Japanese Nostalgic Car

Today, May 20, is Electric Car Day in Japan. It was named so in 2009 after battery company Yuasa restored a century-old electric car. As we hurtle toward the EV era automakers seem to have settled on two main naming strategies. The first is to give their electrified car a new eco-friendly or futuristic-sounding model name like Leaf or bZ4X. The other is to force an existing nameplate on a beloved but unrelated car, like the Mustang Mach E or Toyota Crown. Neither does much for enthusiasts. But perhaps a better plan would be to revive a dormant name that would have no hope of being used otherwise. We would love to see the return of a stylish cruiser like the Cressida, which was never intended an enthusiast’s car when new. Instead, it was built on a reputation as a quiet, smooth operator, characteristics that seem ideal for an EV.

What dead nameplate should be revived as an electric car?

The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What car would you choose for a 100 horsepower or less cross-country rally?“. Continue reading →

Three years ago there was an invitation-only Cannonball-style cross-country rally for cars 100 horsepower or less. It was called the Musketball. Among the entrants were a Suzuki kei van decorated like the famous Trans-Con Medivac ambulance. So naturally we got to thinking, what’s the perfect JNC to tackle such an event? We should note that while it was a competitive event, winning almost took a back seat to having wacky fun, so do with that what you will.

What car would you choose for a 100 horsepower or less cross-country rally?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What Japanese racing livery should be revived?“. Continue reading →

We were pleasantly shocked last week when Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing revealed that they’d be bringing back Toyota’s WRC and JGTC Castrol livery — on a Ford Mustang, no less. It got us thinking about what other famous Japanese racing liveries should be resurrected. Bonus points for finding the perfect car to match, and they don’t have to necessarily be on a car of the same marque.

What Japanese racing livery should be revived?

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 Showa Era car?“. Continue reading →

Today, April 29, is Showa Day, one of Japan’s national holidays. It’s considered a time to reflect on the Showa Era, which lasted from December 25, 1926 to January 7, 1989. But when you say Showa Era to the average Japanese person, they mostly think about the 1950s and 1960s, the time when Japan’s economy entered a period of rapid growth that culminated with the Bubble Economy of the 1980s. Cars that typify the Showa Era include the Daihatsu Midget, Subaru 360, and Mazda R360, the pioneers of private car ownership. For the purposes of this week’s question, though, we’ll allow any car sold before 1989.

What’s your favorite Showa Era car?

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 greenest car you’ve ever owned?“. Continue reading →