QotW: What is the greatest Japanese engine?

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Dan Hsu

We’ve asked quite a lot of weekly questions about the greatest cars. What about the hearts that beat within? There have been incredible motors forged in Nihon, from 10,000rpm Honda mills to screaming Mazda rotaries. So we put the question to you.

What is the greatest Japanese engine?

The average Japanese fan would probably shout out the Prince/Nissan S20. Not only did it have 24-valves twin-cams and a note like a chorus of gods, it made the GT-R legend and instantly doubled the price of any car it was dropped into.

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 is the most influential Japanese car?”  Continue reading →

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REMINDER: JCCS registration to close in two weeks

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Dan Hsu


Just a friendly reminder that the 2012 JCCS registration will close in two weeks. If you haven’t entered your vintage Japanese car or motorcycle yet, you must register by August 25.

This year there will be some special guests. Hot Wheels designer extraordinaire Jun Imai, the one responsible for all the old school Japanese castings, will be at our JNC booth signing toy cars. Diane Krey-Wesley, the actress who portrayed Mary in the kenmeri Skyline commercials will be autographing as well in honor of the 40th anniversary of the C110 Nissan Skyline. And last but not least, John Morton, legendary BRE driver of Datsun fame will be there as well to sign your memorabilia.

So come one, come all, and join the festivities at the original and largest vintage Japanese car show in the hemisphere! Register here.

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The origins of Nissan’s Ginza Gallery and Miss Fairlady

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Ben Hsu

No trip to Tokyo would be complete without a stop at the Nissan Gallery in the high-end shopping district of Ginza. The showroom doesn’t sell any cars, but serves as prime advertising for the automaker at of one of Japan’s most famous intersections. If you’ve ever stopped by to gaze at the latest NiMoCo product or buy a Nissan trinket from one of the super-poised Miss Fairlady saleswomen, you’re part of a tradition almost half a century old.  Continue reading →

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

Initial D Fifth Stage to premiere November 9

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Hang on to your e-brakes because the hit anime Initial D returns November 9. What was originally lost in translation and reported as a reboot is actually a restart, continuing the series where it left off six years ago. Continue reading →

Posted in toyota, Video Games | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

New York man holds funeral service for 30-year-old Honda Civic

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Dan Hsu

Last Sunday the Inwood neighborhood of New York said goodbye to an old friend, Harry Etting’s 1982 Honda Civic. A Dixieland band performed, a New Orleans jazz funeral procession marched down Seaman Avenue, and a wake was held at a local bar as dozens of neighbors came out to bid the car farewell.  Continue reading →

Posted in honda | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

QotW: What is the most influential Japanese car?

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Ben Hsu

The western world has often overlooked the influence of Japan’s cars. So this week we put to you the question, one that is bound to stir up plenty of debate.

What is the most influential Japanese car?

There are so many good answers to this that we at JNC can’t even commit to one without coming to blows. So we’re just going to let the comments deal virtual blows and decide.

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 worst model name?”  Continue reading →

Posted in mitsubishi, Question of the Week | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 63 Comments

All around the world, it’s a happy 8/6 Day

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Ben Hsu

It’s amazing how one affordable little car can bring the world together. Around the globe August 6th has become the de facto worldwide holy day for honoring the Toyota AE86. 2012’s 8/6 Day will forever be remembered because it’s the first one in a quarter century that there’s been a new 86 to celebrate.  Continue reading →

Posted in events, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

The astoundingly detailed custom Hot Wheels of ScaleMaster

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Ricky Silverio

Please allow me to introduce our two newest JNC contributors — Ricky Silverio, an unquestionable nostalgic car guru who will be writing regularly about Japanese collectibles, and Mark Jones, the man behind these custom toy cars. Enjoy Ricky’s first article. – Ben

Hot Wheels is undergoing a veritable Renaissance of Japanese automotive legends these days but that wasn’t always the case. Back in the early 2000s Mattel was barely dabbling in tuned imports, and often they were more Fast and Furious than old school cool. What’s a die-hard JNCer to do? Make their own, that’s what. Continue reading →

Posted in honda, minicars, nissan, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

ART CORNER: Announcing the JNC Ken & Mary Art Contest

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Ben Hsu

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the 1972 Nissan Skyline JNC is proud to announce our first ever art contest. Simply submit an original work that captures the spirit of the Ken & Mary Skyline. The winner will be chosen by Mary herself, Diane Krey-Wesley!  Continue reading →

Posted in Art Corner, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

EVENTS: Mooneyes Mania Cruise Bluebird-Corona Day, Part 02

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Though the Mooneyes Mania Cruise‘s Bluebird-Corona Day started out with rain, the Sunnys did come out. However throughout the day echoes of an ancient war between Japan’s two largest industrial giants would play out.  Continue reading →

Posted in events, nissan, toyota, wagons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

QotW: What’s the worst model name?

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Ben Hsu

A few weeks ago we asked JNCers what the best model name was. Well here’s the flipside. Sometimes the best and worst are one in the same but in any case we put the question to you.

What’s the worst model name?

According to Oxford a Charade is “an absurd pretense intended to create a pleasant or respectable appearance.” Why Daihatsu‘s marketing team did not see this as a Bad Thing will always be one of the world’s great mysteries.

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 Japanese car commercial from the West?”  Continue reading →

Posted in honda, nissan, Question of the Week | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 48 Comments

NEWS: Initial-D anime to get reboot

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Speaking of mad mangas, Hollywood isn’t the only one endlessly retooling comic book movies. On Monday Kodansha’s Young Magazine announced that Initial D is getting the reboot treatment as well. Further details have yet to be announced but one thing for sure is that the new adaptation will be in anime form.  Continue reading →

Posted in toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

MINICARS: 2012 Hot Wheels Mad Manga now in red and gold

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Ben Hsu

Grease up your rizento because second color of the Mad Manga is coming. Earlier this year, Hot Wheels shocked the minicar world by creating what is almost certainly the first diecast zokusha outside of Japan.

A recolor in red and gold is now upon us, and the Lamley Group has the first detailed shots of the car in all its flared, finned, and shark-nosed glory.  Continue reading →

Posted in bosozoku, minicars | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Britcar 24hrs Toyota GT86 to revive BTCC AE86 Corolla livery

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Ben Hsu

The car you see on two wheels above is an AE86 in its prime, campaigned by the UK’s Chris Hodgetts Motor Sports. With it, CHMS won the British Touring Car Championships during the hachiroku‘s heyday in both 1986 and 1987.

This fall its famed red-on-white warpaint will ride again on a Toyota GT 86 (what the Brits call our Scion FR-S) in the Britcar 24 Hours. Continue reading →

Posted in mitsubishi, motorsports, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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 , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments