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 →

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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 →

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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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The “Miracle Corolla” was destroyed in the Tohoku tsunami, then restored by car enthusiasts across Japan

Posted on March 11, 2021 by Ben Hsu

On March 11, 2011 a devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami struck eastern Japan. Nearly 16,000 people were killed and almost 2,600 went missing in what was the fourth strongest earthquake ever recorded. Masayuki Watanabe was one of the lucky ones, but both his house and his beloved 1971 Toyota Corolla were swept away when ocean waves encroached as much as six miles onto land. However, despite the devastation, photos of his red Corolla amidst the wreckage inspired car enthusiasts across the country to band together and help him restore the car. Continue reading →

Posted in Restoration | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

VIDEO: There will probably never be a car like the SW20 MR2 again

Posted on March 11, 2021 by Ben Hsu

The Toyota MR2 was one of those rare Japanese cars that evolved constantly throughout its life. There were five distinct revisions, called Type I through Type V, made to hone the small mid-engined runabout into a better driver’s car. We in North America missed out on the final two, but the last variant we got was still incredibly good. Continue reading →

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Before Toyota sells you its next supercar, it wants to know if you’ve ever owned a 2000GT

Posted on March 10, 2021 by Ben Hsu

This year the FIA plans to kick off new Le Mans Hypercar class and Toyota will be there, ready and waiting with its Gazoo Racing Super Sport. The class homologation rules require 20 road cars to be built, and Toyota’s 986-horsepower sports car is one of the most highly anticipated. Toyota is taking applications to buy one right now, but it has a few questions on the form. Among them, have you ever owned a Toyota 2000GT? Continue reading →

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Happy 310 Day from JNC

Posted on March 10, 2021 by Dan Hsu

All we can say is, square fenders are awesome. Happy B310 Day from JNC!

Posted in Holidays | 3 Comments

KIDNEY, ANYONE? 15k-mile Unmolested AE86 Toyota Corolla Levin GT Apex Coupe

Posted on March 9, 2021 by J Elrick

A one-owner, unmolested 1984 Toyota Corolla Levin GT Apex Coupe has turned up for sale in Essex, UK. Hunted nearly to extinction due to the popularity of the chassis in drifting, this surviving example only has 15,000 miles. It also rocks the iconic panda theme we all know and love. Continue reading →

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MOTORSPORT: Mami Ayukawa, singer and racing driver

Posted on March 8, 2021 by Ben Hsu

Mami Ayukawa is probably best known as a singer, but she was also a well-known racing driver in her time. She holds an FIA A-class racing license and competed in numerous races in Japan throughout the late 80s and early 90s driving for teams such as Tomei, all while maintaining her main career as a performer. Continue reading →

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QotW: What’s your favorite automotive game?

Posted on March 8, 2021 by Ben Hsu

Coming this week is March 10 (aka Mar 10, aka Mario Day), and 2021 also happens to be the 40th  anniversary year for Nintendo’s plumber mascot. In the decades since his debut in Donkey Kong games have had a huge influence on the automotive world, and vice versa, from the ultra-realistic Gran Turismo series to the stupid-fun Mario Kart (in which Mario drives something clearly based on the 1965 Honda RA272 Formula One race car).

Most of us have a favorite car-themed video game, but we’re not going limit this question to digital distractions. Nintendo traces its roots back to 1889 as a playing card manufacturer, so pre-pixel amusements are also allowed. If your jam is I Spy, then tell us why.

What’s your favorite automotive game?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “How did you learn to drive a manual?” Continue reading →

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VIDEO: Watch an R32 Skyline GT-R undergo NISMO’s $433,000 bare-metal restoration

Posted on March 5, 2021 by J Elrick

Late last year, we were in awe when Omori Factory gave us a glimpse into NISMO’s unparalleled restoration program for the R32 Skyline GT-R. Re-issued factory parts matched with meticulous nut-and-bolt attention to detail has culminated in the rebirth of one very lucky BNR32. To kick March off to a good start, NISMO dropped a video showcasing the magic behind the factory doors.  Continue reading →

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Against all odds, Mazda still innovates to make cars fun

Posted on March 4, 2021 by Ben Hsu

It’s no secret we at JNC, along with most enthusiast publications, have a special fondness for a small carmaker from Hiroshima. In an age when most carmakers have all but given up on the internal combustion engine, Mazda is still innovating. It’s drawing on a long history of pushing the technology envelope, and by tech we mean the actual hardware of the engine, turbo, and suspension, not turning your car into a giant smartphone. Better yet, Mazda’s doing it to make even a vehicle like the new CX-30 Turbo unlike any other CUV on the road — fun. Continue reading →

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MINICARS: There’s a very good reason why this Toyoda AA model from the Toyota Automobile Museum costs ¥3,350

Posted on March 3, 2021 by Ben Hsu

If you’ve been to the Toyota Automobile Museum’s gift shop, perhaps you’ve seen a 1:43 scale model of the company’s first production car, the 1936 Toyoda AA. It’s available in two colors and you can buy it for ¥3,350 (approx. $31 USD) which is actually quite inexpensive compared to the typical 1:43 cars you find in Japan. But there’s a very good reason Toyota kept the price this low. Continue reading →

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VIDEO: Even the budget performance cars of 1991 Japan were incredible

Posted on March 2, 2021 by Ben Hsu

God, 1991. It was a magical time for Japanese machinery. Every carmaker was offering an extraordinary car in their lineup, sometimes several. The abundance was so great that even at the low end of the price ladder, you could get cars so fantastic you’d sing their praises from mountaintops if anything remotely similar was available today. Just look at these eight budget brawlers and tell us we didn’t have an embarassment of riches when it came to motoring fun. Continue reading →

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