Event Horizon: The Show Must Go On Edition

Posted on February 26, 2010 by Dan Hsu

This week’s Event Horizon is a little late due to our site hiccup earlier in the week, but there are a number of different events available to lucky Aussies and Southern Californians.  The picture above is from the 2008 All Japan Day show.

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 →

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Friday Video: Pontiac's The Bug and the Beetle

Posted on February 25, 2010 by Ben Hsu


The Bug and the Beetle was a 1972 propaganda film by GM meant to whip workers into shape by stoking fear of foreign competition. How can you take a day off work when Germans and Japanese are pouring their cars onto our docks by the boatload? Franz and Hiro aren’t resting. If we don’t sell these Pontiacs, we’ll have to fire you, which means you’ll have no money with which to buy Pontiacs!

Of course, within a decade Japanese automakers would begin construction on US factories staffed with American workers. Times sure have changed, particularly at 5:50 when the company man voiceover says, “We cannot hope for the government to save us.” But if this film has taught us one thing, it’s that those minty fresh 1200s and 240Zs look mighty tempting. Then again, so do those Venturas. And those awesome Sony alarm clocks with the flip tiles!

The thrilling conclusion after the jump. Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, nissan, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

JNC Site Running on All Cylinders Again, Hopefully

Posted on February 25, 2010 by Ben Hsu

So as you probably have noticed, the JNC site experienced some technical difficulties this week. Our webhosting service claims it was a software issue with the blog. We think it was a spam attack, as virtually nothing of importance changed between our normal operation and the sudden spike in server CPU usage that caused the freakout. In any case, we’re re-opening the blog and letting the hounds loose with fingers crossed.

But since we’re at the mercy of the Webhosting Gods, we’ve taken some of the precautions they’ve recommended. You’ll notice that you need to enter a captcha confirmation before commenting. This should be a one-time thing unless you switch computers or browsers. Let us know if this isn’t working for you, or if you see any other odd behavior/broken links/UFOs. Sorry for the inconvenience!

Posted in jnc | 20 Comments

Volk TE37V on Impulse AE86 Corolla Levin

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Ben Hsu


The Volk TE37V is an exciting development because it shows that companies like Rays Wheels are keen on making new products  for the nostalgic scene. However, the JNC staff is still torn between whether these are proper wheels for old school rides. Continue reading →

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

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 →

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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