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
SEMA 2016: Honda channels 1990 with the new Acura NSX
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
SEMA 2016: Toyota brings out the classics
For the 50th anniversary of the Corolla, Toyota brought out one of its best SEMA displays ever, which included one example of every generation of the world’s best-selling nameplate. That alone would have been a pretty awesome display already, but Toyota went a step further, pulling out a grip of non-Corolla classics from their museum to match their current lineup. Continue reading
SEMA 2016: Two Miatas to whet your touge fantasies
They were teased last week, now they’ve been revealed at the 2016 SEMA Show. The pair of driver-focused Miatas will never see production, but they exist to show what is important to the company, and to offer two wildly different takes on how to accomplish the same purpose — carving the road with a stupid grin plastered to your mug. Continue reading
GRAND TOURING: Mt Fuji and the Toyota 2000GT, a meeting of Japan’s icons
Mount Fuji holds a unique position in the minds of both Japanese and visitors alike. There is nothing else quite like it anywhere else in this world, and even many of those who have never visited the country are aware of its role in its lore and history. Quite simply, it is a symbol of Japan. And if it had a counterpart in the automotive world that could represent its stature and grace, that counterpart would unquestionably be the Toyota 2000GT. Continue reading
Posted in Grand Touring
Tagged 2000gt, cappuccino, fto, galant gto, honda, mark II, mazda, Mazda Hakone Turnpike, miata, Miata ND, mitsubishi, mt. fuji, s660, suzuki, toyota, x70
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Happy Halloween from JNC
What’s the scariest thing to the owner of an old car? Having to pop the hood. You never know what you’re going to find under there. Have a safe and happy Halloween!
QotW: What JNCs would you like to see at SEMA?
The biggest aftermarket show in the world is taking place this week, and JNC is headed to the automotive circus. Last year Datsuns were hot and it seemed like the aftermarket was finally recognizing the Nihon classics. What’s next?
Which JNCs would you like to see at SEMA?
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 would Dracula drive (and why)?” Continue reading
MINICARS: Hot Wheels Mazda RX-7 FD3S prototype
Unveiled at the JNC booth last Sunday was a one-two punch of miniature Mazda magnificence. First came the cult classic Rotary Engine Pick-Up, but this next casting needs no introduction. The unmistakable profile belongs to none other than the FD3S Mazda RX-7. Continue reading
MINICARS: Hot Wheels Mazda REPU prototype
Those who stopped by our booth last Sunday may have noticed a few sneak peeks from our friends at Hot Wheels, hand-delivered in a nondescript plastic bag by designer Jun Imai himself. The first of them is a brand new casting for 2017, the Mazda REPU. Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? StarQuest flatty in the D
Today’s Kidney Car is a rarity, but it probably won’t even cost you an internal organ. Offered for sale on Craigslist Detroit is a 1986 Plymouth Conquest flatside for the sweet, sweet price of just $2,500. Continue reading
SEMA 2016: Mazda Miata concepts
It’s that time of the year, the automotive spectacle that is SEMA is almost upon us. Manufacturers have begun to preview their builds soon to debut in ‘Vegas. For their part, Mazda just dropped a pair of special MX-5 Miatas.
Posted in Spotlight
Tagged mazda, miata, mx-5, ND, Retractable Fastback, RF, roadster, sema, Speedster Evolution
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ART CORNER: Make your own Mazda Cosmo Sport
Corporate reports are the best! Said pretty much no one. Imagine our delight then when we found some cool and fun stuff as part of the latest Sustainability Report from Mazda: a make-your-own paper craft lineup.
NEWS: Scion brand name revived… as Trump hotel
Toyota had always described their Scion brand, which was axed earlier this year, as not just a car marque but a “lifestyle brand.” People seemed to either lament its passing or thought it was a horrible idea to begin with. As it turns out, Trump Hotels liked the name so much that they decided to revive it for a new — you guessed it — “lifestyle brand” of hotels. Continue reading
QotW: What JNC would Dracula drive (and why)?
Halloween is nearly upon us so why not go for a fun one! There are many iterations of Dracula over the years. He supposedly is hundreds of years old. He’s seen the ages go by so why wouldn’t he get himself a JNC? Be fun, be creative!
What JNC would Dracula drive (and why)?
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 defines the era of known as JNC” Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
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VIDEO: Toyota GT86s in retro livery go for a drive
Toyota UK has been straight up killing it, unafraid to go all-out in promoting the marque’s vast motorsports history. They’ve decked six GT86s in the liveries of the most significant Toyota racing machines, brought an Initial D-inspired GT86 to life, and dressed a GT86 race car in the warpaint of a BTCC-winning AE86. Now they’ve just released a beautiful video in which the six retro livery cars drive across the British countryside. Continue reading
GRAND TOURING: Isumi Matsuri
If there’s one thing that gets carriage-loads of people enthused, it’s trains — especially in Japan, where everyone loves trains. So, combining a wide range of Showa Era kyusha with a summer matsuri (festival) and organizing it at the most famous train line in Chiba Prefecture — that’s a guaranteed recipe for success. Continue reading
Posted in Grand Touring
Tagged 310, b10, B360, bellett, bluebird, cappuccino, cony, corolla, corolla levin, crown, daihatsu, debonair, e10, Expo '70, gemini, gloria, Hakosuka, hijet, hino, honda, Insight, Isumi Matsuri, isuzu, Kurogane, Leo, mitsubishi, nissan, publica, s120, s40, s800, skyline, sprinter, sunny, Taxi, te27, toyota
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NEWS: All your Mitsubishi are belong to us
Do not adjust your set. This is a takeover. Nissan’s purchase of a controlling stake in Mitsubishi Motors is now official. Transaction complete. Nissan-Mitsubishi-Renault-Samsung-Dacia-Venucia-Lada Alliance is now one of the top three largest automotive groups in the world. Plants will be optimized, platforms shared, and “significant synegies” “unleashed,” says our Alliance leader Carlos Ghosn, who took inspiration from Agent Smith when he came up with this vlog. Resistance is futile. Continue reading
VIDEO: Why you should get a Datsun 240Z
Despite lacking the slick production values popular with online classic car videos these days, Australia’s Shannons Club TV is our favorite series on the web. That’s because they have real, well-researched, and informative content that doesn’t simply parrot conventional wisdom. Watch this video on the Datsun 240Z and you’ll see what we mean. Continue reading
PROFILES: The first Honda built for the US market, restored
One of the reasons JCCS was so special this year was the special debuts that carmakers had in store. Perhaps the most significant of them all was Honda’s unveiling of the newly restored Serial One N600, the first Honda automobile built for the US market. We chatted with the man who restored this piece of history and, as it turns out, it’s by several bouts of sheer luck that this car is even with us today. Continue reading
EVENTS: Celebrating one million Miatas
Now in its eighth year, Miatas at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca has become one of the keystone annual events for Miata enthusiasts in North America. It famously celebrated the 25th anniversary of the world’s favorite roadster two years ago with a gigantic, crop-circle-rivaling “MX-5 25” spelled out with Miatas. This year, it had the honor of hosting the final American tour date of the one millionth example of Mazda’s beloved sports car. Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged Jinba Ittai, mazda, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, miata, Miatas at Mazda Raceway, Millionth Miata, mx-5, na, nb, nc, ND
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