QotW: What JNC would you get if you had a time machine?

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Ben Hsu

Tokyo Motor Show 1969

Time travel is real, but it only goes to one point on the space-time continuum: Showa Era Japan. For some reason, you have a briefcase full of 1960s-era yen in large bills. You also know of a remote garage in rural Japan that will be undisturbed for 60 years because, well, you’re from the future.

What JNC would you get if you had a time machine?

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 sighting will you remember forever?”  Continue reading →

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JCCS 2015: The Ibarra Brothers’ incredible collection of classic Mazda rotaries

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Ben Hsu

136-1572_Mazda RX3

No one that walked through the Japanese Classic Car Show last weekend could have missed the astounding collection of half a dozen classic rotaries parked on the Queen Mary lawn. Each one was more pristine than the next, as if we had jumped a few decades back in time only to land in a Mazda showroom. Turns out, the cars belong to Abel and Elvis Ibarra, brothers who built a legendary rotary racing empire.  Continue reading →

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EVENTS: Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 01 – It’s JDM, yo

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Ben Hsu

565-1758_NissanSkylineC10Hakosuka_Pao

As it embarks on its second decade, the 2015 Japanese Classic Car Show has become a must-attend event, not just for J-tin owners or readers of this fine site, but car enthusiasts everywhere. Nowhere in America will you see a wider array of cars from the Japanese domestic market never sold in the US, the subject of our first installment.  Continue reading →

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JCCS 2015: The first Honda car ever imported to the US

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Ben Hsu

161-1455_HondaSerialOne N600

This decrepit looking Honda N600 was one of the most important cars at the Japanese Classic Car Show last weekend. Why? Because it is the very first Honda automobile built for the US. That’s right, this faded lime green hatch barely larger than a picnic basket is the one that blazed the trail for all your beloved Civics, Integras, and NSXes.  Continue reading →

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NEWS: Hiroshima high schoolers restore a Mazda Cosmo Sport

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Dave Yuan

Mazda Cosmo Sport high school restoration 01

Think back a little…or a lot, what were you doing in high school? Going to band camp? Studying for the SAT? Slacking off? Or maybe restoring a Mazda Cosmo Sport? …wait what?! Turns out, if you were one of the eight lucky students at Hiroshima Technical High School, that’s exactly what you did this summer.  Continue reading →

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VIDEO: Honda “Paper” commercial is a moving timeline

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Dan Hsu

Honda Paper

Honda is back with another incredible commercial showcasing the breadth and history of their products. This time, the painstakingly crafted spot uses nothing but sheets of paper and hours of stop-motion animation to create a moving timeline.  Continue reading →

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QotW: Which JNC sighting will you remember forever?

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Ben Hsu

As a die-hard car nut, you may not remember how many kids your boss has, your first kiss, or even your birthday, but you can sure as hell remember every vivid detail about the millisecond you laid eyes on a mind-blowingly awesome JNC. I, for example, will have that time in 2003 when I saw a black S30 Z just cold chillin’ with a VIP Cima in a Tokyo parking lot seared into my brain for the rest of my life. We witnessed that very moment in the wide-eyed faces of so many JCCS spectators this weekend — and on innocent bystanders during a post-show photo shoot in Long Beach with a couple of very cool Skylines. As we process hundreds of photos from this weekend’s festivities, we ask you:

Which JNC sighting will you remember forever?

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, “How can Nissan save the Z?”  Continue reading →

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MINICARS: 2016 Hot Wheels X JNC Mazda RX-3

Posted on September 19, 2015 by Ricky Silverio

HotWheels Mazda RX3 zinc 01

You’ve asked for it. You’ve demanded it. You’ve even threatened to pick up pitchforks for it. Well, here it is! We are very, very excited to give you the first sneak peek at the next Hot Wheels to wear the JNC inkan, the Mazda RX-3!  Continue reading →

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JCCS Preview: The next Hot Wheels JNC prototype

Posted on September 18, 2015 by Ricky Silverio

Hot Wheels JCCS Preview

One last JCCS preview before the big show. Here’s a sneak peek at the next big Hot Wheels JNC. What is it? You’ll have to come by the JNC booth tomorrow at the Japanese Classic Car Show. If you can’t make it, check back here at 9:00am Pacific Time on Saturday, September 19. Any guesses?

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JCCS Preview: San Mamiya X JNC Fuji Speedway available

Posted on September 18, 2015 by Ben Hsu

SanMamiya X JNC HWs at Fuji

We are proud to debut our first poster collaboration with Japanese artist San Mamiya at this Saturday’s Japanese Classic Car Show. Titled Fuji Speedway, it is an easter egg-filled tribute to the golden era of Japanese motorsports, Showa Era pop culture, and, yes, even the iconic JNC inkan’ed Hot Wheels.  Continue reading →

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MINICARS: Hot Wheels X JNC Datsun Bluebird 510 Wagon KDay exclusive

Posted on September 18, 2015 by Ricky Silverio

2015 Hot Wheels Datsun 510 Wagon - black Kmart 01

Before 2015 is over, we’re going to have one last blast with the Hot Wheels Datsun 510 Wagon. Once again, it is predicted to be a highly sought-after model, especially since it will be a KDay exclusive. However, we just received our samples from the factory so here are the details.  Continue reading →

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JCCS Preview: Nissan’s Zama cars arrive in California

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Ben Hsu

Nissan Zama cars shipping 02

Man, those guys at Nissan really know how to cut it close. Here are two cars they shipped over from the Zama warehouse in Japan for this Saturday’s JCCS, and they just arrived today.  Continue reading →

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The Top 5 video games featuring Japanese Nostalgic Cars

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Ryan Senensky

Mazda RX3 Laguna Seca Forza Motorsport 5 Japanese Nostalgic Car Inkan

With winter fast approaching for the majority of the country and the fall onslaught of video game releases on its way, we felt that it is high time that we feature some of the best in home console games to feature JNCs. With the popularity of classic Japanese cars fast growing in the meatworld car community, it is now being reflected more than ever in the game market. Continue reading →

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JCCS Preview: Mazda’s lawn lineup at the Queen Mary

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Ben Hsu

159_MazdaCosmoSport110S

Mazda’s lineup for this Saturday’s Japanese Classic Car Show promises to be a terrific gathering of zoom-zoomy machines. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s to come, in chronological order. Continue reading →

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NEWS: Honda’s RA272-inspired “Project 2&4” revealed

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Ben Hsu

Honda Project 2&4 Concept RG01

Honda has created a mutant offspring of motorcycle and street legal Formula One car from the 1960s. The Honda Project 2&4 has been revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show.  Continue reading →

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JCCS Preview: Nissan is now an official JCCS sponsor

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Ben Hsu

JCCS

For the first time since the Japanese Classic Car Show’s inception, Nissan is finally an official sponsor. This Saturday will mark the 11th annual JCCS, and in the decade we at JNC have been setting up our little red canopy, we’ve heard one consistent complaint: “Toyota, Mazda and Honda are sponsors, where’s Nissan?” Well, they’re here now, and even bringing some cars from the Zama warehouse in Japan. Here’s a preview of what they’re showing. Continue reading →

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VIDEO: Jay Leno drives a 1971 Toyota Celica

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Ben Hsu

1971 Toyota Celica ST Jay Leno

In the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, the noted talk show host and car collector takes a ride in a 1971 Toyota Celica. The Celica was a game-changing car for not just Toyota, but the sport coupe segment that it spawned. Leno is especially fond of its copious standard features, sharp styling and impressive engine. There are a few factual errors (it was not Toyota’s first sports car or a joint European-Japanese styling effort) but overall a great overview of what makes the first-gen Celica a classic and an excellent basis for a “hot rod.” Watch the video below.  Continue reading →

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JCCS Preview: Get Jun Imai’s autograph on this very limited edition hakosuka Skyline illustration

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Ben Hsu

Hot Wheels Nissan Skyline Hakosuka JNC at JCCS sign sheet

Hot Wheels designer Jun Imai will be at the JNC booth this Saturday at the Japanese Classic Car Show in Long Beach, California. Jun will participate an autograph session from 10:30 to 11:00 am. Feel free to bring your cars, parts, posters or whatever for him to sign. In addition, Jun has created an exclusive illustration of the Hot Wheels hakosuka Skyline that he designed. This print will be limited to 30 units only and will not be available anywhere else. Limit one per person. See you Saturday!

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JCCS Preview: 2015 Japanese Classic Car Show this Saturday

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Ben Hsu

JCCS 2015

The 2015 Japanese Classic Car Show will be held this Saturday, September 19, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. The premiere show for vintage autos from Japan is back, and this year it promises to be bigger and better than ever.

For one, Nissan is coming aboard as an official sponsor this year, in addition to Toyota, Mazda and Honda. Next, there will be a special display honoring the 50th Anniversary of the Toyota Sports 800, Toyota’s first sports car. Enkei will be raffling off a set of Apache IIs for charity. There will be the usual display of Japanese classic motorcycles as well, and most importantly, there will tons of nostalgic Nihon steel! We will have more previews of the festivities as the week goes on, so stay tuned.

For those who have registered a car, please note there is a new entrance this year. The JCCS opens from 9am to 3pm. Admission is $12.00. See you there!

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NEWS: Nissan’s Z-inspired crossover — “They’re not idiots”

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Ben Hsu

Nissan Gripz Datsun 240Z rally inspired concept RG11

Nissan has unveiled the Gripz, the Safari Rally Z-inspired crossover at Frankfurt. Last week, Z enthusiasts reached for their pitchforks after media-fueled assumptions that it would replace the Z. But like we said on Friday, let’s take a deep breath. This is not the replacement for the next Z.  Continue reading →

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