QotW: Does the current state of a marque affect how you feel about its classics?

Posted on April 8, 2018 by Ben Hsu

It’s not easy being a fan of Japanese cars these days. Most no longer offer a smorgasbord of performance cars like they did in their heydays. Some seem to have abandoned the enthusiast-worthy models that made them great altogether. It’s kind of hard to bleed, say, Mitsubishi red when the company is hell bent on making nothing but hybrid crossovers. Or, for example, does Mazda’s recent renaissance make you even prouder of your 1987 626?

Does the current state of a marque affect how you feel about its classics?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Do you have a special spot in your heart for JNC mini-trucks?”  Continue reading →

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Happy MA46 Day from JNC

Posted on April 6, 2018 by Ben Hsu

With all the recent scuttlebutt about Supras both new and newly classic, we didn’t want to let April 6 pass by without mention of the Supra that started it all, the MA46. There’s a couple things to note about this spread from the 1978 Japanese brochure. First, the Celica XX, as it was called there, looks great in red. Second, we don’t know what Toyota was implying with the pair of heels by the driver’s door, but we’re pretty sure it wasn’t wholesome. What could it mean? May your MA46 Day be as happy as the owner of this Supra’s.

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KIDNEY, ANYONE? “Absurd condition” 5k-mile FJ40 Land Cruiser will surpass $100,000

Posted on April 6, 2018 by Ben Hsu

The FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser is no stranger to high dollar bids, but a recently listed example might just set a new record. That’s because while we have seen immaculately restored examples break (barely) the $100,000 mark, this one is a bone stock, completely unrestored example with only 5,265 miles on the odometer.  Continue reading →

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KEI HERO: Mazda R360 Coupé

Posted on April 5, 2018 by Ryan Senensky

Of all the mainstream carmakers, Mazda puts the most stock into the driving experience and the sportiness of their vehicles. However, this is not just a recent occurrence. Mazda’s had drivers’ cars in their blood since their first post-war passenger car. Let’s take a minute to look at that car, the Mazda R360 Coupé. Continue reading →

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NEWS: Toyota and Subaru have begun work on the next-gen 86 and BRZ, and they’re putting a bigger engine in it

Posted on April 4, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Toyota and Subaru have reportedly begun development of the next-generation 86 and BRZ models. The lightweight FR twins are currently in their sixth model year, and have remained essentially unchanged since 2013. Addressing one of the most persistent critiques of the current model, the successor will likely receive a sizable performance boost thanks to a larger engine. Continue reading →

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VIDEO: Watch Nissan’s earliest electric car in motion

Posted on April 3, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Long-time readers of JNC will be familiar with the 1947 Tama E4S-47-1 electric car. It’s one of Japan’s earliest electric vehicles, and one we’ve written about many times. Until now, though, we’ve never seen it running.  Continue reading →

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MARKETWATCH: 5,700-mile Supra Turbo sells for $80,500, winner says Nakai body kit coming

Posted on April 2, 2018 by Ben Hsu

A near-new 1994 Toyota Supra twin-turbo sold for $80,500 over the weekend. Its rarity was in the fact that it had only 5,664 miles on the odometer, and was said never to have been modified. That could all change soon.  Continue reading →

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QotW: Do you have a special spot in your heart for JNC mini-trucks?

Posted on April 2, 2018 by Brandon Kelley

We tend to focus on golden year JNCs of nimble coupes, opulent sedans and obscure machines that could only dream of pegging 60 mph on a long stretch of road. But, another kind of JNC was always there, doing the dirty work of moving old couches and tables, braving all manner of bad weather where the only accessory was a Little Trees air freshener. The more I think about JNC mini-trucks, the more I appreciate them and want to get one. How do you feel about them? Any fun stories or desires for a lil’ JNC truck in your future?

Do you have a special spot in your heart for JNC mini-trucks?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What do you do with the double DIN hole?”  Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 28 Comments

MARKETWATCH: The Top 5 JNC auction surprises of 2018 so far

Posted on April 1, 2018 by Ryan Senensky

With classic Japanese cars hitting stratospheric levels, the trend seems to be picking up the stragglers of the JNC world. I personally have seen my 1986 Subaru GL-10 increase $3,000 in value over the time I’ve owned it, and it’s only a matter of time until the Japanese cars go the way of the Italians. We’ve picked our top five biggest surprises so far from the 2018 auction circuit. Are these cars one-off deals or the next wave in highly sought after collector cars? It seems that the blue chip JNCs are the rising tide lifting all boats.  Continue reading →

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50 YEAR CLUB: Toyota HiLux

Posted on March 30, 2018 by Ben Hsu

Fifty years ago Toyota introduced what would become the most enduring workhorse the world has ever seen. Though ambitious in name, the HiLux — a portmanteau of the words “high” and “luxury” — was anything but. Utilitarian and austere, it was built to serve the farmers and laborers of Japan, but it became something that not even Toyota could have predicted.  Continue reading →

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KIDNEY, ANYONE? EM1 Honda Civic Si sells for $22,750

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Ben Hsu

The 1999-2000 Honda Civic Si is not really a classic yet going strictly by age. Going by what this pristine example just sold for, however, it might be one of those cars that becomes a classic in its own time, fetching more than it cost new long before it reaches the 25-year threshold.  Continue reading →

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NEWS: Mazda completes restoration of a 1969 Luce Rotary Coupé

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Dave Yuan

Over three years ago, Mazda began restoring some of its landmark vehicles, starting with a 1967 Cosmo Sport. The Restore Program was geared in part towards passing down Mazda’s philosophy and spirit to the next generation of craftsmen and engineers, and in part towards celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Hiroshima company’s founding. Much progress has been made since we last reported on the Restore Program. Significantly, Mazda has now completed what is likely the most definitive restoration of the Luce Rotary Coupé in the world. Continue reading →

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MINICARS: Japan Post issues Toyota 2000GT stamp collection

Posted on March 27, 2018 by Ben Hsu
Toyota 2000GT Japan Post diecast
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Japan Post has released a stamp set in honor of the venerable Toyota 2000GT. Of course, since this is Japan it’s not just a sheet of postage stamps. The commemorative set comes with a 1:64-scale diecast car, a display case, and is nicely packaged in a book-like box.  Continue reading →

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NEWS: The 2019 Corolla will come in manual and hatchback

Posted on March 27, 2018 by Ryan Senensky

A year ago Toyota got our hopes up for a hot Yaris GRMN, but Toyota cruelly dashed them by not offering it in America. I cried myself to sleep for days while listening to Enya alone in my room. As Americans that loves hatchbacks, we felt completely abandoned. But then, just as I was ready to reenter society as a broken man, Toyota comes back with arms open wide. Continue reading →

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NEWS: Retro Kawasaki Z1000 MkII-inspired bike unveiled at Tokyo Motorcycle Show

Posted on March 26, 2018 by Ben Hsu

One of the biggest news items in the world of nostalgic motorcycles came last year at the Tokyo Motor Show when Kawasaki unveiled the retro Z900RS. Our own San Mamiya called “the Kenmeri Skyline of bikes” due to the impact it had on the motorcycle scene when the original Z900 was released in 1972. Last weekend at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show, a retro Kaw inspired by the 1979 Z1000 MkII made its own debut. Continue reading →

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QotW: What do you do with the Double DIN hole?

Posted on March 26, 2018 by Brandon Kelley

Arguably, one of the best features of any JNC is the double DIN section of the center console. Originally reserved for the latest in cutting edge Japanese audio fidelity; the area is now home to anything under the sun from new MP3 decks, a place for CDs to hide, boost gauges and more! So, tell us:

What do you do with the Double DIN hole?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What about your current JNC made you buy it?”  Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week, Uncategorized | 14 Comments

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 →

Posted in News | Tagged | 22 Comments

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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