Japanese Nostalgic Car

Autumn, the season of turning leaves and pumpkin spice everything. Orange objects are suddenly obligatory. But in the automotive world the color of paprika isn’t particularly popular. We can think of only two eras in which orange was widespread — the late 60s/early 70s, and a brief moment in the 2000s when metallic orange had its turn in the spotlight. There are many JNCs that are iconic in orange, but is it ever the best possible hue in the palette of factory colors?

Which JNC looks most proper in orange?

The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What types of cars should be preserved?“. Continue reading →

Today, November 3, is Classic Car Day in Japan. It commemorates the founding of the Classic Car Club of Japan in 1956 by Professor Tokutaro Hama. Hama was the first prominent scholar in Japan to argue the merits of cars purely as works of art rather than something utilitarian. The goal of the CCCJ is “preserving [classic cars] as historical and cultural heritage, while ensuring their proper use on roads and circuits and passing them on to future generations in good condition.” This feels like as good a time as any to ask:

What types of cars should be preserved?

The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What is your ideal Honda Civic build?“. Continue reading →

Today, October 27, it National Civics Day, an occasion to learn about how our govenrment, in theory, should work. But let’s not forget the Honda Civic. To the everyman, it’s affordable, efficient, and reliable, but to those in the know it’s also an insanely good performance car brimming with F1 technology, infinitely modifiable, and a blank canvas for any vehicular purpose one can imagine. Parts interchange like Legos and the aftermarket selection is endless. And, they’re just as honest and fun when restored to OEM perfection.

What is your ideal Honda Civic build?

The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What other forms of Japanese craftsmanship do you hold in high regard?“. Continue reading →

We suspect that one of the reasons you are here on a site about Japanese cars is because you appreciate how finely crafted they are. Attention to detail, thoughtful designs and innovations, and long-lasting quality are all hallmarks of Japan’s long tradition of making things. Today, October 20, is Long-Lasting Company Day, in which Japan celebrates shinise, or companies that have existed for 100 years or more. Japan has the most shinise of any country in the world, over 33,000 of them. And according to a study of companies older than 200 years, Japan leads the world with 15 percent of them. There are lots of Japanese goods other than cars to appreciate, whether it’s food, video games, carpentry, or any number of things.

What other forms of Japanese craftsmanship do you hold in high regard?

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 tow vehicle?“. Continue reading →