QotW: What JNC belongs in a museum?

Posted on May 28, 2018 by Brandon Kelley

Looking over the new Petersen Automotive Museum exhibition: Monozukuri, the Creative Spirit in Japanese Automaking and Fine Tuning from last Friday’s post has me excited to see all the rare J-tin on display for all (go see it in person!). There are models I’ve never even seen in Japan! Seeing the JNC heavyweights like the 2000GT, Skylines and Cosmo are a no-brainer, but I want to know what you think should get the museum treatment for styling, performance or cultural significance.

What JNC belongs in a museum?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What made you start collecting Hot Wheels?” Continue reading →

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GALLERIES: The Petersen Automotive Museum opens an unprecedented exhibit honoring Japanese cars

Posted on May 25, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Perhaps it is only fitting that the Petersen Automotive Museum is now located in what was once the only Seibu department store in the US. Where rows of Japanese home goods resided in 1962, today in 2018 stands this hemisphere’s most comprehensive museum exhibit celebrating the cars and car culture of Japan.  Continue reading →

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MINICARS: Can you help us identify these Japanese race car toys?

Posted on May 24, 2018 by Ben Hsu

I recently rediscovered these toys of two historic Japanese endurance racing prototypes. They are completely plastic, have no branding underneath, but are extremely well-made examples. Can you help us identify where they came from?  Continue reading →

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KIDNEY, ANYONE? S40 Toyota Crown BOGO

Posted on May 24, 2018 by Ryan Senensky

There’s a incredibly rare S40 Toyota Crown being auctioned on Bring A Trailer right now. It’s located in New Hampshire and has no reserve. Specifically, it’s a 1966 Toyota Crown Deluxe with a 3R engine and a three-on-the-tree manual transmission. And, if you act now, they’ll throw in another one for free.  Continue reading →

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JNC THEATER: A Datsun 510 episode of Wheeler Dealers

Posted on May 23, 2018 by Ricky Silverio

It’s been a while since we mentioned Wheeler Dealers (is the show any good since Edd China left?) but tonight’s feature car is something that piqued our interest. It’s a Datsun 510, that seemingly had hopes of being a BRE tribute car at one point.  Continue reading →

Posted in JNC Theater | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

NEWS: New license plates reflect 41 regions of Japan

Posted on May 23, 2018 by Ben Hsu

For nearly 70 years, the simple green-on-white number plate has been the default vehicle registration identifier for passenger cars throughout Japan. That’s all about to change, because on May 22 the Japanese government unveiled 41 new license plate designs, each one reflecting a different region of the country.  Continue reading →

Posted in News | Tagged | 12 Comments

VIDEO: How to pronounce Japanese carmaker names properly

Posted on May 22, 2018 by Ben Hsu

A couple of years ago we were at a dinner with several journalists and a Mazda executive. At the other end of the table, a debate broke out about whether the proper pronunciation of the Hiroshima carmaker was the standard issue “MAHZ-dah” or the Australian-accented “MAAZZ-dah.” Finally, the exec schooled everyone with the real pronunciation, “MA-tsu-da.” You can often make friends in Japan by speaking the universal language of cars, but in order to get more than a blanks stare back it’s helpful to say the words correctly. Luckily, YouTuber CZero has helpfully put together a video for this exact purpose. Continue reading →

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EVENTS: Get a discount code to The Petersen Automotive Museum’s unprecedented Japanese car exhibit

Posted on May 22, 2018 by Dan Hsu

This week the Petersen Automotive Museum is opening three unprecedented exhibits featuring classic Japanese cars. Although the Petersen has exhibited classic J-tin in the past, this is the first time nostalgics have taken such a prominent position in the museum’s exhibit space. The exhibits will showcase many cars never displayed in the States before, many shipped from the automakers’ collections in Japan. The Petersen is offering JNC readers a special discount code to the grand opening on May 24, so see descriptions and get the code below. Continue reading →

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Happy 521 Day from JNC

Posted on May 21, 2018 by Ben Hsu

You can’t not love an honest truck. They basically tie dogs for status of man’s best friend. The Datsun 520 and 521 were the first of the modern compact pickups by Nissan, and kicked off decades of the breed. Obligatory: Wish they still made trucks like these. Today, on May 21, we honor these workhorses. Happy 521 Day from JNC!

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QotW: What made you start collecting Hot Wheels?

Posted on May 21, 2018 by Brandon Kelley

After hearing of Hot Wheels’ 50th anniversary and Jun Imai’s departure from Mattel, I began thinking back to when I started collecting Hot Wheels. It was the “Toyota AE-86 Corolla” that set my heart afire. To see the beloved Hachiroku next to the Camaros and Mustangs was indeed a treat, especially since I had searched seven stores to find it. But at least I was able to. Today, Japanese Hot Wheels are the hottest things on the pegs and impossible to find. I have many Hot Wheels now, many JNCs mixed in with the fun fantasy models.

Jun’s designs not only kickstarted a new hobby of minicar collecting, but also helped create a stress-free oasis in the form of my office desk collection. I may not be able to go for a daily touge drive, but looking at all the JNC Hot Wheels on my desk transports me to winding roads with my arm perched out the window.

What made you start collecting Hot Wheels?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What JNC would your mom actually enjoy driving in?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged , , , | 39 Comments

MINICARS: the Jun Imai Era comes to a close at Hot Wheels

Posted on May 18, 2018 by Ben Hsu

There is just one more bit of Hot Wheels news left for today, and it’s a sad one. Our friend and star designer Jun Imai has left Mattel for new opportunities. We had known it was happening for a couple weeks, but didn’t want to say anything before he had announced it publicly. Needless to say, with this knowledge in the backs of our minds writing the article about Hot Wheels’ 50th anniversary, especially the part about the Jun Imai Era and how much it had impacted the brand was bittersweet.  Continue reading →

Posted in minicars | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

Happy 50th Birthday to Hot Wheels from JNC

Posted on May 18, 2018 by Ricky Silverio

Today we mark 50 years of Hot Wheels, the brand that changed toy cars forever and stoked the flames of automotive passion in millions. Since 1968 was the debut year for Hot Wheels and the US-market Datsun 510, we wanted to commemorate one of Jun Imai’s best castings.

A “what-if” rendering shows what could have been had the Datsun 510 emerged from the Redline Era. The spectraflame green paint and stripes pay homage to the first Japanese casting of the Hot Wheels line, Larry Wood’s Z-Whiz. With five decades memories made, it’s a nod to Hot Wheels’ heritage and the exciting direction of future car culture.

Posted in Holidays | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

50 YEAR CLUB: Hot Wheels celebrates half a century of toy cars

Posted on May 18, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Fifty years ago today, the world was introduced to what just might be the most influential cars ever made. The automotive world was forever changed on May 18, 1968 when Mattel introduced the Hot Wheels brand of toy cars to the world. For half a century, billions of diecast miniatures have entertained children and adults alike. Though the cars have evolved over the decades, one thing has remained consistent — they are responsible for spawning more car enthusiasts than any other toy. Continue reading →

Posted in 50 Year Club, Hot Wheels, minicars | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

VIDEO: Classic car commercials in Australia would be unthinkable in the US

Posted on May 17, 2018 by Ben Hsu

When Ricky told me to check out the Shannons video about the Isuzu Car Club of Australia gathering, I did. But the thing that absolutely blew my mind wasn’t even an Isuzu. It was this classic car insurance ad, which featured an MS65 Toyota Crown and an R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R. Yes, these are what qualifies as classics in upside-down under.  Continue reading →

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VIDEO: The world’s biggest classic Isuzu meet isn’t in Japan

Posted on May 17, 2018 by Ricky Silverio

It is noted somewhere in this video that the Isuzu Car Club of Australia is one of the country’s smallest car clubs, but also one of the oldest. This year it celebrates its 50th anniversary and, despite its size, dwarfs even the wildest hopes of Isuzu owners in the US for a gathering half this size.  Continue reading →

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MINICARS: Mighty Mo A60 Toyota Celica XX Police Car

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Speaking of Supras, I recently discovered this old toy while at my mother’s house. I couldn’t remember how I got it or what company made it, but it is an old Toyota Celica XX police car and it’s awesome.  Continue reading →

Posted in minicars | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

VIDEO: Jay Leno drives a JZA80 Toyota Supra

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Jay Leno has plopped his denim self behind the wheel of a JZA80 Supra. It was bound to happen, we suppose — the car an icon and Leno is probably the most recognizable car collector in the US. However, in this case the show is less about the car and more about who drove it in its most famous movie appearance.  Continue reading →

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VINTAGE RACING JOURNAL: The Mitty, Part 03 — Race Day

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Glenn Chiou

“Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting.” Steve McQueen could not have summed it up any better. All the stresses of a day job, outstanding bills, hardships of life, are easily remedied by the smell of race fuel, symphony of exhaust notes, and haze of burning rubber. Heading to the track for race day is among the most exciting emotions a car nut like me can experience.  Continue reading →

Posted in Vintage Racing Journal | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

SHOWA SNAP: A bullet train glides through Yurakucho crossing

Posted on May 14, 2018 by Dave Yuan

Here is a random photo of the famed Yurakucho Crossing, one of Tokyo’s most famous intersections. It is considered a prime viewing spot for the Shinkansen, or bullet trains, as they pull out of Tokyo Station southbound heading towards Nagoya, Osaka, and points beyond. Judging from the cars in the photo — S40 Toyota Crowns, a Toyoace, and Daihatsu Midget — it was taken in the mid-1960s, probably not long after the Shinkansen began service in 1964. The round Toshiba building in the right foreground is no longer there, but the Shinkansen still uses those tracks.

Posted in Showa Snap | Tagged , | 11 Comments

QotW: What JNC would your mom actually enjoy driving in?

Posted on May 14, 2018 by Brandon Kelley

Last year, we asked what your mom thought of your own JNC and received both fanfare and eye rolls. Maybe dear ol’ mom isn’t big on worn seats and 30-plus-year-old bushings. The smell of fuel in the interior might be a bit off-putting, too. So, we ask:

What JNC would your mom actually enjoy driving in?

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 greatest tale of JNC acquisition?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week, Uncategorized | Tagged | 17 Comments