Kidney, Anyone? 38,000-Mile 1985 Toyota 4Runner

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Ben Hsu


Is the first-gen 4Runner becoming the next hot collectible? After all, it was one of the most capable SUVs of its time. It hails from an era of Aichi greats like the AE86 Corolla, AW11 MR2, and MX73 Cressida. Hell, there’s even a Matchbox version.

On eBay a minty fresh original 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR5 is going for over $24,000 at the time of this writing. The odo reads only 38,000 miles and you could eat off any surface, even the spare tire. Or nuzzle up to the SR5-laden upholstery and the cargo area’s immaculate carpeting. It is well documented, wears the entire fall catalog’s lineup of NOS parts, and the seller claims a garaged life. A rare beast indeed. More photos below the fold. Continue reading →

Posted in for sale, toyota, trucks | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Friday Video: Nissan Skyline Japan, Subaru Leone, and a Helicopter

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Ben Hsu


The 1979 cop show Detective Story was hugely popular, and responsible for launching the career of Yusaku Matsuda. This clip appears to be a parody of the original, as it contains no Matsuda and adds a laugh track instead. Nevertheless, it follows two bumbling thieves and gang of well-armed men after their steel briefcase — like a Japanese prequel to Ronin.

C210 Nissan Skylines are driven hard and destroyed. One is chased down by two Cedrics. Another faces a helicopter and is shot by a magic rocket launcher that turns into a Subaru Leone. Hilarity ensues. Continue reading →

Posted in nissan, subaru, Video Games | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? 1978 Datsun 200SX

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Ben Hsu

With some already speculating the hakosuka GT-R as a million dollar car, this 1978 Datsun 200SX for $4100 is a helluva a steal. For one, it’s one of the rarest Dattos out there. And while that’s because it was widely considered the ugliest car on the market when it was new, all of that blame can be laid squarely on the US 5mph safety bumpers.

In Japan, it sported sleek chrome that blended seamlessly with its body lines and was called the “New Silvia.” That’s new, as in “not the ’65 CSP311,” which means it was the first Nissan to bear the all-new “S” chassis code. Yes, drifters, meet the great-great-grandpa of your precious sliding machines. Continue reading →

Posted in for sale, nissan | Tagged , , , , , | 25 Comments

Nostalgic Concept: 1977 Toyota CAL-1

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Ben Hsu

One of the concept cars we really wanted to see during our visit to Calty Desing Research was the 1977 Toyota CAL-1. Sadly, it wasn’t available for viewing. But come on, who wouldn’t be intrigued by the intersection of a ute’d A40 Celica Supra and antique speedboat? Continue reading →

Posted in concepts, toyota | 8 Comments

Grand Touring: 2011 Scion tC & Calty Design Research

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Ben Hsu

Recently, we found ourselves behind the wheel of a jet black 2011 Scion tC. Why are we telling you this? Because the tC is the latest vehicle to emerge from Calty Design Research in Newport Beach, California, the first US design center ever set up by Japanese automaker. Toyota had invited us on a tour of the birthplace of many of its most famous models, from the original Celica Supra to the all-new tC. Continue reading →

Posted in toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

More Nostalgic Toyotas from Cyprus UN Buffer Zone

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Ben Hsu

Last week we mentioned that the UN was documenting the Green Line, a demilitarized Buffer Zone set up on the island of Cyprus in 1974. One photo showed a couple of lonely but brand new E20 Toyota Corollas, one with only 38km on its odometer, abandoned when residents were forced to flee the conflict-riddled region. Turns out, we were just scratching the surface. Continue reading →

Posted in Lost Cars | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Friday Video: A Brief History of Subaru

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Ben Hsu


I can’t even remember the last time we posted a Subaru topic. So here’s one for all you Fuji Heavies, a corporate video showing the history of the company. Continue reading →

Posted in subaru | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? 38-Mile Toyota Corolla Untouched for 37 Years

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Ben Hsu

Want a brand-new E20 Toyota Corolla that has sat untouched since 1974? It’s there for the taking. All you have to do is sneak it out of the demilitarized zone on the island nation of Cyprus. Continue reading →

Posted in Lost Cars | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

More Toyota FT-86 Details Emerge

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Ben Hsu


Moto, founder of Club4AG, has spilled a few beans regarding the new Toyobaru FT-86 (or as we Yanks will call it, the Scion FR-S). From his report, everything has been engineered with the enthusiast in mind. Case in point: the dash is recessed into the front window base so one can install a roll cage without butchering it. Continue reading →

Posted in toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Tomica Limited Vintage Neo Nissan Skyline C110 Wagon

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Ben Hsu


American toymakers are doing their part to enrich the lives of diecast collectors. What about Japan? Anyone’s who been to the seizure-inducing overstimulation of a Japanese toy store is familiar with Tomica toy cars, but did you know the had a upscale collector range dedicated to nostalgic cars?  Continue reading →

Posted in minicars, nissan, wagons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Nostalgics at the 2011 Historic Acropolis Rally

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Ben Hsu


Watch a parade of Corolla, Celica, Starlet, Gemini, and Mazda RX-7 rally cars rip through the dusty roads of Athens alongside Lancias and Porsches in the 2011 Historic Acropolis Rally. Continue reading →

Posted in isuzu, mazda, motorsports, rally, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

2011 Japanese Classic Car Show Registration Now Open

Posted on July 15, 2011 by Ben Hsu


Kyuusha fans, it’s that time again. Registration has opened for the 2011 Japanese Classic Car Show! It’s the biggest, coolest, most diverse gathering of vintage Japanese cars on the continent.

In addition to all the vintage Datsuns, Toyotas, Mazdas, Hondas and more, this year, the organizers have opened a vintage motorcycle class as well.

You can save 10% by registering before August 01, and it’s first come first serve, so be sure to get your ride in early.

The rest of you, mark your calendars for September 10, 2011 and see you at Long Beach. You won’t want to miss this one!

Posted in events | 9 Comments

Friday Video: 39 Years of Honda Civic

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Ben Hsu


With 19 million units sold and 39 years under its belt, the Honda Civic is an icon of motoring. With the recent introduction of the 9th generation, Honda’s marketing team has put together a video called “Heritage” that explores its evolution to the music of Dirty Vegas. We love to see automakers salute their histories, and in any case it’s more entertaining than the one with zombie, luchadore and Sasquatch girl.  Continue reading →

Posted in honda | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

1981 Toyota Celica Supra at Survivor Car Show

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Ben Hsu


A car show that only allows survivors? Awesome concept. If a car has been modified or restored, it is not eligible for the Survivor Car Show in St. Charles, Illinois. In other words, it’s for either OCD obsessives or incredibly fortunate barn raiders. For us enthusiasts, it’s a rare opportunity to study the classics exactly as they were when they left the showroom lo those many years ago. In a recent Detroit News piece about the event, the focus was on Mike Metrick’s 1981 Toyota Celica Supra. Continue reading →

Posted in toyota | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

EVENTS: Eagle Rock Swap Meet

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Ben Hsu


Aaah, SoCal. We know the rest of the country hates it when we gloat. But sorry, it’s just damn nice to be able to take a leisurely Sunday morning cruise to an old school Japanese car bazaar. The Eagle Rock Swap Meet started out as a trading post for Datsun 510 supplies but nowadays deals in all manner of nostalgic Nissan, Mazda and Toyota goods. Whether you’re buying or selling, it’s a great place to find an old part, diecast car, or a set of wheels.

Yesterday we shared the 1:64 nostalgics that we found there. Here are some 1:1 scale cars Continue reading →

Posted in mazda, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Hot Wheels Kenmeri Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R & Vintage Racing BRE Datsun 510 Bluebird

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Ben Hsu


Hot Wheels is on a tear these days, adding Japanese classics to their lineup as quickly as the diecast cars will speed down an orange track. We were thrilled to be part of the hakosuka Nissan Skyline 2000GT-X (which is showing up in stores now!) but that’s not all. You’ll also find a kenmeri Nissan Skyline GT-R and BRE Datsun 510 Bluebird on the pegs later this year. Once again the folks at Mattel have generously allowed us to share the first ever published photos of these cars with JNC readers. Continue reading →

Posted in minicars, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

850hp Toyota Celica Is Fastest Hill Climber at 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Ben Hsu


Like Pikes Peak, the Goodwood Festival of Speed is one of motordom’s greatest hill climbs, a spectacular celebration of racing machinery from across the spectrum. Unlike Pikes Peak, the ascent is only 1.16 miles, and takes you up someone’s driveway. Nevertheless, this year’s fastest time to the Earl of March’s front door was 48:07 seconds, clocked by British rally champ Jonny Milner in his “Extreme” ST205 Toyota Celica GT-Four.

Milner’s Celica takes an 850-horsepower Toyota WRC four-cylinder and adds a Garrett turbocharger, belt-driven Rotrex supercharger and a shot of nitrous oxide in a car weighing 1050kg (2315 pounds). Milner painted it the same shade of orange as the limited Nürburgring Edition Lexus LFA in honor of the Celica’s 40th anniversary.

[Toyota, Jonny Milner Motorsport, Goodwood Festival of Speed]

Posted in motorsports, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Friday Video: The Depth of Speed

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Ben Hsu

Remember the video of JDM Legends that we posted a while back? The filmmaker, Josh Clason, has returned with another beautiful video featuring the inner workings of the SLC-based tuning house. Along for the ride are their Celica, Starlet, and hakosuka. Feast your eyes below the fold. Continue reading →

Posted in nissan, toyota, tuning shop | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

JDM Old School Style Hits Russia

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Ben Hsu

Can you identify this awesome Japanese-style sled? No? Well, don’t beat yourself up too bad — it was a trick question. That’s because the car is a Russian VAZ 2106 steeped in vintage JDM style. With Hoshinos, bolt-on flares, shakotan stance and a JDM license plate (not to mention a giant banzai flag) this low-life Lada has got the look down pat. That’s it, folks, kyuusha kulture has gone worldwide. Continue reading →

Posted in Nuts and Bolts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Adrien Brody Drives a StarQuest

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Ben Hsu


Although he has been seen in a black Ferrari California, actor Adrien Brody recently pulled up to the terminal at JFK airport in a Chrysler Conquest. He was spotted by TMZ, who called it a “crappy car” and titled the video “undercover clunker.” Au contraire, douchey cameraman — thank you for proving the point that any dingbat who doesn’t know a camshaft from a cupholder thinks “Oooh, shiny!” whenever they see a prancing horse logo, but only a true aficionado appreciates the brilliance of this turbocharged 80’s GT. Talk about arriving in style.

[TMZ]

Posted in mitsubishi | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments