Happy new year to all our JNC readers on the lunar calendar. Although modern Japan officially considers January 1 their starting point for another orbit around the sun, some Japanese still have a nostalgic feeling for the lunar calendar. Thus, the nation’s largest gathering of classics that takes place in late January is called, appropriately, the New Year Meeting. Continue reading
Toyota Land Cruiser Turns 60 Years Old, Gets Special Edition
The weapon of choice for outdoorsmen and dictators alike, the Toyota Land Cruiser had its humble beginnings as a spartan military vehicle in 1951. The Toyota BJ was the first vehicle ever to scale Mt Fuji to its sixth station, over 8200 feet above sea level. Emergency response departments across Japan quickly adopted the tough utility vehicle, prompting Toyota to offer it with the larger F-type engine for fire engines, giving us iconic the FJ-series. In 1954 the truck was christened Land Cruiser, and it has proven to be one of the most capable SUVs on the planet with over 5 million sold in over 188 countries. Continue reading
Mazda Cosmo Sports Rust Away in Japan
What is this, Ultraman‘s collection of parts cars?
[Komin’s Photo Blog via Banpei via Gred. Hat tip to Goki.]
New Koreisha Marks Go On Sale Today
Today is February 1, which means the “autumn leaf” elderly driver’s symbol is no more. Last summer, a nation-wide contest selected a new koreisha mark, this four-color clover-type thing, because the apparently drivers over the age of 70 do not like to be reminded that they are in the waning days of their existence here on earth. Expect a clearance sale on old koreisha marks all over Japan. Hey, at least it’s not a heart-shaped bird.
Mitsubishi Bids Slow Goodbye to Galant and Eclipse
Whenever once-great nameplates get axed, we feel a twinge of regret, even if it’s a mercy killing. According to trade journal Automotive News, Mitsubishi will scuttle all region-specific by the end of 2013. That means North American market platforms like the Endeavor, Galant and Eclipse are on death row. Two of those have a long history in the US and were once proud torchbearers of the triple diamond logo. Continue reading
Posted in mitsubishi
Tagged arrow, champ, colt, dodge, eagle, eclipse, galant, laser, mitsubishi, plymouth, sigma, talon
16 Comments
New Year Meeting 2011 Preview
We’ve got hundreds of photos from the 2011 New Year Meeting streaming through cyberspace as you read this. For now, here’s a quick preview of the biggest nostalgic car show of the year. Here’s the Gateway to drooltown. Continue reading
Posted in events, mitsubishi, nissan, toyota
Tagged 2011, 30, cedric, cherry, csp311, galant, gto, h31, mitsubishi, new year meeting, nissan, publica, silvia, toyota
5 Comments
Inside a Japanese Used Car Auction
8000 cars on a slow day, 20 seconds to jab buttons like lab pigeon on cocaine, thousands of yen, and one new ride to take home. Follow the Australian series Mad Mods on a quest to buy a JDM car at an Osaka used vehicle auction. Watch the video below. Continue reading
Friday Video: Nissan Skyline S54 GT-B vs Porsche 904
In light of Shinichiro Sakruai‘s passing we’ve been talking about the 1964 Japan Grand Prix a lot. As we’ve mentioned, this event was notable because that’s when Sakurai and Prince Motor Company threw down the gauntlets against the Porsche 904.
We can talk about Skylines versus Porsches till we’re blue in the face, but nothing can describe what it was like to drive what was essentially mid-range sedan with a stretched nose against an established race car whose sole purpose was to devour tarmac at an alarming pace. Therefore, you must watch the video for yourself. Continue reading
Posted in motorsports, nissan
Tagged 904, bellett, datsun, gt-b, isuzu, japan gp, japan grand prix, nissan, porsche, s54, skyline, suzuka
7 Comments
The KPGC10 Nissan Skyline GT-R in Battle
Our tribute to Shinichiro Sakurai, Father of the Skyline, continues with some of our favorite images of hakosuka in warpaint, ready for battle. After the S54 GT-B finished the 1964 Japan Grand Prix second to a purpose-built German race car, Sakurai promised he’d build a car faster than the Porsche and more user-friendly than a BMW. By the next generation, the KPGC10 was born. If a picture is worth a thousand words, these can speak volumes for themselves. Continue reading
Posted in Legends, motorsports, nissan, Uncategorized
Tagged c10, gt-r, Hakosuka, kgc10, kpgc10, nissan, shinichiro sakurai, skyline
5 Comments
Toyota FT-86 II Concept to be Revealed in Geneva
You know the drill. Lightweight coupe, FR layout, AE86 reborn. At the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March, the Toyota FT-86 II Concept will be revealed, one step closer to the production version. Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
20 Comments
Tokyo Auto Salon 2011: Super Builds
Here are a few parting shots from the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon. Nothing major, just a couple of mind-blowing restorations make us drool uncontrollably like hungry babies. It’s a shame, but we rarely see builds of this caliber in the US. Take this Fairlady Z, for example, dripping with equal parts potential and blazing yellow paint. Continue reading
Prince Skyline S54 GT-B at the Gates
In honor of Shinichro Sakurai, we’ve been poring over images of Skylines both Prince and Nissan. Here’s a quasi-replica of the Prince Skyline S54 GT-B that went up against a purpose-built Porsche 904 race car at the 1964 Japan Grand Prix. Black Wats are a fitting substitute for the original black steelies as it stages for the 2010 Rotary Club Fellowship Rally — sorry, Mazdafarians, this particular rotary club has more to do with community service than trochoids. In a field of Maseratis and Astons, this was the only domestic, a true classic.
[Image: Blue Mercedes]
Posted in motorsports, nissan
Tagged black wats, gt-b, nissan, prince, rally, s54, skyline, watanabe
9 Comments
Kidney, Anyone? 1982 Mazda 626 Capella
In the United States, the Mazda 626 was mostly known as an honorable mention in the Accord-Camry wars of the 1990s. Competent if unmemorable, the front-wheel-drive sedan was Hiroshima’s answer to the family car question few had asked. Europeans love the “second-gen” 626, which prompts the question, “There was a first?” Yes, there was a predecessor sold from 1979 to 1982, and guess what, old schoolers? It was rear wheel drive! Continue reading
Shinichiro Sakurai, Father of the Skyline, 1929-2011
On January 17, 2011 in the quiet Tokyo suburb of Setagaya, Shinichiro Sakurai, the father of the Nissan Skyline, passed away due to heart failure at the age of 81. Every major newspaper and reporting agency in Japan ran a story about the man’s life. Otherwise gruff auto enthusiasts wept openly. This outpouring of emotion and respect for a simple engineer is proof that Sakurai’s creation not only had an immense impact on the motoring community, but Japan as a whole. Continue reading
Friday Video: Toyota Celica in Family Guy/Incredible Hulk
Your eyes do not deceive you. This is a non-photoshopped image of Stewie Griffin changing the tire on a 1971-72 Toyota Celica. Continue reading
Posted in toyota, Video Games
Tagged celica, family guy, incredible hulk, ra21, ta21, toyota
10 Comments
Tokyo Auto Salon 2011: Nissan Roundup
Many people want the beauty of a nostalgic car but still need a family hauler that won’t sacrifice modern amenities like working aircon, cruise control and fuel injection. A hakosuka-faced Nissan Stagea is here to answer your prayers. Continue reading
Tokyo Auto Salon 2011: Toyota Takes the Stage
Perhaps the biggest surprise of Toyota’s exhibition at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon was not a car, but a person. Company president Akio Toyoda took the stage and spoke about how driving the Lexus LFA in the 24hrs of Nürburgring is giving him renewed determination as an enthusiast. Keep in mind this is not the Tokyo Motor Show; TAS is a strictly aftermarket showcase, and although OEMs have a presence, the fact that Toyoda would personally address fans says a lot about how the company is trying to reconnect with enthusiasts. Continue reading
Posted in events, toyota
Tagged 2000gt, 2011, 3000 km trap, akio toyoda, century, crown, estima, fj cruiser, g's, hiromu naruse, jzs171, mazda, miata, mx-5, noah, pickup, police car, previa, tas 2011, tes concept t-sports, tokyo auto salon, toyota
8 Comments
Tokyo Auto Salon 2011: Electric Boogaloo
There’s a lot to see at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon, but let’s start with something both electric and nostalgic. Proving electricity can be fun, the Toyota Sports EV Twin weighs 700kg (1543lbs), can go 160kph (100mph) and has a range of 100km (62mi) on one charge. Continue reading
Posted in nissan, toyota
Tagged 2011, datsun, ev-twin, nissan, sanitora, sports 800, tokyo auto salon, toyota, truck, up15, watanabe, work equip 01, yotahachi
6 Comments
Defi Gauges for Nostalgic Cars
The onslaught of vintage gear keeps on coming. Shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon, Defi gauges for old school cars! Instead of a hellscape orange or aquarium blue, these glow a cool whitish-green and through a proper vintage typeface. These are prototypes, and the company is asking kyuusha fans which style they prefer, and in linked or standalone.
[Nori Yaro] Hat tip to Nils E!
Posted in Aftermarket
Tagged defi, gauges, nostalgic, old school, parts, tokyo auto salon, vintage
7 Comments
Friday Video: The Man Who Stole the Sun Mazda RX-7 SA22C vs RX-5 Cosmo
We posted about 1979’s The Man Who Stole the Sun three years ago but the video has since been taken down. Besides, that one didn’t include the car chase in its entirety, so here’s a new one that does. In fact, the complete movie is available. Continue reading
Posted in mazda, Video Games
Tagged cosmo ap, fb, mazda, rx-5, rx-7, sa22c, the man who stole the sun
1 Comment
