QotW: What is the greatest Mazda of all time?

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Ben Hsu

From greatest engine to most luxurious to most beautiful to proudest marque, Mazdas have consistently been winners in our QotW series. And since it’s also SevenStock/Mazdafest week, we thought we’d devote the next question to this one very special marque.

What is the greatest Mazda of all time?

There have been many great Mazdas, but in the annals of Japanese motoring history it was perhaps the Savanna RX-3 that left the most indelible mark. It was the zebra-striped rotary that prevented Nissan‘s then-dominant Skyline GT-R from snatching a 50th touring car win, a public trouncing watched by nearly everyone in Japan because Nissan themselves had publicized the “Victory 50″ event so highly.

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 made you fall in love with Japanese nostalgic cars?”  Continue reading →

Posted in mazda, nissan, Question of the Week | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Friday Video: Celica Panic!

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Dan Hsu

After seeing a prototype of Jun Imai’s latest design in the flesh at JCCS last weekend, we’ve had nothing but Celica on the brain all week here at JNC.

Posted in Friday Video, toyota, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

EVENTS: 2012 Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 01: Debuts

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Dan Hsu

The 2012 Japanese Classic Car Show has come and gone, and this year’s was the hottest one yet. We mean that literally, as it was an unseasonably scorching 100-plus degree day, rare even for SoCal in September, but that didn’t stop throngs of enthusiasts from turning up in droves. In Part 01 of our JCCS coverage, we’ll go right to this year’s big debuts.  Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, events, honda, jccs, mazda, mazda rx-7, mitsubishi, nissan, suzuki, toyota, Toys, Uncategorized, wagon | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Grand Touring: The Kii Peninsula via the newly opened Shin-Tomei Expressway

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Skorj

Earlier this year the first section of the Shin-Tomei Expressway opened for traffic, marking a new era for Japan’s highway system. Naturally we went exploring, taking this newest road to one of the oldest inhabited regions of Japan, the Kii Peninsula. Continue reading →

Posted in Grand Touring, honda, mitsubishi, nissan, subaru, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

MINICARS: Hot Wheels X JNC Toyota AE86 Corolla

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Dan Hsu

The beans have been spilled. Those of you who came by the Japanese Nostalgic Car booth at JCCS on Saturday were treated to a very special surprise — the Hot Wheels Toyota Corolla AE86 new for 2013. We are very proud to once again have our JNC inkan on the car, along with our friends at the JCCS! Continue reading →

Posted in minicars, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

QotW: What made you fall in love with Japanese nostalgic cars?

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Ben Hsu

This past weekend one of my oldest friends, whom I’ve known since the eighth grade, came to his first JCCS (more on that later). After his baptism by fire into the world of nostalgics, he immediately went home and began scouring craigslist. This got us wondering:

What made you fall in love with Japanese nostalgic cars?

Each member of the JNC team has their own story. For Ricky it was seeing a beautiful Toyota 2000GT. For James it was his dad’s yellow MX32 Cressida. For me, it was a combination of factors. Yes, becoming aware of the achingly gorgeous 2000GT was a brain melting revelation, but even more brain melting was a trip overseas that involved a layover at Narita Airport. I had never been to another country and I naively believed, in those pre-Internet days, that the Toyotas, Nissans and Mitsubishis I was familiar with in America would be the same cars I’d see in Japan. But when I looked out that airport window and saw row after row of Crown and Cedric, complete with fender mirrors in humble taxi spec, my feeble mind was blown.

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 would you like to see at JCCS this year?” Continue reading →

Posted in minicars, mitsubishi, nissan, Question of the Week, toyota, wagons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 50 Comments

JCCS Preview: JNC “Showa Motor Club” Kenmeri Shirt

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Ben Hsu

It’s a JNC tradition to debut a new shirt design at JCCS, and each year we choose a theme that marks a historic occasion. For 2012 we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the fourth-generation Nissan Skyline, which debuted in September 1972, with two shirts — standard and limited edition. Continue reading →

Posted in events, JNC Apparel, nissan, nostalgic wear | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

JCCS Preview: JDM Legends’ 1:1 Hot Wheels Mazda RX-7

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Dan Hsu

Our friends at JDM Legends have been hard at work on a project they plan to debut this Saturday at JCCS. As you can see from this teaser photo, it’s a Mazda RX-7, but it ain’t just any 7. When completed, it’ll be a 1:1 scale version based on the Hot Wheels car that came out early this year!  Continue reading →

Posted in events, mazda | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

JCCS Preview: Mary of Ken & Mary Fame to Appear at JCCS

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Dan Hsu

This coming Saturday at the JCCS there will be a very special guest for nostalgic fans. Diane Krey-Wesley, the actress who played the role of Mary in the beloved Ken & Mary Skyline commercials, will be at the show signing memorabilia for fans.  Continue reading →

Posted in events, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

JCCS Preview: Meet Hot Wheels’ Jun Imai at the JNC Booth

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Ricky Silverio

As regular JNCers know we’re huge, giddy fans of Jun Imai, Hot Wheels designer extraordinaire. This weekend at JCCS, we will be positively honored to have at our booth the man who created such diecast cars as the Datsun 510, Toyota AE86, hakosuka and kenmeri Skylines, Mazda RX-7, Mad Manga, and now the 1970 Toyota Celica.

We’ve been into diecast cars since childhood, but in the past couple of years Mr. Imai’s been responsible for some of the coolest little metal cars ever to grace our bookshelves and revolutionized the Hot Wheels brand, making it truly global, in the process.

Jun will be signing autographs, so please come and say hello to our nostalgic hero that’s introducing these cars to a whole new generation. See you in Long Beach on Saturday!

Posted in events, minicars | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

JCCS Preview: Happy 103rd Birthday to Mr. K

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Ben Hsu


This Saturday, September 15, is not only going to be the 8th Annual Japanese Classic Car Show in Long Beach, but Mr. K‘s 103rd birthday as well!

That’s right, Yutaka Katayama was born way back on September 15, 1909, around the time horseless carriages were first being built in Japan. After a storied career during Nissan’s formative years, where he recognized the importance of sports cars, motorsports and their marketing, the former president of Nissan USA and die-hard enthusiast is still kickin’ it at age 103!

Although Mr. K’s health prevents him from travelling to the show from his home in Japan, JCCS organizers have created a large banner for Nissan/Datsun fans to sign. After the show the banner will be sent to Katayama-san in Japan, so be sure to stop by and wish him O-tanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu!

Posted in events, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

QotW: What would you like to see at JCCS this year?

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Ben Hsu

It’s JCCS week, rock ‘n’ rollers, so today’s question is all about the biggest kyuusha show in the hemisphere.

What you would you like to see at JCCS this year?

Our answer is perhaps a bit out there, blasphemous to some, and a long shot to boot, but we’d like to see some love for Japan’s more niche automotive subcultures. Take Fukuoka specification, for example. You could say they’re a subset of zokusha, but one that features bright colors and prominent racing logos on boxy cars. Though there are elements of bosozoku style, they typically lack the crazier stuff like three-foot ankle slicer air dams and giant box flares. Is the west ready for this yet? We don’t know, but there’s only one way to find out.

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 the coolest Japanese nostalgic truck?”  Continue reading →

Posted in events, nissan, Question of the Week, trucks | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 34 Comments

JCCS Preview: The Stainless Steel Carrot: An Auto Racing Odyssey — Revisited

Posted on September 9, 2012 by John Roper


Fans of famed Datsun driver John Morton will have the chance to meet him this weekend at JCCS. While you’re there, you might want to pick up a copy of The Stainless Steel Carrot: An Auto Racing Odyssey — Revisited as well.

Back in the early 70s, Sylvia Wilkinson’s followed the journey of Morton, team owner Pete Brock and their BRE Datsun 510 during their history-making 1971-72 season. The book contains detailed accounts and photos of those famed years of the SCCA’s Trans-Am 2.5 Challenge, where the unassuming Datsun took down some of auto racing’s most revered marques and cemented Nissan’s rabid following in the US. The only hitch was, that the book’s been out of print since 1975. That’s about to change.

The book is currently being reprinted and re-released by Brown Fox Books, and the new version has even more photos from 1971-72, and will include forewords by Morton’s contemporaries, legends of American racing Dan Gurney and Parnelli Jones.

Wilkinson herself will be at the JCCS as well, so you can get her autograph too. The book will retail for $46, after Morton’s racing number. If you’re not familiar with Morton and the BRE 510, check out some of our past articles.

Posted in Books, nissan | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

MINICARS: 2013 Hot Wheels 1970 Toyota Celica revealed

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Toyotaku, your offerings to the diecast gods have paid off. This is the first official photo of the Hot Wheels 1970 Toyota Celica. We saw a prototype of this car a few months ago, but had been sworn to secrecy by the Mattel high command. It was hard keeping it from our fellow JNCers but the cat’s out of the bag now! Continue reading →

Posted in minicars, toyota | Tagged , , , , , | 28 Comments

MINICARS: 2012 Hot Wheels “Hot Ones” Subaru BRAT and 1982 Toyota Supra

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Ricky Silverio

Back in April we reported some news about some upcoming Hot Wheels cars — a Subaru BRAT and 1982 Toyota Supra. Well, Subarites and Toyotaku rejoice, cause photos have now been released by Mattel!  Continue reading →

Posted in minicars, subaru, toyota | 7 Comments

Friday Video: Tim Mings’ collection of Honda 600s

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Tim “Merciless” Mings has been driving, collecting and restoring 600cc Hondas since he could drive. Over the years, he’s amassed an astounding collection both cars and parts and has become America’s go-to guy for anything Honda N600 and Z600. Part of his collection includes the first N600 imported to the United States, which also makes it the first Honda car ever sold in the US as well.  Continue reading →

Posted in Friday Video, honda | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

How to build custom Hot Wheels BRE Datsuns, Part 02

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Ricky Silverio

In Part 01, Mark “ScaleMaster” Jones showed us how to prep standard Hot Wheels cars for customization. In this installment he transforms diecast Datsun 510 and 240Z into highly detailed custom BRE racers. — Ricky 

In Part 01 we disassembled stripped, cleaned, and primed a Hot Wheels Datsun 240Z and two 510s. Now we’ll paint those blank canvases to create 1:64 scale version of some the BRE 240Z and 510, as well as Peter Brock’s personal “Brockbuster” 510. Continue reading →

Posted in minicars, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Wednesday Wall: Aoshima Gurachan Box Art

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Ben Hsu

If you haven’t gone to the Aoshima‘s English Facebook page yet, you’re missing out on some gorgeous gurachan wallpaper based on their box art. Where else can you decorate your desktop with a beautiful shakotan Skyline Japan in purple illustrated in purple?

And in case you missed it here are some other examples of their fine box art.

[Aoshima Facebook Page]

Posted in minicars, nissan, Wednesday Wall | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

QotW: What’s the coolest Japanese Nostalgic Truck?

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Ben Hsu

There’s been a lot of QotWs about Japanese nostalgic cars, so it’s high time we asked about their bed-equipped workhorse counterparts that were responsible for creating an entire vehicle segment:

What’s the coolest Japanese nostalgic truck?

Our pick is the Datsun 620, which is one of the most beautiful pickups ever forged. Plus, it almost single-handedly launched the mini-truckin’ segment. For the purposes of this QotW, we’re asking only about bed-equipped vehicles. SUVs like Land Cruisers and Monteros will be in a future QotW.

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, “Where’s your favorite place to drive your nostalgic car?” Continue reading →

Posted in nissan, Question of the Week, trucks | Tagged , , , , , , | 43 Comments

JNC Ken & Mary Art Contest Update: Win an Aoshima KenMary Works model kit

Posted on September 1, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Exciting news! One of Aoshima‘s amazingly detailed 1:24 scale plastic model kits is now another prize in our Ken & Mary Art Contest!

As with all of Aoshima’s kits, it comes with multiple grilles and lights, and separate aero pieces, so you can build your kenmeri Skyline in bone stock or zokusha works form! Click here for rules.

Posted in Art Corner, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment