Sixty years ago today, on April 24, 1957, the Prince Skyline debuted on a rainy day at the famed Tokyo Takarazuka Theater. It’s no exaggeration to say that few cars have a more revered place in the Japanese psyche, having served as everything from lowly family sedan to racing legend. To commemorate six decades of continuous production, Nissan marked this momentous occasion by holding multiple celebrations across Japan’s biggest metropolitan region. Continue reading
EVENTS: How Nissan celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Skyline in Japan
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Tagged ALSI, BLRA-3, c10, c110, c210, dr30, gc10, gc110, GT-R Vision 2020, Hakosuka, Infiniti G35, Infiniti G37, Infiniti Q50, kenmeri, leaf, nissan, Nissan Crossing Ginza, nissan gallery yokohama, prince, r30, r31, r32, r33, r34, s50, skyline, skyline sport, v35, v36, V37, yonmeri
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QotW: What’s the greatest Skyline?
The Nissan Skyline is celebrating its 60th birthday today. Since its debut on April 24, 1957, it has seen 13 generations, countless trim and option variations, and an immense number of limited editions and tuning specials, from ALSI to KPGC10 to R34, it has been a staple of the Japanese auto industry and its car culture. Therefore, it seems only fitting to ask:
What’s the greatest Skyline?
Is it a race car like Takahashi Kunimitsu’s works Hakosuka GT-R or the Calsonic R32 GT-R? A factory special like the BCNR33 GT-R LM road car or R34 GT-R Z-Tune? Or perhaps some dude’s tricked out C210 bosozoku sled?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Where will you road trip your JNC this spring?”
EARTH DAY: 1985 Nissan EV Guide Type II
The Nissan Leaf might be the best-selling electric car in the world, but Nissan has been experimenting with EVs since at least 1947. At the 1985 Tokyo Motor Show, they unveiled this Total Recall Johnny Cab-like contraption, called the EV Guide Type II. Amazingly, the concept was fully functional and was actually driven for many years after the auto show. Continue reading
NEWS: Nissan celebrates 60th anniversary of the Skyline
Sixty years ago, in April 1957, one of the most hallowed names in the Japanese car world was introduced at Tokyo Takarazuka Theater. The Skyline was not a Nissan yet, but a Prince. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Nissan is bringing out every generation of its iconic car to Tokyo this weekend. Continue reading
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Tagged BLRA-3, c10, c110, c210, dr30, gc10, gc110, Hakosuka, infiniti, kenmeri, kgc110, nissan, Nissan Crossing, nissan gallery yokohama, prince, r30, r31, r32, r33, r34, s54, skyline, Skyline Nationals, skyline sport, v35, v36, V37
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VIDEO: Tommy Dolo’s bagged KP61 Starlet
Hawaii, a tropical paradise with warm beaches, beautiful marine wildlife, a thriving JNC community. Tommy Dolo is the godfather of Old School Imports Hawaii, and he’s built one badass bagged Toyota Starlet. Continue reading
NIHON LIFE: How an automaker deals with scandal in Japan
As you may have heard, Mitsubishi Motors experienced a little scandal last year, in which it was found guilty of cheating government fuel economy tests. It sent stock plummeting so badly that Nissan was able to gobble it up and grab a controlling stake. Because of the various demands of Japanese society, the shame of such an event manifests itself in strange ways. Two visits to Mitsubishi Motors’ Tokyo headquarters, pre- and post-scandal, revealed two very different companies. Continue reading
Posted in Nihon Life
Tagged delica, eK Space, eK Wagon, Galant Lambda, galant sigma, lancer evolution, minicars, mirage, mitsubishi, Nihon Life, Outlander, pajero, rvr
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KIDNEY, ANYONE?: One-owner 1979 Dodge Challenger (Mitsubishi Galant Lambda)
The A131 Dodge Challenger is definitely one of the more well-hidden captive import Easter eggs from the Chrysler-Mitsubishi partnership. It, and its Plymouth Sapporo twin, are extremely rare in the US market, but now a clean an example as there ever was has surfaced in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Continue reading
Posted in for sale
Tagged A131, Dodge Challenger, Galant Lambda, kidney anyone, mitsubishi
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MINICARS: Hot Wheels Mazda RX-7 FD3S
You’ve seen the 3D prototypes, now here is the first peek at the new Mazda RX-7 FD3S casting courtesy of the official Hot Wheels design team (you can follow all their antics at their Instagram account). Finished in a dark metallic blue, it is the clean bodied version of the car we’ve all been waiting for, and it looks stunning.
QotW: Where will you road trip your JNC this spring?
Today marks the first week in Japan that truly feels like spring is in the air. Temperatures are hovering right around T-shirt wearing digits (a JNC shirt found in the JNC Shop would do the trick). It’s time to tackle that honored tradition of taking your JNC out on a spring drive. For many of us, that first drive is more of a shakedown to prepare for summer months of mountain drives and car meets. The trunk gets filled with tools, fluids (more than usual, anyway), and an assortment of rags and drop cloths just in case.
The spring cruise can also be the first time your JNC sees light outside of a garage or car cover in months. Just yesterday, in my neighborhood I saw a C110 Skyline GT-R Kenmeri in magical metallic royal blue that any Hot Wheels fan would swoon over, rolling on deep MkII barrels with period-correct stretched tires. I’ve lived in the area for some time, but this was the first occasion seeing it roam the streets. Thanks, spring!
So JNCers, what will be your spring cruise? Will it be strategically planned around parts stores? A long run along cool breezes in the canyons? Maybe a first test for your newly purchased or restored JNC?
Where will you road trip your JNC this spring?
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 put up with on your JNC?” Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
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VIDEO: Hear the Nissan Fairlady 240ZG tear around Fuji Speedway
Fans at least year’s NISMO Festival were treated to the spectacle of Nissan’s historic racing machines tearing around the legendary Fuji Speedway. Though we were able to share photos of the event, there’s nothing like being there and hearing the cars actually running at full tilt. Well you’re in luck, because Nissan has released on-board footage of their HS30 240ZG doing exactly that. Continue reading
NY Auto Show: The coolest car in New York right now
JNC is at the New York International Auto Show, and despite all the big reveals of new crossovers and luxury sedans, the coolest car in city right now is what our own Ryan Senensky describes as “the first Japanese car to achieve 100 horsepower per liter.” Continue reading
EVENTS: Old School Reunion Las Vegas
When a new car show for classic imports sprang up Las Vegas, it was an opportunity for our friends in the Wild Cards car club to reunite. Usually it’s the Las Vegas cohort that has to travel to SoCal, but in this case it would be a contingent of Skylines and Zs tearing eastward across the Mojave Desert. Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged 240z, 280zx, 510, a20, a60, c10, c110, celica, corolla, corona, cressida, datsun, dodge colt, dr30, e30, Fairlday Roadster, gc10, Hakosuka, kenmeri, kgc10, kgc110, lancer, Las Vegas, mitsubishi, nissan, Old School Reunion, r30, s130, S30Z, sa22c, skyline, te37, wagons, Wild Cards, x70
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EVENTS: Nostalgic2Days 2017, Part 02 — Skyline Central
When Nostalgic Hero lists their top Japanese classics of all time, the winner is not a Nissan Fairlady Z, Mazda Cosmo Sport, or even at Toyota 2000GT. It’s the KPGC10 Skyline GT-R. Whether you agree with the choice or not, there’s no denying that at a two-day event organized by Nostalgic Hero, the Hako is going to reign supreme. Continue reading
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Tagged c10, c110, datsun, dr30, Hakosuka, hks, japan grand prix, kenmeri, kgc10, kgc110, kpgc10, kpgc110, Kusaka Engineering, nissan, os giken, panasport, pit house, prince, r30, r31, R31 House, radio control, rocky auto, rs watanabe, s54, skyline, Tea Valley, Tetsu Ikuzawa, UnLimited Kustoms, utilitas, Victory 50, Yoshikazu Sunako
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Happy National Pet Day from JNC
We’ve seen how JNCs, especially Hondas, can be loyal companions. In Japan, they have a whole campaign involving man’s best friend called Honda Dog. So in honor of National Pet Day, here’s a doberman pinscher that’s almost as tall as an S600 Coupe. Go hug your doggo (or catto or goldfisho) today.
Image courtesy of Honda.
KIDNEY, ANYONE? The actual EF Civic from the world’s saddest Honda ad is now for sale
That little girl from the saddest Honda commercial in the universe may have missed out on her chance to drive her beloved EF Civic, but you don’t have to. The actual car used in the spot is now for sale on Craigslist San Francisco. Continue reading
QotW: What do you put up with on your JNC?
Greetings, JNCers. Today marks the first week in Japan that the weather is actually turning for the better. The sakura are in bloom and a gentle breeze beckons us to get on the road for a casual jaunt down the nearest winding road. Back in the states, this would signal the time to take my US/J-spec mishmash zenki AE86 out of the garage. But as many know, owning a JNC is not always as easy as turning the key and driving off. They all have their own quirks and temperaments, some small and some large.
I have a 5AG stroker kit and AE101 ITBs installed. This gives the engine a roaring song at WOT not unlike the trumpets of victory as Perseus returned from defeating the Kraken. The tradeoff was the fuel mileage was awful, just above double digits on nice days. This meant I needed to several trips to the gas station a week and allocate a small fortune for fuel. Oh, but that sound. It was a temptation I could not fight.
This leads us (finally) to the QotW. We want to know about the things you look past when owning a JNC. Parts availability? Bolts not in metric? Tell us:
What do you put up with on your JNC?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Will the coming influx of JDM imports make US-spec cars less desirable?“.
VIDEO: Custom Nissans used for baseball promos
Any baseball fans out there? It’s not uncommon for Japanese automakers to sponsor their home city teams. For years, Nissan sponsored the Yokohama Baystars and donated parade cars for the teams to use. As is the custom, Nissan would chop to the tops off of the cars so fans could see their favorite players arriving, making for some interesting one-offs. Continue reading
VIDEO: Why must Honda torture us with this horrible tragedy?
Honda is apparently on a quest to make grown car-loving men and women weep like little babies. In its latest ad, titled “You Are the One,” a girl is cruelly separated from a beloved family member, an EF Honda Civic. Get an onion ready though, so you can explain why you’re tearing up while watching a car commercial. Continue reading
NEWS: Honda Civic Si revealed live on YouTube
Honda is about to revive a beloved nameplate from the tuner world. Both the 2017 Civic Si coupe and sedan will debut online today, April 6, at 8:00 am Pacific Time on YouTube. For seven generations, the Si has been the top-dog performance variant available stateside, but with this latest generation Honda has announced that it will bring the Civic Type R here as well. Will anyone still care about the Si? Continue reading
NEWS: Nissan reveals 1977 Zzzap-inspired Heritage Edition 370Z
Nissan has revealed a special edition 370Z ahead of its debut the New York International Auto Show. The 2018 model seeks to honor the many Zs that have come before it with a special appearance package that recalls 1977’s ZZZap 280Z. Continue reading
