For the 4th of July, here’s the most patriotic looking zokusha we could find, the Muto Z. Happy Independence Day from JNC.
REMINDER: JCCS 2016 Registration opens today
Registration for the 2016 Japanese Classic Car Show has opened. Be sure to sign up for the US’s premier gathering of historic automobiles from Japan.
The show takes place September 25, 2016 at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California and open to both cars and motorcycles.
This year, the show is celebrating racing heritage, with special appearances by the BRE Datsun 510, Mazda’s 24 Hours of Daytona RX-7, Toyota’s SCCA Corolla TE27, and a Honda Civic Group A replica.
Toyotafest registration sold out in less than 24 hours. Don’t miss out. You can register at the official JCCS website here.
NEWS: Toyota creates Initial D-inspired 86
Often, things that are blindingly obvious to enthusiasts sail high over the heads of the automakers themselves. Sometimes, though, they nail it. Take, for example, Toyota UK’s creation of a Toyota GT86 (aka FR-S) inspired by Takumi Fujiwara’s fictional hachiroku from the classic manga Initial D. Continue reading
Honda celebrates 40 years of the Accord
The ubiquitous Honda Accord turns 40 today, launched in June of 1976 as America was still reeling from the oil crisis. It was small (with a wheelbase less than a modern Fit’s) and light enough (at 2,083 pounds) that it could easily surpass 40 mpg in highway driving, and immediately endeared itself to long-suffering drivers of gas guzzlers. Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? The Cleanest Celica Liftback in Minnesota
Minnesota, perennially known for salt-caked streets, Prince, and Steve Buscemi getting fed into a woodchipper, is also known for being in the top five places to not live if you intend on keeping a classic Japanese car rust free and not stolen. However, despite the odds this owner has managed to keep his 1977 RA29 Celica Liftback completely perfect. Continue reading
VIDEO: Restored kenmeri Datsun 240K race car
The kenmeri Skyline famously was debuted in race regalia at the 1972 Tokyo Motor Show, only to have Nissan pull the plug on the motorsports program it would have competed in due to the Oil Shock of 1973. It may never have seen trackside glory in Japan, but there was never a car the Aussies didn’t try to throw at a racetrack. Continue reading
QotW: What was your second car?
Over biru and yakitori dinner Monday night in Ikebukuro, the JNC Japan team discussed cars we’ve owned. Brandon had the bright idea of going around the table to with what their second car was — simply because the first is often a hand-me-down or but the second car is something you actually choose, sometimes even smartly, after learning a thing or two about cars in general.
Also, probably because he owned the coolest one of all, a Mazda 323 GTX. Skorj had a Karmann Ghia, Ken had a Honda Civic Si, San Mamiya has yet to own his first, and I had a Lexus SC 300 5-speed. We the thought to put the question to you, dear readers:
What was your second 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, “What’s your most heartbreaking tale of JNC loss?” Continue reading
EVENTS: Old School Love, New School Flavor
After featuring their Old School Love, New School Flavor show last year (Part 01, Part 02, Part 03) at Schiller Park in the Chicagoland area, organizers Team Nostalgic invited us to come out again so we could see what Chicago’s Japanese nostalgic car community looks like when it is not being rained out. This years show was easily twice as big as last year’s and was so jam-packed with Toyotas and Mazdas that they easily outnumbered every other brand ten to one. Continue reading
JNC Theater: Comedians in Cosmo Getting Coffee ‘n More
The latest episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee just aired, featuring a 1967 Mazda Cosmo Sport and Margaret Cho. Is there rhyme or reason to the pairing? Well, both are very unique, bold, and challenge established conventions. Watch the episode to find out more about why the Cosmo — the beautiful example from the Malamut Automotive Museum — is the perfect car for Margaret. Continue reading
Posted in JNC Theater, Video
Tagged 10A, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, cosmo sport, JNC Theater, JNC Video, l10a, mazda, rotary engine
2 Comments
25 YEAR CLUB: Celebrating the Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B, Part 04
Twenty-five years ago today, the Mazda 787B started on a 24-hour journey that would change Japan’s motorsport history. As you know, Mazda won the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans, and in parts 01, 02, and 03 of our tribute to this car, we provided you the historical facts of the journey that led to this victory. Now, let us put that journey into perspective and take a look at the implication and influence it has on some of our favorite JNCs. Continue reading
Posted in 25 Year Club, motorsport
Tagged 24 Hours of Le Mans, 787b, le mans, mazda, mazdaspeed, R26B, racing history, rotary engine
3 Comments
PROFILES: Driving Toyota’s Great Race 1970 Corolla
“It’s a bit snug,” says Jamie Bestwick in typical British understatement as he slides his racing seat into position. He bashes into the knees of his navigator, Laurence Foster, who is hunched in the back seat. Bestwick, a 13-time X-Games gold medalist in the BMX category and an Englishman, is dressed like a 1970s pimp with gold chain, bright red scarf, and a hat whose brim radius is larger than a bus tire’s. In the passenger seat, co-driver BJ Baldwin, a Baja 1000 winner, has on bell-bottoms, Lennon sunglasses, and a floral pattern shirt that would make James May seethe with envy.
The three of them are packed a 1970 Toyota Corolla about to embark on a 10-day, 2,500-mile cross-country rally. Bestwick calls it “The Man Can.” Continue reading
NEWS: Nissan IDx to appear in Fast 8?
The Nissan IDx might be dead but it might ride again in the next installment of the Fast & Furious franchise. Continue reading
MINICARS: 2016 Hot Wheels X JNC Datsun 620 Car Culture series
Today is 6/20. And as it happens we received the latest pre-production Hot Wheels samples at the doorstep of JNC HQ, and it’s is none other than the Datsun 620. Continue reading
QotW: What’s your most heartbreaking tale of JNC loss?
It’s sure to be a quiet day at the office in Aichi today. After the exact opposite of a fairy tale ending to Toyota’s Le Mans race over the weekend, the tears of Toyotaku are flowing like the waters of the River Sarthe. In what will surely go down as one of the greatest upset finishes in Le Mans history, Toyota led for almost the entire 24 hours only to suffer a breakdown five minutes from the end, handing the victory to Porsche. It’s an ending known RX-7 owner George RR Martin couldn’t have written better himself.
What’s your most heartbreaking tale of JNC loss?
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 greatest Japanese nostalgic grand tourer?” Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: Toyota wins the 23 Hours, 55 Minutes of Le Mans
Rumor has it that Mazda, as the only Japanese automaker to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans overall, has a pre-written letter ready to congratulate Toyota should it ever become the second. Despite what seemed like a sure victory, that letter will remain in a Hiroshima drawer for now, after Toyota lost its lead with five minutes left in this year’s race. Continue reading
Posted in motorsport
Tagged 24 Hours of Le Mans, kamui kobayashi, Kazuki Nakajima, toyota, TS050
7 Comments
25 YEAR CLUB: Celebrating the Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B, Part 03
In the previous installments of our 25th anniversary commemoration of Mazda 787B’s historic Le Mans win, we looked at the race car’s genealogy as well as the origin of its team. With the rules change imminent, it was the last year a non-piston engine would be permitted. It was Mazda’s final rotary assault at Le Mans. Continue reading
Posted in 25 Year Club, motorsport
Tagged 24 Hours of Le Mans, 787b, le mans, mazda, mazdaspeed, R26B, racing history
6 Comments
25 YEAR CLUB: Celebrating The Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B, Part 02
The 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans is now underway — a perfect occasion to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the historic victory of the Mazda 787B. If you’re listening to or watching the race live, join us on a break for a glimpse into Mazda’s Le Mans odyssey. Continue reading
Posted in 25 Year Club, motorsport
Tagged 13G, 13J, 24 Hours of Le Mans, 717C, 727C, 737C, 757, 767, 767b, Endurance Racing, Kenichi Yamamoto, le mans, mazda, Mazda Auto Tokyo, Mazda Sports Corner, mazdaspeed, Mooncraft, Nigel Stroud, R25B, racing history, rotary engine, Takashi Yorino, Takayoshi Ohashi, Takuya Yura, yojiro terada, Yoshimi Katayama
1 Comment
25 YEAR CLUB: Celebrating the Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B, Part 01
The 24 Hours of Le Mans begins tomorrow. This year marks the 84th running of the iconic endurance race. For racing fans and JNCers in particular, 2016 is especially significant as it is the 25th anniversary of the first and, so far, only Le Mans victory taken by an Asian marque and powered by anything other than a reciprocating piston engine. Yes, the 787B is now officially a Japanese nostalgic race car. To celebrate, we’ve got a few things in store, starting with a look at the origin and heritage of the 787B. Continue reading
Posted in 25 Year Club, motorsport
Tagged 787b, le mans, mazda, Mazda Auto Tokyo, Mazda Sports Corner, mazdaspeed, racing history, rotary engine
5 Comments
EVENTS: Sagamiko Forest Skyline & Kyusha Meeting, Part 01
Recently the Skyline & Kyusha Meeting was held at Sagamiko Forest Resort, put on by the Skyline Yushi-kai, or Skyline Warriors Club. While Skylines accounted for many of the cars that attended, non-Skylines were welcome too, as long as they were of the same kaido racer and bosozoku style. Continue reading
VIDEO: More drives from the Honda Collection Hall
Honda has uploaded yet another set of videos of vehicles from the Honda Collection Hall at Twin Ring Motegi taking spins in the museum’s backyard. Enjoy the sights and sounds of old motors motoring, just as Soichiro intended. Continue reading
