Author Archives: Dan Hsu
In its 26th year, Toyotafest is still going strong — a brief history of TORC, the Toyota Owners and Restorers Club
We’ve been attending Toyotafest every year since JNC started in 2006, and it’s consistently one of our favorite events. Last year was the 25th Toyotafest, which means the show itself is now old enough to wear historic plates, buy collector … Continue reading
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Tagged 4runner, a20, a60, a70, A80, ae86, aw11, cabe toyota, celica, corolla, corona, e20, e70, fj40, fj60, GR86, hilux, J70, kp61, L10, land cruiser, lexus, lexus is, Lexus LS, mr2, N60, RAV4, scion, sports 800, st185, st205, starlet, stout, supra, sw20, t40, tacoma, tercel, toyota, toyotafest, W30, xb
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When the Kawasaki Z1 smashed the 24-hour world speed record
Today is National Bike Day in Japan. While the occasion has an emphasis on motorcycle safety, we’re going to focus on achievements. The game-changing Kawasaki Z1 turns 50 this year, and it came right out of the gates with a … Continue reading
Celebrate 50 years of the Kawasaki Z1 with this incredible Swiss motorcycle museum
This year marks the 50th anniversary of one history’s most important motorcycles, the Kawasaki Z1. To celebrate the occasion, and to promote the retro Z900RS inspired by the Z1, the company held a little event at its Swiss importer’s headquarters. … Continue reading
Happy 720 Day from JNC
As you go forth and enjoy your summer vacations, please remember that gigantic mobile homes are excessive. Our ancestors made do with campers like this Datsun pickup, and they did it with style. Happy 720 Day from JNC!
Happy Sevens Day from JNC
Not many cars can come out of the gates winning their class at the 24 Hours of Daytona, but that’s exactly what the Mazda RX-7 did. New for 1978, the immediately won the 1979 Daytona enduro’s GTU class and even … Continue reading
Happy MS75 Day from JNC
With Toyota possibly introducing a weird four-door “coupe” for the next Crown, we thought it was a good time to celebrate the other oddball in the lineage. Today, 7/5, seems a good a day as any to honor the MS75, … Continue reading
Posted in Holidays
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Happy 620 Day from JNC
The Datsun 620’s simple yet stylish lines are timeless. Somehow Nissan designers managed to create a truck that looked good without a bunch of unnecessary flourishes or overly ornate grilles. The only embellishment, if it could be called that, was … Continue reading
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Happy 610 Day from JNC
What deep sea creature does the 1973-76 Nissan Bluebird U remind you of? The 6-cylinder variant of the 610-generation Bluebird needed an elongated front end to accommodate the straight-six, so Nissan gave the nose a whole new design. That included … Continue reading
Posted in Holidays
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Happy 520 Day from JNC
What you’re looking at is one of the rarest Nissan compact trucks ever sold. The Datsun 520 debuted in May 1965 with a two-headlight design beneath its sculpted fenders and hood. This generation was facelifted to a flat hood, quad … Continue reading
Happy 510 Day from JNC
A few years ago Nissan had a little display at its Yokohama headquarters building, one that featured a 1969 510 Bluebird sedan. It was part of an exhibit called “Game Changers” and it’s hard to disagree. Let’s all take a … Continue reading
Honda Super Cub honored by Japan’s Post Office
Spend any amount of time in Japan and you’ll eventually come across a red Honda Super Cub laden with bags zooming down a narrow street. These are the delivery bikes of Japan Post, the nation’s mail delivery service. Japan Post … Continue reading
Happy Tire Day from JNC
Did you have a good Tire Gauge Day yesterday? We hope so, because today is the official Tire Day in Japan. Tire Day was started by the Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers’ Association to promote tire safety. April 8 was chosen … Continue reading
Happy Tire Gauge Day from JNC
Today, April 7, is National Tire Gauge Day in Japan. It serves as a reminder to not only check your tire pressure but your tire pressure gauge as well, as over time its accuracy can diminish from use. This year … Continue reading
Posted in Holidays
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Honda Dax motorcycle revived, joins retro Super Cub and Monkey in 125cc fun club
Honda has been on a roll reviving its most iconic compact motorcycles. The latest one to join the party, the ST125 Dax, has just been released in Europe. As the name implies, it’s powered by the same 125cc four-stroke single … Continue reading
Happy TE37 Day from JNC
The TE37 Toyota Corolla had one of the cleverest US side marker light adaptations in the automotive universe. In Japan, the TE37 had three vents on the rear of the car. The US market mandated side marker lights, which often … Continue reading
An A70 Toyota Supra Turbo has sold for almost $89,000
Earlier this year we asked in a Question of the Week what the next six-figure Japanese car would be. Well, it seems that the A70 Toyota Supra Turbo is well on its way to that amount. Yesterday, a practically showroom-new … Continue reading
Happy Presidents’ Day from JNC
The Nissan President was meant for the leaders of Japanese society — government officials, captains of industry, and other assorted VIPs. It wasn’t enough just to have a bigger, more luxurious car. To really separate yourself from the peons you … Continue reading
Happy Valentine’s Day from JNC
There needs to be more pink cars. Look how great this Datsun 510 looks in sakura pink. It even has a pink JAF grille badge to match. Just something to consider on February 14. Happy Valentine’s Day from JNC!
Posted in Holidays
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Happy C210 Day from JNC
Sorry, Yamaha AR210, we are going to celebrate the Nissan Skyline C210 today, February 10, in the year of our overfender, 2022. Sure, the Yamaha might cost $50,000 and can travel on water, but it will never be half as … Continue reading
Posted in Holidays
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The iconic Kawasaki Z1 celebrates 50 years with anniversary models
Everyone’s awaiting the heritage-infused Nissan Z, but there’s another iconic Z that is celebrating its history this year. The Kawasaki Z1 was the most powerful bike in its class when it debuted 50 years ago, in 1972. It was technologically … Continue reading
