Author Archives: Kevin San
Goodbye JNC Project Hakosuka: How the scene has changed over 12 years
I can actually pinpoint the time when it all started: it was Saturday, July 16th 2007, at 10.30 in the morning when I saw my first Hakosuka in the metal, in the Shirakawa district of eastern Tokyo, just around the … Continue reading
VIDEO: These dekotora drivers use their modded trucks for acts of charity
The image of a dekotora driver in Japan typically isn’t a wholly positive one. Much like hard core truckers in the US, they are seen as rough around the edges, people you wouldn’t want to confront alone at a remote … Continue reading
MINICARS: A 24-karat gold Hakosuka Skyline GT-R
For those of you who love nostalgic J-Tin collectibles, here’s something you (probably) don’t have: a Hakosuka Nissan Skyline GT-R made of 24-karat gold. Yes, it’s a KPGC10 made of precious metals, built to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the … Continue reading
EVENTS: 2019 Osaka Auto Messe
Everyone knows the Tokyo Auto Salon, the massive annual car show where the big brands and tuning houses of Japan’s automotive aftermarket goes all-out to show its wares. But, there’s an equally big show that’s not quite as well known, … Continue reading
Debut! Hayashi Racing tires for all your Kaido Racer needs
Mention the Hayashi Racing name to any J-tin enthusiast, and they’ll think of wheels. Hayashi Racing was the first to cast aftermarket wheels in Japan, but the true heritage of the marque, is as a racing car manufacturer. In 1967 Hayashi-san … Continue reading
This Kenmeri Skyline does not look o-kei
Japan is a place where space to park for your car is at a premium. Compared to most driving populations, Japan is full of visible feats of Jedi parking, where cars are squeezed with millimetric precision into the smallest parking … Continue reading
NEWS: Hayashi Racing is making A-Series valve covers
Hayashi Racing is now making some lovely cast aluminum rocker covers for the Nissan A-series. Available in black or red (the blue one above is a custom job for a Hayashi Formula J race car). We expect most of these to be … Continue reading
Happy Halloween from JNC
What’s the first rule of entering a dark garage with a classic car? Don’t go in there alone. Happy Halloween from JNC!
Sayonara, 2016. Happy New Year from JNC
あけましておめでとうございます。
EVENTS: 2016 Classic Japan show in Australia
One of our favourite nostalgic car shows in any country is Classic Japan, which is held in Melbourne, Australia in December every year. Melbourne is 1000 km away from JNC‘s Australian HQ in Sydney, so it’s also an opportunity to … Continue reading
JNC is now on DriveTribe
Japanese Nostalgic Car has created a DriveTribe thingy. The social network created by ex-Top Gear hosts Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond may be the next big thing, or it may fizzle out dramatically. We’re not quite sure what the … Continue reading
VIDEO: Abandoned Hakosuka in Cyprus
The story of a Toyota dealership abandoned in Cyprus in the 1970s is well known to long time readers. Apparently, though, old Celicas and Corollas aren’t the only J-tin left to gather dust on the island republic. Here’s a very complete … Continue reading
VIDEO: Excellent clips from the Shakotan Boogie anime
Here are some clips from the anime adaptation of Shakotan Boogie, which came out in the early 90s. Animation-wise, it falls somewhere between Speed Racer and the original Initial D, but I think that we can all agree, that this … Continue reading
JNC PROJECT HAKO: look, Ma… I’m on TV!
There are lots of TV commercials which try to appeal to true enthusiasts, but if you were given the keys to a TV production company, what sort of commercial would you make? If you answered that you’d gather a whole … Continue reading
VIDEO: JNC Project Hakosuka hits the skidpan!
Since 2011 or so, a very nice LSD unit has been sitting under a cloth in the corner of the JNC Hakosuka garage. I never finished gathering all the parts I needed to install it until I had some spare … Continue reading
VIDEO: Club-level race at Nakayama circuit in 1985
This video of a club-level race at Nakayama Circuit in 1985 has got everything: AW11, Gemini, Bluebird, R30, SA22, multiple generations of Truenos and Levins, and the smooth jazz of a Gran Turismo menu screen. Watch the video below.