Japanese Nostalgic Car

VIDEO: A Toyota 2000GT, hot woman in a track suit, and GT86 at the Nürburgring

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Dan Hsu

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 →

Posted in Video | Tagged 2000gt, nurburgring, scion fr-s, toyota, toyota 86, Video | 21 Comments

EVENTS: Shokuji J-Tin, Part 03 – The Next Level

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Ben Hsu

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?

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Ben Hsu

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

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Skorj

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

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Ben Hsu

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 →

Posted in events | Tagged 240z, 510, 521, a20, b110, bosozoku, celica, corolla, cressida, daruma, datsun, fairlady roadster, hilux, nissan, performance options, Shokuji J-Tin, sunny, te27, x70 | 11 Comments

EVENTS: Shokuji J-Tin, Part 01 – Wangan Style

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Ben Hsu

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 →

Posted in events | Tagged 300zx, 510, 610, a60, ae86, aw11, bluebird, c10, celica, corolla, cressida, crx, datsun, diane krey-welsey, Hakosuka, honda, mary, mazda, mr2, nissan, rx-7, Shokuji J-Tin, skyline, sprinter, toyota, trueno, wagon, x60, x70, z31 | 22 Comments

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