Category Archives: Anniversaries
The Mitsubishi Fuso Canter turns 60 years old
Among the oldest nameplates in Japan’s auto industry is the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter. Though perhaps not as exciting as Nissan’s Skyline or Toyota’s Crown, the Canter has been a staple of Japanese roads for 60 years. The cabover light-duty truck … Continue reading
The V10 Toyota Camry debuted 41 years ago today
The Camry we consider to the be the first-generation of Toyota’s hugely successful family sedan debuted in Japan 41 years ago today, on March 24, 1982. It almost seems like poetically tragic, seeing as how it came out yesterday that … Continue reading
Peter Brock reflects on his career on his 85th birthday
Yesterday, November 15 was the 85th birthday of car designer, race car builder driver, team manager, and artist Peter Brock. JNCers may know him best for his work on the Brock Racing Enterprises race team campaigning Datsun race cars in … Continue reading
Infiniti releases 8-part documentary about the brand’s 1989 launch
Infiniti launched exactly 32 years ago today, on November 8, 1989. To mark the occasion, the company has released an 8-part documentary on the origins of the brand. What’s unusual about this series is that there is almost no footage … Continue reading
Nissan celebrates its 60th anniversary in Mexico
Last Friday Nissan Mexico celebrated their 60th anniversary. Nissan opened its doors to our southern neighbors on September 10, 1961 and laid the groundwork for a rather significant operation. Five years later, they had opened a factory in Cuernavaca, their … Continue reading
NEWS: Isuzu celebrates 60th anniversary of the Elf
Yesterday, every major newspaper in Japan carried the above spread in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Isuzu Elf, the first Japanese cab-over-engine light truck in its class. In six decades and six generations, the Elf has sold over … Continue reading
Happy 70th Anniversary to Honda Motor Co.
On this day 70 years ago, Honda Motor Corporation was officially established. The photo above is that of Honda’s first factory, in Hamamatsu, with 34 employees. The company’s first product was a small engine strapped to a bicycle, making it … Continue reading