When I was a kid in the 70s, a Japanese manufacturer being represented in the pro ranks of NHRA drag racing was a laughable idea. Sure, Datsuns were competitive in road racing with production-based cars, but sanctioning bodies such as the National Hot Rod Association were strictly all-American for their top classes. But now, Toyota Camry bodies are seemingly everywhere. So how did that change? Continue reading
Last fall at the Tokyo Motor Show Mazda revealed a stunning vision for the future. Appropriately, it was called the RX-Vision, and as the name implies, it was a rotary-powered sports car in the tradition of the Mazda RX-7 and Cosmo Sport. While it was loved by enthusiasts, most have been burned one too many times by the “Here’s an incredible concept for you to drool over but we won’t build it” switcharoo. Not this time. Continue reading
Automakers often incorporate classic design cues into the modern cars. Sometimes they’re obvious, like the quad taillights of the Nissan GT-R. Sometimes they’re obscure, like the C-pillar of the second-generation Scion tC. There are probably some that only the most die-hard otaku will notice.
What’s the most interesting JNC throwback design cue?
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 brutal tale of JNC price inflation?” Continue reading
As our compatriots in California enjoy themselves on the Touge California this weekend, we do a little driving of our own, in the sixth installment of our cross-Japan tour. On Day 05, we stowed our 1978 Isuzu 117 Coupé to explore Nagasaki on foot. It was both wondrous and moving, but after a full day on our feet through the hilly city, we were happy to be back in the driver’s seat again. Continue reading
There is no US city more hostile to the automobile than New York. Most of its 8.5 million residents don’t own cars. Here, they are nothing more than 3,000-pound accumulators of parking tickets and dents. Some of the city’s roads aren’t even paved. Then we go ahead take a genuine hakosuka Skyline GT-R worth at least a quarter-million dollars through this concrete jungle of jutting construction equipment, suicidal jaywalkers, and potholes so large they’re sometimes mistaken for subway entrances. Continue reading
Takuya Sosogi’s work is ostensibly the shipping of fresh fruit and vegetables. In reality, though, it’s modifying his Mitsubishi Fuso dekotora. Like many dekotora drivers, he became obsessed with “decoration trucks” after watching the 1975 film Torakku Yarō and hasn’t looked back. Continue reading
This is getting ridiculous. If you thought prices on J-tin have been skyrocketing before, you ain’t seen nothing yet. A 1967 Toyota 2000GT, the bluest of the Japanese blue chip classics, has sold for $4.1 million. That price obliterates the previous record of $1.15 million set in 2013. A possible key? This particular 2000GT, though modified with RS-Watanabe racing wheels, has fewer than 2,500 miles on the odometer. Continue reading
Did the coverage of the mobs of E70 Corollas at the Team_Nostalgic meet in Chicago last year get you hungry to own one yourself? Might as well buy one clean enough to make Akio Toyoda himself weak at the knees while you’re at it then. Continue reading
2,000 employees at Honda’s Marysville, Ohio plant were evacuated just after 11:00 am local time today due to a bomb threat. Everything is fine, and no one was hurt, and business as usual has since been resumed. A note saying that the plant would “blow up today” was found and management thought it credible enough to evacuate everyone. Police are investigating, but have not revealed further details. What do you think the note-leaver was upset about? Continue reading
Last Thursday, the Japanese government passed a law allowing the raising of the national speed limit for the first time. Ever since the opening of Japan’s first highway, the Meishin Expressway, in 1963 the speed limit has been pegged at 100 kph (approximately 62 mph). The new laws will lift that cap to 120 kph (approximately 75 mph) on select expressways. Continue reading
We are very proud to announce that Mazda will be bringing three of its cars out from their heritage collection for a 200-mile drive in this year’s JNC Touge California. The vintage rally takes place this Saturday, April 2, and earlier this month the folks at Mazda prepped a 1978 GLC, 1975 REPU, and 1985 RX-7 GSL-SE for the event. Continue reading
For 2016, the official poster for the JNC Touge California features two landmark cars that will run the 200-mile vintage car rally this weekend.
To honor title sponsor Mazda, we are highlighting a rare 1974 Mazda RX-4 Hardtop Coupé. A similar car will be driven this Saturday by Armando Licon and navigator Chris Green. Also depicted on the poster is a yellow 1972 Datsun 240Z with a G-nose. This is similar to the very car once owned by Yutaka “Mr K” Katayama, which will also drive this weekend with Kenny Ueda and navigator Jose Dominguez at the helm.
Participants will receive this 18 x 24-inch poster in the gift bag. After the event, posters will be available in the JNC Shop.
Last week Toyota threw a party in New York celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Corolla. This is a copy of the video that was playing on loop on TVs during the event. KE10, TE37, TE51, AL10, AE86, and a bunch of FF sedans are all represented, though it’s missing a good number of generations as well. Continue reading
The charms of this 1985 Nissan 300ZX are many. It appears to have every box on the options menu checked. It’s got the proper transmission. It’s a turbo and not a 2+2. It seems to have been very well preserved. And it has just 24,443 miles. Continue reading
If there’s one thing new JNCers hate, it’s when old JNCers tell stories of how, back in the day, [insert rare model name here] could be had all day long for $500. Or how [insert rare part here] were so plentiful people would send them to the junkyard by the crateful. Those stories are cause nothing but pain. But guess what? Now we’re going to ask you for them.
What’s your most brutal tale of JNC price inflation?
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, “If you could only drive one car for the rest of your life, what would it be?” Continue reading
Day 05 in Nagasaki marked an unusual one, as it was the only day of our entire journey in which no driving was planned at all. Nagasaki is one of Japan’s major port cities and a historic one, and worth a tour if you find yourself there. Because all major Japanese cities have a ultra-efficient public transportation systems, we buttoned up the Isuzu 117 in a carousel parking garage and proceeded on foot. Continue reading
In honor of the Corolla’s 50th anniversary, Toyota has posted a photo of their CEO in a TE71. “My used 4th generation Corolla 1600 GT was like a best friend to me. I shared my youth with it! That car showed me the joy of driving. It represented freedom, fun and first forays in the business world,” Toyoda said. “Not only did my Corolla influence me and my own path, but this vehicle — supported by fans and customers —helped transform Toyota as a company around the world.” This is a twin-cam 2T-G powered sedan that was never sold in the US. He is also apparently partial to TE27s. Akio Toyoda is the man.
Like the title says, Acura unveiled an NSX powered purely by the back wheels and which threw out the electric motors, batteries, and other hybrid gear. The bad news is, if you buy one, the only place you can drive it is in an FIA GT3 race. Continue reading
The world may be rushing headlong towards domination by blundering crossovers and autonomous hybrids, but there’s still hope for a light, impractical, rear-wheel-drive sports car. Proof of that came today when the ND Mazda Miata won two of the five World Car of the Year awards. Continue reading
Though once its defining form, the Honda Civic has abandoned hatchbacks for at least a decade now. At the NY Auto Show today, Honda announced it was bringing hatches back. Oh, and manual transmissions too. Continue reading
