QotW: What’s the story behind your first car?

Posted on March 30, 2021 by Patrick Strong

Remember your first car? No, not that one, your first car. It was probably three inches long, made of diecast metal, and ran on childhood dreams. Think of the way it felt in your hand, how fast it rolled, how beautiful it was to look at. Think of how you couldn’t wait to grow up and get the real thing. Of course you remember that car. It was the starting point of lifelong obsession with all things automotive. In honor of Ryu Asada, our QotW this week (belated due to extenuating circumstances) is about this first love.

What’s the story behind your first car?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s the rarest ‘normal’ JNC you’ve spotted in the wild?” Continue reading →

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KIDNEY, ANYONE? 1974 Toyota Publica 1000

Posted on March 29, 2021 by Ryan Senensky

The Toyota KP30 Publica is a rare bird, even in its native Japan. For export markets, it was known simply as the Toyota 1000. Constructed on a down-sized Corolla platform, it served as Toyota’s entry-level runabout in many nations where average cars were significantly smaller than the American land yachts of 1970s. Its as simple as it gets, and that’s a big part of the vehicle’s charm. Continue reading →

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RIP Ryu Asada, Hot Wheels designer, 1978—2021

Posted on March 28, 2021 by Ben Hsu

Ryu Asada, beloved designer of Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars, has passed away after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was 42 years old. Ryu was immensely talented and instrumental in bringing a multitude of well-loved cars to the Hot Wheels and Matchbox canon. With his perpetually upbeat personality, he garnered countless fans and friends in the local Los Angeles-area car community and all over the world. Continue reading →

Posted in Legends, minicars | Tagged , , , | 23 Comments

Z35 to be known as Nissan Z, production specs leaked?

Posted on March 26, 2021 by J Elrick

Hot on the heels of pictures of the production Nissan Z35 being leaked online, a member by the name of Houston.Z35 on 400zclub has come forward with insider info on the specs and pricing on the new Z. Although many have been tentatively referring to it as the 400Z Houston.Z35 claims it will be known as simply the Nissan Z. In Japan, the name Fairlady Z will carry on.  Continue reading →

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VIDEO: The 1989 Toyota Camry brought V6 power to the masses

Posted on March 26, 2021 by J Elrick

Today there is no question that the Camry is the benchmark for the ideal family sedan. Its reputation for legendary reliability and innocuous styling had to begin somewhere. Back in 1989, the V20 Camry still had to prove its worth against contenders such as the Chevy Lumina and Ford Taurus. And apparently, there was a time in America when the Camry was still unfamiliar enough that Motorweek insisted on calling it a Cam-ray throughout their video review. Continue reading →

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Yamaha’s YZR-M1 MotoGP race bike livery is a throwback to the 1960s

Posted on March 25, 2021 by Dan Hsu

Yamaha’s 2021 MotoGP race bike has debuted with a throwback livery that pays tribute to 60 years of Grand Prix competition. The YZR-M1 is finished in a white with red chain block stripe that can be traced back to some of the company’s earliest race bikes, and it looks absolutely beautiful. Continue reading →

Posted in Motorcycles | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Toyota South Africa is officially restoring a 2000GT

Posted on March 24, 2021 by Ben Hsu

Toyota of South Africa has officially started restoration of a 2000GT. Only 351 hand-made examples were built, inclusive of pre-production models, and of those just three were originally destined for South Africa. The subsidiary calls it a complete nut and bolt restoration, and will be documenting the progress on its website. Continue reading →

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A Mazda RX-7 FD has sold for $60,000 at auction

Posted on March 23, 2021 by Patrick Strong

Over the weekend a 1993 Mazda RX-7 sold for $60,000. The car in question was finished in Competition Yellow Mica, considered the most desirable color in the FD palette and exclusive to first-year performance-oriented R1 packages. Only 350 CYMs were sold in the US market. Initially our gut reaction was that the price seemed too high, especially given the Craigslist quality copy in the listing. But given some time, we’ve come to reassess the call. Continue reading →

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Happy 323 Day from JNC

Posted on March 23, 2021 by Dan Hsu

Picking up on this week’s near-extinct normal cars theme, when was the last time you saw a Mazda 323 in the wild? These were practical but loveable cars in their day, equivalent to a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic. And yet, while Corollas of the era are still plentiful, the 323s are all but gone. Let’s take some time to appreciate small wagons, unloved compacts, and Mazdas today. Happy 323 Day from JNC!

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Production Z35 Nissan 400Z photos leaked

Posted on March 22, 2021 by J Elrick

Two sets of images of the production Z35 Nissan Z have leaked. One shows a metallic gray car that evokes the Carbon Silver of the 350Z and Gun Metallic of the 370Z. Another shows what looks like a standard silver but is could also be a pearl white reminiscent of the Z31 Shiro and Z32. Both were posted to the 400ZClub forum, which says the photos were taken at Nissan’s Tochigi plant, but it appears to be a cargo staging area at a air shipment port. Continue reading →

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VIDEO: A virtual tour of Toyota’s Motorsports Biography exhibit

Posted on March 22, 2021 by Ben Hsu

The Toyota Automobile Museum’s excellent “Toyota Motorsport Biography: Everlasting Challenge Spirit” exhibit is scheduled to end on April 11. Sadly, travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have prevented most overseas travelers from seeing it in person. However, the museum is doing the next best thing, and has released a virtual tour before the exhibit is gone for good. Continue reading →

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QotW: What’s the rarest “normal” JNC you’ve spotted in the wild?

Posted on March 22, 2021 by Ben Hsu

When we are out our radars are usually tuned to rare JNC sightings (much to the annoyance of our spouses). Of course it’s incredible when you see a 2000GT in morning rush hour traffic, but a once-common-now-rare car in good condition can brighten your whole day as well. Even “Normal” JNCs are getting scarcer on the streets, so seeing one still kicking is always a treat.

What’s the rarest “normal” JNC you’ve spotted in the wild?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s does the Fairlady mean to you?” Continue reading →

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Behind the scenes of Honda’s Civic World exhibit

Posted on March 19, 2021 by Ben Hsu

The Civic World special exhibit is still going on at the Honda Collection Hall in Japan right now, and Honda has released a video showing some of the set up that went into the display. It looks like a fantastic showcase of Honda’s best-selling compact, and it would be great to see it in person. Unfortunately, with the pandemic and Japan’s restrictions on US travelers, this is as good as we’re going to get. Continue reading →

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Mitsubishi UK is auctioning off its entire heritage fleet

Posted on March 18, 2021 by J Elrick

We are sad to report that Mitsubishi UK will soon be auctioning off its entire heritage collection. Last year, Mitsubishi made a sudden announcement that it was withdrawing from the UK and European markets. While it has since reversed the decision for Europe, it’s still leaving the UK. With no presence in the UK any more, there’s no longer any need for (or anyone to maintain) a heritage fleet. There are 14 cars being put up for auction, and now is your chance to own a piece of Mitsubishi history. Continue reading →

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VIDEO: The Mazda MX-6 appeals to the emotions

Posted on March 17, 2021 by J Elrick

Before there was Kodo, Mazda practiced Kansei Engineering — engineering based on human feelings. It still resonates today, trickling down to even the CX-30‘s heartbeat-like LED turn signals. Back in 1993, design DNA from the flagship FD RX-7 trickled down to perpetuate the low, wide stance and flowing lines of the MX-6. Continue reading →

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Nissan is remaking more R32 Skyline GT-R parts using state-of-the-art tech

Posted on March 16, 2021 by Ben Hsu

Nissan has announced that its adding more body panels to its Skyline GT-R Heritage Parts program, including the rear panel for the R32. Of course, many of these parts have been out of production for decades, and it’s no easy feat to start making them again, especially when they won’t be sold in large volumes. Instead, Nissan is using ultra-modern manufacturing techniques to make these parts possible. Continue reading →

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TUNE UP: FJ62 Land Cruiser stars in Aly & AJ’s “Pretty Places” music video

Posted on March 15, 2021 by Ben Hsu

Have you ever noticed that in music videos and commercials, especially ones that feature cross-country road trips, the cars of choice are almost always some big American boat? It’s true there’s a certain romance associated with a classic droptop, but if you were an alien learning Earth culture via this footage you’d think automotive progress stopped in 1976. But now it seems the land yacht has met its match in perceived coolness — a 60-series Toyota Land Cruiser. Continue reading →

Posted in Tune Up | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

QotW: What’s does the Fairlady mean to you?

Posted on March 15, 2021 by Ben Hsu

Sixty-five years ago today, My Fair Lady opened on Broadway. The play would go on for a run of 2,715 performances, and as the legend goes, in one of those performances, sometime in 1959, in the audience sat then Nissan president Katsuji Kawamata. He was so impressed with the performance that when the 1960 Datsun roadster was unveiled it became the first car to wear the badge Fairlady. The rest is history.

Over the years the Fairlady has become an icon of the JDM and JNC scenes. For good or for bad it’s Japan’s Corvette, the go-to car for the question when non-car people ask “What’s an example of a classic Japanese car?” and the prime example of an oddball JDM name. But there’s no denying the impact and influence the Fairlady has had, even if you think it’s overblown.

What’s does the Fairlady mean to you?

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 favorite automotive game?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

The Honda S660 will end production with another homage to the Beat roadster

Posted on March 12, 2021 by Ben Hsu

Honda has announced that production of the S660 is coming to a close. A spiritual successor to the Beat and tribute to the S-series roadsters, the mid-engined kei sports car will end its run in March 2022. Honda is sending off the S660 with a final edition called the Modulo X Version Z, a homage to the last special edition Honda Beat. Continue reading →

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Yokohama Rubber expands selection of ADVAN HF Type D

Posted on March 12, 2021 by J Elrick

At the 2018 Tokyo Auto Salon 2018 we saw Yokohama Rubber reveal a neo-Advan HF Type D, wrapped around Work Equip 03s, all displayed a show-stopping, glistening white Hakosuka. Seven sizes were issued then, and now, two years later, Yokohama has announced ten additional sizes to accommodate more classic Nihon steel, expanding the tire selection to seventeen. Continue reading →

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