Mazda sure knows how to pick ’em. In the US, Mazda PR reps never let us forget that the full name for the famous corkscrew-having NorCal circuit is Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. On August 1 in Japan, they’ll be the official sponsors of the Hakone Turnpike, a road leading to one of the birthplaces of drifting. Continue reading
For your Hump Day viewing pleasure, we present two videos about 1970s Toyota Corollas. One’s stock, one’s anything but, though both are equally entertaining. Continue reading
The problem with cars is that they’re made of metal. That means rust, skinned knuckles, and, most importantly, an inability to be cuddly. A shop called Rocket Craft has solved that last one for us by creating a series of stuffed cars, which are totally adorbs. Continue reading
The rise of Japanese stereo component systems parallels the popularity of Japanese cars. Since it’s already been determined that retro electronica bands love the styling of 80s Japanese cars, what about the devices used to play them?
What’s the coolest JNC stereo deck?
This is the OEM stereo in the JNC Cressida wagon. It’s a massive double-DIN unit, has a 9-frequency equalizer, and the tape deck boasts something called “logic control,” which sounds like a world domination device Dr Mindbender would invent. In night driving, it lights up like the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. Sure, it sounds like the music’s being played through a pillow compared to modern systems, but it looks so damn cool we can’t bear to part with it.
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 the last QotW, “What’s the best shade of JNC blue?” Continue reading
ZCon 2014 is coming up soon, and this year the organizers have a lot of great thing planned. First and foremost, you should know that this is not a Z-only gathering. While Zs from 240 to 370 are definitely a large part of the festivities, the organizers have plans to include Nissans and Datsuns of all stripes. Continue reading
Electronica, it’s what all the kids are into these days. It’s like the 1980s all over again, especially in car choice, and the AW11 Toyota MR2 is apparently the go-to machine for music videos of 1980s electronica revival bands. Continue reading
Yes, you read that right. 57 miles. 92 kilometers. That’s the odometer reading of this Canadian MA71 Toyota Supra Turbo, likely a dealership showpiece for nearly 25 years. Now it’s being offered by County Hills Toyota-Scion in Calgary after a lifetime of being wrapped in the original plastic. Continue reading
Every summer at the Mitsubishi Motors North America’s headquarters in Cypress, California there’a massive gathering of the triple diamond clan. The company might be in dire financial straits, but they’re still the only Japanese automaker to invite all their fans over for a house party. This is the west coast Mitsubishi Owners Day. Continue reading
We are proud to show you the latest Hot Wheels to wear the JNC inkan, the long-awaited second color of the immensely popular Datsun Bluebird 510 Wagon. However, this is also the third color, because this model is being released as a Super Treasure Hunt, a special variation that will sure to be incredibly difficult to find in stores. Continue reading
The artist known Coop has made a career illustrating hot rods, X-rated devil girls and rock ‘n’ roll album covers. His latest creation takes the style of Ed Roth (check out his sweet Honda N600) and gives it a Japanese twist. Nag Fink, a tribute to Roth’s Rat Fink, rocks a blown kenmeri Skyline and a samurai sword. You can preorder it here for $75.
Happy Marine Day! Also known as Ocean Day, the third Monday of every July is a Japanese national holiday that celebrates the seas and the bounty they provide for the island nation. On St. Patrick’s Day we asked for the best green. It’s only fitting that we now ask:
What’s the best shade of JNC blue?
Nissan has recognized that the Skyline GT-R’s Bayside Blue is worthy of recreating on the 2015 Juke. Alas, the R34 is too new. Allow us to posit Orion Turquoise Metallic of the A20 Celica. Not only is it an iconic color for the original Toyota sports coupe, it was offered in only the first year of the Celica’s US sales, 1970.
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 the last QotW, “What’s the most unlikely JNC?“ Continue reading
James Garner, actor, car enthusiast, and Mazda spokesman has passed away at the age of 86. He will be missed. Continue reading
Hot Wheels will be releasing a BRE Datsun 240Z later this year as part of a limited edition, online-only offering from the Red Line Club. It looks to be a sought-after follow-up to last fall, when a similar BRE Datsun 510 sold out in two hours. Continue reading
Nissan recently revealed the 2015 Juke to media in Nashville, Tennessee. This garishly colored example, which reps jokingly called the “USC edition,” is part of a new program that allows buyers to pimp their Jukes with custom coloring. We think this will lead to a spate of pretty bizarre looking specimens of the already-funky Juke on US streets, but for JNCers in Japan, you can choose from a palette of heritage colors that have appeared on historic Skylines and Fairlady Zs. Continue reading
In our third and final installment of the 2014 Nissan Jam, we take a look at the JDM (and JDM-style) cars that populated the show. In the comments of Part 02 NX Coupe Driver asked “Where are all the Nissan Skylines?” Well, right here, buddy, and as it turns out they were far more plentiful than the Nissan NX, a car that unlike the Skyline was actually sold in the US. Stop slacking NX owners! Onto the show, shall we? Continue reading
Osaka’s midnight racers have been terrorizing the Kanjo Loop line for decades. There have been many stories about the Kanjozoku, but a new short by Bowls Films is the most in-depth look yet at the Honda Civic driving speed junkies. Continue reading
Until six or seven years ago, most of the collector world openly scoffed at the idea of a Japanese classic. Today, prices are going up and the tide has shifted. However, even amongst the true believers there’s still a few cars that surprise us with their popularity.
What’s the most unlikely JNC?
We recently visited Nissan USA’s collection (more in an upcoming article) where they have a mint Datsun B210. Nissan tells us that at a recent car show where they brought out several of their museum cars, the B210 garnered the most attention among their display vehicles. Want even more love? Put Honey Bee graphics on it!
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 the last QotW, “What JNC would you live in?” Continue reading
On July 10, 1989 the Z32 Nissan 300ZX went on sale in Japan. Now, 25 years later, the Z32 300ZX is officially a Japanese nostalgic car. Twin turbos, dual intercoolers, 300 horsepower and starship-worthy sheetmetal made a very strong impression on your young editor-in-chief, so much so that you could say that without the Turbo Z, there’d be no JNC. We commemorated the occasion by driving the most original turbocharged example in the USA, if not on planet Earth. Continue reading
One of the great things about an event like Nissan Jam is the sheer diversity of cars it brings out. Sure, there are Z and Roadster gatherings in SoCal, and 510s are bound to show up wherever you go, but there aren’t many places where you can see a B210, Sentra SE-R and a Patrol, along with the usual fleet of 240Zs and 510s, all in one place. Continue reading
The British sure know how to appreciate the classics. In fact, Toyota UK is quietly amassing a proper heritage collection of the company’s best and brightest. Back in April they found what they describe as “quite possibly the best original MR2 in existence” in the classifieds, but by the time they went to buy it, the AW11 had already been sold. Continue reading
