Author Archives: Ken Lee

MOTORSPORT: The Prince R380

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Ken Lee

While other Japanese historic racing cars generate equal amounts of enthusiasm and respect, one particular car has sat in relative obscurity for many years. Known only to a few otaku but integral in both the rising dominance of Japanese cars on … Continue reading →

Posted in motorsport | Tagged Automobile Council, japan grand prix, nissan, prince, r380, Yoshikazu Sunako | 9 Comments

EVENTS: Automobile Council 2016

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Ken Lee

In an already packed calendar, a new event has appeared on the Japanese auto show roster. Recently, Tokyo hosted the inaugural Automobile Council, an affair whose stated goal was “Encouraging car culture to blossom in Japan.” That’s a noble aim if there ever was one, … Continue reading →

Posted in events | Tagged 110s, 2000gt, 308 GTB, Automobile Council, c10, corolla, corolla levin, cosmo sport, datsun, e10, e70, eunos roadster, fd3s, ferrari, ford, gt-r, GT40, Hakosuka, honda, ke10, kpgc10, Luce Rotary Coupe, mazda, miata, Miata NA, Miata ND, mx-5, MX-5 RF, Nakajima Aircraft, nissan, porsche, porsche 904, prince, r130, r360, r380, rx-3, rx-7, RX-Vision, S-Series, s360, s54, s660, s800, sa22, skyline, subaru, subaru 360, te27, te71, toyota, Zero | 7 Comments

Stay safe out there, Tokyo!

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Ken Lee

Typhoon Mindulle is hammering Tokyo right now with epic rains. A tunnel on the Chuo Expressway in Tokyo saw some epic flooding this morning. The storm is headed towards Tohoku next. Looks like I won’t be driving my Skyline for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged chuo expressway, tokyo | 5 Comments

TUNE UP: Mazda Cosmo Sport on Unicorn album cover

Posted on August 18, 2016 by Ken Lee

Last week the Japanese rock band Unicorn released their thirteenth album, and lo and behold, there’s a Mazda Cosmo Sport on the cover. It’s not clear why the band has taken a liking to the classic rotary sports car, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Tune Up | Tagged cosmo sport, mazda, Unicorn | 1 Comment

LEGENDS: An interview with Yoshikazu Sunako, original Skyline racing driver

Posted on June 3, 2016 by Ken Lee

Motor sports stories come in many types: the rookie driver winning their first race for a big name team, legendary drives from last place to the checkered-flag, the somehow magical performance in the rain that astounds everyone watching, and perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in Legends | Tagged 1964 Japan grand prix, nissan, prince, r380, s54, skyline, suzuka circuit, Yoshikazu Sunako | 14 Comments

EVENTS: Showa Car Preservation Meeting

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Ken Lee

The Old Car Club of Tokyo recently held it’s 3rd annual Showa no Kurma wo Mamoru Tsudoi or “Preserving cars made in the Showa Era” meeting. This is a gathering for cars made during the Showa Era, which ended in 1989 according to the … Continue reading →

Posted in events | Tagged 2000gt, a20, ae86, Austin A50, bellett, bosozoku, c10, c30, carina, carol, celica, civic, contessa, corolla, cosmo sport, crown, csp311, daihatsu, datsun, datsun 210, e20, fairlady roadster, fronte, gloria, Hakosuka, hino, honda, Honda N-Series, isuzu, kei, laurel, mazda, Mazda K360, midget, ms51, nissan, prince, s54, s600, Showa Car Preservation Meeting, silvia, skyline, skyline sport, soarer, subaru 360, suzuki, t2000 | 14 Comments

BUYER’S GUIDE: Prince Skyline GT-A & GT-B

Posted on April 10, 2015 by Ken Lee

I recently purchased a Prince Skyline 2000GT-B. For those unfamiliar with the car, here is an explanation and short video of its historical significance. With interest in landmark Japanese cars at an all-time high, it’s quite possible that the six-cylinder Prince … Continue reading →

Posted in Buyer's Guide | Tagged nissan, prince, s54, skyline | 41 Comments

EVENTS: Tokyo Bayside Classic Cup season closer

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Ken Lee

One of the great things about owning a classic car in Tokyo is that you can find a car club revolving around almost any make and model you desire. Soon you’re welcomed into the fold with typical Japanese hospitality, and as … Continue reading →

Posted in events | Tagged b10, cedric, corolla, datsun, Ford GT40, H130, honda, levin, mini, nissan, prince, s54, s800, S800M, skyline, Sodeguara Forest Raceway, sprinter, sunny, te27, Tokyo Bayside Classic Cub, trueno | 10 Comments

PROJECT B: Owning a classic car in Japan, Part 03 — The Streets

Posted on March 13, 2015 by Ken Lee

In Part 01 of this series I went in search of my first classic car, a Prince Skyline GT-B. In Part 02 I proved to the city of Tokyo, where I live, that I had space to park it and went through Japan’s infamous … Continue reading →

Posted in japan | Tagged japan, nissan, prince, s54, skyline | 20 Comments

PROJECT B: Owning a classic car in Japan, Part 02 — The Shaken

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Ken Lee

In Part 01 of this series, I went through the process of searching for the appropriate classic car. Even though I live in Tokyo, it turns out the best way to get the car I wanted, a Prince Skyline GT-B, … Continue reading →

Posted in japan | Tagged japan, nissan, prince, s54, Shaken, skyline, vehicle inspection | 30 Comments

PROJECT B: Owning a classic car in Japan, Part 01 — The Search

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Ken Lee

Welcome to a new multi-part series on JNC, in which we document what it’s like to buy, register, and own a classic car in Japan. The car in question is a Prince Skyline GT-B, the car that started the Skyline Legend, owned by our … Continue reading →

Posted in japan | Tagged prince, Project B, s54, skyline | 18 Comments