Japanese Nostalgic Car

SevenStock Preview: JNC “Daytona” Shirt

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Last year at SevenStock JNC debuted “LeMans” in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Mazda 787B‘s historic win at the French enduro.

This year we follow it up with “Daytona,” the second in the series, celebrating the Mazda RX-7 that won its inaugural race in IMSA’s GTU class at the 1979 24 Hours of Daytona.

The car, driven by Yoshimi Katayama, Yojiro Terada and Takashi Yorino, was the first the RX-7 in a long line of successors that went on to dominate the IMSA league. By the time the series came an end in the early 90s, Mazda had won over 100 races, becoming the winningest marque in IMSA history.

This year saw the release of our Hot Wheels X JNC Mazda RX-7, which was inspired by this car. That subsequently led to a life-sized RX-7 by JDM Legends and Brandon Ozaki inspired by the Hot Wheels. It’s been a fantastic year for JNC and Hot Wheels, so this is our thank you to the fans.

As always, we will debut the shirt to SevenStock attendees first. We will add it to the JNC Shop after the show. See all you Mazdafarians on Saturday!

Posted in mazda, nostalgic wear | Tagged daytona, fb, imsa, jnc, mazda, rx-7, sa22, shirt | 7 Comments

REminder: REstart the Revolution at SevenStock this Saturday!

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Ben Hsu

This is just a friendly reminder that SevenStock and Mazdafest have joined forces this year to form one mega-celebration of rotary power at Willow Springs Raceway this Saturday, September 29!

Posted in events, mazda | Tagged events, mazda, sevenstock | 1 Comment

EVENTS: 2012 Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 04: Luxury & GT

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Dan Hsu

By the mid-70s Japanese automakers had their sights firmly set on comfortable long-distance runners that could eat up highway miles. They were often luxurious too — well, more luxurious than a Datsun 510 at least — and built for the new Japanese pastime of road tripping. In previous years most of these cars you’ll see in this article were absent from JCCS, but as the show and scene grow, that’s changing. Continue reading →

Posted in events, honda, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, toyota | Tagged a40, a60, acura, c10, c110, celica, challenger, corona, dodge, galant, Hakosuka, honda, japanese classic car show, jccs, kenmeri, kgc10, kgc110, kpgc10, kpgc110, lambda, legend, luce, ma60, ma61, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, plymouth, rt114, rx-4, sapporo, skyline, supra, t110, toyota | 13 Comments

EVENTS: 2012 Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 03: Sport Coupes

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Part 03 of our 2012 Japanese Classic Car Show coverage considers the very vehicles that put Nihon cars on the map. Agile and stylish, the rise of the Japanese sport coupe gave those of us who like to do our driving in bends rather than boulevards an alternative to the muscle car, and it’s what made most of us enthusiasts today. Continue reading →

Posted in events, honda, mazda, nissan, toyota | Tagged 200sx, 510, 610, a20, a60, ae86, b110, b210, bluebird, c30, capella, celica, corolla, da3, datsun, datsun 1200, epsilon, familia, gt 86, hachiroku, honda, integra, laurel, levin, liftback, mazda, nisei, nissan, r100, ra21, ra29, ra65, rally, riverge, riverside, rs watanabe, rx-2, rx-3, rx-3 sp, s10, s110, s12, savanna, scion fr-s, silvia, sprinter, sr-5, ssr, sunny, ta21, ta22, te37, toyota 86, trueno, watanabes, z360, z600 | 12 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? Possibly the freshest Mitsubishi Galant Sigma in the US

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Ben Hsu

With all the JCCS coverage going on it’s time for east coasters’ yearly grumble session about their lack of clean cars. While it’s true that faded 510s and AE86s are not on every corner there, it’s equally true that when an old Japanese car does appear you can bet it’s going to be dead mint. Case in point: a 1988 Mitsubishi Galant Sigma currently on eBay in Philadelphia. Continue reading →

Posted in for sale, mitsubishi | Tagged galant, kidney anyone, mitsubishi, sigma | 17 Comments

EVENTS: 2012 Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 02: Sedans

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Dan Hsu

In Part 02 of our coverage of the 2012 Japanese Classic Car Show we examine the fabulous four-doors that graced the Queen Mary lawn. Continue reading →

Posted in events, honda, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, toyota | Tagged 310, 410, 411, 610, 710, 910, accord, ae71, appliance, auster, bluebird, c10, capella, colt, corolla, corona, cressida, crown, datsun, dodge, e70, galant, gc10, gx71, Hakosuka, honda, japanese classic car show, jccs, lancer, lonchamps, longchamp xr-4, mark II, maxima, mazda, mitsubishi, mx73, nissan, r35, rs watanabe, rx-2, s30, skyline, ssr, SSR MkII, t170, toyopet, toyota, violet, vr-4, watanabes, x70 | 9 Comments

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 c10, gt-r, Hakosuka, kgc10, kpgc10, mazda, nissan, QotW, Question of the Week, r31, r32, rx-3, savanna, skyline | 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 celica, Friday Video, toyota | 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 1200, 510, ae86, b110, bluebird, c30, celica, chevrolet, chevy, civic, corolla, datsun, events, fb, gt-s, hachiroku, honda, hot wheels, jeep, laurel, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, rx-7, sa22, sprint, sunny, swift, toyota, trd, usdm | 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 accord, ae86, beat, brz, c10, corolla, cr-v, debonair, hachiroku, Hakosuka, honda, impreza, kei, kii peninsula, levin, mitsubishi, shin-tomei, skyline, sprinter, sti, subaru, subaru 360, tokaido, tomei, toyota, trueno, vino, wrx, yamaha, yamano magic | 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 ae86, corolla, hot wheels, levin, minicars, sprinter, toyota, trueno | 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 510, cedric, crown, datsun, japanese classic car show, jccs, jun imai, nissan, QotW, Question of the Week, Taxi, toyota, wagons | 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 240k, c110, datsun, diane krey-welsey, gc110, jnc apparel, ken & mary, kenmeri, kgc110, kpgc110, nissan, nostalgic wear, Showa Motor Club, skyline, yonmeri | 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 hot wheels, imsa, japanese classic car show, jccs, jdm legends, mazda, rx-7, savanna | 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 240k, c110, datsun, diane krey-welsey, japanese classic car show, jccs, ken & mary, kgc110, kpgc110, nissan, skyline | 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 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