For more photos and description of the car, see the auction listing.
RIP Junichi Tanaka, founder of Jun Auto Mechanic, 1943-2019
One of the powerhouses of Japan’s tuning world has passed. It was announced yesterday that Junichi Tanaka, founder of Jun Auto Mechanic, died the morning of March 5, 2019 due to complications from cancer. He was 76 years old. The firm was one of Japan’s most prolific tuning houses, the proof of which were the numerous world speed records held by the bright yellow cars that emerged from its walls. Continue reading
Posted in Legends
Tagged 300zx, A80, BB4, Blitz, Bonneville Salt Flats, civic, EK9, fairlady z, fd3s, GC8, honda, impreza, integra, jtcc, jun auto mechanic, Junichi Tanaka, lancer evolution, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, prelude, r32, r33, r34, r35, RSX, rx-7, s13, s14, silvia, skyline, subaru, supra, toyota, WRX STI, z32
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MOTORSPORT: Kaori Okamoto — actor, businesswoman, race car driver
To say that Kaori Okamoto was multi-talented would be an understatement. Known today primarily as an actor, Okamoto in her long career has also been an author, entrepreneur, and yes, a race car driver. Okamoto wasn’t just your typical celebrity that took a couple of spins behind the wheel at a charity event. She was a bona-fide driver with a Class A license, and competed in some of the world’s toughest events. Continue reading
Posted in motorsport
Tagged 24 Hours of Spa, ae82, ae86, ae92, carina, corolla, corolla fx, corolla levin, Dakar Rally, jtcc, Kaori Okamoto, motorsport, mr2, Spa-F, sprinter trueno, sw20, T190, tom's, toyota
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EVENTS: Final New Year Meeting, Part 03 — Swap Meet
With the final New Year Meeting having come and gone, one of the things we’ll miss most is the swap meet that takes place during the show. For many, it was where you could find rare parts, collectible items, or out-of-print literature. Sure, it was hit or miss, with slim pickings some years and great ones the next, and it was stuff you could probably find by scouring specialty shops or auction sites, but on the last weekend in January, it was all in one place, provided you could fit it in your luggage. Continue reading
Happy TE37 Day from JNC
Since we are mourning the loss of the New Year Meeting this year, here’s a sexy Corolla Coupe from happier days, capping off a long row of TE27s. A standout from its predecessors here in both chassis and color, the TE37 is not quite as beloved but makes a statement in this lineup. Happy TE37 Day from JNC!
NEWS: Here are all the parts you can get from the Mazda Roadster Restore program
Ever since Mazda announced it would begin making reproduction parts for the first-generation Eunos Roadster, owners, enthusiasts and restorers of the beloved Miata have been excited about the list of parts that they might have access to. Well, Mazda Japan has published a full list of parts available from the program, and it’s pretty impressive. Continue reading
NEWS: Toyota to revive Supra Turbo A designation, add horsepower?
Toyota will reportedly revive one of its most beloved Supra trims levels, according to Japan’s automotive tabloids. Car Top magazine in its April issue reports that in 2021, fans of the Toyota sports car can expect a higher-output version called the Supra Turbo A. Continue reading
NEWS: Honda celebrates 50 years of CB750 with tribute bike
In 1969, the Honda CB750 revolutionized the motorcycle game. With an overhead cam, inline-four engine and front disc brake, it offered to the masses what was then only available on specialty racing two-wheelers. It was widely considered the world’s first superbike, and to celebrate that debut, Honda Italy has created a one-off homage to the influential machine. Continue reading
QotW: What’s JNC life like with a baby?
The JNC family is expanding, with a couple of us on the team expecting babies soon. In the next few months, both Brandon Kelley and I will soon each have little future car fans to take care of. To be honest, we’re kind of anxious. What words of wisdom can ya’ll give us? How do you balance both a classic car and a baby — two things that need a ton of attention and money? What are some must-have products, possibly for baby car trips, that we haven’t even begun to imagine yet? In short:
What’s JNC life like with a baby?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Daily, Garage, or Sell? Iconic Nameplate Edition.” Continue reading
Happy Z32 Day from JNC
Since we had so many other 30th anniversary celebrations at the Chicago Auto Show this year, courtesy of Mazda and Honda, why not pretend Nissan did the same? The world saw the Miata and NSX there for the first time in 1989, but just a few feet away was Nissan and the 300ZX. What a time to be alive. Happy Z32 Day from JNC!
EVENTS: Final New Year Meeting, Part 02 — The End of an Era
After 42 years, the New Year Meeting, once the biggest classic car show in Japan, is no more. The Odaiba venue where the event is held will soon be bulldozed, making way for the future. We’ve covered New Year Meetings for 12 years on JNC, and to us it feels like the end of an era. And it truly is, in more ways than one. Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged 117, 240rs, 410/411, 510, a30, b10, b110, b120, b210, bluebird, c10, Cabstar, cedric, Cedric 30, civic, Civic EF, clipper, contessa, corolla, crown, crx, CRX EF, csp311, daihatsu, datsun, Domingo, e10, fairlady roadster, familia, Familia BD, Fellow, fellow max, gloria, Hakosuka, hino, honda, honda N, isuzu, kei, mazda, minica, Minica Skipper, mitsubishi, n10, new year meeting, nissan, porter, prince, publica, pulsar, s110, s50, S500/S600/S800, sanitora, silvia, skyline, subaru, sunny, sunny truck, t360, today, vans, wagons
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Happy Z31 Day from JNC
This year will mark the 50th anniversary of the Z (and GT-R). When the 50th anniversary 300ZX came out in 1984, it was marking the 50th anniversary of Nissan as a company. However, it seems fitting that we celebrate Z31 Day this year with a 50th Anniversary Edition. Happy Z31 Day, everyone!
KIDNEY, ANYONE? Toyota hoarder selling off entire collection
It appears we have found the answer to what lies at the end of the rainbow: a collection of old Toyotas in various states of disrepair. Just outside of Las Vegas, a seller is purging a literal lot of Aichi steel from the 1970s. You can buy them individually or all at once, but the seller is moving and needs them gone. Continue reading
NEWS: Honda reveals production-ready RWD electric hatch
Honda will reveal a rear-wheel-drive electric hatchback at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Named the E Prototype, the car appears to be a very-close-to-production version of the first-generation Civic-inspired Urban EV Concept that was shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2017. Sadly, it’s less aggressively retro, but it still retains a few throwback design cues. Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged civic, Civic 1G, concepts, E Prototype, geneva motor show, honda, honda N, life
12 Comments
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 Skyline GT-R, and it only costs as much as a real car. Continue reading
EVENTS: The Final New Year Meeting, Part 01
It is with a heavy heart that we bring you this report on 2019’s New Year Meeting, held on the fourth weekend of January, for it is also the very last New Year Meeting. period. Twelve years ago, JNC became the first English-language outlet to cover what was then the biggest classic car show in Japan, and it became a guiding light for us, at once an introduction and immersion into the wide world of nostalgic cars. Now, after more than 40 New Years, the Meeting has adjourned. Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged 1600gt, 521, a20, b110, b310, barikan, c10, c110, carry, celica, cherry, corolla, corolla levin, corona, Corona Pickup, crown, datsun, e10, fairlady roadster, fairlady z, gemini, Hakosuka, honda, isuzu, kei, kenmeri, Life PIckup, mark II, mazda, new year meeting, nissan, p30, porter, publica, r2, rx-7, s130, s30 z, s50, s800, sa22, skyline, sprinter trueno, subaru, sunny, suzuki, t40, t50, te27, TE55, tomei, toyota, ts cup, wagons, x70, z31
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QotW: Daily, Garage, or Sell? Iconic Nameplate Edition
Welcome to another edition of Daily, Garage, or Sell, the JNC version of Bang, Marry, or Kill. We’ve modified the game a bit and turned “Drive” into “Daily” to further distinguish it from “Garage,” You can, of course, drive both of them, but one lives indoors, receives the royal treatment and is saved for posterity, while the other is vulnerable to door dings, road salt, and pigeon droppings.
In today’s version, we offer you three JNCs from the golden era from which you must choose: first-generation examples of the three most iconic nameplates from Aichi, Hiroshima, and Kanagawa: the Supra, RX-7, and Z. For the purposes of this game, you can choose any variant you like. Want a GSL-SE? Fine. Want a 280Z instead of a 240Z? Also fine. Just keep in mind that the Z432 is off-limits.
Daily, Sell, or Garage? A40, Toyota Celica Supra, SA22/FB Mazda RX-7, HLS30 Datsun 240Z/260Z/280Z.
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What do you want to know about Japan? (Part 2)” Continue reading
This amazing 1976 Toyota Publica was restored by a 12-year-old
Stories of rare car restorations are always heartwarming, but it is especially so when the labor of love is a father-daughter project. Throw in the fact that the daughter was just 12 years old when they began the restoration, and you get a truly noteworthy tale. The journey of Gemma Wade and her 1976 Toyota 1000 was so impressive, Toyota UK featured it on their official website. Continue reading
50 YEAR CLUB: Nissan Skyline GT-R
Fifty years ago today, on February 21, 1969, Nissan unleashed three letters unto the world that would change automotive history forever: GT-R. For a sub-model that’s encapsulated the dreams of so many, including those far beyond its intended reach, surprisingly little was known about the model outside of Japan until the last decade or so. Continue reading
NEWS: Next-generation Nissan Fairlady Z reportedly under development
Nissan has been quietly developing the next-generation Fairlady Z since December 2017, according to Japanese auto tabloid Best Car. The magazine claims that despite the many rumors of a “Z35” over the years, Nissan’s priorities had been shifted towards crossovers and electric vehicles. However, it contends, the impending launch of the new Toyota Supra a little over a year ago prompted Nissan to develop the Z in earnest. Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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