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

Rumor: Nissan May Bring Datsun Back

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Ben Hsu

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]

Posted in nissan | Tagged , | 10 Comments

Enjoy Your JNC at Upcoming Summer Meets and Events

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Ben Hsu


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 →

Posted in events | 2 Comments

Friday Video: Gachapin and Mukku Teach Kids about Gymkhana on Hirake! Ponkikki

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Ben Hsu


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 →

Posted in honda, Video Games | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Introducing JNC’s Nostalgic Motorcycle Forum

Posted on June 30, 2011 by John Roper


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!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

Sam Witwicky’s Datsun 510 in Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Ben Hsu


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 →

Posted in nissan, Video Games | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? 24,000-Mile 1977 Toyota Celica for $19,000

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Ben Hsu

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 →

Posted in for sale, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Monster Tajima’s Suzuki SX4 Breaks 10-Minute Barrier at 2011 Pikes Peak Hill Climb

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Ben Hsu

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 →

Posted in motorsports, suzuki | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Friday Video: Buzz Performs “Ken & Mary Ai to Kaze no Youni”

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Ben Hsu


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 →

Posted in nissan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

X70 Toyota Mark II Sharknose

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Ben Hsu


Proof you can make a subtle zokusha that still looks gangster.

Posted in toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

EVENTS: 2011 USDM Jam

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Ben Hsu

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 →

Posted in events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

What the Mazda 787B Sounds Like

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Ben Hsu


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 →

Posted in mazda, motorsports | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments