Monthly Archives: September 2020
MOTORSPORT: Calsonic colors live on, even though the company’s gone
When Calsonic was merged with Magnetti Marelli in September of last year and renamed to just Marelli, the fate of its famed blue livery was uncertain. It would have been sad to see Calsonic go, as they had been a … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 5,400-mile Lexus LS400
As the world creeps towards apocalypse on a daily basis, we are reminded of the necessity of an apocalypse-proof vehicle. As luck would have it, a 1994 LS400 with a scant 5,400 miles on the odometer has appeared on the … Continue reading
Happy 929 Day from JNC
The HC-generation Mazda 929 is oft forgotten, but Mazda’s ads at the time positioned it as a luxury sedan that could deliver better performance than the European brands for two-thirds the price. Come to think of it, that’s also their … Continue reading
This thing could have been the Nissan Z Proto
Okay, just one more thing about the Z Proto and we’ll shut up about it (for now). In some materials that Nissan shared, alternate designs for the Z Proto can be seen on the wall at the Nissan design studio … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 240Z/260Z/280Z, 400Z, Alfonso Albaisa, datsun, fairlady z, Hiroshi Tamura, nissan, s30 z, Satoru Tai, Z Proto, Z35
3 Comments
QotW: What stupid question have you always wanted to ask about Japanese cars?
September 28 is Ask a Stupid Question Day, so today’s your chance to ask a stupid question about Japanese cars, no judgements. Why do Japanese cars limit their engine displacements and power? Why do Japanese cars have so many variations … Continue reading
VIDEO: Here’s every generation of the Honda Trail Cub
Here’s a very informative history lesson on the Honda Trail Cub (or Hunter Cub, or Postie, depending on which continent you live on). Produced by Honda, it goes through every iteration of what started out as a Super Cub modified … Continue reading
VIDEO: The Isuzu Elf had a cute name but did massive work
The Elf is to Isuzu what the Land Cruiser is to Toyota or the Skyline is to Nissan. At 61 years old it’s the longest running nameplate in Isuzu’s history, and a truck that can be seen in almost every … Continue reading
Here are all the references to past Z-cars on the Nissan Z Proto
Now that we’ve had some time to digest the Z Proto, let’s take a look at what Nissan has given us. In the company’s own words, the Z Proto is mostly a design statement. So, we can’t really speculate any … Continue reading
Posted in Design
Tagged 240Z/260Z/280Z, 400Z, Alfonso Albaisa, datsun, fairlady z, Hiroshi Tamura, nissan, s30 z, Z Proto, Z35
9 Comments
Mazda classics take a lap at Tsukuba Circuit during a 4-hour Roadster enduro
Many automotive journalists don’t even own cars. Why do that when you are supplied by a never-ending stream of press loaners that show up in your driveway every week? However, if you were to poll all the journalists, you’d probably … Continue reading
Toyota sees the new Z and would like to remind you about the GR Super Sport
You might have heard that over the weekend, Toyota won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the third time in a row. It’s a tremendous feat, even if it ran largely unopposed by any other automaker. Toyota also took … Continue reading
The new Nissan CEO’s first car was a Z32 Fairlady Z
Nissan has been through a tumultuous couple of years. In November 2018 its CEO of nearly 20 years Carlos Ghosn was arrested on charges of misappropriating company funds and has since become an international fugitive. His replacement, Hiroto Saikawa, lasted … Continue reading
QotW: What pivotal Japanese car made our modern favorites possible?
Today is Respect for the Aged Day, a Japanese holiday that honors the elderly. With the introduction of a new Z, one of original models that changed western perceptions of what a Japanese car could be, it seems only fitting … Continue reading
The Nissan Z Proto wasn’t even a thing until three years ago
The Nissan Z Proto is finally here, and that’s a good thing. For one, it means Nissan plans to bring a seventh-generation Z to market. Let’s not forget that the sixth-gen 370Z was introduced in 2008, or two Spider-Man reboots … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 240Z/260Z/280Z, 400Z, Alfonso Albaisa, datsun, fairlady z, Hiroshi Tamura, nissan, s30 z, Z Proto, Z35
16 Comments
VIDEO: The Isuzu TX-80 helped build modern Japan
The Isuzu TX-series trucks were a fixture in Japan’s post-war reconstruction. Their rule spanned over three decades, from 1946-79, an era that saw Japan transform from a defeated power to and economic juggernaut. TX-series trucks hauled cargo, moved earth, and … Continue reading
Why Mazda is turbocharging all the things
If there is one carmaker, Japanese or not, that consistently puts its money where its mouth is when it comes to performance, it’s Mazda. Already flush with a lineup of cars with razor-sharp handling, over the last few years it … Continue reading
All seven generations of the Nissan Z gathered for a family portrait
With any car possessing as much heritage as the Nissan Z, you can’t just trot it out with paying respects to its elders. So it was only natural that Nissan would bring out its classic Z-cars from its own collection … Continue reading
This is the seventh-generation Nissan Z Proto
It’s hard to believe, but the Nissan Z Proto is the first new Z design in nearly 12 years. It was way back on November 15, 2008 we showed you the first photos of the 370Z ahead of its official … Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged 240Z/260Z/280Z, 400Z, Alfonso Albaisa, datsun, fairlady z, Hiroshi Tamura, nissan, s30 z, Z Proto, Z35
42 Comments
Watch the debut of the Nissan Z Proto live right now
Posted in Video
Tagged 240Z/260Z/280Z, 400Z, Alfonso Albaisa, datsun, fairlady z, Hiroshi Tamura, nissan, s30 z, Z Proto, Z35
2 Comments
SHOWA SNAP: Nissan Fairlady Z unveiled at Tokyo Motor Show
On October 18, 1969 the motoring world was forever changed when the Nissan Fairlady Z was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show. These lucky attendees, who probably all have heads of gray now, got to see it in person. Did … Continue reading
