Japanese Nostalgic Car

VIDEO: UNUSUAL DRIFT! Sideways and Stoppies with Kei Trucks

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Ben Hsu

Okay, so there’s nothing nostalgic about a Suzuki Carry. However, we fully approve of modifying your company kei truck with a Suzuki Every turbo, a Cappuccino rear end, and a Silvia(!) coilover setup for the express purposes of drifting said company truck. It’s undiluted sunshine glee.

But! Is it as much fun as one-box endos? Thankfully D1 driver Ken Nomura and Drift Tengoku editor-in-chief Ryusuke Kawasaki are here to answer those pressing questions in a hilariously titled segment called “Unusual Drift!” It’s probably a good thing that kei trucks are illegal here. Continue reading →

Posted in kei, mitsubishi, suzuki, Video | Tagged carry, drift, kei, minicab, mitsubishi, suzuki | 11 Comments

EVENTS: MSA’s Z-Car West Coast Nationals, Part 01

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Dan Hsu

In the age-old battle of USDM vs JDM, there is one car both camps can agree on — the Z. In late 1969 Nissan created one of the all-time great canvases on which enthusiasts could paint their automotive dreams. In those pre-internet days, Americans modified them in the only way they knew how, while our compatriots in Japan had an entirely different take. Continue reading →

Posted in events, nissan | Tagged 240z, 260z, 280z, 370z, 510, bluebird, datsun, nissan, s30 | 15 Comments

MINICARS: 2013 Hot Wheels X JNC Treasure Hunt Mazda RX-7

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Ricky Silverio

This week’s QotW was about the hardest JNCs to find. Here’s another one. We are proud to announce our latest collab with Hot Wheels, the 2013 Treasure Hunt Mazda RX-7!! You read that right. JNC has entered the rarefied ranks of the TH series. Continue reading →

Posted in mazda, minicars | Tagged hot wheels, mazda, minicars, rx-7, sa22, treasure hunt | 11 Comments

QotW: What’s the hardest JNC to find?

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Ben Hsu

Let’s talk rarity. Cars like the Toyota 2000GT and kenmeri GT-R were rare when new, with only low triple-digit production numbers each. But owners knew they’d be valuable, so most were well preserved and are not exactly hard to see in present day. Just ask any museum in Japan. Therefore we ask:

What’s the hardest JNC to find?

Intended as Nissan’s competitor to the popular Toyota Celica, the S10 Silvia is sure difficult to come by. We’ve seen Datsun 200SXs here and there, but you would think that the kick-off to such a beloved nameplate would garner at least a few examples at shows, museums, or whatnot. Truth is, you’re far more likely to see the lower-production CSP311 Silvia or multiple 2000GTs at any given Japanese car show. S10s just can’t get no love.

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 most annoying stereotype about old Japanese cars?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged 200sx, datsun, nissan, QotW, Question of the Week, s10, silvia | 65 Comments

MINICARS: Bosozoku Laurel wreaks havoc in 1970s Japan

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Ben Hsu

Our friend LUXE37 has returned with another jaw-dropping stop-motion minicar chase comprised of high-end Tomicas. This time, A pair of bosozoku baddies wreak havoc on the means streets of a 1970s Japanese town. When his partner in crime’s RX-3 is taken down, a purple butaketsu Laurel tears through busy avenues and innocent bystanders alike, leaving the diecast police and fate to bring him to justice. Can you dig it? Continue reading →

Posted in minicars, Video | Tagged bosozoku, c130, car chase, laurel, nissan | 20 Comments

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