Japanese Nostalgic Car

Tamiya R/C Honda Ballade Sports Mugen CR-X Pro

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Dan Hsu

If the upcoming Hot Wheels Honda CR-X is too small for you, try this one on for size. Japanese hobby company Tamiya has released a radio control version of the Mugen CR-X Pro, the ne plus ultra of early 80s pocket rockets.

Not only does the kit look like a 1/10 scale reproduction of the real car, it’s got a independent coilover suspension and has a front wheel drive layout! For more information, watch the video below and check out the Tamiya website and Honda Japan website for more details. Continue reading →

Posted in honda, minicars | Tagged ballade, cr-x, crx pro, honda, mugen, tamiya | 6 Comments

Grand Touring: Up the California Coast in a Toyota FJ Cruiser

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Ben Hsu

In Part 01 of our Bayline Gathering coverage we promised an in-depth examination of the steed that carried us north, away from our familiar SoCal environs and to the Bay Area in search of precious Nihon metal.

First, let’s recap. Why exactly did we need a big-ass SUV? Well, at the major nostalgic car shows we like to give attendees a nice booth to visit with a selection of JNC goods in various designs and sizes. For SoCal events like JCCS and Toyotafest, we just toss everything in the back of the JNC Cressida wagon and go. But! The MX72 suddenly becomes a two-seater when its 100/0 back bench seat is folded flat. Continue reading →

Posted in Grand Touring, toyota | Tagged akio toyoda, Bayline Gathering, bj25, fj cruiser, fj40, fj45, fj55, Grand Touring, land cruiser, toyota | 20 Comments

In Saudi Arabia, rockin’ a Cressida has a whole new meaning

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Ben Hsu

And now for your viewing pleasure, a pair of X30 Cressidas on plinths. Raising cars on makeshift rock structures is apparently all the rage among the youths in Abha, Saudi Arabia. But lest you think this is the Saudi equivalent of a redneck yard, there are plenty of brand new vehicles given the stone wall treatment (see video and gallery below). Continue reading →

Posted in toyota | Tagged cressida, mark II, mazda, mitsubishi, mx32, plinths, Saudi Arabia, toyota, x30 | 16 Comments

EVENTS: The Bayline Gathering, Part 04

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Dan Hsu

Our final installment of the Bayline Gathering kicks off with one of the Bay Area’s infamous Bluebirds that are not 510s. Remember the Appliance-shod 710 from Part 03? This tsurikawa strappin’ Datsun 610 is his partner in crime. Despite the mismatched Longchamps and MKIs it exudes shakotan cool. Continue reading →

Posted in events, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, toyota, wagons | Tagged 240z, 260z, 280z, 323, 510, 610, a60, ae86, auto bahn, b110, Bayline Gathering, bluebird, capella, celica, colt, corolla, daruma, datsun, diane krey-welsey, dodge, e70, familia, fb, galant, Historic Japanese Car Gathering, hot wheels, kouki, levin, ma61, mary, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, ra21, ra22, rx-2, rx-7, sa22, sa22c, savanna, sprinter, ssr mesh, sunny, superlite, supra, ta22, te71, te72, toyota, trueno, wagon, work equip 03, zenki | 29 Comments

QotW: What’s the best Japanese car commercial from the West?

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Ben Hsu

The Japanese are known for offbeat, zany or downright insane car commercials, but clearly not all of them would translate to western audiences. International marketing departments have their own way of luring you into the showroom, so we ask:

What’s the best Japanese car commercial from the West?

There are many great ones, but perhaps none that tug so dearly and so triumphantly at your heartstrings as Honda‘s the Impossible Dream.

What say you, dear reader? As always, the most entertaining, well-written, or inspiring comment by next Monday will receive a random JDM toy. Click through to see the winner from last week’s question, “What’s the best car commercial from Japan?“ Continue reading →

Posted in honda, minicars, Question of the Week, subaru | Tagged furata, honda, impossible dream, kp61, legacy, Mel Gibson, QotW, Question of the Week, starlet, subaru, toyota | 37 Comments

EVENTS: The Bayline Gathering, Part 03

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Dan Hsu

We begin Part 03 of our Bayline Gathering coverage with a pair of matching ’85 A60 Celica ‘verts. San Francisco’s hills form one of the most beautiful urban landscapes in America and navigating them with an open top must make for a pretty bitchin’ drive. Continue reading →

Posted in events | Tagged 240z, 260z, 280z, 280zx, 300zx, 710, a20, a60, ae86, auster, Bayline Gathering, capella, celica, corolla, cressida, datsun, e70, enkei, enkei 92, f20c, fairlady z, hachiroku, Historic Japanese Car Gathering, levin, markII, mazda, MkII, mx63, nissan, panasport, performance options, ra21, ra22, rs watanabe, rx-2, s130, s30, sprinter, ssr, ta22, te27, te72, tosco, toyota, trd, trueno, violet, wagon, watanabes, work equip, x60, z31 | 17 Comments

EVENTS: Mooneyes Mania Cruise Bluebird-Corona Day, Part 01

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Ben Hsu

In the debut article from our newest contributor, Rod Serikaku of AutoNGraphic, we visit the Mooneyes Mania Cruise, an informal, early morning gathering of petrolheads. It’s a Japanese domestic version of Cars & Coffee of Japan except much, much cooler, because rather than fancy-schmancy European status symbols, it’s rife with old school Nihon steel. Continue reading →

Posted in events, toyota, wagons | Tagged 2t-g, 4A-G, a10, a60, bluebird, carina, corona, mania cruise, mooneyes, t40, toyota, wagons | 9 Comments

2012 Hot Wheels X JNC Mazda RX-7 now in white, Kroger’s mystery pack

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Sorry to do this to you guys, but there is now a third Hot Wheels Mazda RX-7 to be look out for, and it’s a beauty. The latest recolor is an ultra-Japanese pearl white with our JNC inkan in classic red on the B-pillar! But this is no ordinary Hot Wheels car. Continue reading →

Posted in mazda, minicars | Tagged fb, hot wheels, jun imai, mazda, minicars, rx-7, sa22, sa22c | 27 Comments

EVENTS: The Bayline Gathering, Part 02

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Dan Hsu

In Part 01 of our Bayline Gathering coverage we gazed upon the show’s centerpieces, a collection of rare vintage Nissan Skylines that had journeyed across the Pacific to be revered by a new generation of enthusiasts. But with nearly 200 cars present the show offered plenty of rare machines that were sold new right here on American shores. Case in point: a T130 Toyota Corona Wagon. Continue reading →

Posted in events, mitsubishi, nissan, toyota, wagons | Tagged 2000 sports, 240z, 260z, 280z, 510, 710, a40, auster, bluebird, celica, chrysler, conquest, corolla, corona, cressida, datsun, e70, fairlady roadster, fairlady z, mitsubishi, mx62, nissan, performance options, s30, starion, t130, te37v, te72, toyota, violet, volk, wagon, x60 | 11 Comments

QotW: What’s the best car commercial from Japan?

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Now that the star of one of the most famous Japanese car commercials has been rediscovered, it’s time we asked:

What’s the best car commercial from Japan?

The 1972 Nissan Skyline hit the market just as Japanese citizens getting hooked on the idea of road trips, vacations, and cars larger than a Subaru 360. A web of expressways had sprung up across the country and the open road beckoned. The C110 Skyline’s sun-drenched visions of Ken and Mary enjoying the freedom of grand touring took the nation by storm, and spawned the nickname, kenmeri, that has stayed with the car for 40 years.

What say you, dear reader? NOTE: This is for JDM ads only. There will be a separate QotW about the best comercial from America. As always, the most entertaining, well-written, or inspiring comment by next Monday will receive a random JDM toy. Click through to see the winner from last week’s question, “What’s the best model name?” Continue reading →

Posted in mazda, minicars, nissan, Question of the Week, toyota | Tagged ae86, c110, corolla, cosmo, eunos, furata, gc110, jc, kenmeri, kgc110, levin, mazda, nissan, Question of the Week, skyline, sprinter, toyota, trueno | 30 Comments

Friday Video: Nostalgic Nissan art by Osamu Samurai

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Matt De Mangos

Now that we’ve found Mary perhaps it’s appropriate that we share a video full of tricked out kenmeri artwork. Well not a video per se, but these frames of customized Skyline and Fairlady Z renderings by Osamu Samurai are nevertheless killer. They’re also proof that one car can take on a multitude of varying styles and still look cool. Continue reading →

Posted in Art Corner, Friday Video, nissan | Tagged 240z, 260z, 280z, Art Corner, c10, c110, fairlady z, Friday Video, gc10, gc110, Hakosuka, kenmeri, kpgc10, kpgc110, nissan, Osamu Samurai, s30, skyline | 10 Comments

EVENTS: The Bayline Gathering, Part 01

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Ever since Motoring J Style faded in 2008 there’s been a void in the NorCal nostalgic scene. The Bay Area is rife with vintage Nihon steel, and it needs a bona fide show to bring the cars out from their garages. Continue reading →

Posted in events, nissan, toyota | Tagged 240k, 240z, 260z, 280z, 510, ae86, aw11, b110, bbs, bluebird, c10, c110, corolla, corona mark II, cressida, datsun, diane krey, fairlady z, fj cruiser, gc10, gt-r, Hakosuka, jdm legends, jzz30, kenmeri, kgc10, kgc110, kpgc10, kpgc110, levin, lexus, lexus sc, mini, MkI, mr2, mx72, nissan, panasport, rs watanabe, s30, skyline, sprinter, ssr, sunny, toyota, trueno, tsurikawa, watanabes, x70 | 27 Comments

Hungarian in JNC T-shirt makes world’s greatest neo-hachiroku video

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Look out, Top Gear. A Hungarian in, at varying times, Initial-D and JNC T-shirts has created what is being hailed as the world’s greatest Toyota GT 86 review. It might even be one of the greatest car review videos, period, neo-hachiroku or no. The production values and cinematography of Nino Karotta‘s Barcelona to Budapest jaunt are simply astounding, and there’s even some comparative track time in his own AE86 coupe. If you’ve ever wondered what it’d be like to shoot across Europe in a RWD Toyota, this movie was made for you. Continue reading →

Posted in toyota | Tagged fr-s, gt 86, Nino Karotta, scion, toyota, toyota 86 | 28 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? 1979 TE51 Toyota Corolla SR5 Sport Coupe

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Ben Hsu

This 1979 Toyota Corolla SR5 Sport Coupe popped up on eBay over the weekend with a $4,250 asking price and several days left on the auction clock. Then, faster you can say “Kidney, Anyone?” it was gone. Continue reading →

Posted in for sale, toyota | Tagged corolla, kidney anyone, levin, sprinter, sr5, te51, toyota, trueno | 69 Comments

QotW: What’s the best model name?

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Ben Hsu

The Japanese are known for colorful uses of the English language when it comes to christening their cars. There’s seductive women’s names like Silvia and Gloria, word salads like the Isuzu Wizard Alive and Honda Life Dunk, and perfectly chosen appellations like Skyline and Crown. So it’s about time we asked:

What’s the best model name?

Now keep in mind we’ll be asking about the worst model name next week, but for now think back to 1967. Nothing quite screamed “future” like the world’s first dual-rotor motor and the jet-like body it was ensconced in. What moniker could live up to this space-age rocket? The Mazda Cosmo Sport, that’s what.

Posted in mazda, minicars, nissan, Question of the Week, toyota | Tagged 110s, 240z, 260z, 280z, choro-q, cosmo sport, datsun, fairlady z, kp61, mazda, nissan, Question of the Week, s30, toyota starlet | 36 Comments

Friday Video: Against All Odds, the story of the BRE Datsun 510s

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Today’s video is required viewing for any Datsun enthusiast. If you don’t yet know why every vintage Japanese car show in the US is packed with 510s sporting twin stripes down their fenders, this movie will answer all questions. Against All Odds is a period documentary chronicling the struggle of the BRE Datsun 510s in the SCCA Trans-Am 2.5 Challenge against a field of what were then thought to be superior Alfa Romeos, BMWs and Volvos. We all know how the story ended, but this is how it unfolded. Continue reading →

Posted in Friday Video, motorsports, nissan | Tagged 510, against all odds, bluebird, bre, datsun, Friday Video, john morton, motorsports, nissan, osca, peter brock, scca, trans-am | 12 Comments

New Honda N360/N600-styled retro kei car leaked

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Renderings of a small Honda city car have been leaked on to the Intarwebs, one that looks suspiciously like the 1967 N360 and its sibling the US-market N600. Continue reading →

Posted in honda, Next Version | Tagged honda, n360, n600, Next Version | 3 Comments

The coolest E82 Corolla on Earth is “unreal”

Posted on July 4, 2012 by John Roper

Can wheels/stance make anything look good? After looking at these photos we’d say the answer is a resounding “Yes!”

It appears our friend Sebastian at VirtualModels, creator of the B310 Sunny California Shooting Brake, is at it again. Thankfully he has turned his attention to a very under-appreciated JNC platform to see if he can make it into something any of us would love to drive. Continue reading →

Posted in toyota | Tagged ae82, chevy, corolla, e80, hayashi, nova, photoshop, street, toyota | 17 Comments

QotW: What’s the most beautiful OEM color?

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Ben Hsu

The world of nostalgics is filled with bold colors, perfectly paired two-tones and the whitest whites this side of heaven. Go to any gathering of vintage Japanese cars and it’s a feast for your retinas, a refreshing break from the seas of blandness at your local mall parking lots. So we ask:

What’s the most beautiful OEM color?

We’ve theorized before about why the Japanese love white cars so much. Tires must be black, taillights must be red. Add a canvas of white and you’ve got the three traditional colors of Japanese art. But Honda‘s Championship White isn’t just any white. It’s got hints of tan and yellow that make it look stunning on cars both vintage and modern. Plus it was reserved for only the highest spec models and had the provenance of the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix-winning Honda RA272 F1 car.

What say you, dear reader? As always, the most entertaining, well-written, 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 kei car?” Continue reading →

Posted in honda, minicars, Question of the Week, suzuki | Tagged alto, f1, honda, jimny, Question of the Week, ra272, sj140, suzuki | 30 Comments

EVENTS: 2012 Mooneyes Street Car Nationals, Part 04: Vans

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Ben Hsu

All hail the one-box! Our final installment of the 2012 Mooneyes Street Car Nationals is going to be van-tastic! After all, the SCN is a festival of Amesha Kulture, and what’s more American than vannin’? Continue reading →

Posted in events, mitsubishi, nissan, toyota, vans | Tagged caravan, datsun, delica, e20, e23, h10, h20, hiace, homy, largo, mitsubishi, mooneyes, nissan, prince, street car nationals, toyota, vanette, vans | 9 Comments