Japanese Nostalgic Car

Announcing the 2013 Nissan Jam

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Ben Hsu

There’s an exciting new car show coming to SoCal this summer. The Nissan Jam is the brain child of the folks who are responsible for the world famous Japanese Classic Car Show, and we at JNC are proud to be on board for the inaugural event.

The goal of Nissan Jam is to do for SoCal’s extensive Nissan/Datsun community what Toyotafest has done for Toyota/Lexus/Scion owners. There are already a slew of vendors and sponsors lined up, with awesome raffle prizes. Registration is open, and you can find the full details at Nissan Jam.com.

Posted in events | Tagged datsun, events, nissan, Nissan Jam | 16 Comments

QotW: What’s the coolest OEM wheel?

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Ben Hsu

Seeing various AE86s, Celicas Cressidas at Toyotafest got our brain gears turning. We’ve asked you before about the coolest vintage barrel because Japanese racing alloys are an indelible part of the JNC culture. But not everyone can afford or find a set of wheels that can rival the cost of the car itself. So what about stock?

What’s the coolest OEM wheel?

Toyotaku have already discovered Toyota 14×7 Supra iron crosses and have been slapping them on every RWD Aichi sled known to man. It’s simple — the 4×114.3 bolt pattern is universal among old FR Yotas and they’re relatively easy to find. Plus, they’ve got that sharp, ninja star look straight from the factory. Just be careful to score them from the P-Types and not the lesser L-Types or JDM Soarers, which look the same but are only six inches wide.

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 the last QotW, “What’s the greatest JNC of the 1980s?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged 240sx, nissan, QotW, s13, silvia, supra, toyota, wheels | 30 Comments

Made in the 80s now available online!

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Ben Hsu

At Toyotafest, our Made in the 80s shirts and decals sold out faster than dime bags of Colombian snow on Sunset Boulevard circa 1983. If you missed them and are itchin’ for a fix of 80s love, they are now available in the JNC Shop.

Once you get them, put on your acid-wash Bugle Boys, tweak your EQ, and post a pic in the JNC Forum. Best photos will receive a surprise prize!

Posted in JNC Apparel, toyota | Tagged jnc apparel, Made in the 80s, toyota, van | 1 Comment

EVENTS: 2013 All-Toyotafest, Part 04 — The Angular Eighties

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Ben Hsu

Though just the size of California, by the 1980s Japan had become the world’s premier industrial giant. With unprecedented growth and technology advancements, Nihon’s cars of this Bubble Economy, especially Toyotas, established a unique design philosophy that was on full display at the 18th Annual All-Toyotafest. Continue reading →

Posted in events, toyota | Tagged 4runner, a60, ae86, aw11, carib, celica, corolla, cressida, levin, mark II, mr2, previa, soarer, sprinter, supra, tercel, toyota, toyotafest, trueno, van, wagon, x70, x80, z20 | 11 Comments

MINICARS: Hot Wheels 1970 Toyota Celica, now in yellow

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Ricky Silverio

We take a break from all the Toyotafest coverage to bring you… more Toyota news. Earlier this year Toyotakus had their wildest dreams fulfilled when the 1970 Toyota Celica finally appeared, after years of begging, in the Hot Wheels line. Here’s the first recolor of that gorgeous model. Continue reading →

Posted in minicars, toyota | Tagged a20, celica, hot wheels, minicars, toyota | 10 Comments

EVENTS: 2013 All-Toyotafest, Part 03 — Late 70s Luxe

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Dan Hsu

The Oil Shock of 1973 killed off Japan’s racing programs, and by the later half of that decade emissions regulations were sapping the performance out of factory offerings. With their dreams of buying a Suzuka-ready sports coupe dashed, consumers turned their attention to luxe over lightness. Continue reading →

Posted in events, toyota | Tagged a20, a40, a70, celica, corona, hilux, pickup, supra, t100, toyota, toyotafest | 8 Comments

EVENTS: 2013 All-Toyotafest, Part 02 — The Seventies

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Ben Hsu

As we mentioned, there was more urethane than chrome at this year’s Toyotafest. Still, it’s the strong presence of Aichi classics that anchor this must-see event and separate it from other shows. Continue reading →

Posted in events, toyota | Tagged carina, celica, corolla, corona mark II, cressida, crown, e70, events, kp61, kujira, starlet, te27, toyotafest, x30 | 15 Comments

EVENTS: 2013 All-Toyotafest, Part 01 — The Very Old & Very New

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Ben Hsu

The year is 2013, and that means the official JNC 25-year-or-older rule puts the nostalgic cutoff squarely in 1988. Yes, it’s hard to believe that MkIII Supras are elegible for historic tags in most states now but it’s true. The realm of nostalgics now encompasses everything built up to the end of the Reagan Era, and the 18th Annual All-Toyotafest proves it! Continue reading →

Posted in events, toyota | Tagged 2000gt, ae102, all-trac, avalon, barikan, celica, corolla, corona, crown, fj40, fr-s, greddy, gt 86, gt-four, hachiroku, hayashi, hilux, jza80, land cruiser, lexus, mooneyes, project mu, rays, rt52, s30, scion, sportcross, st184, st205, supra, t40, te37, toyopet, toyota, toyota 86, toyotafest, volk, wagons | 19 Comments

Happy Mother’s Day from JNC!

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Ben Hsu

Posted in kei, subaru | Tagged kei, Mother's Day, subaru, subaru 360 | 3 Comments

Happy 510 Day from JNC!

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Dan Hsu

Apparently May 4, Star Wars Day, is a commonly known thing now. But we know the real party happens today. Happy 5/10 Day, everyone! How are you going to celebrate?

Posted in nissan | Tagged 510, Boba Fett, datsun, wagon | 15 Comments

PRODUCT GUIDE: Koyorad First-Gen Toyota Celica Radiator

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Dan Hsu

If you swung by the JNC booth at Toyotafest this weekend you might have noticed this beautiful block of aluminum. It’s the the lastest design from Japanese radiator maker Koyorad and we’re happy to say that it’s another nostalgic car application. Hot on the heels of Koyorad’s Datsun 510 radiator comes a cooler for your first-gen Toyota Celica.

Specifically, it fits all first-gen Celicas with 1.6 or 2.0 liter engines. That means your stock 2T-C, 18R-C, or even twin-cam 2T-G or 18R-G can have now have stone cold antifreeze coursing through its veins. Typical of Koyorad units, it comes with a threaded 1/8-inch PT temperature sensor fitting and measures 48mm thick. Each radiator is TIG-welded and triple pressure tested. We’re extremely thrilled that aftermarket support for us old schoolers is constantly expanding, and that it’s not limited to just the ever-popular 240Z and AE86 (though Koyorad makes radiators for them too).

Posted in Product Guide | Tagged celica, koyorad, Product Guide, ra21, ra25, ra28, ra29, radiator, ta22, toyota | 9 Comments

MINICARS: Hot Wheels Flying Customs Kenmeri Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Ricky Silverio

We know, it’s madness, but there’s yet another nostalgic Hot Wheels coming down the pipe. This time, it’s the first color of the kenmeri Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R since that casting’s initial release in 2011. Continue reading →

Posted in minicars, nissan | Tagged c110, flying customs, hot wheels, kenmeri, kgc110, kpgc110, minicars, nissan, skyline | 9 Comments

VIDEO: Crashing Classic Subarus

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Ben Hsu

And now for your viewing pleasure, Subarus crashing into walls. When we started JNC in 2006, you couldn’t get a Japanese automaker to cough up some vintage footage if your threatened the CEO’s grandchildren at gunpoint. Nowadays, they’re more than happy to promote their histories, even if it’s a cringe-inducing montage of old cars getting destroyed for the greater good. It’s interesting to note that Fuji Heavy was conducting pedestrian safety tests as far back as the first-generation Leone. Continue reading →

Posted in subaru | Tagged ff-1, leone, subaru, subaru 360 | 8 Comments

QotW: What’s the greatest JNC of the 1980s?

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Ben Hsu

If the question was simply the greatest JNC, it would be hard not to choose something legendary like a 2000GT or KPGC10. But since we’re on an 80s kick with our Made in the 80s theme for Toyotafest, let’s limit the answers to hachimaru heroes.

What’s the greatest JNC of the 1980s?

From touge terrorizing AE86s to Wangan blasting MA71 Supras, Bubble Economy Japan was a nonstop onslaught of fantastic machinery. From insanely turbocharged kei cars to the first wave of VIP ultra-luxe sedans, the land of the rising sun had it all.

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 from last week’s question, “What’s the greatest Japanese Nostalgic Motorcycle?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | 36 Comments

JNC GEAR: Made in the 80s

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Ben Hsu

JNC‘s 25-years-or-older rule has put the nostalgic cutoff at 1988. It’s time we embraced the 80s. This year, our annual Toyotafest shirt debut will be a tribute to the boxy designs of the techno-funk decade, the Turbo Era, the Bubble Economy. We’ll also be debuting a decal to go along with it. Continue reading →

Posted in nostalgic gear, nostalgic wear, toyota | Tagged jnc gear, toyota, van | 28 Comments

KIDNEY, ANYONE? Million Dollar Baby: 1967 Toyota 2000GT

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Ben Hsu

A couple of weeks ago John wrote about a 1967 Toyota 2000GT that had come up for auction with an expected fetch of $650,000 to $850,000. We rarely do a followup on Kidney Cars but this one bears mentioning. This past weekend, RM Auctions put down the gavel on the Belatrix Yellow beauty for a whopping $1,155,000. The record breaking price for the Japanese supercar turned heads in traditional collectors’ circles, shining a new spotlight on Japanese classics. In other words, you thought $5,000 for a 510 was high? Prices are about to get a lot higher.

Posted in for sale, toyota | Tagged 2000gt, kidney anyone, toyota | 24 Comments

ART CORNER: Toyota 4A-GE made of Legos

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Ben Hsu

In retrospect it probably wouldn’t be too difficult to build an 80s Toyota out of Legos; they’re all pretty darn boxy. But an iconic 80s Toyota engine? Well, a Lego artiste by the name of Solde has created a plastic model of the legendary Toyota 4A-GE. What’s more, it actually moves. The starter has a moving plunger that meshes with the flywheel, there’s a complete valvetrain, pistons and crankshaft, and a throttle controls the speed at which the whole thing turns. In short, it’s amazing. Just watch the video for yourself.

Continue reading →

Posted in Art Corner, toyota | Tagged 4a-ge, ae86, aw11, corolla, hachiroku, lego, levin, mr2, sprinter, toyota, trueno | 6 Comments

QotW: What’s the greatest Japanese Nostalgic Motorcycle?

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Ben Hsu

We talk a lot about cars here, but really, the most Japanese form of transportation is the motorcycle. From pimped scooters to crotch rockets the variety and performance spectrum of Nihon’s bikes is just as great as that of their cars. Therefore, we ask you:

What is the greatest Japanese nostalgic motorcycle?

With 55 years of continuous manufacture and over 60 million units sold, we agree with James May that the Honda Super Cub is perhaps the greatest machine ever built by human hands. And, as the primary mode of transport in third world countries across the globe, the Super Cub, it’s probably granted more humans the gift of mobility than any invention since the wheel itself.

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 from last week’s question, “What’s the most environmentally friendly JNC?” Continue reading →

Posted in honda, Question of the Week | Tagged civic, cvcc, honda, QotW, Question of the Week, sb1 | 23 Comments

KIDNEY, ANYONE? 1965 Nissan President

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Kevin San

From 1965, if you wanted the very pimpest and plushest the Nissan empire had to offer, then you’d go to your friendly neighbourhood dealer and plunk down a not-trivial six million yen for a President. The Royal Family may have rolled in a Prince Royal, but the Prime Minister was wafted around in a Nissan President. Rather inexplicably, the H250 series President remained in production from 1972 until 1990, whereupon it was replaced by the first Infiniti Q45 (which was called Nissan President in Japan). Continue reading →

Posted in for sale, nissan, vip | Tagged h250, kidney anyone, nissan, president, vip | 7 Comments

Documentary: Sayonara Speed Tribes!

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Kevin San

Ever since we started JNC, the sub-culture of the bosozoku biker gangs of Japan has always been a fascinating subject. The bosozoku were always a feeder-class as thugs for the mafia, but as we reported many moons ago, their outlaw traditions have been hammered into submission by constant police attention in recent years. But they’re also being left behind by an increasingly corporatized Yakuza.

Tokyo-based Figure 8 Productions has an hour-long documentary which has started screening in Tokyo this month, but you can buy the DVD of the movie at their site. As the trailer says: Sayonara Speed Tribes chronicles Hazuki — an aging Japanese bike gangster and the crop of halfhearted youngsters he mentors. As bike gang culture in Japan succumbs to police pressure he confronts his tough guy past and dwindling options for the future.”

Looks interesting!

Posted in bosozoku, Video Games | Tagged bosozoku, Sayonara Speed Tribes | 13 Comments