Monthly Archives: July 2017
MINICARS: Matchbox Nissan Junior first look
Last week the annual Matchbox Collectors Gathering took place, and the upcoming 1962 Nissan Junior pickup was shown in production guise. As these photos from the event’s Facebook page show, it’s a perfect fit with the classic Matchbox “workhorse” look … Continue reading
Posted in minicars
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QotW: What JNC do you need to buy now before prices get ridic?
Last week’s post about the FJ Company’s Land Cruiser restomods turned into heated discussion about skyrocketing prices of JNCs. We’ve seen some shocking prices for well-restored FJ40s, and while there are still examples within reach of most buyers, it may not be that way for … Continue reading
VIDEO: Celebrating 30 years since the AE86 conquered British Touring Car Championships
For cars that are immensely fun to flog in the twisties, there are few better than the Toyota AE86. Less discussed, however, is its racing provenance. We’re not talking about its touge battles on Mt Akina, here. Or even talking about Japan. … Continue reading
VIDEO: Classic looks and modern power converge in these Land Cruiser restomods
We met the owners of the FJ Company at SEMA last year and were astounded by the level of craftsmanship in their builds. These guys and gals take classic Toyota Land Cruisers and thoroughly modernize the drivetrains so they can be driven … Continue reading
EVENTS: Mitsubishi Owners Day 2017
In past years, we haven’t found a lot of JNC-worthy material at Mitsubishi Owners Day. Ninety-nine percent of the cars there were white Evos, parked in formation like some kind of Galactic Empire land fleet. This year, however, there were all sorts of interesting offerings from the … Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged 3000GT, Chrysler Conquest, delica, Expo, galant, Galant VR4, lancer, lancer celeste, mitsubishi, montero, pajero, Pajero Evolution, plymouth arrow, starion
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EVENTS: 3rd Touge California, 2017
Because we, along with title sponsor Mazda, were celebrating the 50th anniversary of the rotary engine this year, a large contingent of piston-less cars were lined up at the starting grid of the 2017 Touge California. Joining them were decades-old twin-cam Toyota … Continue reading
Posted in Touge California
Tagged 240z, 510, a10, a20, a40, bluebird, Bluebird Coupe, c10, carina, celica, century, corolla, corolla levin, cosmo, cosmo sport, CX-3, cx-5, CX-9, daruma, datsun, dodge colt, eunos, fairlady roadster, fc3s, fd3s, galant, Hakosuka, kgc10, mazda, mazda 3, mazda 6, miata, mitsubishi, MX-5 RF, nissan, repu, rotary engine, rx-2, rx-3, rx-3 sp, rx-7, rx-8, S30Z, sa22, skyline, sprinter trueno, sunchaser, te27, Touge California, toyota, VG40
17 Comments
NEWS: Hakosuka Nissan Skyline crashes, one dead
A tragic report coming out of Japan says that the driver of a Hakosuka Nissan Skyline has lost his life in a crash that saw the car burst into flames. According to TBS News, the collision occurred on the morning of July 25 near … Continue reading
PRODUCT GUIDE: From the creators of Rocket Bunny, a new widebody kit for the Datsun 620
In the race to find the next hot kyusha to widebody, TRA Kyoto has unveiled its latest creation, the Pandem kit for the Datsun 620.
Posted in Product Guide
Tagged 620, datsun, Kei Miura, nissan, Pandem, Rocket Bunny, TRA Kyoto, trucks
17 Comments
VIDEO: No big deal, just a couple of 2JZ Toyota 2000GTs driving around
You know Rocky Auto, the famous Japanese tuner known for his radical takes on classic Nihon steel. When it came time to build his ultimate creation, a 2JZ-powered Toyota 2000GT, however, the originals were too rare and valuable to modify. So founder … Continue reading
QotW: What JNC nameplate needs a decor set?
Yesterday, news dropped of a 60th anniversary decor set celebrating the Nissan Skyline. Items ranged from small dishes with taillight designs to 1/6 scale engines and piston-shaped tumblers. We all surely have a little something on display in our homes. … Continue reading
Decorate your home with this Nissan Skyline 60th anniversary merch
Although the Skyline’s official birthday was back in April, the 60th birthday party for Nissan’s most famous model is still in full swing. The company has developed an entire catalog of goods that are all themed around the Skyline. While most automaker apparel is cringeworthy, some of … Continue reading
VIDEO: It’s hard finding Cosmo Sport parts in Japan
If you haven’t been keeping up with Mazda Germany’s web series about the restoration of a very rusty Cosmo Sport race car, you’re missing one of the best car restoration shows out right now. Since we last checked in, there have … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE?: Never-titled Suzuki RE5 rotary motorcycle
Given the strengths of the rotary engine, you would imagine that they would be a natural fit for motorcycles. Small displacement, high power and high revving, these are all prerequisites for a motorcycle engine. Surprisingly only a handful of motorcycle … Continue reading
MINICARS: M2’s first Auto Japan release revealed
Here is the first look at the castings of M2 Machines’ new Auto-Japan series. If you aren’t familiar with M2, they are highly detailed 1:64 scale cars that have traditionally been American muscle cars and hot rods. This is their first foray into … Continue reading
Posted in minicars
Tagged 510, bluebird, c10, datsun, fairlady z, Fairlady Z432, kpgc10, M2 Machines, minicars, nissan, s30 z, skyline
16 Comments
VIDEO: Listen to the engine roar of three seminal GT-Rs
We’ve snapped a lot of photos and spilled a lot of digital ink writing about the Skyline GT-R, but one thing that images and words can’t convey is the amazing aural power of its incredible engines. Luckily, Motor Trend provides … Continue reading
QotW: What 1970s JNC had the best race livery?
Welcome to another week of QotW! We’ve seen a bevy of summer fun thanks to all the events that have been covered right here on JNC. I noticed several vehicles that appear at these shows are decked out in new … Continue reading
EVENTS: 2017 Nissan Jam, Part 04 — Nissan Forever
Why do people love Nissans so much? Our final installment of our Nissan Jam coverage, offers an explanation. Perhaps it’s the sheer diversity of not just the cars from the factory, but that of the custom styles they inspired. Speaking of inspiration, the … Continue reading
EVENTS: 2017 Nissan Jam, Part 03 — All Together Now
Nissan owners are a passionate bunch, with owners who are fanatical about Z-Cars, 510s, and Skylines. While it’s great to be enthusiastic about your favorite model, the fervency expressed by owners of the most popular models often overshadows the amazing diversity of … Continue reading
VIDEO: Do any of these Toyotas remind you of the new Camry?
Toyota is launching the 2018 Camry in Japan, and pulling out their greatest hits to do so. The newest Camry commercial begins with images of the MR2, Soarer, Altezza, Celica and Supra, a stick-shift X70, and many more — all set … Continue reading
Touge California: Honoring 50 years of the rotary engine
Our commemorative poster for this year’s Touge California commemorates the calling card of our title sponsor, Mazda. It has been 50 years since the world’s first production dual-rotor engine debuted on the 1967 Cosmo Sport. Our poster honors the historic achievement with … Continue reading
Posted in Touge California
Tagged cosmo sport, familia, mazda, r100, rotary engine, Touge California
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