For many, 2001’s The Fast and the Furious was perhaps a seminal moment in US tuning history. Hollywood movies’ star cars failed to reflect the reality of America’s mall parking lots on a Friday night, but suddenly F&F came about and brought Japanese cars to the big screen. Admittedly, it took us a while to get hip to the scene, but in Asia, long before Paul Walker ever blew the welds on his first manifold, there was the Jackie Chan’s 1996 opus Thunderbolt. Continue reading
Continuing on the theme of how Toyota has much better advertising everywhere else in the world, Toyota Australia recently put together a video of A20 Celica owners down under. Selected from the Toymods forum, the owners show their admiration for not only the Daruma, but the sense of community they’ve built with their shared love for one of Toyota’s most iconic designs. Continue reading
As we were preparing for our yearly remembrance of Doukoho Eve, news came from Japan that Fukushima was struck by another massive earthquake. This was the same region that was hit in 2011, and while the quake measured only a magnitude 7.5, significantly weaker than the 8.9 five years ago, it could still be felt as far away as Nagoya. Since 2011, an early warning system broadcasting to all cellphone users in Japan has been implemented, and thus far no casualties have been reported. Remember to stay vigilant. We now return to our regularly scheduled zokusha video. Continue reading
This could be he most well-preserved Toyota Cressida in the United States. A first year for the beloved X70 chassis, this 1985 example for sale now in New York is said to have one owner, was always kept in a heated garage in Connecticut, and has only an unbelievable 9,026 miles on he odometer. Continue reading
With Thanksgiving nearly upon us, let’s take a pause to acknowledge the automotive things that make life worthwhile. Maybe it’s that perfect Craigslist find that you scored before the wolves got to it, or the friends who lend a bloody knuckled hand in the garage. Perhaps it’s the fact that some of you lucky ones can go out to the driveway and find your dream car looking right back at you.
What car thing are you most thankful for?
As always, 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 best JNC moment of this fall (2016)?” Continue reading
The Mazda Miata has had numerous limited editions throughout the years, but when Mazda won Le Mans shortly after the roadster’s world-searing launch, it created the perfect storm of conditions under which to develop the most limited MX-5 officially sold through Mazda dealerships. Continue reading
At the LA Auto Show Mazda announced an all-new CX-5. There was even news of a SkyActiv-D 2.2-liter diesel engine coming to America, amidst all the controversy of the Volkswagen’s emissions cheating scandal. But at a private off-site event the night before, Mazda showed the stunning RX-Vision concept for the first time in America. And damn, it’s still gorgeous. Continue reading
If Soichiro Honda were alive today, he would be 110 years old. Here’s to the the man that gave us everything from SuperCubs to NSXes. Happy Birthday, Honda-san.
Do you want to feel old? Yesterday, ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show this week, automakers swarmed the city to show off their upcoming models. But here’s a plot twist we didn’t see coming: for some Japanese firms, namely Nissan and Honda, nostalgia for the sport compact days of the 90s are already back. Continue reading
Until the late 1970s, very few Japanese cars were exported in black. It was considered a formal color, used primarily for government vehicles, chauffeured cars, and hearses. That is, until 1978 when Nissan broke with convention and brought over the Datsun 280Z Black Pearl Edition. Now nearly 40 years later, its paying homage to that occasion with a limited Black Pearl Juke. Continue reading
Do you have a shakotan build and want an external oil cooler that isn’t from a junkyard or some sketchy eBay seller? Luckily enough CSF has released their new BOSS External oil cooler. Originally designed for the Rocket Bunny S14 body kit, it is a universal part that will look just at home on your X60 Cressida as it does on your S30 Z car. Continue reading
It’s getting to be that time of the year again when the leaves of Irohazaka in Nikko start to fall and we can look back on this fall season. During that season, maybe you had a chance to finish that summer repair project, open the engine up on a cool, autumn afternoon, or just have a great time riding with friends. Before the winter chill sets in, we want to know:
What’s you best JNC moment of this fall (2016)?
As always, the most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What JNC is most “on trend” right now” Continue reading
Hiroyuki Hasegawa, co-founder and the “H” of renowned Japanese tuning house HKS, has passed away at the age of 71.
A former Yamaha engineer, Hasegawa founded HKS in October, 1973 in a small shed at the base of Mt Fuji in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture. With a mission to develop an “original racing engine” for the Japanese aftermarket, HKS set out to create high-performance engine components beyond what automakers were willing to produce. Continue reading
With the prices of the most popular models entering unattainable status for a lot of younger JNCers, we felt it necessary to highlight some painfully overlooked — often for no good reason at all — yet still affordable (for now) nostalgics. Consider the following: The Nissan Pulsar NX. Continue reading
Will the Honda Collection Hall ever run out of vehicles to demonstrate? It’s positively amazing that not only do they have the cars, but that they are all kept up in running condition, whether they be motorcycles, cars, or racing machines.
Often we focus on Civics and NSXes, but the company has a hugely impressive range of accomplished competiton veterans. Very few companies can boast a lineup that offers both transportation for the masses and champions in the highest echelons of motorsports. Behold the sons of Soichiro! Continue reading
SevenStock just completed its nineteenth showing. Befitting its namesake, the event is a festival for and by the rotary Mazda community and the largest such annual gathering in the world! Once again throngs of brapping Mazdas occupied the tarmac of Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California for a day of not just show, but also track time. As such, spectators domestic and international were treated to a sweet assault of all senses. Continue reading
As is always the case with SEMA, there’s a ton of stuff to see, and a lot that doesn’t fit into any of the other categories (or any category, for that matter). As our senior editor Dave Yuan puts it, it’s an orgy of automotive excess. Here’s all the rest of the JNC-relevant sights and sounds from this year’s show. Continue reading
It was only fitting that a video in which Fast & Furious star Sung Kang and designer Magnus Walker meet and drive each other’s cars debut during SEMA week. After all, Sung’s Fugu Z Datsun was the star of the show last year, and Magnus’s 277 might just be the most famous 911 in the Porsche tuning world. Both Datsuns and Porsches are red-hot on every part of the automotive spectrum right now, from vaping hipsters to plaid pantsed concoursers.
QotW: What JNC is most “on trend” right now?
As always, the most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What JNCs would you like to see at SEMA?” Continue reading
You’ve seen what Mazda, Toyota, and Honda have done for SEMA. Nissan had no official presence, but one thing is clear. Of all the old school Japanese marques, among customizers, none is more beloved than Datsun. Continue reading
It was 1990 all over again at the Honda booth. There wasn’t much in the way of proper Soichiro-era steel, but the new Acura NSX was one of the biggest OEM hits at the show. People gawked non-stop. We waited 40 minutes to try to get the shot above, eventually gave up, and then stayed for half an hour after the show closed to take the snap. Continue reading
