In 1973, several Coronas lined what could have been a Tokyo dealership. With limited real-estate, urban Japanese dealers often have just a few cars on hand to test drive, but not a massive lot full of inventory. Here, a row of four-banger sedans and coupes capped off by a grand Mark II hardtop shows off the entire Corona line. Perhaps the passer-by in the Cedric sedan was convinced to make a U-turn.
Image: eBay
Every once in a while, we like to hear from our readers about their success stories on finding those much-needed. seemingly impossible-to-find parts. They could be the fruits of a junkyard scour, your reward from a secret eBay snipe, or a gift from an uncle’s neighbor who happened to own an old rally team with some unused Group B custom body panels. Whatever the tale, we want to know:
What was your most memorable parts hunt?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What car should Nissan make next?” Continue reading
Sometimes it’s really hard to figure out what to get your beloved for an anniversary, especially a milestone one like the 30th. Thankfully, Subaru’s in-house motorsports division has come to the rescue with a suggestion — a teddy bear and curry combo. Continue reading
The 2018 NISMO Festival took place at Fuji Speedway last weekend, and in case you missed it, don’t despair. Nissan has helpfully provided nearly eight hours of footage from the event. There’s everything from a Touring Sedan races involving Nissan Sunnys to laps with historic cars, including a banged up 240Z rally car in all its original battle scars. Continue reading
Polyphony Digital has announced the December update to Gran Turismo Sport. It includes a bunch of classics, like the Bandit Trans-Am and split-window 1963 Corvette, but JNCers are probably most concerned with Sung Kang’s Fugu Z. Actually, though, there’s an even greater addition, and it’s not even a car. Continue reading
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
