Friday Video: C130 Laurel vs. Kenmeri Skyline

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Ben Hsu


Today’s video appears to star Tachi Hiroshi, but the cars are too old for Abunai Deka and it lacks the trademark pursuit music of Seibu Keisatsu. We don’t know from whence this car chase came, all we know is that it kicks major ketsu.

A C130 Nissan Laurel goes head to head with a C110 kenmeri Skyline down narrow Japanese streets like some unholy Asian combination of Ronin and The Italian Job. And the background cars are all Nihon steel! Best part is, unlike many stunts from the era, the chase seems to unfold at real time speed. Watch the video below the fold. Continue reading →

Posted in nissan, Video Games | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, 1992-2013

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Ben Hsu


Like the giant panda, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution may be an evolutionary dead end. Assuming Mitsubishi global product director Gayu Eusegi wasn’t suffering from altitude sickness at the Geneva Motor Show when talking to Autocar, the Lancer Evo X will be the last of its kind. Continue reading →

Posted in mitsubishi | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Toyota FT-86 Concept II Unveiled at Geneva

Posted on March 1, 2011 by Ben Hsu


While America slept the Toyota FT-86 Concept II was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show.  According to Toyota, this is the best indication yet of what the production version of the RWD reborn AE86/Toyobaru/FT-86 will look like, and during the press conference they didn’t hesitate to refer copiously to Toyota’s sports car heritage, starting with the Sports 800.

Repeated mentions of the AE86 Corolla Levin were peppered throughout the speech. To really bring it home, Toyota quoted a personal story from current president and avid racing enthusiast Akio Toyoda’s past: Continue reading →

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John Morton’s BRE Datsun 510 to Appear in Hot Wheels Vintage Racing Line

Posted on March 1, 2011 by Ben Hsu

Hot Wheels has a new lineup called Vintage Racing for 2011, which will feature highly detailed race machines from the 60s and 70s with authentic livery. Nostalgic car fans will be pleased to know that the BRE Datsun 510 driven by John Morton will be offered, the only import amongst a field of Camaro Z/28s and Boss Mustangs.  The word is that they will be on the pegs mid-to-late summer.  The wave of nostalgic Japanese minicars continues!

[Hot Wheels Collectors]

Posted in minicars, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Today on YJA: Mitsubishi Galant GTO MR Gasket Set for $1000

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Ben Hsu


Rebuilding the 4G32 on your Mitsubishi Galant GTO MR? This is the gasket and seal set you’ll need. Slight issue: the going price is ¥91,000, or about $1114.  Be very, very careful not to tear it.

Posted in mitsubishi | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Friday Video: Hwang Jang Lee Drives a Datsun 280ZX

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Matt De Mangos

What would a 1970s Korean taekwondo master, capable of beating up a whole gang of poorly synchronized bad guys using only his two feet and a groovy chicka-bow-wow soundtrack, drive? A Datsun 280ZX, of course. Watch the video on YouTube and learn to kick like Hwang Jang Lee.

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

Kidney, Anyone? 1967½ Datsun 2000 Fairlady Roadster

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Ben Hsu


If you’re parting with a major organ, it’d better be an ultra rare machine or something that’s been immaculately restored to exacting standards. Today’s kidney bait is the latter. The 1967½ Datsun 2000 Sports is a the most desirable of the Fairlady Roadsters as it sprang from the brief span in which the older, low-windshield design had a momentary overlap with the introduction of the larger, 2.0-liter U20 motor. Add to that a full frame-off restoration and loads of hard-to-find original parts, and you have a SRL311 that fails to meet reserve despite bids approaching $37,000. Continue reading →

Posted in for sale, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

NOSTALGIC WEAR: Enkei 92 T-Shirts

Posted on February 23, 2011 by Ben Hsu


We love representing old school wheels but the problem is you eventually have to park your car. Now you can show off your love for vintage meshies anywhere except your shower with T-shirts celebrating the re-issue of the Enkei 92 in the Enkei Classic Series. They come in S through XXL sizes in black with gray or tan printing for $22 shipped and you can order them here.

[Enkei Wheels]

Posted in nostalgic wear, wheels | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Rare Form: 1974 Toyota Publica Van Deluxe KP36V

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Ben Hsu


Scouring YJA often brings one across truly rare examples of Japanese steel. Case in point: a 1974 Toyota Publica Van Deluxe, chassis code KP36V. When you see “KP” you think Starlet, but die-hard Toyotaku know that the Starlet was a spinoff of the Publica line, as Supra is to Celica. This one’s been modified a little — the original 1000cc 2K has been swapped out with a 1.3-liter 4K and it has a 5-speed from a KP61 — but the body is original in all its two-door wagon glory. Not something you see every day. Continue reading →

Posted in Rare Form, toyota, wagons | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? 38,000-Mile Datsun 720 King Cab Pickup

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Ben Hsu

It’s not often that you see an old Datsun pickup that isn’t trundling down the slow lane, sagging under the weight of a landscaping crew’s livelihood. These trucks were workhorses, and affordable ones at that, so it’s pretty darn amazing to see an original 1982 Datsun 720 King Cab 4WD pickup with only 38,000 miles on the clock.

We’re sad that it’s not a snazzier retro color instead of silver, but this thing is still cherry. The 620 was one of the best looking pickups ever made but the 720 charged into the next decade with contemporary styling — ie, boxy, boxy boxy! “Well yeah,” your saying, “It’s a pickup,” but we’ll chalk it up to the 80s. Continue reading →

Posted in for sale, nissan, trucks | Tagged , , , , , , | 17 Comments

ANNOUNCEMENT: Toyotafest 2011

Posted on February 20, 2011 by Ben Hsu

The folks at TORC have announced the date for the 16th annual All-Toyotafest! It’s the biggest Toyota family reunion of the year and it will take place Saturday, May 14, 2011 at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. Registration will open March 1.

Posted in Reminder | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Friday Video: Pentax Commercial Starring Honda N360 and Japan’s 1960s GT Legends

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Kevin San

Check out this commercial for Pentax Cameras, which has many things making it awesome. Let’s see:

  • chick is cute
  • drives a mod looking rally-modified Honda N360
  • Toyota 2000GT
  • Mazda Cosmo Sports
  • Nissan Fairlady Z
  • Toyota S40 Crown police car
  • vintage footage of 1960s Japan

…WIN all around. Watch the advert on youtube.

Screenshots after the jump. Continue reading →

Posted in cm, honda, mazda, nissan, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? $64,000 Nissan Stanza Ex-Works Rally Car

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Ben Hsu

The UK owner of this car is asking 40,000 pounds sterling (over US$64,000) for a Nissan Stanza. Surprised? Well, this is no ordinary Stanza. According to the seller, it’s the ex-works car that won the 1979 Southern Cross Rally. Held in New South Wales, Australia from 1966 to 1980, it was one of the world’s premiere rally events. In the 70s, Mitsubishi maintained a five-year winning streak with the Galant and Lancer GSR. Nissan dethroned them with the Violet (aka Datsun 710) and this car, the A10 Stanza — also known as the Violet in Japan and Datsun 510 in the US. If the seller’s claims are true, this could be your chance to own a genuine piece of motorsports history built by Nissan itself. Continue reading →

Posted in for sale, motorsports, nissan, rally | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Matchbox’s Nostalgic Off-Roader: 1984 Toyota 4Runner

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Dan Hsu

The march of nostalgic toys continues onward like a solid front axle truck over rocks-strewn trails. You can now find Matchbox‘s 1984 Toyota 4Runner in stores. According to the 1:64 scale diecast car maker it’s technically a 2010 model, but it didn’t start hitting stores until January. It’s a terrifically accurate piece of nostalgia, finished in metallic light blue and period-correct retro gradient stripes, and it can scale USB cables like pack mule. Continue reading →

Posted in minicars, toyota | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

EVENTS: New Year Meeting 2011 Part 08: Sights & Sounds

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Dan Hsu


We’ve shown you a lot of cars from the 2011 New Year Meeting, but the event is much more than that. It’s a celebration of kyuusha kulture, and as you might expect, there’s all sorts of car-related goodies dotting the grounds. Let’s take a stroll through the booths, shall we?

We’ve shown you many of the car clubs that come to the Meeting, and most of them are devoted to one marque or model (like the S30 club beside this one). It’s rare and kind of cool to see a group that includes as diverse a selection as the Mazda Cosmo AP, 310 Bluebird and Honda Z. Continue reading →

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EVENTS: New Year Meeting 2011 Part 07: Wagons & Commercial

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Dan Hsu

Surf’s up, JNCers! Since today’s installment of our 2011 New Year Meeting coverage coincides with Valentine’s Day, let’s take a look at some of the vehicles with a little more volume in the back. You know, something that Ken and Mary might choose to retire to after a long day of frolicking in the fields.
Continue reading →

Posted in events, honda, mitsubishi, nissan, subaru, suzuki, toyota, wagons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Nissans at Le Mans: A Return with the Signature LMP2

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Ben Hsu


Twenty-five years ago Nissan entered its first prototype style racer into the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. Now the automaker is returning to the Le Mans Cup series with the Signature LMP2, which will run NISMO-tuned VK45 V8 motors. See the cars Nissan sent to France for the 1986 battle below the fold. Continue reading →

Posted in motorsports, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

EVENTS: New Year Meeting 2011 Part 06: Rolling Stock

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Dan Hsu


Unlike the modified Sport Coupes we normally think of when someone mentions old school Japanese cars, these bone stock beauts have been lovingly restored to the way they existed when new. They may not be the most stirring cars, but that makes their restoration and care even more admirable, and their indelible place in Japan’s motoring history make these humble forms transportation a crucial part of the New Year Meeting.  Continue reading →

Posted in events, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

900,000 Mazda MX-5 Roadsters and Counting

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Ben Hsu

The 900,000th Mazda MX-5 rolled out of Hiroshima last week, extending its lead as the best selling two-seat sports car in history according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The Miata got that title back in 2000 after surpassing 531,890 units. Mazda has a habit of keeping milestone vehicles in its museum in Hiroshima (the 500,000th Evolution Orange car in the image is kept there), but this Copper Red example is headed to a lucky owner in Germany. Continue reading →

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EVENTS: New Year Meeting 2011 Part 05: Sport Coupes

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Dan Hsu


Sedans and kei cars might be nice, but we know most of you old schoolers came to see the sports coupes. These compact and lightweight machines are what makes Japanese cars so much fun. Let’s start with what most Americans consider the ur-Japanese sports coupe, the Datsun 510 and its Pacific Rim equivalent, the Nissan Bluebird.  Continue reading →

Posted in events, isuzu, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, subaru, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments