Japanese Nostalgic Car

VIDEO: 1972 Fuji Masters Super Touring Race

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Matt De Mangos

One of the greatest rivalries from the heyday of Japanese motorsports was that of Nissan versus Mazda. After the Savanna RX-3 snatched Nissan’s much anticipated 50th victory from the Skyline GT-R in December 1971, a blood feud was born. The following year that fight grew even more heated, with roaring rotaries and fierce hakosukas duking it out throughout the 1972 season. Here’s a Mazda promotional video setting the scene for the 1972 Fuji Masters Super Touring Race, which pitted RX-2s and 3s against fearsome GT-Rs in a thrilling display of wheeled combat around the 30 degree banks of Fuji Speedway. Continue reading →

Posted in mazda, motorsports, nissan, toyota, Video | Tagged c10, capella, fuji masters, fuji speedway, gt-r, Hakosuka, kpgc10, Masuda, mazda, Motoharu Kurosawa, motorsports, nissan, prince, rx-2, rx-3, savanna, Takashi Yorino, Video, Yasuhiro Okamoto, yojiro terada, Yoshimi Katayama | 11 Comments

MINICARS: Tomica Limited Vintage Neo Honda CR-X

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Ricky Silverio

In the last installment our series on nostalgic collectibles, we looked at the Tomica Limited Vintage Toyota Crown. The TLV line pumped out casting after casting of stupendously detailed models of 60s and 70s cars for two years, and its success led to the formation of the Tomica Limited Vintage Neo line for 80s cars in 2006. Continue reading →

Posted in honda, minicars | Tagged cr-x, honda, minicars | 4 Comments

EVENTS: Mooneyes Hot Rod & Custom Show

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Ben Hsu

There’s no event on Earth that captures the the fusion of Japano-American car culture quite like the Mooneyes Hot Rod & Custom Show. Everything from Baja Bugs to T-Buckets are represented, with the majority of cars shown are imports to the Japanese. However, this being JNC, we’re going to focus on the Nihon Steel and the particular subset of showgoers who like to apply traditional American modifications to said steel. Continue reading →

Posted in events, isuzu, mitsubishi, nissan, subaru, toyota | Tagged 230, a30, cedric, chevy, crown, daihatsu, datsun, datsun 720, debonair, faster, fr-s, gloria, gt 86, hijet, hilux, isuzu, kujira, kuzilla, luv, mitsubishi, mooneyes, Mooneyes Hot Rod & Custom Show, ms41, ms51, ms65, nissan, pickup, prince, quest, rs46, rs56, s40, s50, s60, scion, subaru, subaru 360, toyopet, toyota, toyota 86, wagon | 12 Comments

VIDEO: The Emperor of Japan drives a mauve Honda Integra

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Ben Hsu

You would think that being the absolute top dog of a country known for building spectacular vehicles would provide Emperor Akihito with a garage to end all garages. Instead, when the head honcho of the Japanese royal family is not being driven around in his Nissan Prince Royal or Toyota Century Royal, he slips behind the wheel of a mauve second-gen Honda Integra. Continue reading →

Posted in honda, Video | Tagged acura, emperor, honda, integra | 10 Comments

QotW: What’s the most significant “new” nostalgic car from 1988?

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Ben Hsu

It’s 2013, and that means a new lineup of vehicles has officially crossed the magical 25-year threshold to become nostalgics. Cars built when INXS and Arsenio Hall ruled the airwaves can now officially qualify for historic tags and and collector’s car insurance in most places. Therefore we ask:

What’s the most significant “new” nostalgic car from 1988?

Our staff vote goes to the S13 Nissan Silvia. As other manufacturers abandoned the affordable RWD sports coupe, Nissan doubled down and created one of the most iconic Japanese performance cars ever made, still sliding at any given drift event a quarter century later.

What say you, dear reader? As always, the most entertaining or inspiring comment by next Monday will receive a random toy. Click through to see the winner from last week’s question, “What’s your New Year’s resolution?” Continue reading →

Posted in nissan, Question of the Week | Tagged 180sx, 240sx, nissan, QotW, Question of the Week, s13, silvia | 31 Comments

EVENTS: Fundraiser for ex-Toyota 2000GT driver Scooter Patrick

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Ben Hsu

ScooterPatrick This is just a quick post to let you guys know that Scooter Patrick, former driver of the white-and-red #33 Carroll Shelby SCCA Toyota 2000GT, has a case of rapid onset Alzheimer’s disease. There’s a fundraiser happening January 12, 2013 at the Riverside International Auto Museum from 1-5 pm.

If you’d like to attend, please download the flyer.

Posted in motorsports, toyota | Tagged 2000gt, Riverside International Auto Museum, Scooter Patrick, toyota | Leave a comment

FRIDAY VIDEO: Kenmeri rodeo

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Matt De Mangos

And now, please allow the shotgun rider of this shakotan kenmeri to demonstrate proper bosozoku door riding technique. The torso must be upright and positioned completely outside the vehicle. Grasp the grab handle tightly as the driver executes doughnuts. Continue reading →

Posted in bosozoku, Friday Video, nissan | Tagged bosozoku, c110, door riding, kenmeri, kgc110, kpgc110, nissan, skyline | 12 Comments

MINICARS: 2013 Hot Wheels Boulevard Subaru BRAT leaked

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Ricky Silverio

Looks like the J-tin is coming on early and often for Hot Wheels‘ 2013 lineup. Hot on the heels of the hakosuka and Jun Imai‘s 510 wagon comes this just-leaked image of the Boulevard series Subaru BRAT. This is the second color of this casting, which will hopefully be easier to find than the 2012 Hot Ones version. For the newbie, Boulevard series cars are premium models with special graphics, metal base and rubber tires and cost around $5. It’s only the second week of the year and it’s off to a smashing start for collectors.

[Image: T-hunted]

Posted in minicars, subaru | Tagged boulevard, brat, hot wheels, minicars, subaru | 10 Comments

EVENTS: Classic Japan 2012, Part 05: Staff Favo(u)rites

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Guest Writer

Our picks of Classic Japan 2012 coverage from Melbourne, Australia thanks to guest writer Adam Laws —Dan

Our fifth installment of Classic Japan 2012 coverage features the JNC staff favourites. As it turns out, they have pretty damned good taste as I like the majority of these too! Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, events, honda, mazda, nissan, Prince, toyota | Tagged 1300 coupe 9, C20, capella, cedric, celica, corona, crown, dr30, gloria, honda, ke70, ms51, ms65, RT142, rx-2, rx-3, rx-4, s12, savanna, silvia, skyline, sunny, sunny cab, ta22, toyota | 13 Comments

EVENTS: Classic Japan 2012, Part 04: Never Seen in the USA

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Guest Writer

Part 04 of Adam Laws’ Classic Japan 2012 coverage from Melbourne, Australia covers a whole bunch of J-tin that is rarely spotted in the USA. —Dan

In Australia the Mazda range in the 70s included both the RX-3 and its pedestrian little brother, the 4-cylinder 808 (called the Grand Familia in Japan I believe). Sold in sedan, wagon and coupe versions, many of them gave up their life as to become an RX-3 clone, and being no expert, I can’t tell if this is the genuine article – an RX-3 sedan – or an 808 that has been converted with all the good bits. Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, events, isuzu, mazda, nissan, prince, Prince, toyota | Tagged 808, australia, b10, b110, b120, beams, bellett, classic japan 2012, compagno, compagno spider, corolla, crown, daihatsu, datsun 1000, familia, gloria, isuzu, isuzu 117, ke15, KE55, luce, markII, mazda, mazda 1300, mazda 1500, MS85, MX41, prince, rx-3, RX3, s50, s54, s80, savanna, skyline, sprinter, sunny, toyota, wagon | 16 Comments

QotW: What’s your New Year’s resolution?

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Ben Hsu

It’s a new year, and you know what that means. Finally, for the love of all that is good and holy, it’s time to open up that good book gathering dust on your nightstand, get that oxidized heap in your backyard moving under its own power, or wipe the drool from your keyboard and buy that nostalgic car you’ve been dreaming of. That’s why our first question of the year is:

What’s your New Year’s resolution?

We’ve got some great stuff ahead for JNC fans, but we can’t spill all the beans just yet. You’ll just have to stay tuned to this bat-channel.

What say you, dear reader? As always, the most entertaining or inspiring comment by next Monday will receive a random toy. Click through to see the winner from last week’s question, “QotW: What do you want from Japanese Santa Claus?” Continue reading →

Posted in honda, Question of the Week | Tagged f1, formula 1, honda, QotW, Question of the Week, ra272 | 21 Comments

EVENTS: Classic Japan 2012, Part 03: Modified Classics

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Guest Writer

In Part 03, Adam Laws takes a look at the modified nostalgic cars from the 2012 Classic Japan show of Melbourne, Australia. —Dan

Part 03 of our Classic Japan 2012 coverage features a whole range of modified classics, those special beasts whose owners have put their own spin on what their J-tin should look and go like. Sometimes this modification requires quite a lot of commitment, as our government and police are not great fans of modified cars and will happily put an old car off the road if they think it’s modified beyond their deemed limits of appropriateness. Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, events, mazda, nissan, toyota | Tagged 200B, 240z, 260C, 260z, 280z, 810, a20, b110, cedric, celica, corolla, corona, crown, datsun, datsun 1200, fairlady z, fj45, gloria, ke25, ke30, ke35, ke70, kujira, land cruiser, mazda, ms75, nissan, president, r100, RA23, rt40, RX3, rx7, s30, savanna, sunny, te37, te71, toyota, wagon | 15 Comments

MINICARS: Hot Wheels Boulevard hakosuka Nissan Skyline & 510 released

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Ricky Silverio

We’re less than a week into 2013 and already it’s turning in to a great year for Hot Wheels collectors. First we had news of the Treasure Hunt Toyota 2000GT that’s coming out March-ish, but before that even hits the pegs Mattel has unleashed the Nissan Skyline H/T 2000GT-X and Datsun 510 wagon. Continue reading →

Posted in minicars, nissan | Tagged boulevard, brat, c10, crx, Hakosuka, honda, hot wheels, kgc10, kpgc10, nissan, skyline, subaru | 10 Comments

EVENTS: Classic Japan 2012, Part 02: Totally Awesome 80s

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Guest Writer

In Part 02, Adam Laws continues his coverage of Classic Japan 2012 from Melbourne, Down Under. —Dan

Our second installment of Classic Japan coverage from Australia is focused on some quintessential 80’s classics. Bring on the boxes!

1986 saw the dawning of a new era in Australian motoring circles with the introduction of unleaded petrol, along with various new emissions targets for new cars. This meant manufacturers could no longer get away with selling carby-fed smog makers, and instead fuel injection quickly became the norm. This in turn meant that hot engines, like the venerable 4AGE, were finally a viable option. Continue reading →

Posted in events, honda, mazda, nissan, suzuki, toyota | Tagged 1uz, 200sx, 323, 323 gt-x, 4age, 929, ae86, aw11, city, city cabriolet, corolla, cressida, cresta, datsun, familia, fj60, fx-16, honda, ken watanabe, land cruiser, levin, luce, mark II, mazda, mighty boy, mr2, mx73, nissan, r31, rs watanabe, s12, silvia, skyline, sprinter, superlite, suzuki, toyota, trueno, x70 | 16 Comments

EVENTS: Classic Japan 2012, Part 01 — Rock Stock

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Guest Writer

Today’s coverage of the 2012 Classic Japan comes courtesy of Australian contributor Adam Laws. Enjoy! —Dan

November 25^th saw the second running of Classic Japan in Melbourne, Australia, a show celebrating 25-plus-year-old J-tin, run by the Toyota Car Club of Australia (VIC), in conjunction with the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club. Continue reading →

Posted in events, honda, mazda, toyota | Tagged ae86, australia, civic, Classic Japan, corolla, corona, crown, e70, fb, hachiroku, honda, ke70, kujira, levin, mazda, ms41, ms55, ms65, r100, rx-3, rx-7, s40, s50, s60, sa22, sa22c, savanna, sb1, sprinter, t140, toyota, trueno, wagon | 14 Comments

Happy New Year from JNC!

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Dan Hsu

Happy new year from the JNC team! Download the wallpaper-sized nengajo below. Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, jnc | 2 Comments

MINICARS: 2013 Hot Wheels Toyota 2000GT Treasure Hunt

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Boom. Ever since we began reporting on Hot Wheels‘ Renaissance of classic Japanese cars, there’s been one that collectors clamored for more than any other — the Toyota 2000GT. Well, your offerings to the diecast gods have paid off.

We first saw a prototype of this model (in blue) over a year ago but were forced to take a blood oath of secrecy. As you might have guessed, it’s another Jun Imai creation, but it’s not just the latest in his great string of diecast Japanese classics. It’s Jun’s favorite real-world car as well. Continue reading →

Posted in minicars, toyota | Tagged 2000gt, hot wheels, jun imai, toyota | 18 Comments

California to enact vintage license plate program

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Great news for nostalgic car owners in California. The state has just announced today a new program that will allow classic car owners to get period correct license plates based on the year their cars were manufactured.

“Legacy” license plates can be issued in one of three styles corresponding to the model year of the car: black on yellow for cars built from 1963-62, yellow on black for 1963-68 cars, and yellow on blue for 1969-1981 cars. The application will cost $50 and the DMV is looking to receive 7,500 orders by January 1, 2015. If they can’t fulfill that quota, the program will be canceled and your half-Benjamin refunded. So go ahead and download the application form!

Posted in News | Tagged california, legacy, license plates | 12 Comments

EVENTS: 2012 Nagoya Classic Car Meeting

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Guest Writer

The latest dispatch from guest writer David Lovett of Classic Car Nagoya covers the annual Nagoya Classic Car Meeting held by the shop. Here’s his first-hand account. —Ben

Every year in November Classic Car Nagoya rents out the Toyota Stadium parking lot for a day to hold a large event. This year was no different and I was there from before the sun came up until after it went down. We had over 100 cars entered into the show, over 1,100 cars moved through the parking lot, and over 5,000 people attended. Continue reading →

Posted in events, honda, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, toyota | Tagged 110s, 230, 510, bluebird, c10, Classic Car Nagoya, compagno, compagno spider, cosmo sport, crown. publica, csp311, daihatsu, datsun, f20c, fairlady z, gc10, gloria, Hakosuka, honda, kgc10, kp61, kpgc10, mazda, midget, mitsubishi, n360, nissan, pajero mini, porter, publica, r30, s2000, s30, s800, seibu keisatsu, silvia, skyline, sports 800, starlet, toyopet, toyota | 9 Comments

Happy Boxing Day from JNC!

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Just a quick photo of Team Mizushima and their boxer-powered Subaru FF-1 tearing it up at the 1974 Alpine Rally. Happy Boxing Day, JNCers!

Posted in subaru | Tagged Alpine Rally, Boxing Day, ff-1, subaru, subaru 1000, Team Mizushima | 1 Comment