QotW: Where do you want to travel, and with which car?

Posted on May 16, 2022 by Steve Chang

Today is Travel Day in Japan. The commemoration was started by the Tabi Pen Club of Japan, founded in 1962 to promote travel (members include inns, restaurants, and travel writers). The date was chosen because on May 16, 1689 the poet Matsuo Basho embarked on the journey that became his masterwork Oku no Hosomichi (The Narrow Road to the Deep North), considered today one of Japan’s greatest pieces of literature. It’s inspired many to follow in his footsteps. In honor of that odyssey 333 years ago, describe your ultimate road trip, and the car you’d do it with.

Where do you want to travel, and with which car?

The best comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s the one tool you can’t live without?“. Continue reading →

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The 2023 Nissan Z recaptures the spirit and purpose of the original Datsun 240Z

Posted on May 15, 2022 by Ben Hsu

In 1969 Nissan forever changed the automotive world when it unleashed the Datsun 240Z. It upset the established performance machine order with a new breed of automobile — the everyday sports car. It offered better handling than muscle cars, more power than its rivals from Britain, and cost far less than the European exotics that were closest in spec. And as a bonus, it let the owner enjoy the act of driving on a daily basis if they wished, because it didn’t germinate a new mechanical or electrical malady every month. Now, just over 50 years later, as the internal combustion engine rides off into the sunset, Nissan has done it again with the new 2023 Z. Continue reading →

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JGTC-winning Toyota Supra, Honda NSX, and Nissan Z to celebrate 60 years of Suzuka Circuit

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Steve Chang

Suzuka Circuit is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and still going strong as one of Japan’s premier tracks. Later this month, Round 3 of the 2022 SuperGT Championships will be held at there. To celebrate its birthday, Suzuka is bringing back three legendary racers from the JGTC heyday to run its 3.6 miles of twists and turns. Continue reading →

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Jay Leno reunites with a Datsun Roadster, accompanied by a modern twist

Posted on May 12, 2022 by Ben Hsu

The Datsun 1600 roadster is significant for Jay Leno because it was the first sports car he ever owned. In the latest episode on his YouTube channel, Leno is reunited with a Datsun roadster with a bit of a modern twist — an SR20 turbo and Pandem widebody kit. Continue reading →

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In MF Ghost‘s second trailer, the Toyota 86 seems massively outgunned

Posted on May 11, 2022 by Steve Chang

The upcoming racing anime from the creators of Initial D now has a second trailer. We get some extended footage of Kanata’s neo-Hachiroku, as well as those of his supercar competitors. Of course, there is also plenty of Eurobeat. Continue reading →

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Best Motoring episode created using only Gran Turismo 7 footage

Posted on May 10, 2022 by Steve Chang

Despite some early (now fixed) issues, Gran Turismo 7 has proven to be one of the best installments in the PlayStation racing series. It’s a continuation of what made fans fall in love with the franchise in the first place, with heaps of cars to choose from and realistic depictions of famous tracks. It’s so comprehensive, a dedicated user was able to recreate an entire episode of Best Motoring using footage from the game. Continue reading →

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Happy 510 Day from JNC

Posted on May 10, 2022 by Dan Hsu

A few years ago Nissan had a little display at its Yokohama headquarters building, one that featured a 1969 510 Bluebird sedan. It was part of an exhibit called “Game Changers” and it’s hard to disagree. Let’s all take a moment to celebrate the awesomeness of this compact sedan today, May 10, otherwise known as 510 Day.

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Are you ready for Toyotafest 2022?

Posted on May 9, 2022 by Ben Hsu

The largest Toyota/Lexus/Scion car show in North America is almost here. All-Toyotafest is put on by the Toyota Owners and Restorers Club (TORC) and will once again be held in Long Beach, California. Now in it’s 26th year — we can’t believe it’s been more than a quarter-century — All-Toyotafest has a few exciting new developments in store.

  • The first is the debut of the Family Tradition section, a special area for cars that are registered by multiple generations of the same family. Families can register two or more cars and have them displayed together. They will also be eligible for a special gift.
  • The next is the inaugural TORC Honors Circle, a section honoring the vehicles that have received Recognition for Outstanding Workmanship accolades in past Toyotafest shows. These are meant to represent the best of the best.
  • Recognition for Outstanding Workmanship will also continue this year, so that cars which receive that distinction will be eligible for the TORC Honors Circle in the future.

If you haven’t registered for the show yet, you can register your Toyota, Lexus, or Scion car or truck here. Toyotafest will take place on Saturday, June 4 at Marina Green Park in Long Beach, California. JNC will also have our booth. Hope to see you there!

Posted in Reminder | 1 Comment

QotW: What’s the one tool you can’t live without?

Posted on May 9, 2022 by Ben Hsu

Today, May 9, is Tool Day in Japan. It’s a relatively new holiday, founded only in 2021 by KTC, Japan’s number one tool company. The purpose of Tool Day, according to KTC, its to spread knowledge about tools, their correct usage, and maintenance methods. They recommend that on this day, owners learn how to use the tools properly, clean and polish them, or use  them to maintain a car.

A well-kept tool box is key for any JNC owner, but it takes time to build. At the very minimum, a set of metric wrenches are a must-have. On the other end of the cost spectrum, so is a torque wrench if you want to do anything beyond an oil change. In an emergency situation there’s not much than can beat a set of locking pliers, which can double as screwdrivers, wrenches, or even a make-shift differential. They’ve gotten us out of many a jam.

What’s the one tool you can’t live without?

The best comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What cars would you put in your $250,000 dream garage?“. Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 21 Comments

VIDEO: The Toyota Cressida was a magic carpet luxury subcompact

Posted on May 6, 2022 by Ben Hsu

A lot has changed since the 1982 Toyota Cressida debuted. It’s a shocking amount, to be honest. Forty years ago Motorweek test drove the then-new second-generation Cressida, and we learned a lot from the review. For example, they state that in 1982 only 14 percent of Americans wore seat belts. Just 14 percent! Like, we know that this was a time when commercial airliners still had smoking sections, but that number still seems shockingly low. Also, the Cressida was apparently classified as a subcompact. Continue reading →

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Kunimitsu Takahashi posthumously awarded Order of the Rising Sun for his contributions to motorsports

Posted on May 5, 2022 by Ben Hsu

The Japanese government has posthumously awarded the Order of the Rising Sun to Kunimitsu Takahashi. The revered motorcycle rider and race car driver passed away March 16 at the age of 82. The Order of the Rising Sun is the highest honor a non-government, non-royal individual can receive in Japan. Takahashi received the award for his contributions to motorsports. Continue reading →

Posted in Legends | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

As part of Star Wars ad campaign, C-3PO and R2-D2 once helped sell Mitsubishi cars in Japan

Posted on May 4, 2022 by Ben Hsu

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away a couple of droids landed on a remote, unremarkable planet of mostly water. Its primitive inhabitants had yet to discover interstellar travel, but for some reason these advanced droids got really stoked about this one specific ground transport manufacturer. Today is Star Wars Day, so let’s take a look at the time C-3PO and R2-D2 appeared in a series of Japanese ads to promote Mitsubishis. Continue reading →

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The history of Japanese Rally Cars at the Toyota Automobile Museum

Posted on May 3, 2022 by Ben Hsu

The Toyota Automobile Museum recently ended a special exhibit about the history of Japanese cars in rallying. As those who’ve visited the TAM will know, despite the name, the institution welcomes all marques. As such, the exhibit assembled cars from the heritage collections of not just Toyota, but its rival carmakers as well. Since Japan has been and is still under strict travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was really no way for anyone overseas to see this exhibit in person. Here’s what you missed. Continue reading →

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QotW: What cars would you put in your dream garage for $250,000?

Posted on May 2, 2022 by Patrick Strong

We at JNC often play fantasy garage games, some of which turn into Questions of the Week. The latest one involves selecting eight (8) collector or fun cars, no more, no less. This does not include your daily driver, but these have to be forever cars, meaning you’re stuck with them for the rest of your life. The budget? $250,000.

You’ll be building your collection from scratch, and you may keep one (1) car from your existing real-life fleet if you choose. However, you’ll have to subtract the value of what you paid for it originally from the total. If you want any more, you gotta buy the rest at current (inflated) prices. The idea here is to help a normal person with some ambition come up with a plan for future acquisitions. Can you narrow a list of dream cars down to a Top 8, and could that list be acquired for $250,000?

What cars would you put in your $250,000 dream garage?

The best comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s the best road trip car for the whole family?“. Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | 16 Comments

Next-gen roundup: Supra gets a stick, Z goes racing, Miata has staying power

Posted on April 29, 2022 by Ben Hsu

Conventional wisdom states that performance and sports cars are a dying breed. But, if we take a closer look at what’s stirring in Japan right now, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, there hasn’t been this much activity in the arena of enthusiasts’ cars in decades, especially at the affordable end of the market. Here’s how the legacy of your favorite carmakers is carrying the torch for motoring excitement. Continue reading →

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Subaru dealer in Japan takes on bare-metal restoration of ff-1 Van

Posted on April 28, 2022 by Ben Hsu

A Subaru dealership in northern Japan is conducting an incredible bare-metal restoration of an ff-1 Van. It’s one of Subaru’s most obscure models, but there’s good reason why they’re treating the project as seriously as a Toyota 2000GT restoration. As it happens, the dealership company, Miyagi Subaru, is where, half a century ago, an ff-1 was converted to AWD to create the first all-wheel-drive Subie. The prototype was taken to HQ and became the template of all modern Subarus. Continue reading →

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Datsun ends production as Nissan’s Ghosn era continues to unravel

Posted on April 27, 2022 by Ben Hsu

The vestiges of Carlos Ghosn’s reign at Nissan continue to crumble. This week, it was reported that the former CEO’s revival of Datsun branded cars has ceased production after falling far short of sales expectations. The news comes hot on the heels of a separate report that Renault is considering selling off a a sizeable chunk of Nissan shares, unraveling the alliance that Ghosn considered his crowning achievement. Also, Ghosn is now wanted in France as well. Continue reading →

Posted in News | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

The Mazda Museum in Hiroshima will soon open its newly renovated halls

Posted on April 26, 2022 by Dave Yuan

If you ever find yourself in Hiroshima, you owe it to yourself to visit the Mazda Museum. It’s easily accessible by either car or train, and is located right at the heart of the company’s headquarters. Recently, Mazda renovated their museum to bring it more in line using the colors, materials and design they’ve been slowly rolling out to their global dealerships. The result is a unified look and feel that says “Mazda” whether you’re at a showroom in Hoboken or the master collection in Hiroshima. Continue reading →

Posted in museums | Tagged | 5 Comments

QotW: What’s the best road trip car for the whole family?

Posted on April 25, 2022 by Ben Hsu

When car enthusiasts talk about the best drivers’ cars, it’s usually selfish. Taking off for a long drive in the Z is fantastic when you’re young and free, but once the kiddos come along you’ll something bigger. By all means, have your weekend sports car or GT, but why suffer when traveling with the brood? We’re looking for a vehicle that can carry two parents, 1-2 kids, and all associated gear for multi-day road trips. It should be reliable, comfortable for passengers, and get decent mileage. But — and this is the part that makes it challenging — it must also be fun to drive.

What’s the best road trip car for the whole family?

The best comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your favorite automotive invention?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 20 Comments

The 1991 Nissan FEV was an electric concept that should be built today

Posted on April 22, 2022 by Ben Hsu

Every Earth Day we at JNC highlight a car engineered with conservation in mind. This year, we go back to the 1991 Tokyo Motor Show, when Nissan unveiled their first “modern” electric vehicle. Whereas previous EVs had been tiny city cars with very limited range, the Nissan FEV (for Future Electric Vehicle) was the first to boast usable highway range, and a fast-charging system. Though it’s over 30 years old, its specs would not disqualify it even in today’s cutting edge EV market. Continue reading →

Posted in concepts | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments