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
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
Posted in events, Uncategorized
Tagged eclipse, honda, isuzu, LA Auto Show, mitsubishi, Passport, talon
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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.
Posted in Showa Snap
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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
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
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
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.
Posted in Uncategorized
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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
Posted in News
Tagged Carlos Ghosn, century, Century Royal, lexus, Lexus LS, nissan, Prince Royal, Rolls Royce, toyota
7 Comments
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
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
Tokyo District Prosecutors sent Nissan Serena to Ghosn residence
ゴーンを護送する東京地検の車両、日産車っぽい
最後は自社の車で護送されるとか pic.twitter.com/pUyASKC0qr
— 紅の事務屋 (@HKT3012) November 19, 2018
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.
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
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
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
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
Posted in for sale
Tagged 24 Hours of Le Mans, Dodge Viper, ferrari, honda, JGTC, jtcc, keiichi tsuchiya, kidney anyone, kunimitsu takahashi, nissan, nsx, porsche, r32, skyline, suzuka circuit, Taisan
5 Comments
NEWS: Honda’s latest kei truck marks the 55th anniversary of its first 4-wheeled vehicle
Fifty-five years ago, Honda entered uncharted waters when it released its first four-wheeled vehicle. The T360 truck launched what was then primarily a motorcycle company into the realm of cars. To commemorate this watershed moment, Honda has released a two Acty kei trucks in Japan. Continue reading
NEWS: 2018 Japan Automotive Hall of Fame inductees include 1966 Toyota Corolla, Honda CB 750
The Japan Automotive Hall of Fame has announced its 2018 inductees. Three vehicles and three significant figures in Japanese motoring history will now be forever honored for their part in the country’s auto industry. Here’s what (and who) they are. Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged CB 750, corolla, e10, hino, honda, ke10, Kishichiro Okura, motorcycles, Ryoichi Nakagawa, subaru, toyota, Yoshio Akiyama
8 Comments
Kidney, Anyone?: 1973 Toyota Corona Mark II Ute
Usually we don’t feature JDM cars on our Kidney, Anyone? series because that’s a rabbit hole that could easily overwhelm the site. When we do, it has to be a very special car, something worthy of all the kidneys in the world. That being said, today’s Kidney Car is a RHD rarity that is entirely deserving of the title, a 1973 Toyota Corona Mark II Pickup. Continue reading
JNC Library: The Trajectory of Super Cub
The Honda Super Cub reached the sales milestone of 100 million units last year and turns 60 this year. To commemorate the occasion, a new book has been issued. The Trajectory of Super Cub, by Kenichi Kobayashi, is said to be the definitive book about the venerable bike.
The book begins before the Super Cub itself, in 1952 with the development of the Cub F, the Super Cub’s predecessor. It follows Honda’s quest to build the “lightest bike in the world — smart, easy to use, and fuel-efficient.” It covers important moments in y model’s history, includes color catalog photos, and also a chronology of model changes.
The original volume of this book was published in 2012, but this version updates the story with newly unearthed information and the happenings in the years since. Though written in Japanese, the images should still prove useful for non-Japanese readers. The retail price is ¥3,034.
Posted in JNC Library
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QotW: What’s the best video game car?
Video games create a wondrous make-believe land full of cars we’ll never actually touch in real life. But even in these virtual worlds, some cars stand head and shoulders above their digital counterparts. Some utterly dominate the environment for which they were created. Others are rendered in stunning detail. And some inspire us to seek out and own their real-life versions.
What’s the best video game car?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What leisure activity do you do with your JNC?” Continue reading
