With both the Z and GT-R in generations that have lasted a decade or so with no hints about their futures. So, whenever a top Nissan executive whispers a phrase about either model, enthusiasts take notice. The most recent utterance comes from Chief Planning Officer, Philippe Klein, who told Top Gear that the company is pondering the next step for both the Z and GT-R. Continue reading
QotW: What’s your favorite car from Japan’s tuning era?
If there’s anything we learned from the tragic passing of Junichi Tanaka a week ago, it was that many of you came to the world of Nihon steel after encountering an insane demo or race car from the glory days of Japan’s tuning era. These were days when specialty shops all across Japan were creating supercar-level drag, drift, and time attack cars, from Honda Civics to V12 Supras.
What’s your favorite car from Japan’s tuning era?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Daily, Garage, Sell — Honda CR-X Si, Honda Civic Si, or Acura Integra GS-R?” Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
16 Comments
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the Irish-spec Toyota AE86
Ah, St. Patrick’s Day, the most hackneyed of holidays, that magical time of year when Americans tack up caricatures of supposed Irish culture like shamrocks and leprechauns and guzzle offensively named cocktails. Why not switch it up and salute authentically Irish things, like immersion water heaters, rashers bacon, or the Toyota AE86. Continue reading
NIHON LIFE: Japan raises speed limit to 75 mph
Japan has raised its speed limit to 120 kph (75 mph) on two major expressways, the highest maximum that has ever been allowed in the country. The high-speed zones span a 50-kilometer section of the Shin-Tomei Expressway between in Shizuoka Prefecture and a 27-kilometer section of the Tohoku Expressway in Iwate Prefecture. Continue reading
Posted in Nihon Life
5 Comments
MOTORSPORT: Everyone’s swapping 2JZs into the new Supra
A few of Japan’s professional drift teams have already gotten their hands on the new A90 Toyota Supra and are building them for competition in D1GP. In a new Option video, Notable AE86 aficionado and Toyota works driver Akira Iida drifts a brand new 2020 Supra before it is promptly torn down to become the D1 car of Masato Kawabata. What’s the first thing to go in? A 2JZ. Continue reading
Posted in motorsport
Tagged 2000gt, A90, akira iida, d1gp, daigo saito, drifting, Masato Kawabata, Option Video, supra, toyota
9 Comments
VIDEO: JUN Auto Mechanic’s brain-melting creations
As we mourn the loss of Jun Auto Mechanic founder Junichi Tanaka, let’s take a a look back at some of his incredible creations. These were, for many enthusiasts, the dream cars that hooked them on Japan’s tuning culture. Though decades old now, the passage of time has not made these cars any less impressive. Continue reading
Posted in Video
Tagged A80, BB4, best motoring, civic, Civic EK, fairlady z, gt-r, honda, jun auto mechanic, lancer evolution, mitsubishi, nissan, Option Video, prelude, r34, S15, s2000, silvia, supra, top gear, toyota, toyota 86, Tsukuba Circuit, z33
2 Comments
QotW: Daily, Garage, Sell — 90s Honda Edition
Welcome to another edition of Daily, Garage, Sell, JNC‘s version of Bang, Marry, Kill. Back in the late 80s and early 90s, you any glance at the local bookstore magazine shelf was sure to reveal at least one Honda cover car. Not only were they the choice of tuners, they seemed to take whatever horsepower or weight in bodykit bondo thrown at them. And to the normals, they were reliable transportation as well. Whether driven by the neighborhood little old lady or ripping drags down the street near the industrial park, the iconic nameplate of CRX, Civic, and Integra offered something for everyone. Now you must choose, and for the purposes of this game you can choose your trim level, but they must max out at Si or GS-R (sorry, no SiR Type Rs — that’s for a future round). So without further ado:
Daily, Garage, Sell — Honda CR-X Si, Honda Civic Si, or Acura Integra GS-R?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s JNC life like with a baby?” Continue reading
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
15 Comments
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
1 Comment
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
13 Comments
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
