Japanese Nostalgic Car

The Mazda MPV made its Japanese debut on January 30, 1990. Eagle-eyed observers might note that this date is two years after it debuted in the U.S. With available seating for 8 and 4WD, it was a unique conscription into the minivan wars, but no one could have predicted that it would become a hip-hop icon. As it happens, our friend Brett Berk just wrote the definitive story on MPVs in rap for an upcoming issue of Road & Track, referencing plenty of lyrics from plenty of artists.

What’s your favorite JNC shout-out in a song lyric?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “How do you scratch your car itch in the dead of winter?“. Continue reading →

It’s been a tough winter for much of the country and with weather reports predicting another snowstorm in the northeast, it doesn’t seem like it’s letting up any time soon. That means icy highways, weather too frigid to spend any amount of time in the garage with, and dreaded road salt for much of the nation. It can be hard to satisfy your automotive jones for these gloomy months.

How do you scratch your car itch in the dead of winter?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “How do you get bad smells out of your car?“. Continue reading →

The question this week is a personal one. Of the many traumatic things that happened after my AE86 got stolen (and recovered) is the fact that the entire car now smells like smoke. I’ve owned the car for 20 years and one of my favorite things about it was that it smelled like an AE86. I could sit in any AE86, even one in Japan, and provided the driver wasn’t a serial lung abuser, instantly get a hit of that heady Aichi off-gasing in my nostrils. It was heaven. Now it smells like a crack house. Vintage cars are about the senses — all of them — and I want to get my car smelling like it’s supposed to, if that’s even possible.

How do you get bad smells out of your car?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What Japan-market car from 1998 would you import?“. Continue reading →

It’s a new year, and that means a whole new roster of formerly forbidden Japan-market cars are now eligible for import. The 25-year federal prohibition on cars built in 1998 is now lifted. So what will it be, a Honda Life, Nissan Presage, or Daihatsu Terios Kid? Or perhaps you’re a connoisseur who demands the best. Lexus craftsmanship wrapped in a body from a hallowed Italian design house. In that case, may we present the Toyota Harrier Zagato.

What Japan-market car from 1998 would you import?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your automotive New Year’s resolution?“. Continue reading →