EVENTS: 15th Annual All Toyotafest, Part III

Posted on May 13, 2010 by Ben Hsu


Two years ago, nearly every AE86 at Toyotafest could have been a D1GP contestant. This past weekend, stock (or restorations with subtle mods) was the new black. We’ve long argued that the venerable twin-cam Corolla GT-S would be one of the first classics of the 80s (and probably one of the top Japanese collector cars), and it appears that now that it’s hit that magic 25-year mark, owners are appreciating it for what it is.

We were afraid that the exploding popularity of drifting and Initial D was going to make it impossible for a photo like the one above, where stock examples park next to modified ones, to be taken of the AE86 in 20 years. But we were wrong! Continue reading →

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EVENTS: 15th Annual All Toyotafest, Part II

Posted on May 12, 2010 by Dan Hsu


When everyone from Congress to late night comedians is painting your cars as deathtraps unfit for their worse enemies, follow the lead of GM, Chrysler and Alfa Romeo. Embrace your heritage. Show the haters that no matter how much the media repeatedly bashes your cars, there are die-hard enthusiasts out there who want to congregate around painfully beautiful examples of your past work! Continue reading →

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JNC Limited Edition AE86 Heritage Shirt Now Available

Posted on May 11, 2010 by Dan Hsu


We have a very small number of limited edition shirts from Toyotafest now available in our shop. Only 86 were ever or will ever be made. XLs are sold out, sorry!

Celebrating 25 years of the iconic Corolla GT-S, we’re proud to present our latest shirt, the Limited Edition AE86 Heritage. Only 86 of these shirts will be printed.

Flanked by its predecessor, the TE27, and its successor, the FT-86, the shirt is black on red, just like the iconic red panda paint scheme. A crest honoring its classic status is encircled by lightning bolts, a nod to the Trueno/Levin names, which mean thunder and lightning. All shirts are 100% cotton, pre-shrunk, and have the JNC logo on the sleeve.

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July 9 Is Collector Car Appreciation Day

Posted on May 11, 2010 by Ben Hsu


There is no shortage of oddball Awareness Days celebrating everything from the bean to the penguin. But there has never been a day honoring the classic car, until now. SEMA has somehow convinced the US Senate to pass a resolution designating July 9 as Collector Car Appreciation Day.

According to the press release, “The resolution was the result of an effort undertaken by SEMA and its councils as a means to raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society.” What that means practically is anybody’s guess. A total suspension of speeding tickets? Barring everyone except car enthusiasts on public roads? Hey, just throwing out ideas. Full press release below the fold. Continue reading →

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EVENTS: 15th Annual All Toyotafest, Part I

Posted on May 10, 2010 by Ben Hsu

Given the current state of Toyota‘s public image, the 15th Annual All Toyotafest was probably the company’s last safe haven in North America. When one gazes upon the bright colors and sparkling chrome of 35-year-old Celicas and Corollas, it’s hard not to appreciate the quality, engineering and sheer heart that the automaker once put into their cars.

The show itself gets better and better with each passing year. In addition to ever-growing levels of build quality and creativity, we noticed some exciting trends that foretell good things for the nostalgic scene. But we’ve babbled long enough. Onto the pics! Continue reading →

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Toyotafest 2010 Preview

Posted on May 8, 2010 by Dan Hsu


Here are a couple of pics from today’s Toyotafest in Long Beach, CA.  More to come soon! Continue reading →

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Friday Video: 1966 Toyota 2000GT Speed Trial

Posted on May 7, 2010 by Ben Hsu

1966 toyota 2000gt speed trial yatabe

In honor of the 15th Annual Toyotafest this weekend, this week’s Friday Video is over 30 minutes devoted entirely to one defining moment in Japanese automotive history: the Toyota 2000GT‘s record breaking speed trial. 72 hours at Yatabe Test Circuit in 1966 set 16 international endurance records. And with an FIA representative on hand to officiate for the record books, this event caught the notice of the world. The grainy footage puts us in the thick of the action, and the soundtrack of Toyota’s twin-cam straight six echoing off the banked walls is a feast for the ears. Enjoy! Continue reading →

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JNC Limited Edition AE86 Heritage Shirt

Posted on May 6, 2010 by Ben Hsu


Are you ready for Toyotafest this weekend? Since 2010 is the year the infamous 1985 Toyota Corolla GT-S officially becomes a classic, we wanted to honor it with the JNC AE86 Heritage tee, made especially for this event. Only 86 of these T-shirts will ever be printed and they will be available for purchase at the JNC booth at Toyotafest, so stop on by!

Flanked by its predecessor, the TE27, and its successor, the FT-86, the shirt will be black on red, just like the iconic “red panda” paint scheme. A crest honoring its classic status is encircled by lightning bolts, a nod to the Trueno/Levin names, which mean “thunder” and “lightning”. All shirts are 100% cotton, pre-shrunk, and have the JNC logo on the sleeve. See you Saturday!

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NIHON LIFE: The Shuto, Tokyo’s Elevated Expressways

Posted on May 5, 2010 by Skorj

shuto06

Tokyo’s Metropolitan Expressway — Shuto Kōsoku Dōro (or just the Shuto) — is Tokyo’s answer to handling large volumes of traffic traversing the megalopolis. Continue reading →

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Event Horizon for the Weekend of May 7, 2010

Posted on May 5, 2010 by Dan Hsu

If you know of or would like to publicize an event, send us a tip at the feedback address at the bottom of this page.

This week:

Continue reading →

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Tomica 40th Anniversary Lacquer Nissan Fairlady Z432

Posted on May 3, 2010 by Ben Hsu


If you thought the pure platinum Tomica Nissan Fairlady Z432 that Kev posted was a bit too outrageous at $80,000, perhaps you will find these more reasonable. Once again, the S20 powered S30 Z forms the basis for an extremely limited edition Tomica celebrating the toy car company’s 40th anniversary. This time, they are accompanied by the Nissan 370Z and are brushed with traditional Japanese lacquer techniques. The process involves real gold dust and is carried out in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, a region known for its lacquer artisans. The cost is a mere ¥80,000 or approximately US$850, but once again these priceless Pocket Cars are not for sale. You can see Tomica’s 40 Years interactive website here.

[Tomica via Tomica Fan Club] Hat tip to Toyotageek.

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BRE Nissan 370Z Revealed at the Mitty

Posted on April 30, 2010 by Ben Hsu

BRE Nissan 370Z vs Mazda MX-5

Don’t you hate it when you get all dressed up for a party and then someone else shows up wearing the exact same livery? A couple of weeks ago Mazda revealed a tribute to the famous Datsun 240Zs of Peter Brock and John Morton, right down to the number 46.

Well, Nissan wasn’t about to let a rival steal their prom dress! Two days later, they announced that they too were going to The Mitty with a BRE theme, and released nothing but two images of a NISMO 370Z in the paint booth. Hmmm, curious. So now that the big day is here, the question is, who wears it better? Larger images below the fold. Continue reading →

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Friday Video: Police vs. Datsun 810 Wagons

Posted on April 30, 2010 by Ben Hsu


This one goes out to Jorge and everyone in the Goon Squad. How often do you get to see Tokyo’s Finest chasing a pair of Nissan Bluebird/Datsun 810 Wagons? Answer: not often. But it’s business as usual in Seibu Keisatsu-land, where grenades are plentiful, Cedrics are disposable and Sgt Daimon never misses. Watch the video on Youtube.

Hat tip to cesariojpn.

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Event Horizon for the Weekend of Apr 30, 2010

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Ben Hsu

If you know of or would like to publicize an event, send us a tip at the feedback address at the bottom of this page.

This week:

Continue reading →

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The Sonorous Sounds of the Mazda RX-7 Group B Rally Car

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Kevin San

mazda rx-7 group B rally

The Group B Mazda RX-7‘s brief claim to fame was a podium finish at the 1985 Acropolis Rally amidst a field of AWD monsters like the Audi Quattro. But Mazda threw its weight behind its Group A 323 and Group B was dissolved the following year anyway. You don’t really see much footage of these cars, and this guy’s really giving it some. Continue reading →

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RT40 Toyota Corona Will Survive in Miyagi-ken

Posted on April 28, 2010 by Skorj

Unlike some rural areas of Japan, the blue-skied Miyagi-ken, in the northern areas of Honshu, seem to be retaining their prosperity. The cows live indoors, the residents drive new cars and build new houses — even some in Meiji-era castle style, never a cheap undertaking. New roads are paved, farmlands across the region are worked constantly, and few (if any) lost cars litter the landscape. Continue reading →

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Nissan C110 Skyline Design Sketches

Posted on April 27, 2010 by Ben Hsu


For those in love with the lines of the kenmeri Skyline, these design sketches from Car Styling gives us a peek into what could have been. Imagine the alternate universe in which one of these designs was chosen for the production KGC110. The Skyline’s signature quad afterburners may have never existed!
Continue reading →

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Nissan Skyline R30 at the Bathurst 1000

Posted on April 26, 2010 by Kevin San


After watching the video above on Retro-Classics, Ben asked me about the connection between this DR30 Nissan Skyline and its role in Australian racing history. Continue reading →

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Friday Video: Senseless Skyline Van and Mazda Luce Destruction

Posted on April 23, 2010 by Ben Hsu


In this brief but heart-wrenching video, we see the tragic demise of two JNCer favorites, a VC110 Skyline Van — a kenmeri wagon in English — and a zenki Mazda Luce/RX-4/929 whose bumpers some of us would eat a live tarantula for. Just another day in Seibu Keisatsu-land.

Continue reading →

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Shoto Incongruities

Posted on April 22, 2010 by Skorj


One of the curious aspects of Tokyo living is the often cliched perspective of the new vs. the old. The fall-back standard for no-need-to-think international correspondents who like to show keitai girls in yukata, shinkansen and rice-fields, cosplay and temples, neon and whatever. Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, japan, mitsubishi, nissan, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments