Despite a tremendous effort the Nissan Automotive Technical College, an actual C110 looks better than a V35 dressed up to be one. There’s just something about the clean lines, the massive C-pillar, and the fact that it’s dumped on Yayois. The NATS car will be on display at the Tokyo Auto Salon, which is happening right now. We’ll have any relevant stories from there soon. Happy C110 Day from JNC!
Packing up the Land Cruiser
Last night as my wife, 5-year-old son and I sat down to dinner we looked out of our window and saw flames. For the last 48 hours smoke from wildfires has been billowing into Los Angeles’ skies, but this was different. A couple of spots on the top of a hill visible from our backyard were glowing bright orange. Within minutes a good portion of the ridge was engulfed. It was go time. Continue reading
Purple Nissan Skyline adds splash of color to Daido Moriyama photo
Renowned Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama began capturing Japan’s postwar street scenes in the early 1960s. Throughout his distinguished career Moriyama won several photography awards around the world, including ones issued by camera manufacturers Hasselblad and Asahi. He has published over 150 photo books, but the majority of his work was done in black and white. This photo of a Kenmeri Skyline is one of Moriyama’s rare color images, and what a colorful one it is! Not only is the custom C110 metallic purple, it’s driving in front of a brightly decorated Tokyo pachinko parlor. Fortuitous capture of a kaido racer mid-transformation, or a keen eye seizing upon the societal upheaval taking place? As with all good photographers, perhaps a bit of both.
‘Tokyo Xtreme Racer’ returns after 18-year hiatus on January 23
The long wait is almost over. The developers of Tokyo Xtreme Racer have announced that the first TXR game in 18 years will be released on January 23 on Steam. The team has also been sharing glimpses of the game itself, with a promising roster of cars and the names of some familiar Wangan rivals fans will recognize. Continue reading
QotW: What car and color combo is the perfect fit?
Today, January 6, is Color Day in Japan because the first syllables of ichi (one) and roku (six) color, can be combined to spell iro, which is “color” in Japanese. Color on cars is interesting, because the right combo can send hearts aflutter, but the wrong one can ruin an otherwise fine automobile. Some colors are so iconic for a particular car that it’s hard to conceive of it in any other hue, like Safari Gold on the Nissan Fairlady Z432, or Championship White on an Honda Integra Type R. Sure, those cars can be painted other colors, but will it look so satisfyingly apt?
What car and color combo is the perfect fit?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your automotive resolution for 2025?“. Continue reading
Nissan Technical College students build a modern Kenmeri Skyline, U11 Bluebird, and Z wagon for Tokyo Auto Salon
It’s almost time for the Tokyo Auto Salon, and that means wild vehicular creations are afoot. The Nissan Technical Colleges around Japan have completed three custom cars that they plan to display at the show, which include a modern Kenmeri Skyline, a Z wagon, and U11 Bluebird. Here’s a preview before the arrive at Makuhari Messe. Continue reading
Posted in Tokyo Auto Salon
Tagged bluebird, c110, kenmeri, nissan, Nissan Technical College, nissan z, RZ34, skyline, v35
2 Comments
Nissan 240SX barn find gets first wash in almost 30 years
In Japanese tradition an osoji (literally “big clean”) is conducted to welcome in the new year with a fresh start. Therefore, here is a 45-minute video in which a barn find Nissan 240SX gets a thorough wash and detail. It’s extremely satisfying to watch an S13/mouse residence get its first wash in almost three decades. Continue reading
Happy New Year from JNC
Hello 2025! The Japanese tradition for ushering in a new year is to wake up early and see the hatsuhinode, the first sunrise of the year. It is said that it is an ideal time to wish for good fortune and health, or make a resolution. We hope you were able to catch it and that 2025 will be a good year for you. Happy New Year from all of us at JNC!
Mazda RX-7 daily driven by 80-year-old grandmother begins new life
For the final post of the year we wanted to end on a heartwarming story about Naoko Nishimoto, the coolest lady you’ll ever meet. Nishimoto just turned 80 years old on December 18, and has been dailying an FD Mazda RX-7 for the last 25 years. The Japanese grandmother from Nagasaki recently became a viral sensation in Japan when she announced in a TV interview that she’d be turning in the FD’s keys on before her 80th birthday. Continue reading
QotW: What’s your automotive resolution for 2025?
A new year is almost upon us, which means new opportunities, new perspectives, and new resolve. We don’t know what the year will bring, but let’s head into it with the bright-eyed optimism and energetic enthusiasm of Japan in the 1960s. There’s nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it. So get out there and ganbatte!
What’s your automotive resolution for 2025?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What are you asking JNC Santa Claus for this year?“. Continue reading
Happy Holidays from JNC
Happy Holidays frmo all of us at JNC. Thanks for reading and hanging out with us in this little corner of the internet. Be good to each other, and to the cars. We wish you peace and joy and petrol.
Posted in Holidays
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QotW: What are you asking JNC Santa Claus for this year?
There’s a legend in Japan that a jovial, rotund man in a white suit with a big red dot on it lives at the northernmost tip of Hokkaido. He keeps a list of lonesome car boys and girls and for those deemed good, on the night of December 24th he drifts down all the mountain passes of Japan in a white and red Roadster to sneak into their garages and leave them any wish their hearts desire. For those on the naughty list, however, they’ll wake up to find all their 10mm sockets replaced with 11mm ones. JNC readers mostly fall on the good side though, so we can put in a good word for you.
What are you asking JNC Santa Claus for this year?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What mods have you regretted making on your JNC?“. Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
13 Comments
Lexus digital gauges mimics that of classic Toyota 2000GT, AE86, and more
At the Japan Mobility Show last year Lexus unveiled the LF-LZ, an electric flagship concept. We didn’t pay much attention to it at the time because looked like any number of EV concepts developed by various automakers over the last few years, just with some sharper edges. There didn’t seem to be anything relevant to classic Toyotas, but we were wrong! Recently Lexus shared a nifty feature of the LF-LZ, the ability to have its gauge cluster mimic the instruments of a number of classic Toyotas. Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged 2000gt, 24 Hours of Le Mans, ae86, century, concepts, corolla levin, fj40, GR010, land cruiser, lexus, lfa, sprinter trueno, toyota
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Honda and Nissan’s merge is about more than just EVs
Honda and Nissan are reportedly “in talks” regarding a possible merger. Officially the two companies plus Mitsubishi, of which Nissan owns 24 percent, say they’re “considering various possibilities for future collaboration, but no decisions have been made.” In our opinion, the formation of what will become the world’s third largest car company is all but inevitable. There are many reasons being reported right now, with the most common one being the sharing of technology to better face the industry’s EV-ification, but we think the actual reasons run far deeper than that. Continue reading
Honda Prelude officially returning to US after quarter-century
It’s official. After nearly a quarter of a century, the Honda Prelude will be returning to the US market. Honda will be bringing its flagship coupe stateside in late 2025. While hard core enthusiasts yearning for a VTEC kick or Type SH handling might be disappointed, a sleek coupe is something that’s been sorely lacking from Honda’s — or any automaker’s — lineup for years, and its return is a welcome one. Continue reading
Get your beer delivered by Isuzu Bellett Express
Suntory began brewing beer in 1963 and the bottles weren’t going to deliver themselves. There weren’t a ton of options available at the time. A Nissan 410/411 Bluebird had only a 1.2-liter engine, and the full-size 1.9-liter Cedric was too big and fancy. Same went for the Toyota Crown, the tiny Publica would have been impractical, and the Corona/Tiara managed to squeeze only 48ps out of its 1.5. Honda had barely begun making its first cars.
Suntory apparently turned to Isuzu, often forgotten today but once a booming automaker. The Bellett was far more substantial than the Nissan and Toyota compacts and its 1.5-liter made a whopping 63ps. Incidentally, the Bellett Express delivery van, though resembling a Bellett sedan in the front, boasted an entirely different frame design and was built in a completely different factory. And since the Bellett was introduced in 1963, perhaps Suntory felt some kinship with Isuzu as it launched its new beverage.
QotW: What mods have you regretted making on your JNC?
We were all young and dumb once. Our tastes change as we mature and we realize that what we once thought was cool is actually something cringe. Turns out a giant wing and underglow don’t really make a car go any faster.
What mods have you regretted making on your JNC?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “How can Nissan be saved?“. Continue reading
Electric R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R is coming to Tokyo Auto Salon
Back in March Nissan announced they were converting an R32 Skyline GT-R to run on fully electric power. The project is now complete, and will be shown at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon in January. Ahead of the event, Nissan has uploaded a video of the car onto social media, revealing some details under the gunmetal gray skin. Continue reading
Hagerty selects Datsun 280ZX, Honda Prelude as cars to buy for 2025
Hagerty Insurance has announced its list of classics to buy for 2025. The “Bull Market List”, seemingly named for maximum flipper engagement, includes 10 cars plus an eleventh people’s choice selection whose values are expected to rise significantly. In other words, they’re good investments, if you see cars as such. Continue reading
Posted in News
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Toyota Estima is latest nameplate selected for revival
Now that the 86, Supra, Land Cruiser, Celica, and possibly Starlet and MR2 have all been properly resurrected, what other historic model names can Toyota bring back? Sports cars and SUVs are all well covered. How about a minivan? According to a new report out of Japan, the Estima, which was sold int he US as the Previa, will be the latest badge from the Toyota archives to be dusted off. Continue reading
