Japanese Nostalgic Car

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 →

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 →