Category Archives: Culture

Sex in the Subaru

Most of us would agree that the ’73 Subaru DL (aka Leone, in other markets) is a sexy beast, particularly with the early, small chrome bumpers, but the accompanying sultry advertising pitch might leave you gasping with it’s blatantly sexist … Continue reading

Posted in cm, subaru | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Toyota Carina Escapes Motorcycle Gang

Here’s some footage of a very rare and very sleek Toyota Carina TA17 Hardtop. Leather-clad motorcyclists are so captivated by the Carina that they stop lurking in the shadows and give chase. Illuminated only by their headlights, the car is … Continue reading

Posted in cm, toyota | 2 Comments

How ‘Bout Some Dodge Colt, Forty-Five?

Don’t you hate wasting good alcohol when tippin’ a 40? The solution: start out with a Colt 45 for five extra ounces. For JNCers who live overseas, Colt 45 is an American brand of malt liquor that, due to its … Continue reading

Posted in cm, mitsubishi | 10 Comments

Paul Newman, 1925-2008

Whoa. We were at SevenStock (and its celebration of Mazda’s victories at the 24 Hours of Daytona) today when we heard the news. Actor/salad dressing mogul/race car driver Paul Newman passed away last night after a long bout with cancer. … Continue reading

Posted in cm, datsun, motorsports, nissan | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

R31 Skyline Electronic Spoilers, Activate!

We now go to the next event, synchronized electronic spoiler activation. Here comes the Japanese team, a quartet of Nissan Skyline GTS sports coupes. Good formation, terrific execution. Interesting musical selection, though. Judges give this one an 8.75. Ah, the … Continue reading

Posted in cm, nissan | 9 Comments

Harmonizing Over the Bluebird Coupe

Another great ad from 60s Japan, this time for the Datsun Bluebird Coupe. While the song is not as catchy and seemingly of a different era as the Maruzen Oil ad, it gets the point across: “Big power, dynamic power, … Continue reading

Posted in cm, datsun, nissan | 4 Comments

Gas Up and Go Go with Maruzen

What do you get when you mix the swingin’ sixties, Speed Racer, and some Marylin Monroe-style upskirt shots? A catchy 1969 ad for Maruzen Oil’s chain of gas stations, now known as Cosmo, not to be confused with the actual … Continue reading

Posted in cm, japan | 3 Comments

More Microcar Madness: Subaru 360 Ad

Speaking of microcars, someone sent in four old Subaru 360 commercials to Jalopnik today. The car’s $1297 price tag and 66mpg are heavily touted, as is the price of a carburetor, just 13 dollars. I guess when you’re calling your … Continue reading

Posted in cm, kei, subaru | 1 Comment

Missed Out on a Z? How Bout an RX-7?

Back in 1979, you may have seen this flash across the TV while kicking back in your rec room. But don’t think of it as a commercial, think of it as a public service announcement ensuring that you don’t miss … Continue reading

Posted in cm, datsun, mazda, nissan | 18 Comments

Mr. Tredia, You Are a Star

Here’s one for you members of the triple diamond mafia, a Mitsubishi Tredia commercial from 1982 complete with its own cheesy theme song. Try to get that out of your head now!

Posted in cm, mitsubishi | 5 Comments

Datsun Sunny A Poster Child for Pollution

Here’s a bummer of a leftover from our NorCal photo reel. This billboard for California’s Bureau of Automotive Repairs, DriveHealthy.com, was spotted in San Jose and features a clapped out Datto Sunny as an example of a polluter. It turns … Continue reading

Posted in cm, datsun | 5 Comments

Front Drive Toyota Defies Convention, Gravity

Why yes, that is an airborne 1980 Toyota Tercel leaping over a herd of the now-extinct species Compactus domesticus. Plus a Honda. Though it began life in Japan in 1978, the Tercel arrived on our shores for the 1980 model … Continue reading

Posted in cm, honda, toyota | 2 Comments

Starlet Baja Racing, Presence of Popeye Inexplicable

The title really says it all.

Posted in cm, toyota | 4 Comments

More Skyline Ads with Ken & Mary

Ok, by now you guys have all figured out yesterday’s post about a majority share of Nissan being bought out by Tata Motors was an April Fool’s joke. Sorry, we couldn’t resist! Well here’s some old Nissan Skyline that are … Continue reading

Posted in cm, nissan | 3 Comments

Skyline Drives Through Alien Desert with Spacefish

When George Lucas wanted to zazz up Star Wars with an automotive cross-promotion in 1977, he opted for a Toyota Celica Liftback. Say what you will about the prequels, but the man had vehicular taste. A dozen years later in … Continue reading

Posted in cm, nissan, Video Games | 2 Comments

Datsun 280ZX, Someday

Back when we were kids there was no Wii, MyFace, or whatever the hell kids are into these days. The bicycle was the king of birthday presents, and the freedom of movement it provided is probably what turned us into … Continue reading

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Oh, Nap! '82 Toyota Lite Ace Gets the Bunk Out

The interior of this 1982 Toyota Lite Ace makes us wish we were kids again. Why? Because it has bunk beds! The lower level is formed by folding the rear seats flat, while the upper bed is suspended from the … Continue reading

Posted in cm, toyota, vans | 2 Comments

Classic CM: Celica XX, Electric Boogaloo

This one goes out to all the MkII Supra owners out there. Never say JNC doesn’t love ya. As you know, the second-gen Toyota Celica Supra was known as the Celica XX in Japan, and this commercial for the home … Continue reading

Posted in cm, toyota | 6 Comments

Nostalgic Luxury

For those of us who grew up in the 80’s, it’s hard to imagine a time when Acura did not exist. According to some, planning for Honda’s luxury brand started as early as 1976 (imagine an Acura based off of … Continue reading

Posted in cm, honda | Leave a comment

Happy Bosses Drive Super 6s!

We know by our hits that the vast majority of you are reading this when you should be working hard. Fine by us! In fact, if your boss is kind of a hardass, then perhaps a Prince Gloria Super 6 … Continue reading

Posted in cm, nissan, prince | Leave a comment