Don’t worry, you haven’t mistakenly stumbled onto German Nostalgic Car. We just thought it was cool that someone built a Porsche 911 inspired by what is one of the all-time great decal packages. Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 1986 Honda City Turbo II, with Motocompo
Looking for a rare little turbo trickster from the dawn of Honda’s golden age? Look no further than this 1986 Honda City Turbo II, Soichiro’s bulldog with the foldable bike in the trunk. Continue reading
QotW: When is it okay to buy an automatic transmission?
When considering what new cars will be future classics, JNC‘s Law of Transmission Selection for Future Collectability states: if it’s sold with a stick, you must buy it in stick. Yes, fancy new gearboxes can shift faster than a human being, many supercars aren’t even offered in MT, and the law is often in direct conflict with our Law of Engine Selection for Future Collectability: you must buy it with the most powerful engine option offered.
But in the old days, every car was offered with a manual, from the lowliest Subaru 360 to the grandest Toyota Crown. Plus, those old slushboxes were power-leeching whirlpools that needed at least one — more likely two — extra speeds to make you feel comfortable about highway driving.
When is it okay to buy an automatic transmission?
What say you, dear reader? As always, the most entertaining or inspiring comment by next Monday will receive a toy. Click through to see the winner of the last QotW, “What’s the greatest JNC barn find story?” Continue reading
GRAND TOURING: 1,000 miles, Three Car Shows, One Week
The plan was simple. Three classic car shows, one week, 1,000 miles of driving. We even had at our disposal Japan’s latest long-distance luxe-UV, a brand spanking new 2013 Infiniti JX35. What could go wrong? A lot, apparently. Oh, it wasn’t the Infiniti’s fault at all —unless you can blame it for being too attractive to thieves — but I’m getting ahead of myself here. Let’s start at the beginning. Continue reading
Posted in Grand Touring, nissan
Tagged delica, Grand Touring, infiniti, jx, mitsubishi, Shokuji J-Tin, solvang datsun roadster classic, z-car west coast nationals
19 Comments
JNC GEAR: Giant Killer
All these years and JNC still hasn’t done a 510 shirt? It’s the little econobox that could. Launched in August 1967, the Datsun 510 was the underdog trailblazer that took down the biggest names in motorsport — Ford, BMW, Alfa Romeo — and spawned a legend. Get your own Giant Killer this Sunday at the Nissan Jam. Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 24,000-mile 1977 Toyota Celica GT
Almost two years ago to the day we reported on a 24,000-mile 1977 Celica GT Liftback for sale in Berthoud, Colorado. Asking price? $19,000. Some balked at the sum, despite the fact that the car was showroom fresh with an undercarriage you could eat off of. Turns out it was a bargain, because that exact same car is for sale again, and for significantly more dough. Continue reading
NEWS: RA64 Toyota Celica spotted on the set of Scorcese-produced 80s gang epic Revenge of the Green Dragons
Time to dig out your Zodiac shoes, Guess jeans and bolo tie, because Martin Scorcese is producing yet another period film about the ethnic gangs of New York City. This time, the period is the 1980s and the setting is Chinatown. Revenge of the Green Dragons being filmed right now and footage taken at the set reveals period correct automobiles including a Honda Accord and a very 80s RA64 Toyota Celica on what appear to be black-painted stock wheels. Continue reading
Posted in News, toyota, Video Games
Tagged a60, celica, film, revenge of the green dragons, toyota
5 Comments
QotW: What’s the greatest JNC barn find story?
Last week we asked what was the hardest JNC to find. Well, what happens when you actually find one? You can still discover JNC deals for a steal, but that era is quickly coming to an end as people realize that their old Japanese cars are actually worthy classics. It’s about time we asked:
What’s the greatest JNC barn find story?
We’ve reported on several barn find stories here at JNC, including this massive haul of old Celicas from the UK, this 297-car discovery in Australia, and a treasure trove of NOS Toyotas from the UN buffer zone in Cyprus. Still, we’re partial to this Mazda Luce Coupe frozen in time somewhere in Japan.
What say you, dear reader? As always, the most entertaining or inspiring comment by next Monday will receive a toy. Click through to see the winner of the last QotW, “What’s the hardest JNC to find?” Continue reading
EVENTS: MSA’s Z-Car West Coast Nationals, Part 02
In Part 01 we looked at the broad spectrum of US and Japanese customization styles present at Motorsport Auto‘s 2013 Z-Car West Coast Nationals. In the past, the S30 generation (encompassing 240Z, 260Z and 280Zs) were the beloved stars of the show, vastly outnumbering and out-classing S130s and Z31s. This year, those second- and third-generation Z cars caught up and finally began to hold their own. Continue reading
Posted in events, nissan
Tagged 240z, 280zx, 300zx, datsun, motorsport auto, nissan, s130, s30, z-car west coast nationals, z31
6 Comments
VIDEO: UNUSUAL DRIFT! Sideways and Stoppies with Kei Trucks
Okay, so there’s nothing nostalgic about a Suzuki Carry. However, we fully approve of modifying your company kei truck with a Suzuki Every turbo, a Cappuccino rear end, and a Silvia(!) coilover setup for the express purposes of drifting said company truck. It’s undiluted sunshine glee.
But! Is it as much fun as one-box endos? Thankfully D1 driver Ken Nomura and Drift Tengoku editor-in-chief Ryusuke Kawasaki are here to answer those pressing questions in a hilariously titled segment called “Unusual Drift!” It’s probably a good thing that kei trucks are illegal here. Continue reading
Posted in kei, mitsubishi, suzuki, Video
Tagged carry, drift, kei, minicab, mitsubishi, suzuki
11 Comments
EVENTS: MSA’s Z-Car West Coast Nationals, Part 01
In the age-old battle of USDM vs JDM, there is one car both camps can agree on — the Z. In late 1969 Nissan created one of the all-time great canvases on which enthusiasts could paint their automotive dreams. In those pre-internet days, Americans modified them in the only way they knew how, while our compatriots in Japan had an entirely different take. Continue reading
MINICARS: 2013 Hot Wheels X JNC Treasure Hunt Mazda RX-7
This week’s QotW was about the hardest JNCs to find. Here’s another one. We are proud to announce our latest collab with Hot Wheels, the 2013 Treasure Hunt Mazda RX-7!! You read that right. JNC has entered the rarefied ranks of the TH series. Continue reading
QotW: What’s the hardest JNC to find?
Let’s talk rarity. Cars like the Toyota 2000GT and kenmeri GT-R were rare when new, with only low triple-digit production numbers each. But owners knew they’d be valuable, so most were well preserved and are not exactly hard to see in present day. Just ask any museum in Japan. Therefore we ask:
What’s the hardest JNC to find?
Intended as Nissan’s competitor to the popular Toyota Celica, the S10 Silvia is sure difficult to come by. We’ve seen Datsun 200SXs here and there, but you would think that the kick-off to such a beloved nameplate would garner at least a few examples at shows, museums, or whatnot. Truth is, you’re far more likely to see the lower-production CSP311 Silvia or multiple 2000GTs at any given Japanese car show. S10s just can’t get no love.
What say you, dear reader? As always, the most entertaining or inspiring comment by next Monday will receive a toy. Click through to see the winner of the last QotW, “What’s the most annoying stereotype about old Japanese cars?” Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
Tagged 200sx, datsun, nissan, QotW, Question of the Week, s10, silvia
65 Comments
MINICARS: Bosozoku Laurel wreaks havoc in 1970s Japan
Our friend LUXE37 has returned with another jaw-dropping stop-motion minicar chase comprised of high-end Tomicas. This time, A pair of bosozoku baddies wreak havoc on the means streets of a 1970s Japanese town. When his partner in crime’s RX-3 is taken down, a purple butaketsu Laurel tears through busy avenues and innocent bystanders alike, leaving the diecast police and fate to bring him to justice. Can you dig it? Continue reading
VIDEO: A Toyota 2000GT, hot woman in a track suit, and GT86 at the Nürburgring
Solar Red at the Green Hell. It’s not often you get to see the legendary Toyota 2000GT in motion at all, so it’s even better when it’s at the equally legendary Nürburgring. In this promo video from Toyota Switzerland, we first see Aichi’s finest driving through Germany’s most famous circuit.
Then an inexplicably hot woman is made even hotter by donning a track suit and slipping behind the wheel of a GT86. We’re not sure what’s going on here but we like it. Any German readers care to translate? Watch the video below. Continue reading
EVENTS: Shokuji J-Tin, Part 03 – The Next Level
For our final installment of Shokuji J-Tin coverage, we turn to some of the best builds, survivors and restorations from the Bay Area. There will be no rattle-canned hoods or stanced out cries for attention here — just pure, undiluted nostalgics that elevate these cars from passing fad to true classics. Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged 240z, 510, a60, celica, chevy sprint, civic, corolla, cultus, datsun, datsun 521, dodge colt, ea, fairlady roadster, fairlady z, galant, honda, kp61, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, ra65, re5, rx-2, s30, Shokuji J-Tin, starlet, suzuki, te27, te28, toyota, wagon, work equip 03
12 Comments
QotW: What’s the most annoying stereotype about old Japanese cars?
The sixth(!) installment of the Fast & Furious movies has set a new record as the biggest opening weekend ka-ching in the history of both Memorial Day and Universal Studios. 1969 Mustangs, Jensen Interceptors and MkI Escorts were destroyed in glorious fashion, but luckily Japanese nostalgics were spared because, even luckily-er, they were not part of the movie at all. The franchise that spawned a million neon-colored Civics is all about muscle and Euro now, but that hasn’t stopped people who don’t get it equating any modified Japanese car with the series of action spectacles.
What’s the most annoying stereotype about old Japanese cars?
Fortunately nostalgics have largely escaped the tasteless tuner trend, but once in a while the stereotype is still unleashed, even when the car is legitimately righteous.
What say you, dear reader? As always, the most entertaining or inspiring comment by next Monday will receive a toy. Click through to see the winner of the last QotW, “What’s the coolest OEM wheel?” Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
Tagged fast & furious, mazda, QotW, Question of the Week, wheels
49 Comments
GRAND TOURING: Shio no Michi, The Salt Road – Part 02
In Part 01 of our trek down Shio no Michi, Japan’s famed Salt Road, we stumbled upon a collection of kei jidosha, the ruins of Iiyama Castle, and traced the path of salt dealers from the era of shogun and samurai. When we left off, we had just happened upon a Nissan dealership on National Route 147 outside Shinomachi. Continue reading
Posted in Grand Touring
Tagged bluebird, cedric, datsun, Grand Touring, honda, nissan, t360
12 Comments
EVENTS: Shokuji J-Tin, Part 02 – Mad Tuning
In Part 02 of our Shokuji J-Tin coverage we turn our attention to some of the excellent builds that hail from the hills of NorCal. For purists this may be a painful segment, but not every nostalgic can be a garage queen. Continue reading
EVENTS: Shokuji J-Tin, Part 01 – Wangan Style
Last year a fantastic new show called the Bayline Gathering emerged on the NorCal scene. It brought out some of the best cars the region had to offer and filled a void that desperately needed filling. Last month, the organizers were back with another event called Shokuji J-Tin. Continue reading
