Japanese Nostalgic Car

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 →

Posted in events | Tagged 09 racing, 2011, 310, 510, bluebird, c10, cosmo ap, cressida, datsun, ebbro, europa, Hakosuka, honda, kgc10, kousoku yuen, kpgc10, lotus, mazda, minicars, mx36, new year meeting, nissan, nostalgic hero, nym, parts, rays, rx-5, skyline, te37v, toyota, volk, z-act, z600 | 5 Comments

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 2011, 220, 30, 320, asics onitsuka tiger, b210, bluebird, c110, caravan, carry, cedric, cherry, civilian, daihatsu, datsun, delta wide, e10, familia, honda, kenmeri, mazda, midget, minica, minicab, mitsubishi, n360, n600, new year meeting, nissan, nym, pickup, publica, sambar, skyline, subaru, subaru 360, sunny, suzuki, t1500, t2000, toyota, van, wagon | 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 aguri suzuki, group c, le mans, lmp2, masahiro hasemi, nissan, r85v, r86v, signature | 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 130, 1300, 210, 220, 30, 410, 411, 900, bluebird, c230, c30, cedric, contessa, datsun, h31, hino, laurel, nissan, prince, s50, skyline | 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 →

Posted in mazda | Tagged mazda, miata, mx-5, roadster | 4 Comments

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 1000, 117, 510, a20, b110, b210, bellett, black wats, bluebird, butaketsu, c10, c110, c130, capella, carina, celica, cherry, civic, corolla, cvcc, daruma, datsun, e10, excellent, ff, ff-1, fj20, fto, galant, gemini, gto, Hakosuka, honda, hoshino, isuzu, kenmeri, kgc10, kgc110, kpgc10, kpgc110, laurel, levin, longchamp, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, phantom, publica, ra21, ra25, ra28, ra29, rays, rs watanabe, rx-2, rx-3, s110, savanna, sb1, silvia, sprinter, star, subaru, sunny, ta22, te27, te37, te37v, techno, tosco, toyota, trd, trueno, volk, watanabe, work equip 03, x-1r, xr-4, zz/r | 12 Comments

EVENTS: New Year Meeting 2011 Part 04: Kei Jidosha

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Dan Hsu

If a flux capacitor equipped kei car from 1960 traveled to the present, it’d be totally jealous of the “massive” 660cc displacement its modern counterparts enjoy. Back then, maximum allowable engine size was a scant 360cc. But as the Mazda Carol 360 proves, nostalgic kei jidosha can’t be surpassed in style by today’s space-maximizing one-boxes. Continue reading →

Posted in events, honda, kei, mazda, mitsubishi, subaru, suzuki | Tagged carol, carol 360, cervo, co10t, daihatsu, fronte, fuji heavy industries, fuji rabbit, honda, jidosha, jimny, kei, lj10, mazda, midget, minica, mitsubishi, MkII, n360, n600, r2, r360, skipper, ssr, subaru, subaru 360, suzuki, z-act, z360, z600 | 12 Comments

EVENTS: New Year Meeting 2011 Part 03: Sedans, Saloons, Four-Doors

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Dan Hsu

Whether you prefer a relaxed ride, enjoy the extra roominess, or require three yakuza enforcers with you at all times, a nostalgic sedan can be a practical yet stylish choice. For example, everything about Mooneyes‘ S50 Toyota Crown — the whiteline tires over stock hubcaps, not-overly-aggressive stance, and pale green hue — makes us want to rewind to the 1960s. Continue reading →

Posted in events, isuzu, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, toyota | Tagged 1jz, a30, a53, a54, amg, b110, b310, bellett, black wats, butame, c10, chaser, colt, corona, cressida, crown, debonair, familia, florian, galant, gc10, gloria, Hakosuka, hayashi, hippari, isuzu, mark II, mazda, mitsubishi, mooneyes, ms55, mx32, nissan, prince, r100, rotary sedan, rs watanabe, s50, skyline, street, sunny, surf line, t100, t140, toyota, watanabe | 6 Comments

EVENTS: New Year Meeting Part 02: Sports & GT Machines

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Dan Hsu

At American shows, Z-cars dominate. At the New Year Meeting, there are surprisingly few, overwhelmed by the vast numbers of Sunnys, TE27s, and especially this year, kei jidosha. Let’s take a look at the sports and GT machines that joined the festivities. Continue reading →

Posted in events, honda, mazda, nissan, toyota | Tagged 110s, 1600, 2000, 240z, 260z, 280z, black wats, cosmo sports, csp311, datsun, fairlady roadster, fairlady z, hayashi, honda, mazda, new year meeting, nissan, roadster, rs watanabe, s30, s600, s800, silvia, sports 800, street, toyota, watanabe | 8 Comments

Honda Restarts Development of the NSX

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Ben Hsu

Honda heads, rejoice! In Japan today Honda president Takashi Ito announced that the company will renew development of the NSX. The next generation of Honda’s supercar was put on hold as a result of the Lehman Shock (Japanese for Global Financial Crisis) in 2008. However, Ito says that the marketplace has a demand and it is one that “we must answer.” Details are sparse and no release date was given, but with the LFA ant GT-R, we might just have another Japanese supercar renaissance on the horizon. It’s a shame they didn’t announce this at the New Year Meeting.

[Mainichi News]

Posted in honda | Tagged acura, honda, hsv, nsx | 9 Comments

EVENTS: New Year Meeting 2011 Part 01: Honda is the Featured Marque

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Dan Hsu

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 →

Posted in events, honda, isuzu, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, subaru, toyota | Tagged 110s, 1300, 1600gt, 2011, ape, b10, b110, b310, bellett, black wats, c10, c110, celica, civic, corolla, corona, cosmo sports, crown, datsun, galant gto, Hakosuka, honda, igeta, isuzu, kb310, kenmeri, kgc10, kgc110, kpgc10, kpgc110, kujira, levin, life, mazda, mesh, mitsubishi, monkey, ms65, n360, n600, new year meeting, nissan, pgc10, ra21, ra22, ra25, ra28, reverse mesh, rqe coniglio, rs watanabe, rt55, s30, s360, s500, s60, s600, s800, sb1, sedan, skyline, soarer, sprinter, ssr, stepvan, subaru, subaru 360, sunny, ta21, te27, tn-v, tom's, toyopet, toyota, trueno, ts cup, van, wagon, watanabe, work equip, z10 | 13 Comments

Toyota Land Cruiser Turns 60 Years Old, Gets Special Edition

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Ben Hsu

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 →

Posted in toyota | Tagged fj40, fj55, land cruiser, toyota | 5 Comments

Mazda Cosmo Sports Rust Away in Japan

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Ben Hsu

What is this, Ultraman‘s collection of parts cars?

[Komin’s Photo Blog via Banpei via Gred. Hat tip to Goki.]

Posted in mazda | Tagged 110s, cosmo sports, mazda | 17 Comments

New Koreisha Marks Go On Sale Today

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Ben Hsu

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.

Posted in japan | Tagged elderly driver mark, japan, koreisha mark, kourei | 6 Comments

Mitsubishi Bids Slow Goodbye to Galant and Eclipse

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Ben Hsu

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

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Ben Hsu

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

Posted on January 29, 2011 by Ben Hsu

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 →

Posted in japan | Tagged japanese auto auction | 10 Comments

Friday Video: Nissan Skyline S54 GT-B vs Porsche 904

Posted on January 28, 2011 by Ben Hsu

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

Posted on January 27, 2011 by Ben Hsu

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

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Ben Hsu

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