SHOWA SNAP: Fastbacks abound in 1975

Every time you see a new crossover ambling down the street, clogging your view, remember what life could have been. In this 1975 Japanese street scene, fastbacks are everywhere. In the car park to the right there’s a Corona Mark II, B110 Sunny, and a Cherry X1 in the distance. Meanwhile, the street to the left has an E30 Corolla coupe and two A20 Celicas. Those who need extra cargo capacity drive Familia and Corolla wagons. It was a different world, and one we will likely never see again.

Image: eBay

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JNC THEATER: Discovery Channel Japan to air new car restoration show

Discovery Channel Japan has announced a new car restoration show, Chihara Junior’s Car Revival Project! Hosted by comedian and TV host Chihara Junior, it will follow restorers and shops as they rebuild classic cars. Each car will have three episodes devoted to it, with a first-season run of 13 episodes. Cars in the roster are a 1970 Isuzu Bellett 1600GTR, 1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 Spider Veloce, Hakosuka Nissan Skyline GT-R, and a Mercedes-Benz 190SL. The show debuts December 14, but unfortunately there is no word of it airing in the US.

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QotW: What car should Nissan build next?

Carlos “Le Cost Killer” Ghosn came to Nissan at a time when the company was in massive debt, due partially to the fact that it was building too many different and over-engineered cars. He started a ruthless cost-slashing campaign that pulled Nissan out of debt nearly two decades ago. But in more recent years, much of Nissan’s lineup has begun to feel like more of the same. With Ghosn gone, Nissan may have a chance to recapture some of its soul. Take a gander at Nissan’s lineup from 1991 for inspiration, or come up with something completely different.

What car should Nissan build next?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What JNC represents 1989 the best?Continue reading

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VIDEO: Look at what Nissan had to offer in 1991

The year 1991 might have very well been, for enthusiasts at least, peak Nissan. In a three-part series that year, Best Motoring covered the entire range of Nissan’s specialty cars, and there were tons of them. Sure, there were the expected flagship models like the Skyline GT-R and Fairlady Z, but Nissan also provided tons of more affordable options from hatchbacks to full-size sedans. Behold this epic lineup. Continue reading

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NEWS: Nissan will make parts for the R33 and R34 Skyline GT-R again

Last year Nissan announced to great fanfare the first phase of its Heritage Parts program. Through its NISMO division, the company would re-issue parts for the R32 Skyline GT-R, and if the program was successful enough Nissan would expand the program to other models as well. Response must have been good, because today Nissan announced that Heritage Parts would now include R33 and R34 Skyline GT-R models. Continue reading

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LA Auto Show: Here’s the 2019 Mazda 3

Mazda has unveiled the 2019 Mazda 3 ahead of the LA Auto Show in Hollywood, California. The design remains extremely faithful to the Kai concept that blew us away at the Tokyo Motor Show last year, and is an absolutely stunning interpretation of the compact hatchback and sedan. Continue reading

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LA Auto Show: Honda resurrects two 90s nameplates

Honda has brought back two iconic names from the 1990s, but sorry, it’s not what you think. Unveiled ahead of the LA Auto Show today are a pair of new models for 2019,the Honda Talon and the Honda Passport. Neither is a rebadged Mitsubishi or Isuzu.  Continue reading

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SHOWA SNAP: Takamatsu 1972

This slide, said to be taken in 1972 in Takamatsu, is ostensibly of an interesting-looking restaurant that appears to have a small castle-like structure perched atop it. However, what’s even more interesting is the S50 Toyota Crown sedan, Hino truck and 2-door 510 Bluebird speeding by. We have never seen a factory 2-tone Crown in person, and we’re still not quite sure it’s factory. It could be a company car painted in company colors, but without the front door in frame it’s impossible to tell. The 2-door 510 is rare too, having sold in far fewer numbers than the Bluebird Coupe of the same generation. How tempting would it be to sit in that udon restaurant and watch the traffic go by?

Image: eBay.

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NEWS: Carlos Ghosn is officially out at Mitsubishi Motors

After orchestrating a 34 percent buyout of Mitsubishi Motors by Nissan in 2016 and installing himself as chairman of both companies, Carlos Ghosn is now out of both. Mitsubishi Motors’ board voted today to remove Ghosn from his leadership position, following Nissan’s lead after their board voted last Thursday. Continue reading

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QotW: What JNC represents 1989 the best?

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and from places your wouldn’t expect. Today, that hero is dbdr who suggested in last week’s post that we all ponder a bit more on what 1989 was all about.

Sure, during the 80’s era there were plenty of new vehicle that seemed more Gundam mech in need of a trained pilot than vehicle for the average Joe. You needed one eye on the road and one eye on a sweet Alpine tape deck. Looking at the tail end of the 80’s, we ask, what JNC struck a chord with you as the quintessential 1989 ride that closed the decade and marked the beginning of the 90s.

What JNC represents 1989 the best?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Which JNCs would live in your ideal two-car garage?Continue reading

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Happy 40th anniversary of Doukoho Day from JNC

We at JNC hope that our American readers are having a wonderful holiday with your families this week. Forty years ago today, a different sort of celebration was taking place, when 3,000 bosozoku bikes and cars took to the streets of Tokyo on the night of November 22, 1978  for an event known as Doukoho. Continue reading

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NEWS: Carlos Ghosn is gone

The Carlos Ghosn era at Nissan is officially over. The Nissan board voted to remove him as chairman, as expected, following his arrest on Monday. His close advisor Greg Kelly was dismissed as well. The BBC reports that the vote was unanimous. More on the Ghosn saga here and here.

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NEWS: Japanese Royal Family to get new parade car, Nissan out of the running

The Japanese royal family is about to choose a new car. That’s a big deal, since they haven’t had a fresh whip since about 2006, when Toyota delivered four specially modified Century limousines to the Imperial household. The new car will also be the first open-top car, to be used in parades and special ceremonies, that the royals have received since 1990. News of the their search came out just hours before news of Carlos Ghosn’s arrest broke. That immediately put Nissan out of the running. Continue reading

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How five Japanese carmakers chose to represent 1989

Finally for some non-Ghosn news. The Meiji Jingu Classic Car Festival was held in Tokyo over the weekend. This year’s theme was “Japanese Vintage Year 1989,” and though the event was hosted by Toyota, it invited other Japanese automakers to bring out their representative cars for that year. Continue reading

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NEWS: Ghosn’s saga continues; houses bought on Nissan’s dime, Renault votes to keep him on board

The biggest news to rock Japan’s auto industry in years is still unfolding, but more information trickles in by the hour. Here are today’s developments. Continue reading

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Tokyo District Prosecutors sent Nissan Serena to Ghosn residence

Remember how the Tokyo District Prosecutors’ Office intercepted Carlos Ghosn’s private jet in a Toyota HiAce? According to JNC reader Richard Chen, they later sent a Nissan Serena to the Ghosn residence. That might just be even colder.

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NEWS: Video emerges of agents intercepting Ghosn’s private jet at airport, arriving in Toyota HiAce

Asahi Shimbun has obtained video of agents of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors’ office intercepting Carlos Ghosn’s private jet as it lands at Haneda Airport. The footage shows several besuited agents arriving on the scene and boarding the aircraft. Once they enter, presumably to bring Ghosn in, the privacy shades on the jet’s windows all lower at once. Continue reading

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NEWS: Carlos Ghosn arrested, to be fired from Nissan for alleged financial crimes [UPDATED]

Former Nissan CEO and current chairman of Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan Carlos Ghosn is facing arrest charges in Japan, according to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper. Details are sparse at the moment, but it is being reported that his is suspected of under-reporting his salary. Continue reading

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QotW: Which JNCs would live in your ideal two-car garage?

Having a huge warehouse of JNCs would be a dream, we can all agree. More realistically, though, our garages are restricted to just a couple of parking spaces if we’re lucky. If you were limited to just these spaces, and the cars had to be functional for your life, family usage, and so on (I would not recommend just tossing in two 2000GTs and calling it a day), how would you choose? Get creative, and find those JNCs that would make your motoring needs complete.

Which JNCs would live in your ideal 2-car garage?

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 best video game car?Continue reading

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KIDNEY, ANYONE? Team Taisan R32 Skyline GT-R, a Drift King’s dream come true

One of the most iconic R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R race cars is going up for auction this Saturday. The Team Taisan GT-R competed in the Japan Touring Car Championships during the era of the R32’s utter dominance of the series, helping the chassis rack up an undefeated 29 victories. However, despite the car winning just one race out of 29, in my opinion, aside from the Calsonic GT-R, this has to be one of the most collectible R32s, bar none. Continue reading

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