Nissan has revealed three retro-themed concepts ahead of the 2026 SEMA Show. The lineup includes Z-cars from the first and latest generations, as well as a callback to a beloved sport sedan from the 90s. Continue reading
Toyota Celica mid-engined AWD coupe debuts in racing livery
Toyota has debuted its new mid-engined sports car in racing livery. Officially, it’s called the GR Yaris M Concept, but no one other than Toyota is actually referring to it by that name. Japanese media is confident that this vehicle marks the long-awaited resurrection of the legendary Celica. Continue reading
QotW: What’s the most basic car you’re willing to accept?
Today, October 26, is Horseless Carriage Day, marking the date in 1769 when Samuel Johnson, creator of the first complete English dictionary, supposedly learned of a self-propelled coach. Many presume that it was the Cugnot steam-powered buggy, a three-wheeled chassis with a bench and boiler. As automobiles go, you can’t get much simpler than that. These days we expect a bit more from our cars, but Japan is great at delivering minimalist machines that are still fulfilling to drive.
What’s the most basic car you’re willing to accept?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “How has the landscape for Japanese cars changed in the last 20 years?” Continue reading
Mitsubishi president wants to return to Dakar and WRC
Now that Mitsubishi has a Pajero again, it has the potential to return to the racing venues that built the brand. Mitsubishi president Keisuke Kishiura recently confirmed that he would like to see his company return to the Dakar Rally and, if that goes well, the World Rally Championship as well. Continue reading
Posted in News
4 Comments
NHK’s ‘Inside Toyota’ documentary takes us where cameras never go
A new NHK documentary takes an unprecedented look inside the world’s top carmaker as it navigates an industry-wide existential crisis. Cameras go behind the scenes at the company’s technical center in Toyota City and the Design Dome (above), a highly secretive studio where the fate of future vehicles are either greenlit for production or coldly rejected. It’s a rare peek into Toyota’s planning process seldom seen by anyone outside the company. Continue reading
Pioneer’s retro head unit and parcel shelf speakers are here in the US
Great news for American automotive audiophiles: Pioneer’s recent 80s-inspired car stereo and box speakers are now available in the US. When Pioneer announced these throwback products earlier this year, they were announced for the Japanese and European markets. They’ve been modified a little, but you can now purchase them stateside. Continue reading
Nissan honors 40 years of Pathfinder with Special Edition
The original Nissan Pathfinder was one of the unexpectedly cool vehicles that spurred the SUV revolution. Introduced for the 1987 model year, the Hardbody pickup-based off-roader will be 40 years old next year, and Nissan is celebrating four decades of the Pathfinder with a special edition model. Continue reading
QotW: How has the landscape for Japanese cars changed in the last 20 years?
Japanese Nostalgic Car was launched 20 years ago in what felt like a vastly different world. In October 2006 you could walk into a dealership and buy a brand new Honda S2000 or Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX off the lot, cars like the Toyota AE86 and Z31 Nissan 300ZX had not yet hit the 25-year threshold to become historic vehicles, builds like the one above were common, and names like Hakosuka and Kenmeri were still largely unknown in the US. JNC was built to champion the overlooked Japanese classics and celebrate the rich heritage of Japan’s automotive golden eras. It’s been an uphill battle at times, but things have evolved considerably.
How has the landscape for Japanese cars changed in the last 20 years?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Which JNC is most emblematic of the 1960s?” Continue reading
This buildable Hakosuka Nissan Skyline GT-R brings our partnership with Mattel full circle
October 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of Japanese Nostalgic Car. The scene for classic cars from Japan has evolved a lot over the years, especially in the realm of collectibles. Arguably, the current craze of “JDM” Hot Wheels was kicked off with the Hot Wheels Hakosuka Nissan Skyline, the first licensed product to feature our JNC inkan logo. We are very proud to announce that the JNC inkan is now returning to another Hakosuka, the Mattel Brick Shop 1971 Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R. Continue reading
Yamaha brings back iconic pink and blue colorway from the 90s
In the early 90s Yamaha was not shy about putting bold colors on their bikes. One of the most striking graphic schemes was a pink and blue over white livery used on several performance and racing machines. For 2027, Yamaha is reviving those classic colors on the XSR900. Continue reading
‘Initial D’ and Williams F1 collab is a weird snapshot of 2026 car culture
The Williams F1 team has unexpectedly collaborated with Initial D for a line of merch. There really isn’t a lot in common between a British Formula 1 team formed in the 1970s and a touge racing manga from 1990s Japan, aside from the two properties nominally having to do with cars. To the layman that’s probably enough, and when it comes to car culture in 2026 that’s often the issue. Continue reading
Butame Toyota Mark II stars in new J-hop music video
Members from two hit J-pop boy bands have formed a new group whose aesthetic is built around 1980s bosozoku culture. Maekawa Ippa has only one single so far, and the music video is stylized like a nostalgic Showa or Heisei era delinquent youth drama. It showcases classic yankii tropes, utilizing kaido racers while filming in stereotypical locations like retro classrooms, local Chinese restaurants, and gas stations, and eating Garigari-kun ice pops or cruising though the streets with an X40 Toyota Mark II. Continue reading
Posted in News
2 Comments
QotW: Which JNC is most emblematic of the 1960s?
Today is Sports Day in Japan, a holiday that commemorates the opening of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The event was a watershed moment for Japan with the debut of technologies like the country’s first expressway, the bullet train, and a satellite broadcasting system to televise the games around the world. It was an era of optimism and economic growth, ushering in the age of Japanese cars that we cherish today. No other decade saw as much change. At the beginning of the 1960s new cars on the market included the Daihatsu Midget and stacked-headlight Nissan Cedric. By decade’s end Japan would have created icons like the Toyota 2000GT, Mazda Cosmo Sport, Honda S800, and Nissan Fairlady Z.
Which JNC is most emblematic of the 1960s?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “If James Bond was Japanese, what would he drive?“. Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
8 Comments
Reimagined Honda NSX, the JAS Tensei, officially revealed
A modern interpretation of the iconic Honda NSX has now been fully revealed in physical form to media aPenned by Pininfarina and engineered by race car constructor JAS, the Tensei (meaning “rebirth” in Japanese) answers the question of what an NSX would be like if it were released today instead of 35 years ago. Continue reading
Actor Leo Morimoto owned one of the rarest Mazda models
Last month the beloved Japanese actor Leo Morimoto passed away at the age of 83. He was known for his laid back demeanor and calm screen presence in dramas like Shomuni and Nagi’s Long Vacation. However, he is best remembered for providing the soothing narration for Japan’s dubbed version of the children’s show Thomas & Friends from 1990 to 2007. An entire generation of Japanese kids grew up with Morimoto’s voice as he chronicled the life of an anthropomorphic blue train locomotive. His leisurely personality belied the fact that he owned a rather exciting car, a Mazda Familia Coupé. Continue reading
First NISMO Performance Center outside of Japan opens
Nissan Motorsports has cut the ribbon on the first NISMO Performance Center built overseas. It’s in the whimsically Australian-sounding suburb of Ferntree Gully, just outside Melbourne. It’s all part of Nissan’s grand plan to expand NISMO’s presence globally. Continue reading
Lexus LS400 from ‘Street Fighter’ bonus stage made real
The most abused car in history has come to life. The Bonus Stage car from the Street Fighter II video game, in which your character must senselessly destroy a luxury sedan for points, now has a real-life counterpart in all its pixelated glory. It’s a promotion by The General Insurance to tie in to the upcoming Street Fighter movie. Continue reading
QotW: If James Bond was Japanese, what would he drive?
Today, October 5, is James Bond Day. It marks the anniversary of the world premiere of Dr. No, the first 007 movie, in 1962. In July of this year, the Japanese government set up its own MI6, called the National Intelligence Bureau, which raises the question of what tricked out car a Japanese spy would drive. Traditionally, James Bond has driven British models, except for a period in the 90s when BMW threw a mountain of cash at the franchise. Assuming Jin Bandoh could not be bought, he’d need a Japanese car that’s swift enough to evade captors, classy enough to pull up to a casino, and moddable enough to hide an arsenal of gadgets. The cars can span decades too, whether he was saving the world in the swingin’ Showa or Bubble Era or modern day.
If James Bond was Japanese, what would he drive?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “How have you given old parts new life?“. Continue reading
To celebrate our 20th anniversary we made a very simple shirt
October 2026 marks 20 years since Japanese Nostalgic Car was launched. We’ve had many shirt designs in this time (thank you to all who purchased one to support this site), but never a plain shirt with just the inkan on it. So to celebrate 20 years, we’re going back to our roots and offering this shirt for sale at JCCS this Saturday. Stop by our booth near the main entrance. The shirt features a classic red inkan on an off-white base, and comes in S, M, L, XL, and 2XL sizes. See you there!
Get your 80s JNC inkan at JCCS
It’s been many years since we’ve updated our inkan logo. Our classic version was an homage to bullet-shaped fender mirrors and vintage wheels like the sakura-spoked Yayoi. There were two versions, the original red and white and a black and gold variant. This time, we’re moving into a new decade with the JNC inkan 80s. The mirror has been updated to an angular boxy style and the wheel is an aero disk. This too will have dual versions, but the second color will be a very 80s magenta and blue. But don’t worry, the classic version will still be sticking around in both colors. We’ll have all four styles for sale at the JNC booth at the Japanese Classic Car Show in Long Beach on Saturday, October 3. See you there!
