A couple of months ago we told you about a 1958 Toyopet Crown with a very unique history, having served as one of the cars of the Japanese Consulate in San Francisco, that sold for a record. $22,322. It’s one of the first Japanese cars imported to the US and its sudden appearance in the marketplace caught many by surprise. The winning bidder has now been revealed. Continue reading
More Microcar Madness: Subaru 360 Ad
Speaking of microcars, someone sent in four old Subaru 360 commercials to Jalopnik today. The car’s $1297 price tag and 66mpg are heavily touted, as is the price of a carburetor, just 13 dollars. I guess when you’re calling your own car “Cheap and Ugly” right there in the ad, cheap is the selling point you want to go with. These spots also raise the question, when did they change the pronunciation from SuBARu to SUbaru?
[Jalopnik]
Honda Z600 Coupe Sets Bonneville Record
Microcars are on a roll! First a duo of Subaru 360s finishes 1-2 in their class in the Liége-Brescia-Liége, and now a Honda Z600 has broken the 600cc class land speed record at Bonneville Speed Week. We first came across Evil Tweety last year when we pitted it in a hypothetical Blaze of Glory Deathmatch against jet- and ‘Busa- powered Z600s. JNCers, including Evil Tweety’s own driver Eric Burns, voted for JETBOY as their chariot into the afterlife, but that was before anyone knew this bad bird could hit 106.531 mph on the salt flats!
Congrats to fearless pilots Eric Burns and Chris Clay!
[Image: Popular Mechanics]
Posted in honda, kei, motorsports
8 Comments
Subaru 360 Wins Class in Liége-Brescia-Liége Rally
Two UK-based teams have taken first and second place in the Spirit 425cc Class of the Liége-Brescia-Liége microcar rally. Covering 2000 miles through Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy and Slovenia, these little kei cars even conquered the Stelvio (not Kev’s dream car, the Alpine road) and Gavia Passes of Italy, some of Europe’s most grueling terrain.
Regulars know that this year marks Subaru’s 50th anniversary, but 2008 is also the 50th anniversary of the Liége-Brescia-Liége. It was started in 1958 during the Suez Canal Crisis, which threatened to cut Europe off from its oil supply in the Middle East. In response, rally organizers wanted to prove that small, fuel-efficient cars could perform just as well as their gas-guzzling counterparts over Europe’s most demanding roads (making it all the more disappointing that we’re still grappling with the same oil issues today). The original allowed only cars 500cc or under, and the intense schedule meant almost three non-stop days of driving. The modern rally is a bit more leisurely – 10 days, and cars up to 1000cc are allowed.
Congratulations to Jane Puttock, James Ewing, Vic Sayer and Craig Lawson!
Reminder: Team Toyminator Show Aug. 31 in NJ
Just a quick reminder for you east coasters, the 8th Team Toyminator show drops next Sunday, August 31. It’s located in South Plainfield, NJ and admission is free! For more information, check this thread or visit TeamToyminator.org.
Posted in events, toyota
3 Comments
Short Notice: NJ Z Club Show Tomorrow
Sorry for the short notice, but this just came down the wire. Tomorrow, August 23, will be the NJ Z Club’s annual show in Bridgewater, NJ. Looks like last week of August in Joisey is shaping up to be old school central with the Team Toyminator Old School Toyota show coming up the following weekend (see next post). For more information, go to NJZClub.com.
UPDATE: JNCer QuasiMondo has posted pics of this show. Click here.
[NJ.com]
Posted in datsun, events, nissan
5 Comments
Missed Out on a Z? How Bout an RX-7?
Back in 1979, you may have seen this flash across the TV while kicking back in your rec room. But don’t think of it as a commercial, think of it as a public service announcement ensuring that you don’t miss out on a guaranteed money-making investment!
Mazda’s RX-7 had just come out, and you were probably still kicking yourself for passing up on the MG TC, ’53 Corvette and 240Z. We’re not sure what’s bolder, proclaiming that the RX-7 would be an instant classic, or acknowledging the classicosity of Nissan’s direct competition. Can you imagine Mazda calling any Nissan product “extraordinary” and classic in an ad today? Keep in mind the 240Z was only 9 years old at the time.
Which leads to the inevitable question, if you were making this commercial in 2008, what future classic would you have, say, an RX-8 pull up next to?
Posted in cm, datsun, mazda, nissan
18 Comments
Hint Hint, Nissan: Another Retro Datsun Design
Here’s yet another unofficial rendering of neo-240Z. This one has actually been floating around the web longer than yesterday’s Iacoski design, and designer Lars Mårtensson has done his homework. It remains incredibly faithful to the design of the original Z (though we could do without the side scoop) and should have no problem taking its place among other successful retro designs like the Ford Mustang, 2010 Camaro, Toyota FJ Cruiser and VW Beetle. Plus, it’s gorgeous!
With independent designers, as well as some within Nissan (see Datsun X-Link and the 510-inspired Nissan Pure), itching for a rebirth of iconic Datsuns of yore, this should all amount to a big fat hint for Nissan. Come on, Mr. Bean, the world is waiting. More pics after the jump. Continue reading
Posted in datsun, nissan, retro
9 Comments
Iacoski Z Design Study Hits Teh Intarwebs
Here’s an interesting specimen that’s been making the internet rounds. Perhaps unsatisfied with Nissan Yulon’s X-Link as a worthy flagship for a revival of the Datsun brand, someone calling himself Iacoski has offered this alternative.
We’re not really feelin’ the GT-R front, but that side profile definitely recalls the S30 Z and looks good doing it, proving just how timeless the original shape was. In fact, we think it looks better than Nissan’s own leaked 370Z photo. What say you, yay or nay?
[NihonCar]
Posted in datsun, nissan, retro
9 Comments
Subaru Fan! Fan! Festival in Osaka
Subaru’s 50th Anniversary tour, the Fan! Fan! Festival, recently made a stop in Osaka, Japan and the 360s came out to celebrate. That WRC Blue pedal car is probably not much smaller than an actual 360.
[Subaru]
Posted in events, japan, subaru
3 Comments
The Earliest Integra, Comin' At Cha in '83
For today’s history lesson, we trace the origins of a name synonymous with the import movement: Integra. Say that name and images of bespoilered, front-wheel-drive street racers immediately spring to mind. But before Type-Rs and GS-Rs there was the VT250F Integra, a full-fairing version of Honda’s VT250F motorcycle. Debuting in 1983, the 8-valve V-twin four-stroke made 35hp and revved to an 11,000 rpm redline. It wasn’t a very notable bike, but its early usage of the Integra name should pique some interest in devotees of Acura’s new-age hot rod.
[Image: Honda]
Posted in honda
3 Comments
Collecting Japanese Cars in Oz
The August 15 isue of Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald had a terrific article about collecting Japanese cars. It appears that no matter which hemisphere you’re on, the plight of the long-suffering Japanese car aficionado is same.
We’ve all experienced the sneers that Ray Ferguson, founder of the Brisbane Classic All Japanese Car Show, did when taking his ’65 Prince Skyline to vintage car events dominated by the Big Three. That’s what prompted him to start his own damn car show.
And of course, we’d all like to have a garage full of rolling art like Sydney collectors Al Palmer (Century, Corona 1600, ’72 Corolla and formerly 2000GT) or Mark Griffin (NSX, R32 Skyline, Series 2 RX-7 and 5 more).
And last but most definitely not least, JNC‘s very own Kevin San was heavily quoted throughout the piece, tellin’ it like it is and schooling greater Sydney’s newspaper readers about nostalgics. That’s him on the cover standing next to his ’86 Luce. Good on ya, Kev!
The article goes on to make some bold predictions about where the scene is headed, and offers up a list of top 10 collectible Japanese cars. We’ve never been a fan of these types of lists (see the ones from the Chicago Tribune or Forbes), but the rest of this article seems to accurately describe what you JNCers have known all along – that our cars are cool, as worthy of collecting as any European or American car, and about to hit the prime time, baby.
Posted in jnc, media
21 Comments
Blue Monday: Toyota Supra DOA, FJ to Follow
Some sad news on the new car front. Automotive News (subscription required) is reporting that Toyota is making some changes to its long term plans thanks to the high cost of gas. The company sees this as a permanent change, with prices firmly pegged at $5.00 or more by 2015. Also, the Big T intends to make offer hybrid powertrains in all of its models.
Posted in retro, subaru, toyota
3 Comments
Wheel Restoration Done Right
We know all you nostalgists out there are wheel fiends at heart too. The problems is, if your wheels are as old as your car, it’s probably well worn from decades of abuse as the first line of defense from harsh road conditions, debris and jutting curbs. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get those rims restored back to their shiny, original splendor. It’s in Japanese but you know how many words a picture’s worth.
And if you’ve got your own set of rare wheels to show off, go ahead and post them in the Not-So-Ultimate Wheel Guide in the JNC Forum. Thanks to KurumaOtaku for the tip.
Posted in how to, wheels
6 Comments
Gas Prices Got You Down? Drive a Classic
We’ve all been bitten by high fuel prices one way or another in recent times. Even if you take the subway to work every day, gasoline costs are buried in the higher prices you’re seeing everywhere. Wouldn’t you know it, the answer to wallet salvation is in the classics. Cars That Matter has put together a list of popular vintage cars and their city MPG numbers. Even the lowest rated, the 6-cylinder Datsun 240Z, still got 21mpg, while the motorcycle-like Honda S800 returned a whopping 42mpg.
Of course, the trade off is that these old cars have none of the creature comforts and safety features that a modern car does. Stuff like sound insulation, airbags, emissions controls and safety bumpers all conspire to add weight and cancel out much of the advancements in fuel economy that have transpired over the past few decades. But in an economic climate where even Geo Metros are selling for a premium, going old school to save gas ain’t such a crazy idea, and you’ll look a heckuva lot better doing so.
[Image: Honda Sports Registry]
Posted in datsun, honda, nissan
14 Comments
Reminder: More Old School Fun in CT and GA
Think there aren’t any nostalgics left on the east coast? Think again. If one New England old school cah gathering isn’t enough, here’s another: the Old School Toyota Club of Bridgeport’s annual bash on August 17. Check out OSTCBPT for details.
If the northeast is too far for you, how about Hotlanta? Nostalgists from Georgia are holding a meet on Saturday, August 16. Check this forum thread for details. It’s good to see that Cali isn’t the only place with a pulse!
Posted in events
3 Comments
Reminder: Japanese Car & Motorcycle Day August 17
Just a quick reminder for those in New England this weekend. The Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline, MA is having their annual Japanese Car & Motorcycle Day on August 17. It’ll be one of their summer lawn events with the beautiful museum as a backdrop. Doors open at 10am and (get this), Sapporo Beer is a major sponsor! If you have any questions, be sure to ask your fellow JNCer TSiSS350, who is also one of the organizers.
Posted in events
5 Comments
What Did You Do This Weekend?
Don’t cha just love it when you manage to get some free time over the weekend to spend with your car? While the JNC workhorse wagon is not exactly slammed like a mamma jamma, it is somewhat lower thanks to RS-R springs. It also now sits on a random set of old school wire-spoke wheels minus the baskets. What did you do this weekend?
Prowl Back on the Prowl as Evolved Z-Car
We’ve had a streak of poorly customized Z-Cars recently, but here’s a radically modified one that still turns out to be pretty durned cool. Anyone that liked the original Transformers remembers Prowl, Autobot Military Strategist, Optimus Prime’s second-in-command, and all-around badass. His alternate form was not only a Datsun Fairlady Z, but a hard-core highway patrol version in a Japanese police paint scheme. Continue reading
Posted in datsun, nissan, Video Games
3 Comments
