Japanese Nostalgic Car

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 510, ae86, bluebird, c10, c110, celica, corolla, datsun, Hakosuka, japanese classic car show, jccs, jun imai, kenmeri, kgc10, kgc110, kpgc10, kpgc110, levin, mad manga, mazda, minicars, nissan, ra21, ra22, sa22, skyline, sprinter, ta22, toyota, trueno | 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 240z, 260z, 280z, 510, datsun, japanese classic car show, jccs, mr k, nissan, yutaka katayama | 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 720, bosozoku, datsun, fukuoka, japanese classic car show, jccs, nissan, pickup, truck | 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 bre, john morton, Pete Brock, peter brock, Stainless Steel Carrot, Sylvia Wilkinson | 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 celica, hot wheels, ra21, ra22, ta22, toyota | 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 Friday Video, honda, merciless mings, n360, n600, tim mings, z360, z600 | 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 240z, 260z, 280z, 510, bluebird, bre, datsun, fairlady z, hot wheels, minicars, nissan, peter brock, s30, ScaleMaster | 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 aoshima, c210, japan, nissan, skyline, Wednesday Wall, wednesday wallpaper | 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 620, datsun, nissan, pickup, QotW, Question of the Week, truck | 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 240k, c110, datsun, Ken & Mary Art Contest, kenmeri, kgc110, kpgc110, nissan | 1 Comment

Friday Video: The S30 Z of Super Robot Mach Baron

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Ben Hsu

While researching yesterday’s article on Aoshima model kits, we came across what must be the second most famous red-on-white sports car from a Japanese kids’ show with the word “Mach” in the name. Continue reading →

Posted in nissan, Video Games | Tagged 240z, 260z, 280z, datsun, fairlady z, Mach Trigger, nissan, s30, Super Robot Mach Baron | 8 Comments

The beautiful Box Art and history of Aoshima model kits

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Step inside any Japanese hobby store and you’re bound to be dazzled by both the beauty and abundance of Aoshima box art. Their highly detailed plastic model kits have been around for decades, and in many cases have done a better job at chronicling Japan’s automotive tuning trends than most photo collections you can find on the web. Continue reading →

Posted in minicars, mitsubishi, nissan, toyota | Tagged 240k, 330, 350z, 430, ae86, aoshima, aristo, bosozoku, c10, c110, c210, cedoglo, cedric, chaser, corolla, cressida, datsun, dekotora, enkei, evo x, fairlady z, fd3s, focus racing, fuso, gazelle, gc10, gloria, gs400, gurachan, gx81, Hakosuka, hayashi, hilux, japan, kenmeri, kgc10, kgc110, kpgc10, kpgc110, lancer, lancer evolution, levin, lexus, mark II, mazda, mitsubishi, model kits, nissan, pgc10, r32, rx-7, s110, shadow, shakotan, silvia, skyline, soarer, sprinter, ssr, street, toyota, trueno, v-max, x30, x40, x80, yamaha, z10, z33 | 9 Comments

EVENTS: Z Owners of Northern California Car Show

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Dan Hsu

Members of the NorCal JNC team recently headed to the city of Brisbane (that’s California, not Australia) to attend a car show put on by the local Z Car club. The shindig took place beside the beautiful waters of the San Francisco Bay and welcomed all kinds of Datsun, Nissan and Infiniti cars. Continue reading →

Posted in events, nissan | 9 Comments

EVENTS: Announcing Melbourne’s Classic Japan 2012

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Dan Hsu

Today we have a guest post from Adam Laws of the Toyota Car Club of Australia (Victoria), organizer of a 200-plus car show in Melbourne. Check out his announcement and, below that, some photos of unique Aussie nostalgics from last year’s show, and check back for Adam’s coverage of the 2012 event as well.

Classic Japan 2012 is go!

The Toyota Car Club of Australia (Victoria) is excited to launch Classic Japan for 2012, to be held on November 25th in Melbourne Australia.

After an overwhelming response in 2011 to our first all Japanese classic car show, we have found a bigger and better venue for this year – Como Park, South Yarra. No more restrictions on numbers!

With the extra space, we are adding a new element to the show. With the able assistance of the Classic Japanese Motorcycle Club, we will also be inviting bike riders to show off their classic two wheeled machinery. Continue reading →

Posted in events | Tagged 2011, 2012, 929, australia, bellett, Classic Japan, corolla, corona, cosmo, cressida, crown, datsun, isuzu, kujira, levin, mazda, ms55, ms65, mx62, nissan, pickup, prince, rt46, rx-3, s50, s54, s60, savanna, simmons, skyline, sprinter, te27, toyota, trueno, ute, wasp, x60 | 6 Comments

QotW: Where’s your favorite place to drive your nostalgic car?

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Japan is home to some of the best kept secrets in auto-dom. Their tolls are prohibitively expensive, have little to no English signage outside major metro areas, and are all floating on an island you can’t drive to. And yet its winding mountain touge and high-speed expressways are what bred the cars we love today, so this week we ask:

Where’s your favorite place to drive for your nostalgic car?

The road to the left is in Japan’s Nikko National Park. A popular tourist destination when the trees change color, during the rest of the year it’s a dazzling string of hairpins. One day when they build that bridge to Japan we’ll all be able to roam its switchbacks, but for now we’ll settle for SoCal’s equivalents at Glendora Mountain Road and Angeles Crest Highway.

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 diecast car should they make next?” Continue reading →

Posted in nissan, Question of the Week | Tagged butaketsu, c130, hot wheels, laurel, mad manga, nissan, Question of the Week | 35 Comments

How to build custom Hot Wheels BRE Datsuns, Part 01

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Ricky Silverio

As part of a new series on JNC, guest writer Mark “ScaleMaster” Jones will show you how to make your own custom Hot Wheels. Enjoy his step-by-step guide to creating a set of diecast BRE Datsuns. — Ricky

When the Hot Wheels Datsun 510 and 240Z came out I knew there was one livery they each had to wear. Nothing to me is more iconic than the red, white and blue Pete Brock/John Morton BRE race cars of the early 1970s. In addition to those two famous machines, I’ll be making a street car inspired by Pete’s own BrockBuster 510. Continue reading →

Posted in minicars | Tagged 240z, 260z, 280z, 510, bluebird, bre, datsun, fairlady z, hot wheels, minicars, nissan, peter brock, s30, ScaleMaster | 15 Comments

Shaken preparation at Sports Car Service of Yokohama

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Nestled in the sleepy, semi-rural outskirts of Yokohama is Sports Car Service, specializing in the repair and maintenance of nostalgic cars. Recently a friend needed to get an old rotary prepped for shaken, Japan’s roadworthiness inspection, and we tagged along to gape. Continue reading →

Posted in Nihon Life | Tagged 110s, 1500 sports, 1600 sports, 2000 sports, bellett, capella, cosmo sport, datsun, fairlady, fairlady roadster, honda, isuzu, mazda, nissan, rx-2, s800, Service Corner, sp311, sports 800, Sports Car Service, sr311, toyota, yotahachi | 13 Comments

EVENTS: Mooneyes Mania Cruise Bluebird-Corona Day, Part 03

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Ricky Silverio

We’re devoting the third and last installment of our Mooneyes Mania Cruise‘s Bluebird-Corona Day coverage to just one car. Why? Because the Toyota Corona teased in Part 01 is utterly steeped period correct modifications from the early 1970s. Continue reading →

Posted in events, toyota | Tagged Checkman, corona, Cossac-G, mooneyes, rt132, t130, toyota | 17 Comments

John Morton tribute at the Riverside International Auto Museum

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Dan Hsu

The Riverside International Auto Museum recently threw a gala to honor the contributions of famed Datsun driver John Morton to the racing world. If you’re not familiar with the saga of the BRE team that Morton raced for, first go watch the Friday Video Against All Odds, a documentary about their exploits in the heyday of Trans-Am Racing. Back? Good, now on to the cars. Continue reading →

Posted in events, motorsports, nissan | Tagged 240z, 260z, 280z, 280zx, 300zx, 510, bluebird, Bobby Allison, bre, brock racing enterprises, datsun, fairlady z, john morton, motorsports, nissan, paul newman, peter brock, Riverside International Auto Museum, s130, s30, scca, trans-am, z31 | 9 Comments