Indonesian rapper Rich Chigga is back with another video and more zokusha sleds. Though his previous video featured a white Kenmeri, his new track titled “Who That Be” features none other than a C210 Skyline Japan. If the car looks familiar to you, that’s because it also appeared in the Red Bull F1 video. Continue reading
50 years ago this month, Honda debuted the N360 at the 1966 Tokyo Motor Show. To celebrate, Honda has issued a special appearance package for the retro-styled N-One available in Japan. Continue reading
Known as the world’s first mass-produced compact 4WD car, the Kurogane Type 95 began production in 1936. Only six are known to have survived, but three years ago a seventh one was discovered in a Kyoto auto repair shop, where it had sat for 60 years. This fall, it was finally restored. Continue reading
Japanese Nostalgic Car has created a DriveTribe thingy. The social network created by ex-Top Gear hosts Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond may be the next big thing, or it may fizzle out dramatically. We’re not quite sure what the point of it all is, but we are there. And we narrowly beat out the Jensen-Nash Collectors to get the “JNC” three-letter code. So come on an join our tribe. There are, you know, pictures of old Japanese cars and stuff.
Behold, one solid minute of the coolest M10 Prairie in the world. Sold as the Nissan Stanza Wagon in the US, this B-pillarless, sliding-door wonder preceded he original Dodge Caravan by two years. While these are usually beat to hell in the US, somehow the wondrous two-tone body of this example has been preserved. When slammed, its already tall greenhouse gives it the look of a superdeformed cartoon car. It is awesome. That is all. Continue reading
As we roll past Thanksgiving weekend and into the final stretch of 2016, why not reflect upon the one that has stayed by your side. I’m talking about that JNC that has been through it all, even when you’ve been pushed to your limits in stress, driving ability, mechanical know-how, or finances. But in the end, there it is. Love it or hate it, that JNC has been there and will always be there to put a smile on your face. So we ask:
What JNC has stuck with you through thick and thin?
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 car thing are you most thankful for?” Continue reading
We here at JNC are thankful for your readership and for being part of the JNC community. We hope you are enjoying a warm and safe Thanksgiving with your loved ones. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
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
