QotW: What JNC would you import from Japan?

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Brandon Kelley

Nowadays, there are plenty of JNC offerings from importers. It also helps that you can stuff a few JNCs into a shipping container. But, most importers are focusing on a few models that bring in the biggest money. If you had a direct line to Japan, what JNC would you scoop up in a heartbeat?

What JNC would you import from Japan?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your favorite JNC body type?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 24 Comments

KEI HERO: The Suzuki Cappuccino is to the Miata what the Miata is to all other cars

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Ryan Senensky

Kei cars are an important and inescapable aspect of life in the Land of the Rising Sun. Some are important because they were a landmark of technology, and others because they were the first of their kind, and still others because they were integral to the growth of Japan’s economy. There is one, though, that’s important merely for being the purest: the Suzuki Cappuccino.  Continue reading →

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VIDEO: Toyota Supra and Nissan GT-R50 make their debuts at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

Posted on July 12, 2018 by Ben Hsu

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is happening in England right now, and there’s a couple of neo-nostalgics headed up the hill. Here’s the first running footage for the A90 Toyota Supra and the Nissan GT-R50.  Continue reading →

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PROJECT DUSTBUS: How I scored a “barn find” Toyota Van for a measly 50 dollars

Posted on July 12, 2018 by Patrick Strong

The notion of an automotive barn find usually conjures up visions of dodgy trips up muddy country paths and into decrepit shacks, followed by a black mold discovery in what’s left of your chosen vehicle’s upholstery and the eventual adoption of a litter of opossums in the trunk. It’s worth considering, though, that with heavy vehicle concentration in and around our major cities, there must be more barn find cars out there that are not parked in literal barns, but rather hiding in plain sight.

For example, here’s the one-owner, 51,000-mile 1989 Toyota Cargo Van I bought in LA for fifty dollars.  Continue reading →

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SHOWA SNAP: Meiji Jingu, 1967

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Ben Hsu

We’ve covered a few car shows at Meiji Jingu Park in Tokyo, but here is what it looked like as a normal, everyday street in 1967. Look at all the Showa Era cars (Toyota Crown, 411 Bluebird, Prince Gloria, Mazda Familia, etc.) and trucks (Toyoace, Prince Miler, Mitsubishi Minica, and so on). Notably, the commercial vehicles and taxis account for more than half the traffic, as it was still the dawn of private car ownership in Japan — which makes the li’l red Toyota Sports 800 in the corner even more special!

Image: 昭和スポット巡り

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NEWS: Honda is coming out with a retro motorcycle too

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Ben Hsu

With Kawasaki’s recent debut of a K1-inspired retro motorcycle, Honda is not about to neglect its own rich two-wheeled history. Internet sleuthing has turned up a Honda patent filing with Japan’s intellectual property administration that reveals what could be a revival of the legendary Honda CBX.  Continue reading →

Posted in Motorcycles | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Happy 710 Day from JNC

Posted on July 10, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Since this year’s July 10 is the day that the famed Odakyu 7000 Series Romancecar makes its last official run after 38 years of service, we thought it only fitting to celebrate 710 Day with the rail-themed 1974 Datsun 710 brochure. On the cover, Nissan referenced the Wabash Cannonball, a train with a murky history, a supernatural origin story, and a song written about it.  Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Japanese Nostalgic Train: The iconic Odakyu 7000 Series “Romancecar” makes its last voyage

Posted on July 10, 2018 by Dave Yuan

Imagine a classic Japanese vehicle, avant garde in its time, beloved by fans, and part of a record-setting and influential legacy. For fans of Japanese nostalgic train, that vehicle is the Odakyu 7000 Series LSE Romancecar. Since 1980, this Japanese railway icon has ferried people from Tokyo to Hakone in luxury and style, and today, sadly, is the final run of its long and distinguished 38-year service history. Continue reading →

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NEWS: The Nissan Titan Surfcamp concept was inspired by the Hot Wheels JNC Surf Patrol Datsun wagon

Posted on July 9, 2018 by Ben Hsu

To celebrate summer Nissan has created a show truck called the Titan Surfcamp, modded to the nines and described a “beach oasis.” Nissan says it was inspired by the beach trucks of the 1960s and 1970s, old Patrols, and — get this — the Hot Wheels JNC Surf Patrol Datsun 510 Wagon! Continue reading →

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QotW: What’s your favorite JNC body type?

Posted on July 9, 2018 by Brandon Kelley

Back in the day, Japanese automakers thought nothing of offering multiple body types of the same model. Buyers had their pick — 2-door sedans, 4-door sedans, coupes, hardtops, wagons, hatchbacks, utes, and even upscale long-nose alternative versions. Do you gravitate to a certain type of body? Always have a lust for wagons, or prefer a coupe? Or are you always on the hunt for a long bed JNC truck? We want to know:

What’s your favorite JNC body type?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What will futurte JNCs look like?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 9 Comments

EVENTS: All-Toyotafest 2018, Part 06 — Trucks & Vans

Posted on July 6, 2018 by Dan Hsu

We’ve arrived at the final dispatch from Toyotafest, and in this installment we look at the trucks, SUVs, and vans that graced the show. Everyone loves Celicas and Supras but these unsung heroes are an undeniable part of Toyota’s success (and perhaps just as diverse as their car lineup). Continue reading →

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MOTORSPORT: The Toyota Supra is now a NASCAR

Posted on July 6, 2018 by Ben Hsu

With the impending return of the Supra, it was only inevitable that Toyota would announce its official participation in some form of motorsport. Well, the first one is here, before the car has even launched. We just didn’t expect it to be NASCAR. SuperGT, D1GP, or Formula D? Sure, those would make sense, but oddly enough after looking into it the connection isn’t that bizarre. Continue reading →

Posted in motorsport | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

WILDLIFE: An unmolested Supra Turbo proves unicorns do exist

Posted on July 5, 2018 by Ben Hsu

On holidays, Los Angeles turns from a sprawling grid of congestion into a post-apocalyptic streetscape of empty boulevards. Drives that would take hours during rush hour take minutes as the city’s 6.4 million cars go into hibernation. Perhaps that explains why yesterday, on Independence Day, this 1997 Toyota Supra Turbo came out to play.  Continue reading →

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Happy Independence Day from JNC

Posted on July 4, 2018 by Ricky Silverio

Released in 2017, the US-flag Tomica Toyota 2000GT was part of a special edition Flags of the World series that decked out Japan’s O.G. supercar with — you guessed it — flags of the world. In fact, it is the second version of a stars-and-stripes laden 2000GT. The ongoing series is a collaboration with Apita Uny, a huge Japanese grocery and department store chain. Anyway, it’s not every day you see a 2000GT draped Old Glory. Have a safe and happy Independence Day from JNC.

Posted in Holidays, minicars | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

SHOWA SNAP: Ginza in the 1960s

Posted on July 3, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Ginza is not just one of the most expensive areas of Tokyo, but of the world. In the early 1960s the area wasn’t quite as developed yet, but look at the cars. Toyopet Crown taxis, privately owned Datsun 210s, what looks to be a Hino bus, and even a 1961 Chevy Impala sedan swarm the streets. You can almost smell the hydrocarbons!  Continue reading →

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NEWS: Kawasaki’s retro-styled Z900RS Cafe goes on sale

Posted on July 3, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Since its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show last year, the retro-styled the Kawasaki Z900RS has been well-received in its home market. The bike we called “the Kenmeri Skyline of motorcycles” for its place in Japanese motoring history just went on sale July 1 and comes to market with healthy aftermarket support. As a follow-up, Kawasaki quickly turned the nostalgia dial up to eleven with the Z900RS Cafe, to be released later this summer. If that wasn’t enough, Kawasaki then announced it’s coming to America. Now, the slate of of colors and graphics packages have been announced.  Continue reading →

Posted in Motorcycles | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

NEWS: Toyota launches GR Sport 86

Posted on July 2, 2018 by Ben Hsu

The first true sports car since Toyota’s launch of its Gazoo Racing performance sub-brand goes on sale in Japan today. The GR Sport 86 is based of the Toyota 86 (née Scion FR-S, aka Subaru BRZ) but features a series of mild upgrades. And before you ask, the answer is no, it does not come with any more power.  Continue reading →

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QotW: What will future JNCs look like?

Posted on July 2, 2018 by Brandon Kelley

Nameplates like Supra and GT-R have a special place the hearts of fans and motorsports enthusiasts, and many of their design elements have stood the test of time. But could they be hindering new designs for future JNCs? What would the next GT-R look like if it didn’t have to have round rear combination lamps, or if the Supra didn’t have to have an inline six? What would a model lineup look like if we cleaned the slate and rebuilt it on new ideas and interpretations of travel? It’s a question manufacturers struggle with all the time.

What will future JNCs look like?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “JNC Roulette – Red or Black exterior?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | 8 Comments

NEWS: Nissan celebrates 50 years of the GT-R with a 710-horsepower golden Godzilla

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the Nissan GT-R, one of the most sacred names in autodom. To celebrate the upcoming birthday, Nissan has teamed up with the design firm Italdesign, which also happens to be turning 50 this year, to create the Nissan GT-R50. The custom is described by the company as a “GT-R without limits.”  Continue reading →

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TRA Kyoto releases Rocket Bunny Pandem kit for FC RX-7

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Dan Hsu

Because we must now widebody all the things, TRA Kyoto has released a Rocket Bunny Pandem body kit for the FC3S Mazda RX-7. The company recently released a video rendering of the proposed kit on its Facebook page. While recent kits for rotary cars have been controversial, this one actually looks quite at home on the second-gen RX-7.  Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments