QotW: What’s your most romantic JNC story?

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, and you know you have some romantic, steamy, or downright heartbreaking stories involving a JNC and a significant other. Maybe there was a date, relationship, or marriage that turned out particularly well (or ended in spectacularly bad fashion) because of your car. Now is the time to share your tales of love.

What’s your most romantic JNC story?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “How should Mazda celebrate its 100 birthday?” Continue reading →

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VIDEO: Chevy’s captive import Isuzu and Suzuki turbos were the bee’s knees

Posted on February 7, 2020 by Ben Hsu

The 1980s were heady times. Even the smallest econoboxes coming out of Japan had sport-ified versions lavished with tech and gear that would have seemed at home on much higher-priced sports cars. Plus, both Isuzu and Suzuki were still operating in the US, and bringing these tiny, turbocharged compacts to our shores. Even if they were badged as a Chevy, they still offered loads of fun and personality for a rock-bottom price of entry. Continue reading →

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Happy TE27 Day from JNC

Posted on February 7, 2020 by Dan Hsu

Metal bolt-on fender flares should be a factory thing again. Happy TE27 Day from JNC!

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MINICARS: Hot Wheels ’89 Mazda Savanna RX-7 FC3S test shot

Posted on February 6, 2020 by Ricky Silverio

A few months go we showed you an early prototype for one of the most exciting Hot Wheels releases for this year, Mazda’s second-generation turbo rotary flagship. According to our friends at Mattel, the official name will be ’89 Mazda Savanna RX-7 FC3S. Now, we have several photos of an early test shot in addition to those released on the Hot Wheels Dream Team Instagram account. Continue reading →

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Toyota brought out stock and rally Celica GT-Fours to the GR Yaris debut

Posted on February 5, 2020 by Ben Hsu

The Toyota GR Yaris seems like it will be an insanely awesome hot hatch, even if its connection to the Celica GT-Four is dubious. We said it smelled like a retcon, but we have to admit, when Toyota put all four cars on the stage at Makuhari Messe for the GR Yaris’s debut, it did look downright cool. Continue reading →

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The Toyota 86 Black Limited Concept could mark the model’s final edition

Posted on February 4, 2020 by Ben Hsu

At the Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota had a pretty killer display that included a trio of Hachiroku. The purpose of the display was to show off a new prototype version of the Toyobaru 86 called the Black Limited Concept. For those familiar with the original AE86 from which the Toyota coupe gets its namesake, that is an extremely significant name. Continue reading →

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VIDEO: Battle of the Japanese one-box vans

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Ben Hsu

The sheer variety of Japan’s one-box vans are as mind-melting as their ubiquity. There are so many trims, options, and configurations that we could launch a sister site, JNV, to cover them all. Luckily, during the brief moment that they were available in the US, English-language reviewers were able to assess the American-spec versions back to back. Continue reading →

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QotW: How should Mazda celebrate its 100 birthday?

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Ben Hsu

It’s not every day that a car company reaches 100 years of age. Of the Japanese companies still making cars today, only Daihatsu, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, and now Mazda have made it this far. It’s a momentous occasion that literally happens only once in a lifetime, if that, and deserves a celebration worthy of the moment.

How should Mazda celebrate its 100th birthday?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s the worst JNC decision you’ve ever made?” Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 15 Comments

Happy TA22 Day from JNC

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Later this year, the original Toyota Celica will celebrate its 50th birthday. Perhaps we should paint one eye of a little red Japanese doll, set it on our shelf, and paint the other one when the Celica joins the 50 year club. Happy TA22 Day from JNC!

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Here’s how Mazda celebrated its 100th anniversary

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Turning 100 years old is a tremendous milestone for anyone. Mazda celebrated with an understated gathering at their headquarters in Hiroshima. The entrance was arranged with two cars from Mazda’s past, and two from its present. Around them, the lobby was filled with hundreds of white moth orchids. Continue reading →

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100 YEAR CLUB: Mazda, Part 01

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Dave Yuan

Exactly 100 years ago today, on January 30, 1920, Toyo Cork Kogyo was founded. This company, whose name translates to Oriental Cork Industries, would go on to build cars under the name Mazda. Thus, today marks the 100th anniversary of Mazda, a storied and charismatic firm that has brought us some of history’s most memorable and beloved enthusiasts’ cars. Continue reading →

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MARKETWATCH: A mint Datsun 240Z has sold for $310,000

Posted on January 29, 2020 by Patrick Strong

If there is one constant in the collector car market, it’s that the best cars will always find willing buyers for strong money. Exhibit A: A series-1 Datsun 240Z worthy of consideration as possibly the finest original example in the world just sold for $310,000. Continue reading →

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Here’s a kit to make the new Suzuki Jimny look like its great-grandfather

Posted on January 29, 2020 by Ben Hsu

It should come as no surprise that the Suzuki Jimny is a popular car in Japan. It’s one of the coolest new cars you can buy there, and a vehicle whose purposeful engineering is at the core of its appeal. However, that doesn’t mean the design couldn’t use a little added fun, and at the Tokyo Auto Salon this year one company decided to go retro with it. Continue reading →

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Stand out from the other CEOs with a TOM’s Racing Toyota Century

Posted on January 28, 2020 by Ben Hsu

You’re wealthy enough to own a Toyota Century, but you don’t want it to look like every other bank CEO’s executive coach. What to do? Well, prior to the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon, the only option was to a.) be Toyota Motor Company CEO Akio Toyoda and build your own custom GRMN Century, or b.) be born in to the Japanese royal family and get your own bespoke convertible version. Now there’s a third option, but you’d better act fast. Continue reading →

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Liberty Walk creates Super Silhouette-inspired R34 Skyline

Posted on January 27, 2020 by Ben Hsu

The Japanese tuning house Liberty Walk has created a what they call the LB-ER34 Super Silhouette Skyline. The red-on-black paint scheme will be instantly recognizable to fans of Skyline race cars of the 1980s. Revealed at the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon, it was one of the show favorites and in true Liberty Walk fashion, held some surprises under the skin. Continue reading →

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QotW: What’s the worst JNC decision you’ve ever made?

Posted on January 27, 2020 by Ben Hsu

They say hindsight is 2020. It’s also the year 2020, so it’s time to reflect on some of the mistakes we’ve made and save others from the same fate. Is it getting in over your head in on a project car? Or perhaps letting that rare car/part/collectible get away? Or maybe the time you forgot to fully remove the jackstand from under the car before lowering it and denting the rocker panel (you know, just as an example).

What’s the worst JNC decision you’ve ever made?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your greatest JNC dream?” Continue reading →

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Civic Type R chief engineer’s love for cars began with a toy Toyota Celica

Posted on January 24, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Last week Tomica announced for its 50th anniversary that it would be collaborating with several Japanese carmakers for special edition toy cars. One of them was Honda, represented by the new FK8 Civic Type R. At the press conference Hideki Kakinuma, the chief engineer of Honda’s scorching hot hatch took the opportunity to describe how he fell in love with cars in the first place. Turns out, it was all due to a first-gen Toyota Celica Liftback. Continue reading →

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VIDEO: Even a shift to front-wheel-drive couldn’t slow down the Toyota Celica GT-S

Posted on January 23, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Looking back now, the Toyota Celica’s switch from rear- to front-wheel-drive may seem like a let-down. Back in 1986, though, FF was seen as modern and the fourth-generation Celica’s performance was affected by the shift. In fact, it continued to rank tops in its class of lightweight sports coupes. Continue reading →

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VIDEO: If you’re in St Louis check out this great Honda museum

Posted on January 23, 2020 by Ben Hsu

The Mungenast Classic Museum in St. Louis, Missouri is what we all hope our collections look like when we pass on. Founded by Dave Mungenast, a man described as a Green Beret, stuntman, American Motorcycle Association hall-of-famer, and car dealer, it’s a shrine to his life’s work and a showcase of the countless cars, motorcycles, and memorabilia he collected over the decades. Continue reading →

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MINICARS: Stay in this Tomica-themed hotel room in Japan

Posted on January 22, 2020 by Ricky Silverio

To coincide with 50th anniversary of Japan’s favorite toy cars, a hotel in Tokyo has created a Tomica-themed room that kids (and presumably adults, too) can stay in. The hotel is the Maihama First Resort overlooking Tokyo Bay and is part of Tokyo Disneyland. The partnership with Tomica fills the room with Tomica decorations, bed sheets and pillows, and a display of actual Tomica vehicles along the back wall. Continue reading →

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