Friday Video: AW11 Toyota MR2 Goes In For the Kill

Posted on January 8, 2010 by Ben Hsu

la-roux-in-for-the-kill

Normally when a funky Japanese car appears in a video they hide its plebeian roots by not showing any badges or emblems. Not so with La Roux’s 2009 music video for In for the Kill, in which the starring AW11 Toyota MR2‘s hood-bound “TOYOTA” logo and screamin’ eagle crest are prominently featured ten seconds in.

We could not think of a more appropriate car than an A-dub T-top for an synth-tastic 80s-themed moonlit getaway. This song is going straight into our Cressida wagon’s double-DIN so we can jam to the greenish glow of a dozen equalizer sliders. Watch the video after jump. Continue reading →

Posted in Tune Up | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Hotlanta! Garage Zero's Old School Street Fighters

Posted on January 7, 2010 by Ben Hsu


Congrats to our readers at Garage Zero out of Atlanta, Georgia for coverage on MotorMavens! Click to see how they hold it down.

Posted in tuning shop | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Datsun 510 Drifts Through Forza 3 Motorsports

Posted on January 7, 2010 by Ben Hsu


Mad skills.

[tkzun via Automobile]

Posted in datsun, nissan, Video Games | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? 39,000-Mile 1979 Mazda RX-7

Posted on January 7, 2010 by Ben Hsu


The seller of this “barn find” 1979 Mazda RX-7 with less than 39,000 miles on its rotary engine canceled all bids and stopped the auction on New Year’s Eve. But if you’re a fanatic Mazdafarian it might not be too late to track down the Norwood, Massachusetts dealer and get your hands on an ultra-minty first year Series One.

The best part? This cherry Seven relaxes in the showroom while a fleet of Ferraris freeze their tailpipes off in the snowy New England winter outside. Continue reading →

Posted in for sale, mazda | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

30 Years of Tamiya R/C Cars

Posted on January 6, 2010 by Ben Hsu


Tamiya‘s tradition of fine plastic model craftsmanship extended to R/C Cars in 1976, starting with a Porsche 934 RSR Turbo. This poster was created a few years ago to mark their 30th anniversary. We would commit great crimes to get our paws on a mint condition Group 5 Toyota Celica Liftback.

[ac75d‘s Flickr via Jalopnik]

Posted in minicars | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Event Horizon for the Weekend of Jan 8, 2010

Posted on January 6, 2010 by Dan Hsu

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

This week:

Continue reading →

Posted in events | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Mazda RX-3 Savanna, In Action!

Posted on January 6, 2010 by Kevin San


Proof that a Mazda RX-3 does not need tremendous fender flares to look dead sexy.

From The Legend of Historic Car series.

Posted in mazda | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Top Gear Lexus LFA Test

Posted on January 5, 2010 by Ben Hsu


In typical Top Gear fashion, they give the Lexus LFA a resounding review and then forcibly use some ridiculous yardstick by which to measure its worth. Minds are not budged when the LFA yields the fastest wet lap on the leader board. In fact, for those who are keeping score, subtract Top Gear‘s regulation four seconds from the lap time for dampness and the LFA actually beats every Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche in the show’s history. Continue reading →

Posted in toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , | 35 Comments

Ken Takakura Wants to Put YOU in a Mitsubishi

Posted on January 4, 2010 by Ben Hsu


Most of us only know actor Ken Takakura from Ridley Scott’s 1989 film Black Rain. He played a cop, but in Japan Takakura is as synonymous with yakuza movies as DeNiro is with Italian mob flicks. Therefore, it’s only fitting that Takakura’s tough-guy persona was conscripted by the automotive arm of the Mitsubishi zaibatsu to move some Galant Sigmas. We can totally see him behind the wheel of Mitsu’s big sedan, on the way to shake down some pachinko parlor managers. Continue reading →

Posted in cm, mitsubishi | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Happy New Year From JNC!

Posted on January 1, 2010 by Dan Hsu

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Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

RX-7 Redux? Rumors of Rotary Sports Return

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Ben Hsu


If the Toyota FT-86 and Nissan Silvia are returning, why not make it triple? In a great end-of-year present, the grapevine has brought us news that the Mazda RX-7 will return in 2011 or 2012 (sources differ). Power will remain rotary-based, coming from the next-gen Renesis 16X shown in the Taiki concept at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.

The best part is, Edmunds Inside Line reports that “sources close to Mazda now suggest that the company will take a simpler approach and create a car whose character evokes the original RX-7 (sold in the U.S. from 1979-1985).” Though the 16X is capable of 350 horsepower, the new RX-7 will have 200 to 250 and ring up at around $25,000. If these rumors prove true, a retro car Renaissance from Japan is the perfect news with which to end the year. Happy 2010!

Posted in mazda | Tagged , | 7 Comments

JNC Reader Visits "Vintage" Vintage Car Dealership

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Ben Hsu


Nakazoto is a JNC reader who lives in Nagoya, Japan. He’s graciously posted two of his visits to a local classic car dealership called, simply, Vintage. Check out his photos here and here.

Posted in japan | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Wednesday Wall: JNC Project Hako KGC10 Skyline

Posted on December 30, 2009 by Ben Hsu


Tired of the last Wednesday Wall yet? We don’t know how you could possibly be, but this might be the only car capable of out-cooling the Lexus LFA and Toyota 2000GT: JNC Project Hako.

Kev’s ’71 Nissan Skyline KGC10 terrorizes the tunnels of Sydney, but could be right at home circling the Shuto according to this shot. This wall comes courtesy of Mark Pakula, as our usual lensmen Dan and John refuse to set foot in Australia until Bartertown is freed.

Also, a bonus rear view as well. Continue reading →

Posted in nissan, project hako, Wednesday Wall | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Classic CM: Mitsubishi Galant Lambda & Sigma Eterna

Posted on December 29, 2009 by Ben Hsu


We’re always looking for Mitsubishi-related posts for the all-important job of keeping both Matt and the triple diamond mafia happy. To be honest, there isn’t much to this late-70s commercial for the Galant Sigma Eterna and Galant Lambda Eterna. But the rousing disco score and parking garage hoonage somehow make us feel nostalgic for RWD Mitsus and cop shows, so we can dig it!

Bonus points for ID-ing the background cars at 0:07.

Posted in cm, mitsubishi | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

TOM'S Racing Motorsports History

Posted on December 28, 2009 by Matt De Mangos


Here’s a cool video showing the history of TOM’S Racing. The Toyota-authorized tuning house was founded in 1974 by Nobuhide Tachi and Kiyoshi Oiwa (TOM’S stands for Tachi & Oiwa Motor Sports). There’s some excellent footage of their Chaser and JGTC Supras, along with some vintage clips of their TE27 and TE71.

Posted in motorsports, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Merry Christmas from Japanese Nostalgic Car

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Ben Hsu


May Santa fill your stockings full of old school parts and rare accessories. Or, if you’ve been especially good, perhaps a new ride in your driveway with a big red bow on it. Merry Christmas, everyone! From all of us at Japanese Nostalgic Car.

Image: myco10jp.

Posted in jnc | Tagged | 24 Comments

Five J-Tin Winter Storage Tips

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Ben Hsu

With a snowstorm of biblical proportions terrorizing the east coast, we thought it might be a good time for some winter storage tips. JNC reader Dustin (aka ohcanada_00 of Giga Pudding fame) works for the car care experts at Griot’s Garage and has offered to share some of his company’s knowledge with y’all!  Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Fuji Speedway Frozen in Time, 1977-80

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Ben Hsu


The action that took place at Fuji Speedway in the 70s is the stuff of legend. Back then it was known as FISCO (Fuji International Speedway Co., Ltd.) and was host to epic battles in Group 5, Touring Sedan, and of course the Fuji Grand Champion series. Here’s a typical scene in which Nissan Sunnys, Toyota Celicas and Mazda RX-3 Savannas duked it out. Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, mazda, motorsports, nissan, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Friday Video: Winners and Sinners and a Massive J-Tin Pileup

Posted on December 18, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Here’s another one of those wacky Hong Kong movies involving ridiculously implausible car chases and copious amounts of J-tin genocide. Although main players in this car chase from 1983’s Winners and Sinners are a Triumph Spitfire versus, uh, Jackie Chan on roller skates, there’s plenty of nostalgics whizzing by in the background and sacrificed for a colossal pileup. We’re talkin’ Celicas, Corollas, Nissan Violets, a Mazda 808 wagon, Mitsubishi Lancer, Galant, and even a Honda 145 Coupe! A Honda 145 Coupe! A Honda 145 Coupe! We just hope that the Starlet rolling on what appears to be Hayashi Command 800s at 1:41 wasn’t involved.

Hat tip to banpei.

Posted in datsun, honda, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Vintage JDM Brochures Galore

Posted on December 17, 2009 by Ben Hsu

1971 toyota crown ms60 ms70 brochure 04

We hope you have some time to kill because Kyuusha Maniacs is a Japanese blog with tons of JDM brochure scans going back to the 1950s. We stole this pic of from a 1971 Toyota Crown Sedan and Hardtop brochure, but there are plenty more with great artwork. Continue reading →

Posted in catalogs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments