Remember how Nissan said the Sports Sedan Concept was going to redefine the marque’s future design language? They wasted no time and have already given the Nissan IDx, unveiled in Tokyo less than two months ago, a facelift for its North American debut. Continue reading
When the J30 Maxima debuted in 1989 Nissan employed a clever little bit of marketing by calling it the “4DSC,” or “four door sports car.” Now the automaker is invoking the spirit of Nissans past in it’s new Sport Sedan Concept, unveiled today at Detroit. Continue reading
Since the Supra’s departure from US shores in 1998, Toyotaku have been eagerly waiting for its return. Every year or so there’d be rumors about a new halo sports car for the Toyota brand, including the weeks leading up to this year’s Detroit Auto Show. The only difference was, this time the rumors were true. Behold, the Toyota FT-1 concept. Continue reading
It may seem like we just asked this question, but just because a car is the greatest graduate from the Class of 1989 doesn’t mean you want to own it. The doors have opened onto a whole new era of once-forbidden Japanese machinery now that 1989 is no longer under America’s ban on foreign cars younger than 25 years.
What “Class of 1989” car would you import?
Before the PT Cruiser, the New Beetle, or the neo-Mustang/Camaro/Challenger, there was the Nissan Pao. Along with its siblings the Figaro, Be-1 and S-Cargo, it was retro before retro was a thing. Built off a K10 March platform, the Pao embodied the cars one would’ve seen on post-war Japanese roads. Nothing fancy, just the basics — exposed hinges, sliding rear windows, and painted interior surfaces. Yeah, sure, it’s front-wheel-drive and has only a 1.0-liter four-cylinder for power, but it’s so darn cute. Besides, not all of us want our own Godzillas.
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 your 2014 automotive resolution?” Continue reading
When Toyota holds a car show in the middle of Tokyo’s equivalent of Central Park, people notice. In Part 01 of our Meiji Jingu Classic Car Festival coverage we had the rare opportunity to see the best of Japan’s historic icons in their natural environment, wending their way through the bustling capital city. Once the route was completed, each car pulled into the heart of Meiji Jingu Park, attracting massive crowds of car fiends and weekend strollers alike. Continue reading
For Celica fans 1986 is known as the year when the beloved sports coupe was transformed from rear- to a front-wheel-drive. Despite its softening, Toyota was still hell-bent on scoring sales with an aggressive racing program. At the time there was no bigger US race series than IMSA touring cars, so three GTO-class Celicas were created to challenge the likes of the Mazda RX-7, Porsche 911 and Chevy Corvette. They were rear-drive, turbocharged, and produced as much as 600hp. And now you can own one. Continue reading
We’re extremely lucky to attend as many J-tin filled shows as we do, so it might sound like a first world problem when we say there’s always one teensy issue: The cars are stationary. That’s why when the Toyota Automobile Museum decided to host a classic car festival and parade in the heart of Tokyo, we simply had to go. Continue reading
Last year Hot Wheels graced us with the Toyota 2000GT, a car JNC readers have been clamoring for ever since the first hints of Mattel venturing into the world of nostalgics. For 2014 two re-colors of the million dollar baby have been released, including a gorgeous yellow example.
The black car was released at the tail end of 2013 and can still be found in stores. The yellow example was just leaked by The Lamley Group — meaning a likely shelf date at the end the first quarter — and features heritage cues based on famous cars in the 2000GT’s history. Continue reading
A new year is upon us, and if you haven’t already made a 2014 resolutions yet it’s not too late to start. Perhaps you have a heap of parts waiting to be re-merged into a car. Or 2014 could be when you finally make it out to one of the great car shows like JCCS. Or Maybe this is the year you add that special car to your garage.
What’s your 2014 automotive resolution?
We, for one, are going to make some improvements to this little corner of the internet we call home. The website is going to undergo some changes that’ll polish up navigation, presentation and just make the overall JNC experience more pleasurable. It’s going to be an exciting year ahead!
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 “Class of 1989″ car is the greatest “new” JNC?” Continue reading
At the Tokyo Motor Show last November Honda released a short video called “The Challenging Spirit of Honda.” Chock full of 1960s racing footage from Honda’s first foray into Formula 1, it begins with Old Man Soichiro’s world-beating RC motorcycles and culminates with engine testing in preparation for its 2015 return to F1. Continue reading
Just one day into 2014 and it’s happened. Enthusiast Trevor Cobb has become the first person to legally import an R32 Skyline GT-R into the United States under the 25-years-and-older exemption. You get the idea he’s been waiting a while. Continue reading
Japan’s shaken roadworthiness inspection is one of the world’s toughest. But it’s not strict enough, interestingly, to stop you from registering a full blown Le Mans prototype racer for street use.
Motorhead and Maiham Media have produced a fantastic video about Mr. A, Takeshi Moroi, and Senji Hoshino, three gentlemen insane/passionate enough to own, care for and drive a Jaguar XJ220C LM, Porsche 962C, and a Mazda 767B. It is the ultimate race enthusiast’s dream. Watch the video below. Continue reading
In Japan it’s a new year’s tradition to wake up early, drive to the coast or the top of your nearest mountain, and watch hatsuhinode, the year’s first sunrise. Bosozoku take this seriously enough that police blockades are set up to curtail their activities. We hope your 2014 is free from such encounters from law enforcement. Happy New Year from JNC!
Earlier today, Nissan released a teaser shot of a car called the Sports Sedan Concept to close out the year. The show car will be fully revealed at the Detroit Motor Show in January, where it will be joined by the IDx Freeflow and IDx NISMO for their North American debuts. The press release has led some media outlets to speculate that the Sports Sedan Concept is a Datsun 510 revival. It is not and here’s our evidence. Continue reading
As we bid sayonara to 2013 let’s look back at some of the highs and lows it has given us. Enthusiasm for classic Japanese cars continues to grow and gain mainstream acceptance. This will only increase as cars that went on sale in 1989 are welcomed into the JNC fold. There’s a lot to look forward to for 2014, but for now here are JNC‘s Top 10 most-read stories of the year. Continue reading
It’s here. 1989, one of the greatest single years Japanese automotive history. With the 25-year-or older rule rolling over one more year, any car built at the peak of the Bubble Economy is now officially a classic.
Which “Class of 1989” car is the greatest “new” JNC?
Throughout the 70s and 80s Japan was building fantastic cars, but 1989 was the year our beloved marques finally broke from the chains of their economy car past and became world beaters. The Mazda Miata single-handedly reignited the roadster revolution. Icons like the DA Integra kicked off a boom in FF tuning. 1989 also saw the introduction of the Lexus LS 400 and Infiniti Q45, luxury sedans that would challenge nearly a century of dominance from German brands. Toyota unveiled the SW20 MR2 and Subaru began the Legacy legacy with a turbo sedan. Nissan unleashed a one-two punch with the Z32 Fairlady Z twin turbo and Godzilla himself, the R32 Skyline GT-R. And even though it wouldn’t go into production until a year later, 1989 also saw the announcement of the Acura NSX supercar at the 1989 Detroit Motor Show. With so many to choose from, this should be a spirited debate.
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 best winter JNC?” Continue reading
Apparently, building JNCs out of Legos is a thing. After stumbling upon a Toyota Celica built by -Kyusha-, we fell down the rabbit hole and discovered an entire subculture of nostalgics made of plastic blocks. Here are some of our favorites. Continue reading
Nissan Motor Corporation was founded 80 years ago today, on December 26, 1933. Starting with just one 12-horsepower model, the company set forth into the world. Through eight decades of triumphs and hardships, it has given the world some of the most hallowed names in automotive history — Skyline, Z, 510, Silvia, GT-R, Maxima, countless trucks. And that’s just the cars we’re familiar with in the States. Add in all the Figaros, Laurels and and we’re talking about a dynasty.
For their 80th birthday, Nissan has published a video loaded with footage of their greatest hits. Particularly noteworthy are rarely seen clips of 1930s carriages and vintage race cars. Whether you live and breathe Nissans or simply have three minutes to spare, the video below is a must-see. Happy birthday, Nissan! Continue reading
May Japanese Santa Claus bring you all the car parts your hearts desire. メリークリスマス!
We know, we know. It was hard just to find the orange one. But we absolutely love Mattel’s casting of the Datsun 620 so we are happy to report that not only is there a second version on its way, but it’s sporting the JNC inkan as well. Continue reading
