QotW: What’s your favorite car from Japan’s tuning era?

Posted on March 18, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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

Posted on March 15, 2019 by Patrick Strong

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 →

Posted in Holidays | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

NIHON LIFE: Japan raises speed limit to 75 mph

Posted on March 14, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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

Posted on March 13, 2019 by Ricky Silverio

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 →

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VIDEO: JUN Auto Mechanic’s brain-melting creations

Posted on March 12, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 →

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QotW: Daily, Garage, Sell — 90s Honda Edition

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Brandon Kelley

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 →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged , | 11 Comments

MARKETWATCH: 1994 Toyota Supra Turbo sells for $173,000

Posted on March 9, 2019 by Patrick Strong

Told ya so.

For more photos and description of the car, see the auction listing.

Posted in marketwatch | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

RIP Junichi Tanaka, founder of Jun Auto Mechanic, 1943-2019

Posted on March 9, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 →

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MOTORSPORT: Kaori Okamoto — actor, businesswoman, race car driver

Posted on March 8, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 →

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EVENTS: Final New Year Meeting, Part 03 — Swap Meet

Posted on March 7, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 →

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Happy TE37 Day from JNC

Posted on March 7, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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!

Posted in Holidays | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

NEWS: Here are all the parts you can get from the Mazda Roadster Restore program

Posted on March 6, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 →

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

NEWS: Toyota to revive Supra Turbo A designation, add horsepower?

Posted on March 5, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 →

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NEWS: Honda celebrates 50 years of CB750 with tribute bike

Posted on March 4, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 →

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QotW: What’s JNC life like with a baby?

Posted on March 4, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 15 Comments

Happy Z32 Day from JNC

Posted on March 2, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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!

Posted in Holidays | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

EVENTS: Final New Year Meeting, Part 02 — The End of an Era

Posted on March 1, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 →

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Happy Z31 Day from JNC

Posted on March 1, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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!

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KIDNEY, ANYONE? Toyota hoarder selling off entire collection

Posted on February 28, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 →

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NEWS: Honda reveals production-ready RWD electric hatch

Posted on February 28, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 →

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