to the masses. Cars were a big part of that and Wilson’s penned many an automotive hit single, but there’s only one whose title called out a marque by name — “Little Honda”. Continue reading
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