We’ve saved the best for last in our 2016 Nissan Jam coverage. It wasn’t easy choosing our favorites, but the cars in this post, for one reason or another, caught the eyes of the JNC staff that attended the show. Continue reading
EVENTS: 2016 Nissan Jam, Part 02 — All Odds
In the first installment of our 2016 Nissan Jam coverage, we focused on the most popular of the Nissan family tree. The “cool kids” club included Skylines, Zs, 510s, 620s, and Fairlady roadsters, but Nissan has a deep history of other models that don’t get quite as much love. Now it’s their turn to shine. Continue reading
COLLECTIONS: Autech restores classic Nissan Caravan built for disabled passengers
Every August since 1978, Japan’s NTV network has put on a 24-hour telethon called 24HTV Love Saves the Earth to raise money for charity. It will soon be held again, and to mark the occasion Autech has restored a 1978 Nissan Caravan used in the very first airing of the show. Continue reading
MINICARS: Sung Kang’s Fugu Z is now a Hot Wheels
We’ve known it was coming for quite some time, but now it’s official. Over Instagram, Fast & Furious actor Sung Kang revealed that his Fugu Z is now immortalized in Hot Wheels form. Continue reading
QotW: What’s the best JNC camper conversion?
It’s summer, and thus camping season for much of North America. And as we all know, JNCs have had their share of camper conversions. What’s the best one for hitting the highways and heading to the great outdoors?
What’s the best JNC camper conversion?
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 best Japanese getaway car?” Continue reading
NEWS: The millionth Miata tour dates announced
Earlier this year, the one millionth Miata rolled off the assembly line. Think about that for a moment. One million drivers have been able to experience a true connection to the road and undiluted driving thrills for a price that doesn’t even come close to breaking the bank. To celebrate, Mazda is bringing the one millionth Miata on tour. It’s already done a lap around Japan, and now it’s coming stateside. Continue reading
NEWS: Revived Supra to use Toyota-developed twin-turbo V6?
More evidence is emerging that a Mark V Supra will soon be upon us. And this time, Toyotaku will be pleased to hear that the motor could be something Toyota is developing on their own. Continue reading
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VIDEO: Honda Serial One N600 update
Honda has been serving up a steady stream of videos documenting the restoration of the Serial One N600, the first Honda car built for the US market. The good news is that the videos have been getting longer, so we can see our buddy Tim Mings at work, doing what he does best. Continue reading
VIDEO: Wheeler Dealers flips a Honda Civic CVCC
In the most recent episode of Wheeler Dealers, hosts Mike Brewer and Edd China leave the UK and head to the sunny climes of Los Angeles. There, they pick up a well worn first-gen yellow (aren’t they all?) Honda Civic, restore it, and sell it back to the American Honda Collection. Continue reading
QotW: What’s the best Japanese getaway car?
Japan has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. but when a heist goes down, it’s a big one. As in, the kind you need a getaway car or two to pull off. A getaway car has to be big enough for your crew and whatever newly liberated goods they recently acquired, stealthy enough to blend in, and — in case you need it — fast. A big, 90s four-door Toyota like a JZX100 Chaser might just be the perfect weapon. It’s right there in the name.
What’s the best Japanese getaway car?
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, “Which JNC had really low production numbers?” Continue reading
SHOP LIFE: A visit to Mooneyes Area 1
When recent travels took us to Yokohama, our resident illustrator and Japan native San Mamiya suggested that we meet up and go to Mooneyes Area 1. It had been a few years since we’d visited the Japanese headquarters of Mooneyes, and there’s always something different parked around the shop, so we headed to the Honmoku neighborhood where the famed brand is based. Continue reading
Posted in Shop Life
Tagged ae86, Buick Riviera, corolla levin, crown, daihatsu, Ford Country Squire, gt-r, hiace, hilux, kawasaki, Mercury Cougar, Meyers Manx, midget, mooneyes, ms51, nissan, r32, s50, skyline, sprinter trueno, stout, town ace, toyota
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VIDEO: The UK’s only Cosmonaut
Rotorhead. Mazdafarian. Cosmonaut. Whatever you want to call him, Phil Blake is the UK’s only Cosmo Sport owner. And apropos of nothing, Mazda Europe has just released a video of him driving his car along the Scottish North Coast 500, a road called “Scotland’s Route 66”. There’s not much information here, but if you want to see a beautiful rotary on beautiful roads, your wish is granted. Continue reading
Happy 720 Day from JNC
Happy 720 Day! For this special occasion, here are some of the most amazing Datsun 720 trucks we’ve seen here at JNC over the years. Continue reading
GRAND TOURING: Mazda Hakone Turnpike and Izu Skyline
While living in Tokyo has many problems, finding a place to go for a drive is not one of them. There are countless skylines, touge, and turnpikes, all challenging and spectacular roads within a short distance of the capital. For this drive, we decided to take a Friday off, start early and connect a number of them — the Odawara-Atsugi Toll Road, the Mazda Hakone Turnpike, and then the full length of the Izu Skyline. Continue reading
Posted in Grand Touring
Tagged Ebina PA, fd3s, gt-r, honda, Izu Skyline, JSDF, mazda, Mazda Hakone Turnpike, Mega Cruiser, nissan, porsche 911, r35, rx-7, S500/S600/S800, touge, toyota
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MINICARS: Matchbox 2017 lineup revealed with surprising J-tin castings
Last week was the annual Matchbox Collector’s Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mattel took the opportunity to reveal the cars and trucks of their 2017 lineup, and there are several that will surely be of interest to JNCers. Continue reading
QotW: Which JNC had really low production numbers?
Sometimes market forces create strange anomalies. We all know the story about how Nissan built only 197 kenmeri Skyline GT-Rs before the racing program got canceled, but there are other instances that resulted in cars just as rare.
For example, while Dodge offered the Colt Wagon (aka Mitsubishi Sigma) in 1978-1980, according to owner Josh Mead, they all came on a single shipment across the Pacific and were spread throughout three model years. That makes the RWD wagon incredibly rare today, especially in faux wood Estate trim.
Which JNC had really low production numbers?
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 vehicle do you cheat on your JNC with?” Continue reading
EVENTS: Mitsubishi Owners Day 2016
Though the company itself has undergone some big changes in 2016, Mitsubishi Owners Day was the same as ever. And by that, we mean as many chrome-bumpered classics as you can count on one hand, a only slightly more 80s cars, and every Lancer Evolution from San Diego to Vancouver. Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged 3000GT, Chrysler Conquest, eclipse, evo x, galant gto, gto, lancer evolution, Mighty Max, mirage, mitsubishi, Mitsubishi Owners' Day, montero, pajero, sigma, starion, starquest
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Sagamiko Forest Highlight: Hakosuka Drift Car
The Sagamiko Forest Skyline & Kyusha Meeting had acres of perfectly painted kaido racers, but one that really stood out to us looked like it had been found in a barn. In fact, this Hakosuka is a known drifter and was displayed in the style of an old school street racer. Continue reading
EVENTS: Sagamiko Forest Skyline & Kyusha Meeting, Part 02
Our coverage of the Sagamiko Forest Skyline and Kyusha Meeting continues with even more Skylines (and other Nissans too, but mostly Skylines). Approaching the event, a cardboard sign warned attendees “Do Not Blip Your Throttle”, a favorite activity of kaido racers. Having good manners so that future meetings can take place is important. Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged 510, 610, bluebird, bluebird-u, bosozoku, c10, c110, c210, gurachan, Hakosuka, Hiro Motor, kaido racer, kenmeri, Sagamiko Forest Resort, skyline, Skyline & Kyusha Meeting, skyline japan, yonmeri
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EVENTS: 2016 Nissan Jam, Part 01 — The Cool Ones
For its fourth year, Nissan Jam has moved once again, this time to La Palma Park in Anaheim. With its new, grassier venue, the gathering of Nissan, Datsun, and Infiniti vehicles has a more concours-ey feel. Continue reading
