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 , , , , , | 9 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

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 , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , | 28 Comments