Tokyo Auto Salon: The awesome stuff we didn’t get to

Posted on March 23, 2018 by Ricky Silverio

In the past, the Tokyo Auto Salon has been pretty easy for us to cover. The show is still geared towards cars on the cutting edge of performance tech and style, so true chrome-bumpered classics were fairly thin on the ground. However, as time marches on more and more cars from the golden age of tuning fall within the 25 year threshold, the scope of what JNC covers has grown as well.

There were a lot of highlights at the Tokyo Auto Salon, but there was even more stuff we didn’t have time to feature. Rather than let those images go to waste, we are throwing them all into this catch-all for you to peruse.  Continue reading →

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NEWS: JDM Legends TV show premieres April 17

Posted on March 22, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Well here’s some very exciting news. JDM Legends is a new show that will debut on Velocity Channel on April 17. As the name implies, it follows the Salt Lake City-based shop of the same name. Finally, a TV show, in America, about the cars we know and love.  Continue reading →

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PRODUCT GUIDE: Dixcel brakes for classic Japanese cars

Posted on March 22, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Established in 2003, Osaka’s Dixcel Brakes is a relative newcomer to the tuning scene but quickly established themselves in SuperGT and other Asian racing series. However, with their new line of kyusha-oriented brake components they’re targeting owners who want stronger stopping power without changing the look of their nostalgic cars.  Continue reading →

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VIDEO: The FJ Company is the Singer Porsche of Land Cruisers

Posted on March 21, 2018 by Ben Hsu

We first came across The FJ Company’s work at SEMA 2016 and were impressed by their workmanship. The company’s latest promotional video gives a peek inside their shop, showing how much effort goes into building one of their FJ40s.  Continue reading →

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NEWS: No Nissan-Mercedes collab on new Z, new claims of 2019 production debut

Posted on March 21, 2018 by Ben Hsu

The rumor last week that Nissan — looking on forlornly as rival Toyota joined hands with BMW on the new Supra — would turn to Mercedes to co-develop the next Z has sparked another round of gossip. This time, the Mercedes partnership is debunked, while other theories take flight. Continue reading →

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NEWS: Here’s Japan’s most delicious service area food

Posted on March 20, 2018 by Ben Hsu

The food at Japan’s service areas is so good that NEXCO East, the expressway management company for eastern Japan, holds a contest to determine which one has the most tasty lunch. The Grand Prix winner this year was just announced, and it is — drum roll, please — Tomobe Service Area in Ibaraki Prefecture.  Continue reading →

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Happy first day of spring from JNC

Posted on March 20, 2018 by Ben Hsu

This is a friendly reminder from JNC that it’s the first day of spring. That means it’s time for the cherry blossoms to come out, and for your car that’s been in hibernation all winter to come out as well. Take to the roads again, and happy first day of Spring from JNC!

Posted in Holidays | 6 Comments

VIDEO: Mazda Canada celebrates 50 years

Posted on March 19, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Fifty years ago, Mazda Canada started when a Familia Rotary Coupe, known on this side of the Pacific as an R100, went on sale. To celebrate half a century of sales, Mazda Canada released a flashback video covering significant milestones and models.  Continue reading →

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QotW: What about your current JNC made you to buy it?

Posted on March 19, 2018 by Brandon Kelley

Sometimes, when we see a car, it’s love at first sight. An example of this is the primal reaction to motor show unveils (as in last week’s QotW). A car can have that special “something” that shoots straight to your heart, and puts blinders over your eyes to any mechanical annoyances or glaring faults.

For me, retractable headlamps has been a repeat offense. 80 percent of all vehicles I’ve owned have had pop-ups. They are impractical, can be costly to fix, and can leave you looking foolish if they go haywire — but they are so cool looking! I’ve bought cars hook, line and sinker for this very feature, despite the presence of rust, engine gremlins and transmission issues.

What about your current JNC made you to buy it?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “How excited are you about the new Supra?”  Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 21 Comments

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from JNC

Posted on March 17, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Do you have the luck o’ the Irish when hunting for Hot Wheels? Maybe some green in the form of a Japan Historics 2 Nissan Laurel will bring you good fortune. Happy St. Patrick’s Day from JNC!

Posted in Holidays | 2 Comments

KIDNEY, ANYONE? Unmolested 1987 Toyota Corolla AE86 Coupe

Posted on March 16, 2018 by Ben Hsu

A bone stock 1987 Toyota Corolla GT-S Coupe has surfaced auction on eBay in southern California. The AE86 chassis, famed for its drifting prowess and starring role in Initial D, has risen to legend status, especially as unmolested examples dwindle. That’s why even with nearly 200,000 miles on the odo, someone is asking nearly $20,000 for a 30-year-old Corolla.  Continue reading →

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PRODUCT GUIDE: The IRC MB52 “footprint” tire has our new favorite tread pattern

Posted on March 16, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Japan has an incredible penchant for making vehicle modification fun, something that is missing from a lot of car cultures. While going through Ricky’s excellent article about the odds and ends of the NYM, I came across the funkiest tire I’ve ever seen on a light green Honda minibike. I had to know more.  Continue reading →

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VIDEO: You can’t not love the Subaru Sambar

Posted on March 15, 2018 by Ryan Senensky

Scott Coletti is a lifetime Subaru fanatic, and his 360 Sambar is among the best kept examples stateside. I can only think of a handful that are anywhere near to being on par. He’s honest about the van — it’s slow, hot and loud, but what do you expect from a 2-stroke air-cooled engine? However, Scott maintains that “there’s a lot of driving in driving this car.” because you have to pay attention, and even at 45 mph velocities it “has the feeling of going 100 miles per hour.”  Continue reading →

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EVENTS: 2018 New Year Meeting, Part 05 — Odds and Ends

Posted on March 15, 2018 by Ricky Silverio

One of the best parts about the largest classic car show in Tokyo is the random stuff you find for sale. We’ve covered the cars and trucks, so let’s take a look at the miscellany to be discovered in various corners of the event. Whether it’s parts, lit, or collectibles, there is no shortage of stuff to feed the otaku-minded.  Continue reading →

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ART CORNER: Japanese artist recreates Initial D touge scenes with amazing model cars

Posted on March 14, 2018 by Ben Hsu

It’s an iconic scene from the pages of Initial D — Takumi Fujiwara’s AE86 touge-battling Keisuke Takahashi’s FD RX-7, drifting through a hairpin. A Japanese artist known as Shinga on Twitter has recreated the moment, but as much as the finished product looks like pen and ink, it’s composed amazingly painted of 1:24-scale model kits.  Continue reading →

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NEWS: Next-gen Nissan Fairlady Z rumored to be co-developed with Mercedes-Benz

Posted on March 14, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Should we be worried? The Axis Powers seem to be getting a bit uncomfortably close with their technology sharing. The latest rumor is that Nissan is preparing a seventh-generation Fairlady Z, one that is being co-developed with Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz.  Continue reading →

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VIDEO: GrassRoots Garage comes to California for Datsun Heaven

Posted on March 13, 2018 by Ricky Silverio

The online space for car videos is pretty crowded, but a favorite among the JNC staff right now is Australia’s Grassroots Garage. The editing is straightforward , their videos aren’t crammed with fancy drone tracking shots, and the host has a great accent. But it’s honest and, well, grassroots. They recently came to America and shot a whole lot of footage for a series called Datsun Heaven. Continue reading →

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MOTORSPORT: Australia’s Improved Production Racing is absolutely riveting

Posted on March 12, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Even to car guys, a lot of modern racing is boring because there simply isn’t a lot of differentiation in the actual cars. Sanctioning bodies have made the rules so strict that in many cases the cars are basically identical. That’s why the Improved Production class in Australia is so fascinating.  Continue reading →

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QotW: How excited are you about the new Supra?

Posted on March 12, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Few model names evoke as much zeal as “Supra.” Last week, Toyota finally made it clear that it will revive the name for a new sports car that it unveiled in racing guise at the Geneva Motor Show. It even wore number 90 on the doors, a nod to the A90 chassis code that would succeed the fourth-generation JZA80. That car, its predecessor, achieved mythical status among enthusiasts, one that is almost impossible to live up to.

How excited are you about the new Supra?

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

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged , | 19 Comments

Happy 311 Day from JNC

Posted on March 11, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Before the famous BRE Datsun 510s and 240Zs, there was the Datsun Roadster. This is the actual, restored car driven by Frank Monise. As the story goes, when asked why he hired Monise, Peter Brock said, “Because he kept beating me.” Happy 311 Day!

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