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
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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
MINICARS: New Jada castings include Miata, RX3, 2000GT, EK Civic
At SEMA, Jada Toys unveiled several new castings of Japanese classics. As part of the JDM Tuners line of 1:24, 1:32, and 1:64 scale cars, the releases include several favorites in the pantheon of JNCs. Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 1968 Honda S800 Racing
Honda’s most famous early international motorsports exploits center around its Grand Prix victories in the 1960s. However, Honda also campaigned its S-series roadster in Europe, earning it a devoted following in certain countries on the Old Continent, particularly France and Belgium. In 1968, Honda France actually offered a competition version of the S800. Only two were built, and one is currently on the market. Continue reading
MINICARS: M2 SEMA exclusive, Mooneyes X JNC Japanese cars
Every year at SEMA, our friends at M2 reveal some of their upcoming cars. We are very excited to confirm that we will be sharing some real estate on diecast Nihon metal with Mooneyes, in one of the very rare occasions that they have permitted their livery to be used on Japanese cars. Continue reading
SEMA 2018: A mega-gallery of SEMA J-tin
It can be hard separating the wheat from the chaff at SEMA. There is so much going on that the pressure to build ever-wilder cars in order to stand out can result in some technically impressive but aesthetically questionable choices. This year, however, were were able to find some interesting bits of J-tin scattered throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center, and even a few JDM gems. Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged 240sx, 240z, acura, bre, c10, civic, civic wagon, crown, cusco, daruma, datsun, dc2, fc3s, fd3s, fj40, gt-r, Hakosuka, hks, honda, integra, Kei Miura, land cruiser, mazda, Miata NA, Miata ND, Monkey 125, mx-5, nissan, Nob Tanaguchi, nsx, r32, r35, RA300, Rocket Bunny, rx-7, s13, s30 z, sema, skyline, subaru, super cub, toyota, TS050, WRX STI
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SEMA 2018: Demand for resto-modded Land Cruisers continues to grow
SEMA has a reputation for being a circus of cars modified to the brink of absurdity and then some. But among American cars, especially the muscle favorites of the 1960s and 70s, money-no-object yet tasteful resto-mods abound. Among J-tin, there is no model that reflects this aesthetic better than the Toyota Land Cruiser. Continue reading
QotW: What leisure activity do you do with your JNC?
When you brought your JNC home for the first time, it may have been because you had a love for its design, unique features, or capabilities. Over time, your JNC had to take on the routine duties of daily life. Sure, it can get you to school or work and back. Or, you might buff it every weekend with a diaper. But we’re curious about how do you utilize your JNC for fun? Does it pack around your set of hockey gear, or act as a quick mode of transportation to zip down to the tennis court? We want to know how your JNC fits into your leisure lifestyle.
What leisure activity do you do with your JNC?
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 scariest looking JNC?” Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
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SEMA 2018: Toyota brings it with Supras, Trucks, and RWD Corollas
We’ve poked fun at Toyota’s SEMA presence before, like when they brought a buncha Camrys to the world’s biggest tuner show. This year, however, they brought the ruckus, with a slew of Supras, a team of Tacomas, and a rear-wheel-drive Corolla. This is how SEMA should be done, by connecting with enthusiasts (i.e., your brand ambassadors) and not trying to foist an otherwise plebeian car dipped in kandy paint onto your fans. Continue reading
SEMA 2018: The Zs of SEMA, offered without comment
Ever since Sung Kang’s “Fugu Z” won Best of Show, Datsuns have been increasingly prevalent at SEMA, the biggest aftermarket trade show in the world. In fact, the number of classic Zs handily outnumber new ones, and Nissan even brought one of their own. Of course, that means that now, a few years on, everything must be taken to the logical extreme. Some we liked, some we didn’t. Others raise the question, at what point does a Z cease to be a Z? Here is a gallery of every Z we saw at SEMA this year. Continue reading
SEMA 2018: The winner of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour will be made into a toy car
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Hot Wheels went on a 15-city tour of the USA this year, in search of one car they would make into an actual toy car. At each stop, the gang from Mattel held a car show and selected one finalist. All the finalists were brought to Las Vegas this week for the SEMA show, where one lucky winner was announced. Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged 240z, b120, datsun, escudo, Geo Tracker, Hakotora, hot wheels, nissan, s30 z, sema, sunny truck, suzuki
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SEMA 2018: All five generations of Toyota Supra
As you might have heard, Toyota is coming out with a new Supra. It makes sense that they would use the aftermarket extravaganza that is SEMA to build some excitement for the model’s long-awaited return. What we didn’t expect was a lineup of every generation of Supra in its purest and most proper color. Continue reading
Who hates JNCs?
Our site was down for several hours this morning, the result of a DDOS (distributed denial of service) attack as we were on our way to SEMA. Coverage from the show will be posting later today. We will we be back to your regularly scheduled programming shortly. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Posted in Uncategorized
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NEWS: Nissan reveals 370Z Clubsport 23 ahead of SEMA 2018
Nissan has revealed a new enthusiast-oriented Z variant ahead of the 2018 SEMA show. With the 400-horsepower 370Z Project Clubsport 23, Nissan is considering offering an official tuning package for the Z. The company intends to use this year’s SEMA to gauge interest in the “builder’s kit” to be offered at Nissan dealers, one that includes modern performance and retro styling modifications to goose some excitement out of the aging Z platform. Continue reading
QotW: What’s the scariest looking JNC?
All Hallows’ Eve is upon us, and ghosts and ghouls are stirring from their slumbers to creep into our dreams. Ancient carriages from the East don many visages, but some are truly menacing. Which chilling masque makes your heart race upon an encounter on a dark night, or perhaps lost in an abandoned warehouse?
What’s the scariest looking JNC?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What JNC do you spot the most on the road today?” Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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NEWS: Canadian politician to ban “RHD Asian vehicles”?
A politician in Canada appears to be working on behalf of a dealer’s association to ban “imported RHD Asian vehicles.” United Conservative Party leader Jason Kenney has received a large campaign contribution from the Motor Dealers’ Association of Alberta, in exchange for commitments regarding a host of issues, of which the car ban is just one. Also, these contributions might violate Canada’s election laws. Continue reading
SHOWA SNAP: Kujira Crown taxis await you at Ginza Tokyu Hotel
Described as “a quiet oasis in the throbbing heart of the world’s biggest and busiest city,” the Ginza Tokyu Hotel was opened in 1960. It was the first hotel of Tokyu Hotels, one of Japan’s most prominent chains that still operates today. The Ginza Tokyu was advertised as being fully air conditioned and with color TVs in every room. It was, of course, located near the high-end Ginza shopping district. As such, there is a line of kujira Toyota Crown taxis — in Nihon Kotsu and Checker livery, both of which still exist today — waiting to whisk their fares through the city in this early 1970s postcard. The hotel closed in 2001, and was taken over by Kyodo News.
