So the very-close-to-production prototype of the Honda Civic Type R was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show last week. And, from what Honda has told us, it’s actually coming to the US this time. There’s absolutely no doubt that the the car is going to be supernaturally competent at defying the laws of physics, but is it worthy of the Type R name? Continue reading
EVENTS: Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 04 — Fair Ladies
One of the most revered nameplates in the automotive world today is Skyline, but nearly fifty years ago, it was unknown on this side of the Pacific as Nissan was building up their brand in the US. Instead, the Z and 510 were the ones leading the charge and revolutionizing the definition of what a performance car could be. Continue reading
QotW: What JNC brochure had the most exciting lifestyle promise?
Imagine, heading out to the local dealership to find your new chariot. Sure, you can take a look around the lot, but you’ve got a lot to think about, and many makes to check out. You grab a brochure to thumb through later to help your decision. Are you swayed by the beauty in the swimsuit enticing you to join the party by buying a Mitsubishi Minicab? Or the promise of a neon nightlife with the Daihatsu Mira TR? Maybe unleashing the inner wild monster with an Isuzu Amigo?
What JNC brochure had the most exciting lifestyle promise?
What say you, dear reader? 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 most creative automotive storage solution?” Continue reading
EVENTS: 2016 Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 03 — Rotary Power
Mazda’s official JCCS display was a touching tribute to one of Japan’s late, great racing legends. And if Yoshimi Katayama was looking down from the afterlife, he surely would have been beaming over the private entries as well. There were some familiar faces, but many new ones too. Continue reading
EVENTS: 2016 Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 02 — Skyline City
This year’s JCCS was truly a special event for many reasons, but here’s another one: the numerous and diverse number of Skylines that showed up. Nearly every generation of post-Prince Skyline could be seen, and for a car that was never sold in the US that’s pretty amazing. But that’s not even the really amazing part. What really made this collection memorable was the sheer diversity in styles, representing the breadth Japan’s deep automotive culture. Continue reading
EVENTS: 2016 Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 01 — Movin’ On Up
We’ve been going to the Japanese Classic Car Show for over a decade, but this year was undoubtedly the best one yet. In its twelfth year, the JCCS, which took place this weekend at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, has grown into a truly world-class event. Continue reading
QotW: What’s your most creative automotive storage solution?
We’ve all been there before. You need a part, it’s impossible to find, next thing you know there’s an entire parts car competing for real estate in the driveway and lowering property values throughout the neighborhood. Or, perhaps you are simply way too good at browsing craigslist for your own health.
What’s your most creative automotive storage solution?
What say you, dear reader? 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 the hardest restoration part to find for your JNC?” Continue reading
JCCS Preview: JNC Shōnin decal
As you’re walking around at JCCS this weekend, look out for cars wearing the new JNC Shōnin decals. When used in conjunction with the classic JNC inkan, they represent the best of the breed, cars that have either served as JNC booth cars, cars that we have arranged for other companies, or cars that have been featured here on the JNC website.
We wanted to a way acknowledge the efforts of these owners and the kinship that these cars and their builders represent. This is our way of saying arigatou for being a part of the JNC family. These decals are not for sale, and can only be obtained via one of the methods above. See you Saturday!
JCCS Preview: JNC “Charge” decals and limited edition Mazda 787B “Le Mans” T-shirts
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Mazda 787B’s victory at Le Mans. The quad-rotor demon, decked out in retina-searing orange and green livery, is one of the most iconic race cars of all time. To honor it, we’ve created two new items for the discerning Mazdafarian. Continue reading
JCCS Preview: First US-market Honda to debut
Last year at JCCS we highlighted an old, neglected Honda N600 with peeling, non-original paint. Why? Because it was the first Honda automobile ever built for the US market. One year later, it’s been completely restored and is ready for its debut this Saturday. The man who restored it, Tim Mings, sent us this photo recently of the humble but hugely important Honda, ready to venture out into the world. See it this Saturday!
JCCS Preview: San Mamiya stickers and prints
At JCCS this year, JNC is proud to carry the works of one of Japan’s best automotive artists. San Mamiya stickers and prints will be available at the JNC booth in very limited quantities, so get there early. Here’s a listing of what we’ll have. Continue reading
GRAND TOURING: Chubu and Kinki, Part 02
Part 01 of our grand tour through central Japan took us to Toyoma, a city that revealed not only castles but a trove of classic Toyotas. After prying ourselves away, we headed inland. Continue reading
JCCS Preview: Autograph session with Datsun BRE engineer John Knepp
JNC is honored to welcome a very special guest to our booth at the Japanese Classic Car Show this Saturday. John Knepp was a key engineer on the BRE team (above, 7th from left) who helped build championship cars such as the Datsun 2000 roadster and 510. Continue reading
JCCS Preview: Hot Wheels X JNC giveaway
Are you ready for JCCS this Saturday? We at JNC are having a Fairlady Roadster-themed day to coincide with the debut of Hot Wheels’s newest JNC casting, the Datsun Fairlady 2000. As such, we will be giving away several cars at the show, including a few signed by the Hot Wheels design team that worked on this car. Here’s how the contest will work. Continue reading
TOUGE 80s: A Call for Entries
Response to JNC‘s Touge California has been almost unanimously positive… almost. There was one group in particular who felt left out of the fun: Owners of 80s cars. That’s because all Touge California cars had to be 1980 or older. Well, take heart, children of the Reagan years, for your moment has arrived. Japanese Nostalgic Car is excited to announce the newest member of the Touge California family: Touge 80s.
UPDATE: the Toyota USA Museum will be open to the public at the finish of Touge 80s. Please join us. Continue reading
JCCS Preview: JNC “39” shirts debut
We are very excited about the JCCS (four days away!), and the theme at the JNC booth this year will be early Nissan motorsports. To celebrate, we are debuting a new shirt design, called simply “39”. Continue reading
JCCS Preview: History of Mazda Premium and a tribute to a racing legend
Mazda’s plan for JCCS this Saturday is two-fold and promises something for Mazdafarians of all stripes — a history of high-end models and a tribute to its motorsports legends. Continue reading
JCCS Preview: Nissan DNA Garage cars loaded up
This morning, a truck in Nashville picked up a couple of old cars to transport to California, including what is arguably the most valuable car in Nissan USA’s DNA Garage. Continue reading