Japanese Nostalgic Car

Today, Septemeber 22, is Car Free Day in many cities around the world, including nine in Japan. It asks citizens to refrain from driving in urban centers to consider what life might be like without the traffic and environmental impacts associated with cars. We recently moved to a place that’s extremely walkable, a rarity in Los Angeles. There’s a supermarket, dry cleaner, ramen restaurant, and (because California) dispensary all within minute’s stroll. I must say that on a day-to-day basis it’s convenient and enjoyable. Could I do without a car? Sometimes I fantasize about focusing my entire car obsession into Hot Wheels and Tamiya kits, but ultimately and I think I’d miss the real thing too much.

What would you do without a car?

The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW,”What’s the best Japanese car for a midlife crisis?“. Continue reading →

Years ago you gave up the sport compact with the cold air intake and blue HIDs. There was a kid on the way and you needed the cash for a minivan. In a blink decades passed. You no longer need to slurp instant ramen every meal to save up for a set of rims, but even if you had new wheels there’s nothing cool to put them on. The kids think family trips are “cringe” and would rather be on social media than utter a single syllable to mom and dad. They Uber everywhere anyway, so why are you commuting in a 7-seater? “That’s it,” you think, “I’m going down to the automall and regaining my youth!”

What’s the best Japanese car for a midlife crisis?

The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What automotive scenario would you conjure up on the holodeck?“. Continue reading →

Today, September 8, is Star Trek Day, the date that the original series hit US airwaves in 1966. As much as we dig the scifi series, one thing it lacked was any automotive content whatsoever. Even when the characters entered the holodeck, a room that could simulate a realistic representation of anything you want, these spacefarers from 2364 inevitably chose scenarios like the wild west or a Sherlock Holmes mystery where no cars existed. There was no “Computer, put me at the Toyota stand at the 1965 Tokyo Motor Show,” or “Computer, let me drive the a 1969 Nissan Skyline GT-R at Fuji Speedway with the deadly Daiichi banking.” What a waste!

What automotive scenario would you conjure up on the holodeck?

The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “If you could buy any new JNC from 1975, what would it be?“. Continue reading →

Today, August 25, is Instant Ramen Day, honoring the day in 1958 when the flash-fried noodles first hit the shelves. The original instant ramen was developed by Nissin Foods, but soon after NissAn also released a ramen. In this 1963 campaign, you could win a Cedric if you collected enough points attached to the ramen packages. The convenient meal-in-a-packet, which has spawned many imitators and can still be had for less than a buck each, has since become the default dinner for those saving money for a greater cause… like car parts. Can you even call yourself a car enthusiast if you haven’t eaten ramen for weeks, worn the same raggedy event T-shirts, or refrained from haircuts just to put funds towards a car?

What have you sacrificed for your car?

The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Which beloved nameplate will be revived next?“. Continue reading →