Japanese Nostalgic Car

Toyotaku Rejoice! FT-86 and Lexus LF-A are Here

Posted on October 20, 2009 by Ben Hsu

The media days of the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show are in full swing and you know what that means. The Toyota FT-Hachiroku Concept has been photographed and nitpicked ad infinitum. It’s a familiar drill by now: AE86 revival, lightweight RWD coupe, Subaru 2.0 boxer, metallic monkey-butt red.

But perhaps Toyota has been feeling guilty for neglecting the enthusiast market for so long. That would explain why it’s bestowing us with the simultaneous debut of the long-awaited supercar known as the Lexus LFA. No more pulled punches for the Big T, baby! The new supercar heralds the company’s take-no-prisoners charge towards the head of the automotive kingdom, a segment Toyota has not visited in 44 years. Continue reading →

Posted in toyota | Tagged 2000gt, lexus, lfa, tokyo motor show, tokyo motor show 2009, toyota | 31 Comments

CONTEST: Fairlady Z T-Shirt from Import Bible

Posted on October 20, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Hey gang, David from Import Bible has a new T-shirt design with another old school design. This time, its the S30 Fairlady Z, and he is generously offering one free to a lucky JNC reader!

This contest will be a brain-free one, just a simple random drawing. Just email the feedback address at the bottom of this page with the subject “IMPORT BIBLE CONTEST.” The contest will end 11:59pm Pacific Time, Nov. 12, 2009. You can see the rest of the Import Bible line here. Good luck!

Posted in contests, datsun | Tagged 240z, datsun, fairlady z, import bible, nissan, s30 z | 10 Comments

Toyota Meeting at the Toyota Museum of Germany

Posted on October 19, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Art students have Rome. Fashionistas, Paris. For car nuts, there’s Germany. No speed limits, giant glass museums for famed automakers, and legendary race circuits. If we ever make it to Deutschland though, we’re headed straight for Hartkirchen, located on the German-Austrian border, for the Toyota Museum there. It’s a two-story building dedicated to archiving the Toyotas sold in the German domestic market. Continue reading →

Posted in museum, toyota | Tagged 2000gt, camry, carina, celica, corolla, corona, cressida, land cruiser, starlet, toyota, toyota museum, toyota museum germany | 3 Comments

Friday Video: Groovin’ With Ken, Mary and Buzz

Posted on October 16, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Hey hey, Friday Video is back! In our barrage of JCCS coverage we neglected to post the solution to our last contest, where we asked readers to identify the song playing at 15:48 in Part 1 of Crayon Shin-Chan: The Adult Empire Strikes Back. If you watched the scene, in which Shin-chan’s parents are watching vintage J-tin cruise by, a clue comes in the form of a blue kenmeri Skyline.

The answer, of course, is “Ken & Mary – Ai to Kaze no Youni (Like Love and the Wind)” by the Japanese folk group Buzz. Its smooth beats were synonymous with the Nissan’s groovy, gauzy Skyline KGC110 commercials of the early 70s, so much so that the entire generation became known as the kenmeri. If you didn’t think you could find beauty in something bone stock, watch this clip. Also, this seems to be the perfect tune for an autumn drive, is it not?

Congrats to Mike C!

Posted in cm, datsun, nissan | Tagged ai to kaze no youni, buzz, c110 skyline, datsun, datsun 240k, ken & mary, ken & mary commercial, kenmeri, kgc110, nissan, skyline | 10 Comments

Nissan 370Z Commemorates 40th Anniversary of 240Z

Posted on October 15, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Nissan has just announced that a special edition model 370Z to commemorate 40 years of the Z-car. Although the Datsun 240Z we all know and love was introduced on October 22, 1969, the Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition will go on sale sometime next spring for an as of yet undetermined price.

The basis of this special edition will be your standard issue 370Z Touring model, equipped with the 3.7L twin-cam V6, 6-speed SynchroRev manual and Sport Package, and adds an exclusive “40th Quartz” paint job and red leather interior. Oh, and copious 40th Anniversary badging, naturally.

Nissan draws (somewhat loose) connections between this car and the 240Z in its press release, comparing luxuries like the 370Z’s laundry list of electronic gewgaws to indulgences like roll-up windows and an actual in-dash radio found in the 240Z. Hey, that was high-end stuff at the time! And the press release even gives a shout out to Mr. K’s and his recent 100th birthday.

[Source: Nissan]

Posted in nissan | Tagged 240z, 370z, 40th anniversary edition, datsun, fairlady z, nissan, s30 z | 6 Comments

Event Horizon

Posted on October 15, 2009 by Dan Hsu

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

This weekend:

Saturday, October 17 / Irwindale, California: JTuned Auto Gallery @ Formula Drift
Sunday, October 18 / Queensland, Australia: Classic Japanese Show and Shine Continue reading →

Posted in events | Tagged events, meets | 1 Comment

Coolest Business Card Ever?

Posted on October 15, 2009 by Ben Hsu

We were brainsstorming business card designs recently and came across this Nissan Skyline PGC10 themed one. Turns out it’s for Intersection Magazine, which does not necessarily have a lot of J-tin content, but does have killer photography and art direction. As far as we know, the hakosuka never raced in gulf colors, but apparently this is what it’d look like if it did. And was made of origami.

[Designer Daily]

Posted in datsun, nissan | Tagged nissan, pgc10, skyline, skyline business card | 7 Comments

EVENTS: JCCS Part Seven: So Hard to Say Goodbye

Posted on October 14, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Well folks, we’ve come to the end of our JCCS 2009 coverage. Honestly, we’re getting a bit misty eyed just thinking about it. Organizers Koji and Terry Yamaguchi told us that out of 400-plus cars displayed, 120 were first-timers. That’s great news, because it means that the nostalgic car scene is still growing strong despite these difficult economic times.

We tried to split our coverage into themes, but as when reassembling a project after a long hiatus, there’s always some leftover bits that don’t seem to fit anywhere. Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, events, honda, toyota | Tagged abc hobby, acura, ae86, bluebird, bluebird 210, cabe toyota, celica, corolla, crx si, datsun, datsun 1000, honda, integra, japanese classic car sh, japanese classic car show, jccs, jccs 2009, mooneyes, nissan, sports 800, sr5, sunny, sunny b10, te51, toyota | 14 Comments

EVENTS: JCCS Part Six: Truck, Yeah! (And Some Race Cars)

Posted on October 13, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Okay guys, just a couple of more JCCS posts and we’ll be done. Today we’ll cover diametric opposites – the trucks and the race cars. The Mazda Rotary Engine Pickup is something that could almost be both. It’s the opposite of a mullet — business-like bed in back, 13B party up front. And in a cruel twist of fate for our Japanese brethren, it was never sold in Japan. Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, events, mazda, nissan, toyota, trucks | Tagged at civic, bluebird, civic, corolla, datsun, datsun 320, datsun 610, datsun 620, fj40, fj45, hilux, honda, japanese classic car show, japanese classic car show 2009, jccs, jccs 2009, land cruiser, mazda, mazda repu, mazda rotary pickup, nissan, stout, tamiya, te27, toyota, wonder civic | 9 Comments

The Nostalgics of Gran Turismo PSP and Forza Motorsport 3

Posted on October 12, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Just a brief intermission before continuing with the JCCS barrage. Recently, both Gran Turismo for PSP and Forza Motorsport 3 racing sim franchises have announced the master lineups. Here are all the cars that may be relevant to the interests of JNC readers: Continue reading →

Posted in Video Games | Tagged forza motorsport, forza motorsport 3, gran turismo, gran turismo psp | 13 Comments

EVENTS: JCCS 2009 Part Five: The Mod Squad

Posted on October 10, 2009 by Ben Hsu

As John is fond of saying, “Anyone can restore a car. It takes a real man to cut it up.” In Part Four of our week-long JCCS blitz we highlighted some of the faithful restorations that even Sherlock Holmes probably couldn’t piece together. Now it’s time for low down speed bump scrapers. Out of all the impressive things we saw — and there were many — we were most impressed by the devotion and accuracy to the JDM street bomber look. Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, events, honda, mitsubishi, nissan, toyota | Tagged 200sx, accord, accord b18, b110, bluebird, corolla, corolla levin, corona mark II, cressida, datsun, datsun 1200, datsun 510, honda, kp61, mango, mx32, mx73, nissan, peanut, rt60, silvia s12, sprinter, sprinter trueno, starlet, sunny, te27, te72, toyota | 10 Comments

Mad Max Datsun 240Z

Posted on October 9, 2009 by Ben Hsu

MotorMavens has posted up a feature on one of our favorite cars from the recent Japanese Classic Car Show, the Mad Max Z. We gave you a little taste of it in Part One of our JCCS coverage, but here’s the owner’s full story. This car makes us non-Z owners crave one like there’s no tomorrow. And if there really is no tomorrow, this 1973 Datsun 240Z looks like it’s ready to plow right through a marauding gang of desert bikers. Oh, and you might even catch a cameo by Dan in the photos. Check it out.

Posted in datsun, nissan | Tagged 240z, datsun, fairlady z, mad max z, nissan, s30 z | 8 Comments

EVENTS: JCCS 2009 Part Four: Rolling Stock

Posted on October 9, 2009 by Ben Hsu

We interrupt your regularly scheduled Friday Video to bring you more Japanese Classic Car Show sweetness. We love the fact that, like muscle cars, J-tin is ripe for modification. But sometimes it’s nice to see a faithfully restored example or an original survivor. Here were some of the best from JCCS. Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, events, honda, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, toyota | Tagged 1979 prelude, 240z, accord, b210, capella, corona, crown, datsun, fairlady roadster, fairlady z, honda, honey bee, japanese classic car show, japanese classic car show 2009, jccs, jccs 2009, lancer celeste, luce, mazda, mazda r360, mitsubishi, ms55, ms75, n360, n600, nissan, plymouth arrow, publica, rt40, rx-2, rx-3, rx-4, rx-7, rx-7 10th anniversary, s30 z, s50 crown, savanna, sports 1600, sunny, toyota, up10, z-act, z600 | 4 Comments

EVENTS: JCCS 2009 Part Three: The Exotics

Posted on October 8, 2009 by Ben Hsu

One of the surprising things about JCCS this year was the sheer volume of Nissan Skylines. Partly, this is because there are now shops in the US dedicated to the importation and restoration of these wondrous machines. One such shop is JDM Legends, who brought this Nissan Skyline GT-R KPGC110 clone. But they did more than just toss it on a freighter. Check out what’s under the hood. Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, events, mazda, nissan, toyota | Tagged c10 skyline, c110 skyline, cosmo 110s, cosmo sports, datsun, datsun 240k, dr30, japanese classic car show, japanese classic car show 2009, jccs, jccs 2009, kgc10, kgc110, kpgc10, kpgc110, mazda, nissan, r30 skyline, skyline, toyota, toyota 2000gt, toyota century | 15 Comments

Event Horizon

Posted on October 7, 2009 by Dan Hsu

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

This weekend, October 9-11:

All Weekend, October 9-11 / Citeureup, Indonesia: Indonesian Retro Touring Car Championship Seri 3 Continue reading →

Posted in events | Tagged events, meets | Leave a comment

EVENTS: JCCS 2009 Part Two: Wagons Ho!

Posted on October 7, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Continuing with our JCCS 2009 coverage, here are the cars from my personal favorite category — the wagons! This restored orange Datsun 510 was gorgeous, and aside from the re-upholstered interior it looks like it could have driven off the lot circa 1970. But this was just the first of many family freighters we saw last weekend. Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, events, honda, kei, mazda, nissan, toyota, wagons | Tagged 510, 910 maxima, bluebird, civic, cony, cony 360, corolla, cressida, cvcc, datsun, honda, mazda, mx32, mx62, mx72, nissan, rx-3, te72, toyota, wagon, wagons | 9 Comments

Toyota FT-86 and AE86 Drift Through GT5

Posted on October 6, 2009 by Ben Hsu

The Gran Turismo series has apparently been working so closely with automakers that every time a concept is revealed, a supplemental GT5 driving video accompanies it. Here, they’ve even included some brief scenes of the newly announced Toyota FT-86 Concept drifting with a panda AE86 Sprinter Trueno. Full video after the jump: Continue reading →

Posted in toyota | Tagged ae86, corolla gt-s, corolla levin, ft-86, sprinter trueno, toyota | 9 Comments

Hachiroku Returns: Toyota FT-86 Concept at the Tokyo Motor Show

Posted on October 6, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Toyota has just announced the FT-86 Concept for the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show this October. It’s been two years in the making, and there were several times when the whole thing was thought to be rumor, but Akio Toyoda has finally brought Project 086A to fruition, or at least a concept. Continue reading →

Posted in toyota | Tagged ae86, corolla gt-s, corolla levin, ft-86, ft-86 concept, hacihroku, sprinter trueno, tokyo motor show, tokyo motor show 2009, toyota | 41 Comments

EVENTS: JCCS 2009 Part One: Kyuusha Kulture

Posted on October 5, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Before daylight broke on Saturday morning Dan, John and I were already packing up the ol’ JNC wagon. It was an ungodly early hour, even for John, who was still on Texas time. As we hit “The 5,” as Californians like to call it, we caught sight of the R Power crew rolling at least 20 vintage Mazdas deep, all heading to the greatest gathering of vintage Japanese steel on the continent: JCCS 2009!

Here in Part One of our Japanese Classic Car Show coverage, we’ll show you the more extreme side of vintage Japanese tuning, or Kyuusha Kulture as we like to call it. Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, mazda, nissan, toyota | Tagged japanese classic car show, japanese classic car show 2009, jccs, jccs 2009 | 24 Comments

EVENTS: Japanese Classic Car Show 2009 Preview

Posted on October 3, 2009 by Ben Hsu

We are tired and overheated from running at redline all day at the JCCS. But we are happy to report that the 2009 Japanese Classic Car Show was the best one yet, with plenty of old school goodness to blow your mind. Here are some of Dan and John’s preview pics before we pass out. Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, events, honda, jccs, mazda, nissan, toyota | Tagged c110 skyline, datsun, datsun 240z, dr30 skyline, honda, japanese classic car show, jccs, jccs 2009, mazda, mugen cf-48, nissan, skyline, toyota | 9 Comments

Japanese Nostalgic Car

Toyotaku Rejoice! FT-86 and Lexus LF-A are Here

CONTEST: Fairlady Z T-Shirt from Import Bible

Toyota Meeting at the Toyota Museum of Germany

Friday Video: Groovin’ With Ken, Mary and Buzz

Nissan 370Z Commemorates 40th Anniversary of 240Z

Event Horizon

Coolest Business Card Ever?

EVENTS: JCCS Part Seven: So Hard to Say Goodbye

EVENTS: JCCS Part Six: Truck, Yeah! (And Some Race Cars)

The Nostalgics of Gran Turismo PSP and Forza Motorsport 3

EVENTS: JCCS 2009 Part Five: The Mod Squad

Mad Max Datsun 240Z

EVENTS: JCCS 2009 Part Four: Rolling Stock

EVENTS: JCCS 2009 Part Three: The Exotics

Event Horizon

EVENTS: JCCS 2009 Part Two: Wagons Ho!

Toyota FT-86 and AE86 Drift Through GT5

Hachiroku Returns: Toyota FT-86 Concept at the Tokyo Motor Show

EVENTS: JCCS 2009 Part One: Kyuusha Kulture

EVENTS: Japanese Classic Car Show 2009 Preview

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