We are proud to introduce our the latest Matchbox car to feature the JNC inkan, the Mazda RX-3. Introduced in 1971, the early rotary-powered coupe was a pivotal step in Mazda’s ascension to motorsports glory, and has long deserved to be immortalized in diecast form. Let’s take a closer look at the car that will soon be on pegs at retail locations around the world. Continue reading
In the 1970s Japanese carmakers were fanning out across the globe, looking for markets that might be interested in their unique takes on the automobile. However, political tensions in the Middle East forced carmakers into a difficult choice. If they sold cars in Israel, the Arab League nations would boycott them in their far larger territory. Bigger companies like Toyota and Nissan didn’t want to jeopardize relationships with the Arab League nations, so they avoided Israel. Except Fuji Heavy Industries. And that is why the 2011 film that takes place on the Israel-Palestine border is called Pink Subaru. Continue reading
Speaking to the press at Monterey Car Week, a top Honda exec has revealed that the company plans to launch a flagship performance sports car by the end of the decade. Rumors of an third-generation NSX have been swirling since August 2021 when then head of Acura Jon Ikeda said that there will be a halo car for the electric age. Now, almost exactly three years later, we have some more clues as to what this car might be. Continue reading
Today, August 19, is Motorcycle Day in Japan. The date of the holiday comes from a pun. In Japanese, an alternate pronunciation of eight is ba, one is i, and nine is ku. Put them together and you have baiku, so 8/19 is Bike Day. Two-wheeled vehicles are much more prevalent in Japan than they are in America, from postal carriers on Super Cubs to speed junkies on Hayabusas. The range of bikes available there is much greater than in the U.S. as well. In fact, Japan’s history of motorcycles is probably as great or greater than its history of cars.
What’s your favorite Japanese motorcycle?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your favorite captive import?“. Continue reading
We feel that it is our duty to inform you that an absolutely amazing example of a Subaru XT is currently for sale on eBay Motors. The futuristic 80s wedge that is the Subaru XT is a rare machine and this one is not only a survivor, but one that’s better than what Subaru of America has in their official collection. Continue reading
After many months of rumors about a Celica revival, reports now say that the return of the Toyota sports coupe could come as early as five months from now. Not only that, but the Celica will reportedly be powered purely by gasoline to the tune of about 400 horsepower, putting it above the Supra in terms of performance and on par with the Nissan Z. Continue reading
A Mazda PR rep once told us that every car in their museum in replaceable, even the original Chicago Auto Show Miatas, except one: the Le Mans-winning 787B. For Honda, that equivalent must be the 1965 RA272, the first Honda — the first Japanese car, period — to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix. If we were Honda, we’d never let it out of the Collection Hall, but this piece of history is currently on a world tour and has landed in America. Continue reading
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the unforgettable 1994 action film Speed. The Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock flick told the story of a cop trying to stop a moving city bus full of passengers from succumbing to a bomb planted on board by a terrorist. As it happens, a very similar plot was the opening episode of Japanese police drama Seibu Keisatsu Part II. Continue reading
On August 12, 1981 Suzuki, Isuzu, and General Motors signed a deal to co-develop compact cars. In hindsight we know that this deal didn’t result in any game-changing products. Instead, it produced a lot of rebadged models under the defunct Geo brand. History is littered with captive imports, cars produced by a foreign manufacturer but sold under a domestic brand. From the Mitsubishi-made Dodge Challenger to the GM-made Toyota Cavalier, these badge-engineered cars sometimes let customers buy a car that would have been otherwise unavailable in their market. Other times, it was just a lazy emblem swap. But they were once everywhere, and now a dying breed.
What’s your favorite captive import?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi dream build?” Continue reading
The Mitsubishi Mirage is dead. The Nissan Versa is now the only new car in America that costs below $20,000. But there was a time when the economy compact was one of the hottest, most competitive segments in the market. Hailing from that era was the fourth-gen Mitsubishi Mirage, the car that was the foundation for the legendary Lancer Evolution. But as it turns out, the base car was pretty neat too. Continue reading
The game-changing Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo chassis 8801 is currently undergoing restoration and will be shown at the upcoming Monterey Historics later this month. Thirty-five years ago the prototype racer ended the Porsche 962’s dominance of the IMSA GTP class, in the process becoming the first Japanese car to win the 12 Hours of Sebring. It wasn’t all rainbows and roses though. The GTP ZX-Turbo experienced its share of hardships before achieving its historic successes. Continue reading
Toyota tuning house TOM’s is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year by teaming up with Casio for a special edition watch. The design of the Edifice EFS-S641TMS-1A was inspired by the TOM’s Toyota Starlet KP47, which ruled Japan’s 1970s racing scene. The car catapulted TOM’s to popularity and many aspects of it are now are commemorated by the timepiece’s thoughtful details. Continue reading
In case you were wondering whether it was possible to buy a plush doll of famed racing driver Kazuyoshi Hoshino, the answer is yes. That’s right, the Nissan pilot who placed third at the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans and who helmed the JTC-winning Calsonic R32 Skyline GT-R now exists as an adorable stuffed figure. Funnily enough, this isn’t even the first time this has happened. Continue reading
If you’ve been following industry news you might have heard that, last week, Honda and Nissan not only strengthened their strategic partnership, but added Mitsubishi. The alliance is for fast-tracking electrification technologies — and to compete against the Toyota, Subaru, Mazda union — but one can fantasize about the Frankensteined monsters that could emerge. A sports car with a Nissan engine, Honda gearbox, and Mitsubishi turbo system? A lineup with FF Honda cars, FR Nissan luxury vehicles, and Mitsubishi SUVs? Combining resources to release a badge engineered Integra/Pulsar/Eclipse, S2000/Silvia/Starion, and NSX/GT-R/GTO sports car onslaught? The possibilities are endless!
What’s your Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi dream build?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What marque do you most often recommend?“. Continue reading
As much as we love to drive manual transmission cars in real life, when we sit down for a round of Gran Turismo we almost always choose automatic mode. Shifting on a PlayStation controller is just another added level of unnecessary difficulty, and the computer’s shifts are so good that there’s no need to lose valuable milliseconds fumbling around with L2 and R2. That’s the idea behind Toyota adding an automatic transmission to the GR Corolla. Continue reading
Forty years after its debut, the Honda HP-X concept has undergone an extensive restoration. It was originally shown at the 1984 Turin Auto Show and is billed as Honda’s first concept car (though that is debatable). Regardless, it’s a fascinating car that predicted many automotive trends, and helped pave the way for the NSX. Continue reading
Legendary motorcycle tuner Hideo “Pop” Yoshimura was recently reunited with one of the machines that changed Japan’s motorsports history. The occasion was the 70th anniversary of Yoshimura R&D’s founding, and the bike was the Honda CB72. It was the first the the bike had been shown in Japan in 60 years. Continue reading
Collectors of Japanese diecast cars will have a lot to look forward to in the Matchbox lineup of 2025. Last weekend Matchbox’s annual convention was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico and the hosts from Mattel previewed next year’s lineup. There are some excellent casting choices ranging from iconic models to once-ordinary cars that are now cool classics. Continue reading
We’re assuming that because JNC readers are car enthusiasts, you often get asked by your normie friends what kind of car they should buy. Obviously the recommendation will depend on the various needs of the buyer, but is there a brand you find yourself gravitating towards? Do you minimize the number of repair shop visits with a Toyota, open their eyes to the joy a driving experience could be with a Mazda, encourage them to get out and see the world in Subaru? Maybe you’re just a misanthrope and foist a Mitsubishi on everyone. Years ago Honda would’ve probably been at the top of our list, but is it still the king? We want to hear your suggestions and your reasons.
What marque do you most often recommend?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What car do you not regret selling or letting get away?“. Continue reading
As the R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R was finishing up its four-year dominance of the All-Japan Touringcar Championship (JTC), winning every single race from 1990-93, a new Nissan race car was on the horizon. The FIA had announced new rules for 1994, which required four-door base cars and naturally aspirated engines of 2.0 liters or less. Goodbye Godzilla, hello Primera. Continue reading
