JNC THEATER: A review of Velocity’s JDM Legends

Posted on April 25, 2018 by Ryan Senensky

The premiere of JDM Legends on Velocity Channel premiere is old news by this point, but as a watcher of many automotive-themed TV shows I wanted to sit down and actually think about how I feel about the program. As the first TV series centering around classic Japanese cars, it is a watershed moment for our community. Other programs have included bits about Japanese cars and classic car YouTube channels review them, but often it’s in a condescending tone. Statements like, “The 2000GT is really good, it’s like a Japanese E-Type,” get thrown around, as if Japanese cars needed the comparison. Continue reading →

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KIDNEY, ANYONE? 12k-mile EM1 Honda Civic Si sells for $24,000

Posted on April 24, 2018 by Ben Hsu

It was only a few weeks ago that a near-new EM1 Honda Civic Si sold for $22,750. As far as we know, that was a record price for the much lauded 1999-2000 Civic Si, but in less than a month it has already been broken.  Continue reading →

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NEWS: Mitsubishi may bring back the Lancer as a crossover

Posted on April 24, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Rumor on the street has it that Mitsubishi is bringing back the Lancer, a name used on its compact sedan for over 40 years, as a crossover. The idea is perhaps not as egregious as the Eclipse Cross, as the Lancer did famously have some dirt throwing AWD versions, but still.  Continue reading →

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VINTAGE RACING JOURNAL: Road to The Mitty, Part 01

Posted on April 23, 2018 by Glenn Chiou

Editor’s note: Vintage Racing Journal is a new segment on JNC following the exploits of Glenn Chiou, owner, restorer, and vintage racer of two historic Datsun race cars. Glenn is based in California and actively participates in vintage motorsports, and his series will document what it’s like to own, drive, and campaign a Japanese nostalgic race car. 

For over 30 years, the Mitty has been vintage racing’s diamond event of the South. Road Atlanta offers the ideal racing venue with its perfect formula of long straights and challenging bends. Before the Sports Car Club of America started rotating track venues for their championship finale, the SCCA Runoffs, Road Atlanta was the track that crowned SCCA National Champions for 23 years.  Continue reading →

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QotW: What’s your argument for keeping a JNC in a relationship?

Posted on April 23, 2018 by Brandon Kelley

JNCs have some tough love when only half of a couple is enjoying it. Sometimes a relationship between two people feels like three if you include a JNC that smells of oil and gasoline. It can get harder to justify that 2-door sedan with bucket seats and no aircon when you want to get away for the weekend, too. In that case, an ultimatum is cast: me or the car. Tell us, what’s your argument for keeping your JNC when your significant other is not feelin’ the love?

What’s your argument for keeping a JNC in a relationship?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What part on your JNC just refuses to stay fixed?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 22 Comments

KIDNEY, ANYONE? Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire winner

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Before the Lancer Evolution, Mitsubishi’s AWD turbo rally warrior was the Galant VR-4. Starting in 1988 and until the launch of the Lancer Evo, Mitsubishi campaigned the Galant VR-4 in World Rally Championship races across Europe, earning the triple-diamond marque an early reputation for ruggedness and advanced technology. Now, an example with actual racing provenance can be yours, as the winner of the 1990 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire Bandama goes up for auction.  Continue reading →

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MINICARS: Charge your phone with a Fairlady Z

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Ben Hsu

There are few phone accessories a boring as a portable charger battery, usually no more than a rectangular box with an LED light and a USB port. In Japan, however, you can now charge your phone with something a little more stylish — a Nissan Fairlady Z.  Continue reading →

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VIDEO: A cartoon history of the Suzuki Alto and motorcycle business

Posted on April 19, 2018 by Ben Hsu

After a brief hiatus, Suzuki is back with two new cartoon videos explaining how the company got where it is today. The first outlines the genesis of the Alto, a revered name in kei cars, and the second explains how a Hamamatsu loom company became one of the world’s top motorcycle companies. Both follow the odd minimalist animation style we’ve seen from other Suzuki history videos in the series. So, if you like your car history in a format suggesting a Saturday morning cartoon with Soviet propaganda-style overtones, these are the videos for you. Continue reading →

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This Kenmeri Skyline does not look o-kei

Posted on April 18, 2018 by Kevin San

Japan is a place where space to park for your car is at a premium. Compared to most driving populations, Japan is full of visible feats of Jedi parking, where cars are squeezed with millimetric precision into the smallest parking spaces. So people usually know how to park their cars. But, there are exceptions, as this Kenmeri found out to its cost. Continue reading →

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MOTORSPORT: Mitsubishi rally cars showcased at Megaweb

Posted on April 18, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Though owned by Toyota, the Megaweb showcase in Odaiba, Tokyo and the adjacent History Garage offer much more than Aichi steel. Since last year, there has been a rotating exhibit of famous rally cars, often on loan from other automakers. Currently, it is Mitsubishi’s turn, and Tokyoites can see three of its legendary dirt throwers in person.  Continue reading →

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OPEN THREAD: What did you think of JDM Legends episode 01?

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Ben Hsu

The premiere episode of JDM Legends is airing on Velocity Channel on the west coast right now and has aired in most of the country. What did you think? Leave your comments in the open thread below.

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VIDEO: Subaru releases dueling heritage spots

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Ben Hsu

This year is Subaru’s 60th anniversary as a carmaker, its 50th anniversary in the US, and also the 30th anniversary of STI, so it makes sense that the company is going HAM on the heritage spots. In a span of a few days, Subaru Japan has released two completely different videos celebrating their history, but one is a bit more entertaining than the other. Continue reading →

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Kidney, Anyone?: Hardtop convertible Suzuki Sidekick

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Ryan Senensky

The Suzuki Sidekick hails from the waning days of the SUV golden age, before they all devolved into the rolling unibody mayonnaise jars we call crossovers. As a more civilized version of the Samurai, it was a truck admired by both off-road enthusiasts and mini-truckers alike. To the four-wheeling enthusiast, it was a cheap, small-bodied 4×4 that could punch far above it’s weight on a trail, and mini-truckers admired it for its simple, crisp lines and top-down aesthetic.  Continue reading →

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JNC THEATER: Behind the scenes with JDM Legends on the eve of their Velocity Channel premiere

Posted on April 16, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Until now, the world of automotive-themed television shows has been pretty lackluster when it comes to Japanese cars. That’s all about to change with the Velocity Channel’s JDM Legends, titled after the Utah shop of the same name and premiering tomorrow, April 17. We interviewed shop co-founder Eric Bizek to get his insights on classic Japanese cars, what it takes to make a TV program, and what to expect on the show.  Continue reading →

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QotW: What part on your JNC just refuses to stay fixed?

Posted on April 16, 2018 by Brandon Kelley

We all love our cars, but sometimes they fight tooth and nail against being a good li’l JNC by refusing to stay fixed. Brakes just not wanting to seat correctly, electrical gremlins in the taillamp circuit, even trim that breaks if you looking at it the wrong way. No matter what you do, those issues just don’t stay away for very long. Tell us,

What part of your JNC just refuses to stay fixed?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Does the current state of a marque affect how you feel about its classics?”  Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 13 Comments

Original-bodied Mazda RX-2 wrecked on Netflix’s Fastest Car

Posted on April 13, 2018 by Matt De Mangos

As interest in Japanese cars grow, more and more automotive TV producers are trying to cash in. Top Gear did an episode in Japan, and Fast N’ Loud broke away from their muscle car staples to build a Datsun 280Z. Netflix’s Fastest Car, a show self-described as “Drivers of exotic supercars put their street cred on the line against deceptively fast sleeper cars built and modified by true gearheads,” is the latest, but the results would make any enthusiast cringe.  Continue reading →

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MINICARS: Datsun 240Z wins the Hot Wheels RedLine Club Selections bracket

Posted on April 13, 2018 by Ricky Silverio

Each year Hot Wheels allows collectors to choose one casting that will be made into a premium collectible. Eight cars are nominated, and then voted on by the Hot Wheel Collectors community in a March Madness-style bracket elimination. This year, the Datsun 240Z won the championship against a Shelby Cobra 427 S/C, making it the first Japanese car to do so.  Continue reading →

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VIDEO: Let’s see what’s running around behind the Honda Collection Hall

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Dan Hsu

Honda prides itself on being an engineering company, and one of the ways it demonstrates that is through its official museum. Unlike many historic collections, everything at the Honda Collection Hall at Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Tochigi Prefecture runs. To prove it, Honda has been releasing videos of vehicles driving on museum grounds.  Continue reading →

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MOTORSPORT: Historic racing Datsuns are headed to The Mitty

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Ricky Silverio

It is a landmark year for Nissan. Its classic models are growing in value, and its long history of racing achievements are finally being recognized. Not only is Nissan the first Japanese marque to be featured at the Rolex Motorsports Reunion during Monterey Car week this year, but will also be the featured marque at The Mitty in Atlanta, Georgia later this month. This ensures that Nissan owners on both coasts will have a chance to participate during this noteworthy year, but a select few are crazy enough to do both.  Continue reading →

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NEWS: Toyota launches bare-bones Land Cruiser

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Ben Hsu

As lovers of nostalgic cars, a common gripe is that modern machines have too many bells and whistles, too many electronic nannies that stand between you and the driving experience. As it turns out, Toyota has heard your sad cries and just released a vehicle that has plenty of heritage, no-frills, is purpose-built, has two doors, and comes in a six-speed manual. No, it’s not a new sports car; it’s the Land Cruiser Utility Commercial.  Continue reading →

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