Monthly Archives: January 2025
Tokyo Auto Salon sonohoka (odds and ends)
The Tokyo Auto Salon can be sensory overload. There’s just so much to see, you probably can’t finish it all in one day. In Japan the term sonohoka means “the rest” or “the others”, sort of like “etc.” in English. … Continue reading
TOM’s Classic restoration division to sell complete 4A, 3S and 2JZ engines
At last year’s Tokyo Auto Salon TOM’s announced it would begin a restoration business to mark its 50th anniversary. At the time they displayed a complete A80 Supra that represented the type of restomod they could build. This year, they … Continue reading
The Mitsuoka Orochi was named after a giant eight-headed snake and took parts from famous Japanese sports cars
In all the years we’ve existed JNC has rarely mentioned the Mitsuoka Orochi. Frankly, we think it’s pretty ugly, and back in the early days of JNC it seemed to get disproportionate attention in English-language media. We wanted JNC to … Continue reading
Nissan Fairlady Z gets R34 Bayside Blue, Midnight Purple
Nissan isn’t exactly doing well, but even a struggling company can toss a few bones to enthusiasts. At the Tokyo Auto Salon this year it unveiled a new Fairlady Z color for 2025. Bayside Blue, a hue made famous by … Continue reading
QotW: Which Japanese classic should be remade for the modern age?
One of the biggest stunners at the Tokyo Auto Salon was Rocky Auto’s remake of the Prince R380, constructed using the original body molds but with modern engines underneath. It got us thinking about which cars might be ideal for … Continue reading
Okawa Soarer tribute: Trust’s record-breaking Toyota reborn at the Tokyo Auto Salon
At a show like the Tokyo Auto Salon populated with so many incredible builds, it’s rare to find a singular standout car. But this year at the Trust booth a Toyota Soarer was that extraordinary car. Not only was it … Continue reading
Pro Shop Wave’s Nissan 180SX takes the Tokyo Auto Salon back to the 90s
One of our favorite cars from this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon was the Nissan 180SX from Pro Shop Wave. It’s been about 25 years since the Kanagawa drift specialists have displayed a car at the Auto Salon, but the RPS13 … Continue reading
QotW: What car from 2000 would you import from Japan?
It’s hard to believe, but Y2K was 25 years ago. It honestly doesn’t feel like that long ago, says the old man typing these words without using AI. Nevertheless, that means cars built in the year 2000 are now eligible … Continue reading
Nissan Fairlady Z aluminum body panels unveiled at Tokyo Auto Salon
Star Road is known for wild overfendered FRP body kits on Fairlady Zs, but what they revealed at the Tokyo Auto Salon was surprisingly stock-appearing. The unpainted sections aren’t really stock, though, because they’re made out of aluminum. The goal … Continue reading
Posted in Tokyo Auto Salon
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Rocky Auto R380: A street-legal Prince race car appears at Tokyo Auto Salon
Built to conquer purpose-built racing Porsches, the Prince R380 was Japan’s first prototype race car. It never had a road-going counterpart and was retired after it fulfilled its reason for being, but now a street-legal version can be yours. At … Continue reading
Posted in Tokyo Auto Salon
Tagged japan grand prix, nissan, porsche, prince, r380, rocky auto, tokyo auto salon
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Los Angeles wildfire relief at State of Speed this Sunday
Join JCCS, TORC, and JNC in supporting LA fire relief efforts. We’re hosting a fundraising event at State of Speed on this Sunday, January 19th. Your generous monetary donations will directly aid those affected, and as a token of our … Continue reading
Posted in Reminder
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This 1000-horsepower Sera is the Honda-Nissan merger we’re hoping for
With the impending Honda-Nissan merger, the big question is what kind of cars will the joined companies build? If an example from the Tokyo Auto Salon is any indication, we are all for it. At first glance it might not … Continue reading
The Work VS-KF# revives a 5-spoke favorite
Work Wheels’ iconic VS-KF wheel is making a comeback. Announced at the Tokyo Auto Salon over the weekend, the tuner favorite will enter production again later this year after a long hiatus. The revived version, called Work VS-KF#, has seen … Continue reading
QotW: How do you save a car from a natural disaster?
Over the last few days I’ve been racking my brain on how I could have better prepared for the terrifying California wildfire scare we experienced last week. Aside from my family and a few heirlooms and photos, the most valuable/sentimental/precious … Continue reading
New Honda Prelude back in black at the Tokyo Auto Salon
The new Honda Prelude may not be the rousing sports car we want it to be, but at the very least it’s a stylish coupe in a world where coupes are all but extinct. At the Tokyo Auto Salon that … Continue reading
Happy 110 Day from JNC
Despite a tremendous effort the Nissan Automotive Technical College, an actual C110 looks better than a V35 dressed up to be one. There’s just something about the clean lines, the massive C-pillar, and the fact that it’s dumped on Yayois. … Continue reading
Posted in Holidays
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Packing up the Land Cruiser
Last night as my wife, 5-year-old son and I sat down to dinner we looked out of our window and saw flames. For the last 48 hours smoke from wildfires has been billowing into Los Angeles’ skies, but this was … Continue reading
Purple Nissan Skyline adds splash of color to Daido Moriyama photo
Renowned Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama began capturing Japan’s postwar street scenes in the early 1960s. Throughout his distinguished career Moriyama won several photography awards around the world, including ones issued by camera manufacturers Hasselblad and Asahi. He has published over … Continue reading
‘Tokyo Xtreme Racer’ returns after 18-year hiatus on January 23
The long wait is almost over. The developers of Tokyo Xtreme Racer have announced that the first TXR game in 18 years will be released on January 23 on Steam. The team has also been sharing glimpses of the game … Continue reading
