Japanese Nostalgic Car

The car Gran Turismo players have been waiting for was unveiled a couple of hours ago via live webcast and the bras are off! Not that that kind, although we’d probably be tossing ours onto the stage if we wore them. Which we don’t. No, we’re talking about the black mask the car’s been wearing forever as part of the least concealing disguise since Clark Kent’s glasses. Actually, that mask looks more Bat than Super. Man, if Bruce Wayne drove one in the next Batman movie that would RULE! But we digress.

The new GT-R is everything its predecessors have been, except a Skyline. The legendary name was unceremoniously dropped like cell phone call going through a tunnel, but at least the car resembles the KPGC10 through R34 GT-Rs in spirit. What’s that? Oh, it has a V6 instead of a straight-six? And it has a DSG-type transmission instead of a manual too? Okay, but other than that, it has everything.

Unbelievable performance? Check. It’s beaten a Porsche 911 Turbo on Germany’s Nürburgring and some sources are quoting a 3.5 second 0-60 time. In fact, video proof (click on GT-R Detail > Movie) was replayed on gigantic curved flatscreens during the moments before the conference began. Will Porsche retaliate swiftly like it did with the 2000GT?

Aggressive design? Check. With those distinctly Japanese creases running down its flared fenders and muscular haunches, obligatory four round taillights, and a snout that looks likes it’s swallowing a VW, the styling should get instant intervention in any anger management class.

Insane power? Check. All wheel drive, twin turbos, and a now-confirmed power rating of 480PS (473.33333… hp). Keep Nick Hogan away from this one.

Still, we’re not sure whether we can adamantly say it’s a true spiritual successor to Skylines of yore. If you have an opinion, please chime in. Yeah, that’s a cop-out answer, but maybe the fact that we can’t give a resounding yes is a problem. Time will have to tell. Regardless though, with Honda’s new NSX and Toyota’s Lexus LF-A coming down the pipeline, we’re hoping this is just the opening salvo in a new horsepower war about to be unleashed from the isles of Japan.

Younger readers would associate Nissan sporting heritage with circuit racing and of course, the ubiquitous Skyline GT-R. But on the international stage, Nissan’s earliest motorsport successes were in the rallying arena. In the late 60s, Datsun had very successfully campaigned the 510 sedan in the European rally championship. And while the 510 never actually won any championships, it won enough events to make a name for itself and the (then) fledgling Datsun brand.

So when the 240Z was introduced, Datsun immediately pressed it into action in European rallies with full factory support. Its first event would be the 1970 RAC Rally in Britain, and so keen were Datsun to show off their new car, that its rally appearance was before sales of the roadcar actually began, so as it rolled onto stage, nobody knew exactly what it was…Datsun was nothing if not determined.

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Now this is weird….considering that the 240Z is Van’s favourite car and that it’s resplendent on the GrandJDM banner itself, it’s a little surprising that we haven’t done any historical articles on the 240Z yet. Well, hopefully we can rectify this situation in the next few weeks!

We’ll start with the Super Samuri, which is real period piece. In the early 70s, the 240Z was hot property everywhere, and given that its drivetrain was very heavily based on the 510 sedan used widely in motorsport, it was only a matter of time before Zeds were modified for speed. One of the most notable 240Z modifiers are the Samuri Motor Company, who in the early 70s, built modified 240Z for sale as turnkey offerings.

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Update: It’s not a genuine GT-R after all! Snap. Who feels like an idiot then eh? That’d be me.

I nearly wept when I saw this C10 listed on J-Spec this week. It’s a genuine C10 GT-R (though with an L28 and an R32 gearbox among other modifications, so it’s far from standard), and even more awesomely, the L28’s been bored out to a 3ltr. I wish I could get my hands on some audio of this thing—it must sound phenomenal. And with only 3500km on the dial, this is about as good as it gets. If you’ve got about 35 grand burning a hole in your rising sun emblazoned wallet, your search is over!

If you’re keen to get your hands on some classic JDM, but you’d rather something a little more unique than the tried and true S30, C10, TE27, RX-3—and so on—this might be just what Doctor Jay D. Emm (see what I did there? ho ho ho) ordered.

The 2door Nissan Laurel SGX is a stunning looking car—and hard to come by, especially in such amazing condition.  Rory – aka idahospeed – over at the JNC forums is now selling his Laurel (pictured above), which took home first place honours at this year’s Japanese Classic Car Show for Best JDM Car.  Head over to the JNC forums to find out more, and if you want to buy it, you’d better be quick.  This sale isn’t going to last long!