Monthly Archives: June 2020

The history of Toyota’s insane dealer networks, explained

“Why does Toyota have so many dealership chains in Japan?” you may have asked yourself at some point, “And why do certain dealers sell only certain models?” It’s all very confusing. Well, as of last month, if you’re buying a … Continue reading

Posted in Nihon Life | Tagged | 34 Comments

MOTORSPORT: Touring car classes mix it up at the 1973 Japan Grand Prix

While open-wheeled cars were the main event at the 1973 Japan Grand Prix, the supporting Touring Car races were where the action was. Take the TS-a class, for example. Here were racers based on cars that anyone could afford. Nissan … Continue reading

Posted in motorsport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

MINICARS: Peep this incredible 1:64 scale Japanese parking garage

We’ve mentioned before that the Chinese website AliExpress is great for finding weird gems of miniature car greatness. Take this Japanese-style parking garage for 1:64-scale diecast cars, for example. The two-story playset looks like the type of scene where street … Continue reading

Posted in minicars | Tagged | 10 Comments

Happy 610 Day from JNC

You have a Bluebird Wagon. You have a set of Enkei Bajas, turbine-looking wheels with Datsun fitment. Might as well lift the rear end up in the air to get that 70s funny car look! Happy 610 Day from JNC!

Posted in Holidays | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

SHOWA SNAP: Everyone come see the brand new 1966 Toyota Corolla

The debut of the Toyota Corolla was a big deal in 1966. Though, it’s quite likely that even Toyota didn’t know how big of a deal the new model would be. The idea was a small but sporty compact that … Continue reading

Posted in Showa Snap | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Mississippi man saves total stranger’s Mazda RX-7 from flooding

Here’s an uplifting story, centered around something we can all agree on: love for the FD3S Mazda RX-7. Mississippi has been hit hard by Tropical Storm Cristobal. During the storm, someone posted on Facebook photos of an orange FD parked … Continue reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

VIDEO: This is why there’s a drift tax

RIP to the fallen. If the video doesn’t work, click here.

Posted in motorsports | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

QotW: What JNC from 1984 would you buy new today?

On June 8, 1949 George Orwell published his seminal dystopian work 1984. It’s an excellent book everyone should read, even though I don’t recall any cars being in it. Luckily, the real 1984 had quite a few cars, especially a … Continue reading

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged , , | 24 Comments

KIDNEY, ANYONE? A Honda Civic Si has sold for $50,000

It was just a few short years ago that two low-mileage EM1 Honda Civic Si coupes sold for a just under $25,000. Turns out, that was an excellent investment because their values have just jumped up quite a bit. Today, … Continue reading

Posted in marketwatch | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

A Honda-themed race track built entirely out of Legos

Honda Australia has created, out of Legos, an entire racetrack populated with Hondas old and new. Called “Mount Hondarama,” it’s a replica of Mount Panorama, also known as Bathurst. While Lego Civic Type Rs race around by radio control, other … Continue reading

Posted in minicars | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

SHOWA SNAP: Akihabara, Tokyo, circa 1971

Akihabara, also known as Electric Town, is Tokyo’s epicenter of electronics, old school video arcades, and hobby shops with enough miniature cars to fill an ocean. Back in 1971, it wasn’t quite the otaku paradise yet, with Meiji Era buildings … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Canada’s supply of the limited edition Phoenix Yellow Civic Type R sold out in less than four minutes

Back in February Honda announced that it was bringing back the iconic Phoenix Yellow to the 2021 Honda Civic Type R. The special edition color, along with a 46-pound diet, would be limited to 1,020 worldwide. If pre-orders in Canada … Continue reading

Posted in News | 1 Comment

The upcoming Mazda 3 Turbo is essentially a Mazdaspeed 3 without the name

Despite repeated denials by Mazda, about a year ago we predicted that the company would come out with a turbocharged Mazda 3. It looks like that is indeed happening, as indicated by leaked codes from Mazda’s dealership extranet system. Essentially, … Continue reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

A Nissan Skyline GT-R has been lovingly restored… by Toyota

The world is utterly divided and in turmoil right now, so this is exactly the kind of story we need. Recently, an R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R was restored by expert mechanics as part of their duties for one of Japan’s … Continue reading

Posted in Video | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

MINICARS: Diecast Racing League is the best sport to watch during quarantine

Actual motorsports might be on hiatus while the coronavirus quarantine is in effect, but that doesn’t mean all auto racing has to grind to a halt. Turns out, there’s a thriving community of drivers who compete in diecast cars. The … Continue reading

Posted in minicars | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Happy 86th Birthday, Nissan!

On this day in 1934, Nissan as we know today was founded. To be fair, the companies that combined to form it were established long before. However, it was the 1933 merger of Kwaishinsha Motorcar Works established in 1911, Jitsuyo … Continue reading

Posted in Holidays | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

QotW: What are your thoughts, hopes, and fears for the new Z?

After teasing us for a decade plus, last week Nissan made it official. There will indeed be a seventh generation Z. That’s great news for car enthusiasts, especially in this day and age where sports cars are an endangered species. … Continue reading

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments