Rumors are circulating that Nissan will be bringing back the Datsun brand. Unfortunately, it would be for low-cost models in emerging markets that are expected to ring in at $5000 or less. The news is being reported by the Nikkei but remains unconfirmed as of now. It wouldn’t be the first time a move like this has been rumored.
[via TTAC]
As temperatures increase, so do the number of events in SoCal where you can take your nostalgic car. We are highlighting some of these because these venues have not traditionally been a home for vintage Japanese steel. But their requests are proof that the old school movement is making headway into several different types of automotive gatherings. So dust off that sled and take it out of the garage. That’s what SoCal summers are all about! Continue reading
The Japanese show Hirake! Ponkikki is a morning kids show akin to Sesame Street. The main characters are a green, adrenaline-junkie dinosaur named Gachapin and a red yeti named Mukku. In this episode, they visit Honda’s Twin Ring Motegi Circuit in Tochigi Prefecture. Then they proceed to teach impressionable children terms like gymkhana, slalom and spin turn as they burn off the tires of a Honda S2000. Afterwards the Mazda Porter Cab-looking muppet take a turn on the banked high-speed ring in an Integra Type R. You ain’t gonna see that kind of action in Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. Continue reading
The JNC Forum has a new section for classic motorcycles and scooters. As per the usual JNC guidelines, it’s for two-wheeled delights 25 years and older. There seems to be no good home for these bikes on the web, at least not US-based, and Japanese scooters are really the red-headed stepchild of the market. If the first day of traffic is any indication, this is a need waiting to be met. Go forth and post! We can’t wait to see the build threads that come out of it!
Last year a Datsun 510 sedan with twin black racing stripes and a “Bee-yotch” air freshener was spotted filming in Milwaukee for Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon. Immediately, speculation began that one of the star robots, Bumblebee, had disguised himself as a Bluebird. We just got out of an advance screening of the movie and we have answers. Warning: spoilers ahead. Continue reading
A 910-horsepower Suzuki isn’t the only interesting thing coming out of Colorado. Recently, a 24,000-mile 1977 Toyota Celica Liftback was offered up in the little town of Berthoud (about an hour north of Denver). It was purchased in Fort Collins, Colorado (another 30 minutes north) and has apparently spent its existence secreted in the mountains like a mummified Ice Age caveman.
Continue reading
We don’t often get to write about Suzukis, but this past Sunday, one made history. Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima has smashed the storied 10-minute barrier at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The long-time Suzuki rally racer clocked a time of 9:51:28 in his Unlimited division Monster Sport Suzuki SX4.
UPDATE: Now with video. Continue reading
Welcome to JNC‘s summer concert series. Well, it’s not really a series per se since there’s just one song. Nevertheless, here’s the folk band Buzz playing their hit Ken & Mary Ai to Kaze no Youni on a Japanese music show. Now go drive into the sunset in your C110 Skyline. Continue reading
Car culture has a curious way of ping-ponging across continents. While we in the US are drool over rare JDM goodies, our counterparts in Japan long for door mirrors, amber turn signals and safety bumpers. For eight years now there’s been an annual event in Japan called USDM Jam. There, Japanese enthusiasts obsess over the arcane differences on cars sold in the US market and study our customization trends.
The Honda Civic Wagon is called the Civic Shuttle at home. Interestingly, the Honda Civic is no longer even sold in Japan. The Fit has supplanted the Civic, and Honda has just released the wagon-bodied Fit Shuttle there. Continue reading
We mentioned a few weeks back that the Mazda 787B was making a return to Le Mans for the 20th anniversary of its victory there. One of its drivers, Johnny Herbert, was on hand to take it for another spin around Sarthe Circuit. This is what a 700-horsepower four-rotor sounds like. Continue reading
The Mazda RX-7 is one of the few cars that can truly be called iconic. When it debuted in 1979, it rocked the motoring world with its sleek looks, rotary powerplant, and stellar handling. It also came out of the gates with a class win at the 24 Hours of Daytona, kicking off a decade of IMSA domination and over 100 victories in the series. It is a true classic, and as important as cars like the Toyota 2000GT and Datsun 240Z.
Dan recently stumbled upon this mint 1980 SA22C, which looks to be as fresh as it was when it left the showroom 30 years ago. This metallic gray cherry comes with all the important options, like a 5-speed gearbox, moonroof, and AM/FM cassette deck. With just 6,757 miles on the clock, it’s not for the casual cruiser. The price isn’t even listed, so prepare to part with at least one internal organ. But for the die-hard Mazdafarian it’ll make a coveted addition to the rotary fleet. The car is offered by Exotic Classics of Syosset, New York.
Last week we saw a meeting of some Japan’s best road-going GT cars. This Friday let’s look at two no-limit track machines. The KPGC10 Nissan Skyline GT-R and the Mazda Savanna RX-3 are old rivals, and Best Motoring brought them back to Fuji Speedway for a sonorous reunion. Enjoy the sights and sounds after the jump. Continue reading
Sky-high redline, feather weight chassis, open top motoring. The Honda S800 is a breathtaking machine. It is also a camera-taking machine.
If this short clip of a topless roadster howling through the two-lane backroads of Japan does not induce some wanderlust, you are probably dead inside. Continue reading
See that wagon lurking behind this hakosuka and Honda Today? All we know is that it’s old, rust, and resting in a junkyard somewhere in Japan. This photo was sent to us by a reader there. Heck, it may not even be Japanese.
Be the first one to identify it in the comments below and we will send you a set of three JNC decals – the original JNC inkan and our new Racing Mate Tribute and the JAF Tribute. One more pic below to help. Continue reading
This may look like an RA21 Toyota Celica. But look below the surface where the sun don’t shine and you’ll find a full-on AE86 drift machine. The result? Whether it’s smoking tires sideways or just cold chillin’ by a vending machine, it looks damn good doing it. You can read more about owner Matt-Panic’s build at Classic-Celica.com. Continue reading
The title says it all. Watch the luckiest bastards in the world at Best Motoring drive the greats. Continue reading
It seems we’ve got some exciting news from Hot Wheels every week now. Mattel‘s diecast toy line is really firing on all cylinders with cool nostalgics that JNC readers will love. Now you can park this Datsun 240Z next to your JNC-logo’ed Hot Wheels hakosuka.
Although the S30 has been around the Hot Wheels lineup in several iterations already, the upcoming red and white paint scheme is truly special. Somehow, it manages to evoke famous racing Z-cars from opposite sides of the Pacific — Peter Brock‘s BRE 240Z from the US, and Haruhito Yanagida‘s fearsome 240ZG from Japan. Continue reading
There was so much to see at this year’s Toyotafest it’s taken us six installments to get through everything. Alas, our coverage is coming to an end, but before we leave the Queen Mary here are some parting shots.
The 1980s came out really strong this year. As we’ve mentioned, RA63 and RA64 Celicas are the new black. This white one with black holes for wheels certainly pulled us in. Look at that laid back RWD lean and folded-origami design. If new cars today only looked this cool. Continue reading
