Subaru 1969 Promotional Video

Posted on December 18, 2008 by Ben Hsu

Here’s a promotional video from 1969 extolling the virtues of the new wondercar from the Land of the Rising Sun, the Sue-BARR-oo 360. Look, it can park perpendicular to the curb between two massive Detroit land yachts! It may be “Cheap and Ugly” but it’s the car of choice for chefs, Vegas showgirls, and “very groovy chicks.” The Autodrive feature means “No clutch, just touch” and there’s even a “Super Sport” version with bucket seats. Watch as it catches major air and goes to the track for some loose-tail drifts that almost puts it into a fence!

And who wouldn’t want a 360 side-loading pickup? Known as the Sambar in Japan, it had a twin in a van body and is perfect for moving your giant wooden TVs! Follow that up with the 1000, known as the Star in the US, which climbs the hills of San Francisco with ease, and you’ve got the 1969 Subaru lineup. It’s what’s happening!

Thanks to TSiSS350 for the tip!

Posted in kei, subaru | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

JNC Article in the Japan Times

Posted on December 17, 2008 by Ben Hsu


And now for a bit of shameless self-promotion. We were recently asked by the Japan Times, the largest English-language newspaper in Japan, to write a piece about the increasing interest in Japanese classics here in the US. The short article, titled “Nostalgia drives Japanese classic car scene,” pretty much sums up how we here at JNC feel about the scene, while covering a bit of very general history. It’s probably nothing regular readers don’t already know, but keep in mind this is for a broad audience who isn’t necessarily into nostalgics, or cars at all. Is there anything you take issue with? Anything we left out? Let us know.

[Japan Times]

Posted in japan, media | 10 Comments

Newly Restored Datsun 510 in Fatal Crash

Posted on December 16, 2008 by Ben Hsu


As many of us can attest to, nothing beats the feeling of taking a finished project on its maiden voyage. That’s why it’s important not to get carried away before you familiarize yourself with your car’s limits. Tragedy struck earlier today when a 24-year-old Australian man crashed his newly-restored 1971 Datsun 1600 (aka 510 in the US), into a tree. The driver was airlifted to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, but his 20-year-old passenger survived with minor injuries. Continue reading →

Posted in datsun | 9 Comments

Datsun 240Z & Nissan 370Z, Then and Now

Posted on December 14, 2008 by Ben Hsu

Last week we posted on a Father & Son sneak preview of JNC Issue 3, in which we compare and contrast a Datsun 240Z with a Nissan 370Z. Soon after, Gregg Rogers, president of the Desert Z Association of Arizona, sent us these photos.

According to Gregg, in October 1969 Nissan took a pair of pre-production Datsun 240Zs to Arizona for testing, along with a 510 for support. The photo on the left was taken in Phoenix’s Greyhound Park as Nissan’s drivers paused to look at a roadmap. Nearly four decades later, Nissan was back in town promoting the 2009 370Z in a cross-country multi-city tour called Follow the Nissan Z. Local Z enthusiasts seized the opportunity to re-create the 39-year-old photo at the very same location in Greyhound Park.

As you can see, the large building in the background is now gone and a tree stands where lamps used to be. And the 240Z and 510 has been updated with a duo of 370Zs and Maxima. We love these types of Then & Now photos, and this one was brilliantly executed. Got some cool historic photos like this? Let us know!

Thanks for the pics, Gregg! You can read more at NicoClub.

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

JNC 2009 Wall Calendar Available Now!

Posted on December 12, 2008 by Dan Hsu

Like the title says, the JNC 2009 Wall Calendar is now available.

It includes pics from our readers’ favorite articles, a special sneak peak at a future JNC article, and some general badass photography from everyone’s favorite JNC forum moderator, datsunfreak.

We’re going though a company called CafePress. They’re trustworthy, and put out a great product. The price is $19.99 + s/h and tax depending on where you live.
Order here.

Posted in jnc | 7 Comments

New Wangan Midnight Movie in the Works

Posted on December 10, 2008 by Ben Hsu


Recently in our forum there’s been an ongoing discussion about the Wangan Midnight movie from back in the days of VHS. The story of the Devil Z has also been retold in anime and its original manga form. Now it appears that a new big screen version is in the works! Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, manga, nissan | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

This is How the Bosozoku Roll

Posted on December 10, 2008 by Ben Hsu

They say that the goose-step, ridiculous and inefficient as it may seem, became the march of choice for dictatorships around the world specifically because of its silly appearance. After all, only a terrifying madman could force thousands of able-bodied soldiers to walk that absurdly in precise formation. It’s a method of instilling both awe and fear simultaneously.

That pretty much sums up the feeling we get when we see this horde of bosozoku cars. Cantilevered lip spoilers, double-wide fender flares and yard-long exhaust pipes look insane when parked, no doubt. But get caught in a swarm of them wreaking havoc on the expressway and suddenly it all begins to make sense, even when a dude dressed head-to-toe in a tiger costume rides a convertible’s door sill as his mohawked associate maniacally twirls a baseball bat in the air. It makes one wonder, are they’re launching a siege on Bartertown or something? It’s probably best not to ask questions and just get the hell out of their way.

One more completely deranged pic after the jump. Continue reading →

Posted in bosozoku, japan, mazda, nissan, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? 2450-mile Mazda RX-7

Posted on December 8, 2008 by Ben Hsu


At this rate, your JNC editors are going to run out of kidneys by Wednesday. Not only have we seen a 1427-mile Mazda RX-4 and a 33,000-mile ’79 Honda Civic, now there’s a 1985 Mazda RX-7 with only 2450 miles on eBay. What’s going on here? Is the Great Depression Part Deux forcing owners to release these specimens into the free market?

According to the seller, who also happens to be the original owner, this creamy white RX-7 has a chocolate brown interior topped with a dash of orange pinstripe. Delicious. It has always been garaged, and driven around the block every month to keep things fresh. If you do the math, that’s an average of 9 miles per month.

At the time of this writing, the bidding is up to $1525. But the owner will part with what has been a fixture in his life for the past 23 years for a mere BuyItNow of $15,000. Seeing as how the last new RX-7 cost over $40K and this one is new for all intents and purposes, $15K is a bargain. Follow the jump for more pics.

Thanks to pqjim for the tip!

Continue reading →

Posted in for sale, mazda | Tagged | 6 Comments

V8-Powered Aussie Celica in Drag

Posted on December 8, 2008 by Ben Hsu


Check out this angry daruma Celica from Australia, with tube framed everything and and a V8 where the firewall should be. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but you have to admire the craftsmanship. Take a peek under the sheetmetal after the jump. Continue reading →

Posted in toyota | 4 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? Mint 1979 Honda Civic

Posted on December 8, 2008 by Ben Hsu


This 1979 Honda Civic doesn’t quite have the low mileage as the 1427-mile Mazda RX-4 from last week, but it’s close. Besides, who’s going to complain about a 33,000-mile car that’s 30 years old, especially one in this condition? Our vintage Honda friend Ken Weidner says that it’s been years since he’s seen in-tact houndstooth upholstery.

This looks to be a dealer showroom display, and with an asking price between the highest bid of $4550 and the BuyItNow $6250, we think it’s a pretty good buy for a collector. Dan is our resident classic Honda nut, and I had to personally stop him from selling all his worldly possessions and rushing out to Arizona. The reserve hasn’t been met yet, so it’s still in Phoenix waiting for a good home.

More pics after the jump. Continue reading →

Posted in for sale, honda | 4 Comments

Issue 3 Sneak Peek: Datsun 240Z & Nissan 370Z

Posted on December 5, 2008 by Ben Hsu


Here’s a sneak peek of what we think will be an awesome article in the next issue of Japanese Nostalgic Car magazine. When Antonio Alvendia of Cipher Garage told us he was shooting a 2009 370Z for Speedhunters‘ Nissan month, we knew we had to put it side by side with its great grandfather, the Datsun 240Z! Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, jnc mag, nissan | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

Honda Ends F1 Participation

Posted on December 5, 2008 by Ben Hsu

We have always admired Honda for charging right into Formula 1 at a time when it barely made any passenger cars at all. That’s why it saddens us to hear that the automaker is pulling out of F1. Honda made the announcement yesterday, citing a faltering economy as the reason. Earlier this year, the Honda-supplied Super Aguri team also ran out of funds. Continue reading →

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

Mazda Rotaries at New Zealand Summerdrags

Posted on December 5, 2008 by Ben Hsu


Hey Mazdafarians, we just got this in from Kiwi Bureau: photos from last weekend’s Mazda Rotary Summerdrags in New Zealand. Yes, while we’re huddled by the fireplace for warmth in the dead of winter, Nee Zeelanders are enjoying nice warm summer weather, because the Earth is round, or something like that.

Thanks for the pics, Madaz!

Posted in mazda, motorsports | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Bay Area Toyotas at Performance Options Meet

Posted on December 5, 2008 by Ben Hsu


Straight outta Oak-town, here’s some photos from an old school Toyota meet at Performance Options in Oakland, California. The crew hopes to make this a semi-regular gathering, welcoming all old school J-tin.

Thanks to Miles Aquino and Justin Bonoan for sending us these awesome photos!

Click through for more images. Continue reading →

Posted in toyota | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? 1427-mile Mazda RX-4

Posted on December 4, 2008 by Ben Hsu


If the story accompanying this auction is to be believed, this could be the lowest mileage Mazda RX-4 in the country. It appears that the prospective customer, way back when this baby was new in 1976, got into a bit of a kerfuffle with the dealer. He refused to fork over the balance, thinking the dealer was cheating him out of something larger and two more doors. The dealer insisted that the man had agreed to buy it already. In limbo, the car sat in the dealer’s storage until, as the listing subtly puts it, “THEN HE DIED!” Unquote.

A doctor purchased it in the subsequent estate sale and registered it for the first time in 1999. And now this car, whose velour has yet to be crushed, can be yours for an opening bid of $9,500, while the BuyItNow reveals what the seller’s heart truly desires – $18,500. Wow. For that price, you get full documentation, of which there is not much due to the low mileage, and a cheesy red bow. What do you guys think, is it worth it?

Click through for more pics. Continue reading →

Posted in for sale, mazda | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Japanese Road Trip in Transforming Toyota Truck

Posted on December 4, 2008 by Ben Hsu

Ok, this car isn’t nostalgic (or even a car, really), but the idea is timeless. After graduating high school, three Japanese buddies decided to follow their dream of a year-long cross-country road trip, from the northeastern island of Hokkaido to the southwestern one of Yakushima. But before they set out, the trio built one of the coolest road trip cars ever conceived, from a decrepit mid-80s Toyota Toyoace. Continue reading →

Posted in japan, road trip, toyota, trucks | 18 Comments

Classic Toyota Celicas at Fuji Speedway

Posted on December 3, 2008 by Ben Hsu


And now for your viewing pleasure, some footage of some vintage Toyota Celicas tearing it up at Fuji Speedway. Love that mean green liftback! Beware, by the end you’ll be seeing double.

[Chase the Horizon]

Posted in motorsports, toyota | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Datsun 510 Does Mexico Too

Posted on December 2, 2008 by Ben Hsu


This year, team Lucha Libre Racing‘s Datsun 1600 roadster wasn’t the only nostalgic running in Mexico’s vintage road race, La Carrera Panamericana. Check out Francisco Ortiz Rivera‘s BRE-replica Datsun 510! Our Spanish is a little rusty (ie, nonexistent), but it appears that it sustained some damage and was a possible DNF. Even if you don’t habla Español, check out photos on Rivera’s blog.

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

Datsun 1600 Roadster Does Mexico

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Ben Hsu


Team Lucha Libre Racing’s Datsun 1600 Sports roadster has once again returned triumphantly from La Carrera Panamericana 2008. As readers know from the article in Japanese Nostalgic Car magazine Issue 2, this was the first Japanese car ever to run the legendary road race, and we are happy to report that it is still in one piece. Car owner and navigator Michael Emery emailed us to say that the Datsun “ran like a dream.” Over the week-long race across Mexico’s open roads, he needed only to adjust the timing once and change the oil. That’s it! Says Emery, “We ran as high as 58th overall out of 100 cars, with 30hp less than the next lowest-powered car. Finished at 70th overall with my lousy navigation the only thing to blame.” Congrats, Michael! You can read more about his adventures at LuchaLibreRacing.com.

[Photo credit: Michael Emery]

Posted in datsun, motorsports, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Yutaka "Mr K" Katayama Inducted into Japan Automotive Hall of Fame

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Ben Hsu


In a ceremony last month, Yutaka Katayama has finally been inducted to the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame at the age of 99. Known as Mr. K to his fans, he presided over Nissan USA during its formative years in the 60s and 70s, largely responsible for making it the car company that it is today. Katayama is also called the father of the Z-car for his involvement in developing a sports car for the US market that became the Datsun 240Z. He is also helped build Nissan’s storied reputation in motorsports, having pushed for racing programs that he knew would be key to building a strong following for the marque. It’s great to see such an influential figure finally get the recognition he deserves in his home country. Mr. K was inducted into the US Automotive Hall of Fame in 1998.

He is shown above with Luis Carriles, Z Car Club of San Antonio (left) and Yoshihiko Matsuo, lead designer on the Fairlady Z project (right).

[Photo credit: Luis Carriles, via Datsun Heritage Museum]

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