RIP David Brown, Datsun Cherry 100A Pilot

Posted on February 22, 2010 by Ben Hsu

Sorry to start the week with a bit of sad news. The South Canterbury Car Club of Timaru, New Zealand lost a valued and beloved member last week. David “Brownie” Brown was the driver of a 1976 Datsun Cherry 100A, an ex-Trans-Am 1600 from imported from the US. In fact, Brown was driving his “pride and joy” in a vintage race at the Timaru International Motor Raceway when he left the track and struck a tire wall, causing his death. Club members and family remembered him as a generous man eager to help fellow enthusiasts with their cars and “an unofficial ambassador for Datsun, choosing that brand ahead of all others.” His family plans to restored the damaged Cherry and donate it to a museum.

More photos of Mr. Brown’s car after the jump. Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, nissan | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Haikyo: Exploring JDM Ruins

Posted on February 20, 2010 by Kevin San


Moody pictures of abandoned towns and factories make for interesting eye candy. Rarely do you find any content that’s in Japan, but here’s some from Michael John Grist.  His latest photographic explorations are of abandoned Japanese mining towns. Eerie. His blog takes up the story: “Grist also explores and photographs the ruins of Japan, known as ‘haikyo’, including abandoned theme parks, military installations, and ghost towns. Over a period of 6 years he has visited over 60 ruins locations throughout Japan”.  You can find more of his cool stuff here.

Posted in Japan Stuff | 11 Comments

Friday Video: Police vs. Armored War Wagon

Posted on February 19, 2010 by Ben Hsu


You know the drill. Bad guys with a militia’s worth of weapons, explosives lobbed from a truck, hapless black and whites led to the slaughter. It could only be another episode of Seibu Keisatsu. This time, a small twist. Instead of the customary Nissan Cedrics it’s mostly yonmeri Skylines that make up the patrol car fodder, and Detective Tatsu rather than Sergeant Daimon saves the day.

Hat tip to cesariojpn.

Posted in datsun, nissan, Video Games | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

ABC Hobby's R/C Nostalgics

Posted on February 18, 2010 by Ben Hsu


We know many JNC readers are already aware of ABC Hobby‘s awesome Genetic R/C lineup. But for those that aren’t, these are extremely high quality radio control car chassis from Japan, and the best part is they have a wide selection of nostalgic car bodies! There are a few examples after the jump, but they also have old school faves like the AE86, hakosuka and kenmeri Skyline, FC RX-7, along with some new school ones you’d never think of like the Toyota Estima! Check out the ABC Hobby website for details. Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, honda, mazda, minicars, nissan, R/C, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Wednesday Wall: JDM Old School Wheels II

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Ben Hsu

The last time JNC reader Slappy put together a wallpaper with the coolest vintage JDM barrels it became a viral sensation on the intarwebs. Now he’s done it again with Rare Old School JDM Wheels Part Two. Click on the image above to get the wallpaper.

Here’s a link to Slappy’s blog.

Posted in Wednesday Wall, wheels | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Police Pursuit Mitsubishi Cordia Turbo

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Ben Hsu

mitsubishi cordia turbo police pursuit car 03

If Lord Humungus had been motoring through New South Wales in the mid 1980s, he would have encountered the Australian Federal Police in one of these babies — a Mitsubishi Cordia Turbo! We already know it makes great sci-fi artwork, but these front-wheel-drive hot hatches were apparently mean enough for the Main Force Patrol too! Continue reading →

Posted in mitsubishi | Tagged , , , , , , | 13 Comments

JNC Sticker Version 3 Now Available

Posted on February 15, 2010 by Dan Hsu

Here it is, the long awaited next evolution of the iconic JNC sticker. Show your support for the fast-growing old school movement with these striking decals. Perfect for your ride, toolbox, garage, luggage, skateboard or anywhere else! It’s unmistakable proof that you know your roots.

Dimensions: 3 inches x 3 inches. Sticker will last 5 years outdoors.

Order yours HERE!

Posted in JNC Apparel, nostalgic gear | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Friday Video: Nissan Cedrics vs Truck O' Weapons

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Ben Hsu


Another week, another Seibu Keisatsu clip. This time the squad takes down a truckload of illegal arms at the expense of a whole lot of 130, 230 and 330 Nissan Cedrics. This appears to take place early in the series, before Sgt Daimon gets his gullwing S130 or R30 Skylines. But perps be warned: Z or not, he wil intercept you at the roadblock and shoot you in the face.

Hat tip to cesariojpn.

Posted in datsun, nissan, Video Games | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Wagon Master: Nissan Skyline VBC110

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Ben Hsu


Behold, the Nissan Skyline VBC110, or kenmeri panel van. Vanmeri? This could be the coolest wagon ever made.

Continue reading →

Posted in nissan | Tagged , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Nissan 370Z Meets Datsun 240Z

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Ben Hsu

Oh look, Nissan just released some press photos of a 40th Anniversary 370Z having a father-son moment with a Datsun 240Z. Took them long enough.
Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Event Horizon for the Weekend of Feb 12, 2010

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Dan Hsu

It’s not often that we get rained on here in LA so you know we were surprised when last week’s South Bay Monthly Meet was rained out.  Fortunately, this being SoCal, the rain rarely sticks around (the last couple weeks were the exception) so event organizers have decided to try again this Friday.  Same bat-time, same bat-channel.

If you know of or would like to publicize an event, send us a tip at feedback(at)japanesenostalgiccar(dot)com

This week:

Continue reading →

Posted in event horizon | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Art of Mazda RX-3 Covers and Catalogs

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Ben Hsu


The Mazda RX-3 Savanna is a good looking machine by any measure. But the alluring depictions of it that graced catalogs and magazine covers back in the day are nothing short of pure art. This Japanese website has collected a wealth of these “paper treasures.” Mazdafarians, be warned. Your productivity might be seriously hampered. Our favorites are below. Continue reading →

Posted in mazda | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Aoshima Radio Control Gurachan Cars

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Ben Hsu


You would never graft a sharknose onto a real kenmeri Skyline GT-R, would you? Instead, live the gurachan life vicariously with Aoshima Gurachan Series R/C cars. There are two cars so far in the series, the other one being a Skyline Japan. Someone from Japan send us one, please! Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, minicars, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

MSN UK picks Top 50 Japanese Cars

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Ben Hsu

MSN UK Picks Top 50 Japanese Cars: So another media outlet tackles the question of the top Japanese cars of all time. Since it was a British outlet, we’ll go with the 1965 Daihatsu Compagno, which was apparently the first Japanese car imported to the UK. There seem to be some, uh, glaring absences. No mention of the hakosuka Skyline, Mazda RX-3, AE86, and such. See for yourself.

Hat tip to cappo.

Posted in datsun, honda, isuzu, mazda, media, mitsubishi, nissan, subaru, suzuki, toyota | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Ben Hsu

Datsun 240Z at Chicago Auto Show: A slot-magged classic Datsun 240Z sits between a 40th Anniversary Nissan 370Z and the Nissan GTR at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. Which one would you drive home? We know which Mr. K would choose. More images at Jalopnik.

Posted in datsun, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Classic CM: Mazda Capella is Autobahn Bound

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Ben Hsu


This baby was made for scaling the Alps, breezing down the Autobahn, and evoking grand helicopter tracking shots! You probably can’t even remember the last time you saw one of these on the streets, but the Japanese the rear-wheel-drive coupe the 1979 Mazda Capella, Brits refer to it as the Mazda Montrose, and we Yanks know it as the very first Mazda 626.

Posted in cm, mazda | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Finally, A Toyota Ad with Nostalgics!

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Ben Hsu


Finally, an ad where Toyota honors its heritage instead of asking people to crush it. And all it took was a global recall of 8 million cars, the worst in the company’s history, and non-stop cries for the rolling heads of Toyota CEOs. Clicky click the image above to see the commercial. Continue reading →

Posted in cm, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? 1977 Mazda RX-3 SP

Posted on February 8, 2010 by Ben Hsu

1977_mazda_rx-3_sp 01

Remember that hunka hunka road burnin’ Mazda we posted? Well apparently the cost to set the streets of your neighborhood afire is $11,000. Holy racing stripes, Batman! The 1977 Mazda RX-3 SP was and appearance package for the American incarnation of the Savanna.

To be perfectly honest, this one is missing some key SP pieces like the rear window louvers and super-sized chin spoiler (kind of makes one wonder if it’s a real SP). It’s also rather far from stock, with a half-bridgeported 12A, aftermarket clutch sandwich and Enkei 92 meshies painted to match. But it is rust free an apparently an exact match for the original color (though this is also the first time we’ve seen a white SP). Hey, an cancer-free 3 is hard enough to find in any condition. So is it worth 11 large? Apparently, yes! More pics after the jump or see the auction on ebay.

Continue reading →

Posted in mazda | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

JNC Vintage Barrels T-Shirt – Small Size Now Available

Posted on February 8, 2010 by Dan Hsu

You asked for it so, like the title says, our JNC Vintage Barrels Shirt is now available in size S.  It’s the perfect size for your girlfriend, grandma, bull mastiff or even you (if the M happens to be too big).  This was a special run.  We only made a very limited number of the smalls, so if you asked for it in the blog comments or on the forum, make sure to get your order in before they run out!  Order here!

Posted in jnc, nostalgic wear | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Ben Hsu

Import Bible Ultimate Rim Shirt: We swear, great minds think alike! Even though we’ve collab’ed with Import Bible in the past, this whole rims on a shirt idea was conceived by each of us independently. The main difference is that IB has a mix of old and new rims while the JNC Vintage Barrels tee is strictly old school. Pick your poison, or take both!

Posted in nostalgic wear | Tagged | Leave a comment