We have seen other historic Toyota race cars hit the market recently, and the appearance of this 1993 ex-works Toyota Celica ST185 indicates their collectability is increasing. Building on the victories of the ST165 chassis, the ST185 was introduced to usher Toyota into the 90’s with more success; thanks to improvements to its frame, turbo system, and suspension. Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? Ex-works Toyota Celica ST185 Group A rally car
Posted in for sale
Tagged carlos sainz, celica, group a, kidney anyone, motorsport, rally, st185, toyota, wrc
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QotW: What’s the best JNC for a new driver?
Last week we asked which JNC would get you the most dates. Let’s say the advice dispensed by our readers worked and netted you a mate. First comes love, then comes marriage, now it’s 16 years later you have a teen getting behind the wheel for the first time.
What’s the best JNC for a new driver?
The E70 Corolla might be the perfect ride for a new license holder. It’s unassuming, mechanically simple, and reliable as an oak tree. It comes in a variety of body styles and is common enough that you won’t feel guilty if the newb puts a ding in it. And yet, it has all the underpinnings of an AE86 so your budding Takumi Fujiwara can learn RWD dynamics in a well-balanced chassis without the perils of too much power. Best of all, it’s a sensible, economical Corolla, making for an easy sell to your non-car enthusiast spouse.
What say you, dear reader? As always, the most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a toy. Click through to see the winner of the last QotW, “Which JNC will get you the most dates?” Continue reading
Ten years, 100,000km of Mitsubishi ownership
Back in 2010 Mitsubishi went around Japan looking for the most loyal members of the triple diamond clan. They sent journalist Hirohisa Kaneko across the country looking for individuals who had owned their Mitsubishis for either 10 years or 100,000km to share their stories. What he found was everything from a guy with two matching 1970s Debonairs to an elderly gent who’s had his Galant GTO GSR for 41 years. Continue reading
Posted in mitsubishi
Tagged chariot, debonair, delica, dignity, gto, kei, lancer, minica, minicab, mitsubishi, montero, pajero, proudia
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MINICARS: Hot Wheels Kenmeri Skyline hints at what could’ve been
The Hot Wheels kenmeri Nissan Skyline in the Flying Customs series has been one of the hardest of Mattel’s Japanese classics to find. If you were lucky enough to score one, look inside. There were actually two different interiors: a full stock cabin with rear bench and passenger seat, and a racing cockpit with just one racing seat. Today we’re going to answer two mysteries. Why the two interiors, and why was it so damn hard to find? Continue reading
Posted in minicars
Tagged c110, flying customs, hot wheels, kenmeri, minicars, nissan, skyline
10 Comments
VIDEO: This OS Giken twin-cam is the most glorious sound you’ll hear all week
You know the OS Giken TC24: The 9,000rpm twin-cam head for Nissan‘s L-series motor costing somewhere in the realm of $30,000 and harder to find than Yeti dandruff (only 11 were built). Last year we saw a new version, the TC24-B1Z, at Nos2Days with a completely re-worked valvetrain, gear-driven timing and a new-and-improved 10,000rpm redline. Well now the mad scientists at OS Giken have dropped it in a car, and here’s what it sounds like. Hint: It’s like a million-angel chorus. Continue reading
CATALOGUER: Hondas from around the world, circa 1983
Starting in 1979 Honda held yearly photography competitions among its distributors from around the world. Most appear to be brochure images localized to the many corners of the atlas where Hondas were sold. The best pictures were assembled in a calendar. Here’s the winners from the 1983 contest, a parade of early 80s Civics, Accords and Preludes with a dab of Quintet from far-flung reaches of the globe. Continue reading
Mazda Cosmo Sport and Toyota 2000GT in this month’s Hemmings
A Toyota 2000GT and a Mazda Cosmo 110s will both grace the cover of the upcoming April issue of Hemmings Sport & Exotic Car. The pivotal pair of shiro historic flagships was garnered together by our buddy and fellow J-tin enthusiast Jeff Koch, who was also fortunate enough to give each a spin for his cover story.
Also included within the issue is a brief biography of Datsun-Nissan historian Dan Banks along with a Buyer’s Guide for the 1968-1973 Datsun 510.
Posted in media
Tagged 2000gt, 510, bluebird, cosmo sport, datsun, hemmings, mazda, toyota
7 Comments
QotW: Which JNC will get you the most dates?
For most of their existence Japanese cars have been seen as economical, practical and reliable. Those may be great qualities, but they won’t necessarily improve your love life.
Which JNC will get you the most dates?
The Toyota 2000GT may be the obvious choice, though not necessarily for the obvious reasons. Sure it costs a million bucks so it’s right up there in Ferrari territory when it comes to symbolizing your net worth, but it’s not the price that does it. It’s the Toyota emblem. In fact, the non-car nut you’re wooing will probably assume that it is a Ferrari of some sort. Then they’ll see that Aichi badge and suddenly it becomes interesting, a conversation starter, and an indicator that you’re not just a Richie Rich who thoughtlessly plunked down a million bucks for a status symbol. Also, it’s beautiful as hell.
What say you, dear reader? As always, the most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a toy. Click through to see the winner of the last QotW, “Which JNC had the greatest interior?” Continue reading
GALLERIES: Nissan Yokohama Headquarters Showroom
In the 80 years Nissan’s been around, its flagship showrooms have moved several times. The first truly glamorous location was at the 4-chome intersection in the heart of Ginza, sharing real estate during the booming 1960s with some of Japan’s oldest and most expensive department stores. Nissan eventually got tired of switching out display vehicles into the distinctive curved glass building by crane and relocated a few blocks away, to the lobby of Nissan’s massive Tokyo headquarters. Then in 2009, to the surprise of many, Nissan left its long-time home in Japan’s capital for brand new digs in Yokohama. Continue reading
BUBBLE ERA EXCESS: 1984 Nissan Gloria Turbo Brougham VIP Super Selection Ⅱ
Since we’re talking about the greatest interiors this week here’s a rarely mentioned cabin that gives Mitsubishi’s plaid and Subaru’s bizarro asymmetry a run for their money. Behold the Bubble Era excess of the 1984 Nissan Gloria Turbo Brougham VIP Super Selection Ⅱ. See? Japan’s economy was booming so hard in the 1980s that Nissan could afford to spend triple what they do now just on badging for a comically long name. But that’s nothing compared to the interior. Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: Perhaps the greatest Mazda collectibles of all time
There are rare collectibles and there are rare collectibles. What you see here are perhaps the greatest pieces of memorabilia a Mazdafarian could ever want. You know the story of the Mazda 787B. Winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans was a momentous occasion, both for Mazda and for Japan, and they knew the history-making car would take a very special place in the company’s museum in Hiroshima.
But before it was whisked away, the oil that ran through the arteries of its relentless, 700hp, four-rotor heart was drained and bottled in little glass vials. There are only four such vessels in the entire world and this is number 1 of 4. Continue reading
NEWS: Toyota applies for Supra trademark
Toyota has applied to the US Patent And Trademark Office to secure the name Supra, according to our friends at The Motor Report. With this, plus the recent reports seemingly confirming that the FT-1 concept concept will be developed into the next Toyota flagship, evidence is mounting for a return of the hallowed model with a name born because of porn. Continue reading
CLASSIC CM: Everything about the 610 Bluebird-U is just sex, sex, sex
What a difference two generations make. 1966 commercials for Nissan’s Bluebird, then of the 410 generation, capitalized on the car’s motorsports prowess at the Safari Rally. The 510‘s adverts were pretty tame as well, just a rundown of its design and features. Then we get to 1971 and the 610 Bluebird-U and any sense of decorum goes flying out the window. Continue reading
QotW: Which JNC had the greatest interior?
Interiors. They just don’t make ’em like they used to. Do you want to sit in the infinite blackness of an East German coal mine or the tan aftermath of a khaki explosion at the Dockers factory? Back in the day, you had choices: crushed velour, body-matched colors, even intricate embroidering on the headrests. Designers took the time to craft a sumptuous cabin. Therefore we ask:
Which JNC had the greatest interior?
Check out the plaid wonderland that is the insides of the 1978 Dodge Challenger, a rebadged Mitsubishi Galant Λ. Not only is it matched to the two-tone blue-on-white exterior, but in case its opulence gets you in the mood for some in-car amorousness there are built-in grab handles on the seats. There is a downside though. Good luck finding any trim pieces damaged or lost to time.
What say you, dear reader? As always, the most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a toy. Click through to see the winner of the last QotW, “What’s the worst example of badge engineering?” Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
28 Comments
MINICARS: How to get your blue Hot Wheels X JNC Datsun 620 this Saturday
Just a friendly reminder that the beautiful blue Hot Wheels X JNC Datsun 620 will be available this Saturday, February 15, at participating Kmart stores across the US. In fact, it will only be available at Kmart this weekend, and when they’re gone, they’re gone. Continue reading
Happy Valentine’s Day from JNC
Valentine’s Day. Unavoidable and yet oh-so-little to do with cars. That is, unless you’re lucky enough to receive one of these kyuusha-shaped Tomica chocolates. For 2014, they’ve added an adorable cocoa Subaru 360 to the set.
How cute is that? I mean, if there was ever a classic Japanese car that should be made into a candy it’s the Subie 360.
The five nostalgics from last year — a Honda S800, Toyota TE72 Corolla Levin, hakosuka Skyline, Nissan S30 Fairlady Z, and a Toyota 2000GT — have also returned. Is this going to be a yearly thing? We hope so.
Alas, you can only order them in Japan but according to Amazon they have a 210-day shelf life, so theoretically you’d have until JCCS to enjoy them. Happy Valentine’s Day!
MINICARS: Hot Wheels Cool Classics 1987 Toyota Pickup
Toyota isn’t the only company getting nostalgic for the 80s with its latest batch of TRD trucks. Hot Wheels‘ latest line of premium collectibles is the Cool Classics series, and with 25 of the 30 cars released it was looking like your typical parade of Detroit iron. Then suddenly, a 1987 Toyota Pickup! Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? Prototype Honda CB750 for $148,000
The Honda CB750 was earth-shattering when it debuted in 1969 that a new word had to be coined to describe it. And lo, the superbike was born. Soichiro Honda rocked the world with his large-displacement, transverse-mounted SOHC four-cylinder, unheard of in a mainstream bike at the time. Called the “King of Motorcycles,” advanced features for its time, like front disc brakes and electric starter, revolutionized the motorcycle industry in much the way Honda’s NSX jolted the supercar establishment 20 years later. Early CB750s can trade for $40,000 to 50,000, but this particular bike recently sold for a whopping $148,000. Here’s why. Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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EVENTS: 2014 All-Toyotafest
Our friends at TORC have just released their 2014 All-Toyotafest flyer. Here’s everything you need to know about the 19th running of this fantastic yearly gathering of Toyota, Lexus and Scion enthusiasts.
When: May 3, 2014, 9am – 3pm
Where: Queen Mary Park, Long Beach, California
Admission: Free for spectators
Registration: Begins March 1, with very limited spacing. Register here.
Mark your calendars! There’s a larger version below. Please help spread the word to make this the biggest and best Toyoafest yet. Continue reading
NEWS: Mazda Celebrates 25 Years of the MX-5
Mazda knew when they unveiled the Miata at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show that they had built a true driver’s car, one whose stated purpose was to create joy. That was 25 years ago today. What they couldn’t have known was that it would become the best selling sports car of all time. Soon the likes of Toyota, Nissan, Honda, BMW, Mercedes and Audi all tried to emulate the formula, but it was only Mazda that sold 1 million drop top smile generators to loving owners all over the globe. Today it officially becomes nostalgic. Continue reading
