Author Archives: Brandon Kelley
QotW: What do you do with the Double DIN hole?
Arguably, one of the best features of any JNC is the double DIN section of the center console. Originally reserved for the latest in cutting edge Japanese audio fidelity; the area is now home to anything under the sun from … Continue reading
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QotW: What about your current JNC made you to buy it?
Sometimes, when we see a car, it’s love at first sight. An example of this is the primal reaction to motor show unveils (as in last week’s QotW). A car can have that special “something” that shoots straight to your … Continue reading
QotW: What was your favorite JNC commercial as a kid?
Last Friday, Ben posted my all-time favorite JNC commercial. The first time I saw it was while watching a sporting event on TV with my family. It was my first time seeing the Z32 and first time hearing Van Halen’s … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your best junkyard score of 2017?
Now that we have all gotten used to writing “2018” like a pro, let’s take a gander back to 2017 and relive your junkyard highlights of the past year. Being in the heart of Tokyo, I don’t get many chances … Continue reading
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QotW: What JNC trinkets do you collect?
My office desk has everything from the latest JNC Hot Wheels, to an Auto Salon media badge with a sticker from Top Secret on it, to canned coffee promotional Super GT replica race cars. I kind of gravitate to any … Continue reading
QotW: What makes you cringe about the current JNC culture?
We’ve see many trends roll through JNC culture over the years. Some great (upgrades in body rigidity and period correct wheel re-pops), and some not so great (such as over-use of accessory add-ons). Personally, I wince every time I hear people waxing … Continue reading
QotW: Has your JNC ever gotten you in trouble with the law?
One of the worst feelings in the world is that sinking feeling you get upon seeing the rollers of a police cruiser in your rear view mirror. I saw a set of lights on my 86 a minute after entering a local town’s city … Continue reading
QotW: Do you wave at other JNC drivers?
You’re driving your beloved JNC, and through the sea of blob-shaped crossovers you see a familiar shape. Low to the ground with simple lines, thin pillars and an expansive greenhouse, could it be? You get a little closer. Sealed-beam headlights and … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the worst thing you’ve spilled in your JNC?
Interiors. In many cases, the interior plays second (or third) fiddle to a car’s performance or exterior panache. Further still, we tend to neglect the rotting carpet or always-covered-in-grime trunk floor. But boy oh boy, a clean interior is a sight to … Continue reading
QotW: What did you ask JDM Santa Claus for this year?
It’s a well known fact that JDM Santa Claus takes off from his home in northern Hokkaido each winter in his shakotan sleigh pulled by eight flying Nara deer, playing not just Jingle Bells on his throttle, but “Carol of the Bells” in … Continue reading
QotW: How do you “baby” your JNC?
I once knew a guy who would wash his car every Sunday, rain or shine, whether the car actually crawled out of the garage or not. Another refused to bring “outside” shoes into his car and would swap shoes ala … Continue reading
QotW: How will you purchase your next JNC?
We’ve been seeing a massive amount of minty JNCs lately. Many of these perfect specimens come attached with “out-the-barn, no low-ball, I-know-what-I-have” prices. On the other hand, there are still times when you can find a JNC in condition ranging … Continue reading
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QotW: What’s your favorite color on a JNC?
One of my favorite bands of all time is Living Colour. As a kid growing up in the dying ages of cassette tapes and the new age of digital platters, my first journey beyond the radio man’s reach was listening … Continue reading
QotW: What modern day feature does your JNC need?
Last weekend I found myself behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Pajero Mini Turbo. It was fun to toss the plucky 4WD on stock 5.5-inch wide tires around corners like it was ice skating, but the thinness of the doors … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the best stock JNC steering wheel?
Ben just posted about some beautiful Iwate steering wheels found at the Tokyo Motor Show. This got me to think about stock JNC steering wheels and how strange they can be. The bubble era triggered a rush of asymmetrical, neon-future … Continue reading
QotW: Tell us your most challenging “reach”
SEMA has some magical vehicles on display. Even more magical are the clean, eat-off-the-floorpan quality restorations. I’d say most of us are not privy to that level of pristine. For most of us, we spend countless nights wrenching to get … Continue reading
QotW: JNC Battle! NSX vs Supra
Tokyo Motor Show was a blast but we were really hoping to catch a glimpse of the new production model Supra. Sadly, we all will still have to paw over spy shots and 3-D renders for now. Honda came out with … Continue reading
QotW: What JNC needs to be Kylo Ren’s ride in the next Star Wars?
Last weekend, our mighty editor-in-chief Ben swung by the Tokyo offices as we gear up for Tokyo Motor Show. While on the hunt for some new Tomica minicars, we came across the above. Seeing as the latest trailer to the … Continue reading
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QotW: How far will you go for your next JNC?
A recent trip took me to Dubai and back to Tokyo. A few take aways: Toyota is killing it in the taxi and fleet market, and there are plenty of JNCs out there. With internet auction sites, private listing sites … Continue reading
QotW: Would you EV your JNC?
It’s National Drive Electric Week, and Nissan has just unveiled their new Leaf sporting new styling and a longer battery range. The Leaf has a ways to go before it can be considered as a JNC, but with the trend … Continue reading
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