Japanese Nostalgic Car

QotW: How do you park your JNC?

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Ben Hsu

Given that we’ve just finished a three-part series on the art of parking, we’d like to hear how you park your JNC. Do you seek out the least ding-prone spot in the lot, or is it a garage-only, “point A-back-to-point A” scenario, or do you hard park it like a yak? Do you always back in, Japanese style, or do you pull in, nose first like some kind of barbarian? We want to know.

How do you park your JNC?

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 concept from the Tokyo Motor Show should be built?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged QotW, tokyo motor show | 23 Comments

NIHON LIFE: How to park your car in Japan, Part 03

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Skorj

Welcome to the final installment in our multi-part treatise on short-term automobile storage in Japanese society. In Part 01 of the investigation we studied what was within and without the bounds of the law, as well as the ubiquitous steel-bar-rising-up-out-of-the-ground parking lots. In Part 02 of the dissertation we considered the boom-gate lot and the car elevator building. Here are the final three practices by which you can leave your vehicle unattended. Continue reading →

Posted in Nihon Life | Tagged 240z, century, city, datsun, honda, isuzu, kei, Nihon Life, nissan, Parking, president, s30 z, toyota, VehiCROSS, yakuza | 32 Comments

MINICARS: AUTOart 1:18 Hakosuka Nissan Skyline GT-R

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Patrick Strong

As the broader collector car world has finally recognized the worthiness of Japanese classics, model car companies have followed suit. We’re seeing a steady increase in the number of nostalgics available in the more popular premium diecast scales (1:18 and 1:43), which is an exciting but not unexpected development — a model car collector can only acquire so many Ferraris and Porsches before they start to get a little stale. Continue reading →

Posted in minicars | Tagged autoart, c10, Hakosuka, kpgc10, minicars, nissan, skyline | 7 Comments

Tokyo Motor Show: So what’s up with the easter egg pigs on the Toyota Kikai? [UPDATE]

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Ben Hsu

We’ve waited to talk about the Toyota Kikai because we were hoping to get an answer from Toyota about one of the most bizarre easter eggs we’ve ever seen on a concept car. We still don’t have it, but hopefully by raising the question we can find someone who has the answer. [UPDATE: Actually, we may have found it. Scroll to the bottom.] Continue reading →

Posted in Tokyo Motor Show, Tokyo Motor Show | Tagged Kikai, tokyo motor show, toyota | 12 Comments

NIHON LIFE: How to park your car in Japan, Part 02

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Skorj

Sure, owning your own kyuusha in Japan sounds like a lot of fun, but where do you put it? In Part 01 of our damning exposé on the topic of parking an automobile in Japan, we illustrated what was legal and illegal, and did a deep dive into the most popular type of parking in Tokyo, the coin park. Today, we continue our series with two more… Continue reading →

Posted in Nihon Life | Tagged ae86, civic, corolla levin, delica, honda, mitsubishi, Nihon Life, Parking, s800, toyota, type r | 36 Comments

QotW: Which concept from the Tokyo Motor Show should be built?

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Ben Hsu

The Tokyo Motor Show may be over, but the concepts have a chance to live on. This year saw a return to the far-out concepts that you don’t see at any other auto show. From oddball Suzukis to a mid-engined Yamaha, bonkers Daihatsus to the stunning RX-Vision, as well as just about every type of sports car under the sun, Tokyo had it all. The only thing that’s missing is production.

Which concept from the Tokyo Motor Show should be built?

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 witness one automotive moment, what would it be?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged QotW | 30 Comments

NIHON LIFE: How to park your car in Japan, Part 01

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Skorj

Finding public or street parking in Japan’s major cities is sometimes chotto muzukashii — a Japanese saying for “a little difficult,” said through clenched teeth with a trailing “iiiii…” it essentially means, with typical Japanese subtlety, impossible. So there is naturally a range of inventive, complicated, and sometimes expensive options to parking your car in public. Continue reading →

Posted in Nihon Life | Tagged a70, ae86, az-1, c10, corolla levin, fairlady z, fd3s, fj60, fronte, fuji rabbit, Hakosuka, honda, land cruiser, mazda, Nihon Life, nissan, Note, origin, Parking, rx-7, S15, s30 z, s800, silvia, skyline, sprinter trueno, subaru, supra, suzuki, toyota | 19 Comments

VIDEO: Club-level race at Nakayama circuit in 1985

Posted on November 12, 2015 by Kevin San

This video of a club-level race at Nakayama Circuit in 1985 has got everything: AW11, Gemini, Bluebird, R30, SA22, multiple generations of Truenos and Levins, and the smooth jazz of a Gran Turismo menu screen. Watch the video below. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged ae86, aw11, bluebird, corolla levin, gemini, isuzu, mr2, Nakayama Circuit, nissan, r30, sa22, skyline, sprinter trueno, toyota | 5 Comments

Tokyo Motor Show: The wild and wonderful Big Sights

Posted on November 11, 2015 by Ben Hsu

Though the exciting debuts of the Tokyo Motor Show have been covered, you didn’t think we’d go all the way to Tokyo and and not show you around, did you? Here’s what it’s like to attend the press days of the maddest Motor Show on Earth. Continue reading →

Posted in Tokyo Motor Show, Tokyo Motor Show | Tagged Civic Type R, D-Base, daihatsu, fuso, Hinata, honda, hoverboard, impreza, jaf, Kirobo, land cruiser, lexus, Lexus LF-FC, mikuni, minicars, mitsubishi, monkey, motorcycles, nissan, Nissan IDS, Noriori, nsx, Outlander PHEV, prius, rally, rc142, RC213V, Resonator 125, S207, subaru, super cub, Teatro for Dayz, Tempo, tokyo motor show, tomica, toyota, Viziv Future, WRX STI, yamaha, yaris | 18 Comments

VIDEO: Toyota at the Tokyo Motor Show, 1954-2013

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Ben Hsu

In honor of the recent Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota has released a video showing a year-by-year review of every display it’s had since the show’s inception. Travel through time to see Crowns, Coronas, 2000GTs, Corollas, Celicas, and even more Crowns! Watch the video after the jump. Continue reading →

Posted in Tokyo Motor Show, Tokyo Motor Show | Tagged 2000gt, celica, corolla, corona, crown, tokyo motor show, toyota | 3 Comments

Tokyo Motor Show: Suzuki’s kei throwbacks

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Ben Hsu

The Tokyo Motor Show ended last night, and we have one thing to say: Oh Suzuki, how we’ve missed you. Not only do we not see your funky little cars on US roads any more, but then you show up to the big show with a bunch of throwback concepts. Continue reading →

Posted in Tokyo Motor Show, Tokyo Motor Show | Tagged Air Triser, Alto Works, Ignis, mighty boy, Mighty Deck, suzuki | 8 Comments

Get your free customized Toyota badge

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Ben Hsu

Toyota is offering a pretty nifty promotion in which you can get a free badge in Toyota font spelling out the name of your car. Just upload a photo of yourself with your car and tell them your name at this website, and that’s it! Funnily enough, their example is a new Camry named Trueno.

Posted in News | Tagged toyota | 13 Comments

QotW: If you could witness one automotive moment, what would it be?

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Ben Hsu

We recently asked about what car you’d preserve if you had a time machine, but what about a memory? Kenichi Yamamoto having his eureka moment about the rotary engine? Tetsu Ikuzawa passing the Porsche 904 at the 2nd Japan Grand Prix? Keiichi Tsuchiya initiating his first drift?

If you could witness one automotive moment, what would it be?

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 favorite Japanese car culture?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged QotW, Question of the Week | 26 Comments

MINICARS: Remember to get your Hot Wheels x JNC Datsun 510 Wagon tomorrow

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Ricky Silverio

Just a quick reminder: These exclusive black Datsun 510 Wagons with the JNC inkan will go on sale tomorrow at 9:00 am local time at participating Kmart stores. This is a KDay event, and in case you need a refresher on what that means, check out this post about a past KDay car, the Datsun 620. An exclusive yellow Subaru BRAT will be also be available at the same time. Continue reading →

Posted in minicars | Tagged 510, bluebird, brat, datsun, hot wheels, subaru, wagons | 7 Comments

SEMA 2015, Day 02: Old School Japan wins Best of Show

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Ben Hsu

In Day 01 of our 2015 SEMA coverage, we noticed a marked increase in JNCs on the show floor. Unlike past years, these weren’t just museum cars trotted out by the automakers but builds that prove our little niche is moving into the mainstream. Continue reading →

Posted in events | Tagged 240z, acura, datsun, datsun 521, fairlady roadster, Fugu Z, gt-r, honda, land cruiser, legend, Ludacris, nissan, peter brock, r35, Sung Kang, Titan XD | 12 Comments

SEMA 2015, Day 01: The emergence of old school Japan

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Ben Hsu

SEMA is for cars what Paris fashion week is for clothes. Top companies strut out their latest wares, often outlandishly decked out on stunning models. Most of the time it’s stuff you never see in the real world, but these shows act as barometers for the hottest trends. And if this year’s SEMA is any indication, Japanese nostalgic cars are generating some major heat. Continue reading →

Posted in events | Tagged 240sx, 240z, 510, a70, A80, ae86, bre, c110, corolla, crown, datsun, e20, kenmeri, mazda, miata, mx-5, ND, nissan, Rocket Bunny, s14, s30 z, s50, sema, silvia, skyline, supra, toyota, wagons, Z Car garage | 17 Comments

PROFILES: Sung Kang’s “Fugu Z”

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Patrick Strong

It was right there, lurking ominously beneath a dark gray cover in the middle of the GReddy Racing parking lot. We all knew what it was, and we had a pretty darned good idea of what it was going to look like, what with three behind-the-scenes videos splashed across the internet and enough social media heat to make a Kardashian proud. Beyond that, there was the thing itself, keeping scant few secrets under its tarp: anyone could see that it was bespoilered, widely flared, and packing a pair of JDM fender mirrors. And yet, despite being the worst-kept secret in the tuner car world, none of us knew exactly what to expect when the wrapper was removed from the Fugu Z, actor Sung Kang’s restomodded 240Z named for a potentially lethal cut of sushi. Continue reading →

Posted in profiles | Tagged 240z, datsun, Fugu Z, greddy, nissan, s30 z, Sung Kang | 25 Comments

KIDNEY, ANYONE? 1976 Honda Civic Lady Coggiola Protoype

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Ryan Senensky

Possibly the rarest Civic we’ve ever seen has turned up for sale in, of all places, the Netherlands AutoTrader website. This was brought to our attention from a post in our own forums by autofocus. Built by Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Coggiola, the 1976 Honda Civic Lady prototype debuted at the 1976 Geneva Auto Show and was based off of a first generation CVCC Civic. Of the original three hand-built Coggiola cars, this is believed to be the only surviving example. Continue reading →

Posted in concepts, Design, for sale, History Lesson, honda, Lost Cars, Uncategorized | Tagged civic, Civic Lady, Coggiola, concept, geneva motor show, honda, kidney anyone | 12 Comments

QotW: What’s your favorite Japanese car culture?

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Ben Hsu

Tomorrow is Culture Day, a national holiday in Japan in which the nation’s ancient traditions are celebrated. Everyone gets the day off of work, presumably to tend to their minka or to practice their kabuki. Of course, Japan is a rich source of car culture, from vanning to VIP, drifting to Wangan hashiriya.

What’s your favorite Japanese car culture?

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 car would you import from Japan?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged QotW | 11 Comments

Tokyo Motor Show: The death of the Japanese sports car has been greatly exaggerated

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Ben Hsu

Much ink has been spilled writing about the demise of the Japanese auto industry, especially for enthusiasts. Some of it here at JNC. However, if there was one thing to take away from this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, it’s that Japanese automakers are practically undergoing a sports car renaissance. Continue reading →

Posted in Tokyo Motor Show, Tokyo Motor Show | Tagged acura, gran turismo, honda, Honda Project 2&4, Ken Okuyama, Kode9, nissan, Nissan 2020 Concept, nsx, s660, tokyo motor show, toyota, Toyota S-FR, yamaha, Yamaha Sport Ride | 23 Comments

Japanese Nostalgic Car

QotW: How do you park your JNC?

NIHON LIFE: How to park your car in Japan, Part 03

MINICARS: AUTOart 1:18 Hakosuka Nissan Skyline GT-R

Tokyo Motor Show: So what’s up with the easter egg pigs on the Toyota Kikai? [UPDATE]

NIHON LIFE: How to park your car in Japan, Part 02

QotW: Which concept from the Tokyo Motor Show should be built?

NIHON LIFE: How to park your car in Japan, Part 01

VIDEO: Club-level race at Nakayama circuit in 1985

Tokyo Motor Show: The wild and wonderful Big Sights

VIDEO: Toyota at the Tokyo Motor Show, 1954-2013

Tokyo Motor Show: Suzuki’s kei throwbacks

Get your free customized Toyota badge

QotW: If you could witness one automotive moment, what would it be?

MINICARS: Remember to get your Hot Wheels x JNC Datsun 510 Wagon tomorrow

SEMA 2015, Day 02: Old School Japan wins Best of Show

SEMA 2015, Day 01: The emergence of old school Japan

PROFILES: Sung Kang’s “Fugu Z”

KIDNEY, ANYONE? 1976 Honda Civic Lady Coggiola Protoype

QotW: What’s your favorite Japanese car culture?

Tokyo Motor Show: The death of the Japanese sports car has been greatly exaggerated

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