At 10:00 am on April 20, 1967, a procession of Shinto priests followed by a brass band opened a pedestrian footbridge over a five-way intersection in Tokyo. This type of blessing ceremony is typical of grand openings in Japan, even if the thing that’s opening isn’t super grand. What’s notable about this photo is that in a month’s time both the Toyota 2000GT and Mazda Cosmo Sport would debut, but the traffic on the streets below was still largely comprised of commercial or utility vehicles. Continue reading
QotW: What’s your $25,000 autocross, road, and rally race garage?
You are starting a JNC grassroots motorsports team, and you’re going to compete in three distinct racing types:
- Autocross: Generally SCCA, but also marque clubs like the Porsche club if you want to. You’ll want a car with quickness and agility.
- Road racing: This includes NASA and SCCA, or vintage racing like HSR or SVRA if you prefer. Both, if you have the right car. This would mean actual racing and not just track days/HPDEs.) No 24 Hours of Lemons or ChumpCar. You’ll want a well-balanced car, preferably with a fixed roof, that gives you both speed and durability.
- Rally: We’re talking amateur performance rally — as in “on dirt” and not Time Speed Distance events — as well as rallycross. The temptation is to get something AWD. However, beginners are often advised to start out in an FWD car. Also, it’s pretty much 100 percent certain you’re going to crash at some point.
You’re going to need one dedicated car for each of the three series. You get a $25,000 budget, including any performance-oriented modifications. We’ll say that for the sake of this game you don’t have to budget for things like roll cages or running costs such as fuel, entry fees, or a tow rig; the budget is just for the race cars. The only restriction is that each car has to be a JNC. You can import something from abroad if you wish, and since they’re race cars you don’t have to worry about federalization. However, you will have to factor in shipping costs if you go that route.
What’s your $25,000 autocross, road, and rally race garage?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What are your favorite automotive-themed watches?” Continue reading
VIDEO: What made the 1992 Honda Civic a good car?
History has taught us that the EG Civic was one of the greatest compacts of all time, but how was it reviewed when it was new? Surprisingly, it wasn’t for the things we love about 90s Hondas like responsive engines, race car engineering filtered into a humble compact, and stone cold reliability. Instead, it was a bunch of boring things that, 30 years later, no one cares about. Continue reading
Happy 710 Day from JNC
Back in post-Oil Crisis 1976, small cars were finally getting some attention as Americans shifted from land yachts to compacts. Datsun positioned the 710 as one that didn’t feel like a penalty box. As touted in this ad, it boasted features like “33 mpg on the highway and 23 in the city,” “wall-t0-wall nylon carpeting,” and Datsun’s 40 years of experience building “today’s size cars.” That’s pretty compelling, and they didn’t even mention the groovy stripes yet. It’s too bad you don’t see many of these anymore. Happy 710 Day from JNC!
PSA: Replacements for recalled Harbor Freight jack stands now also recalled
A couple of months ago, Harbor Freight Tools recalled a bunch of their jack stands. Those 3-ton and 6-ton units were under risk of collapsing due to a manufacturing defect that could cause the support pawl to become disengaged. 1.7 million sets were recalled, and some of those customers who returned the defective stands were given replacements. Now those replacements have also been recalled. Continue reading
WRC champion Nicky Grist bought his dream car, an ST185 Celica GT-Four
Nicky Grist has co-driven in over 130 WRC races, won 21 of them, and even racked up a season championship. He’s navigated for legends like Colin McRae, Juha Kankkunen, and Armin Schwarz. He’s shouted instructions for legendary teams like Ford, Toyota, Subaru, and Mitsubishi. However, when it came time to buy his dream car of his own, he chose an ST185 Celica GT-Four. Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Armin Schwarz, celica, Celica GT-Four, Colin McRae, Juha Kankkunen, Nicky Grist, st185, T180, toyota, wrc
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Here are the official US specs for the Mazda 3 Turbo
It’s official. The Mazda 3 now comes with a turbocharged powertrain. There were rumors about this last month, and if you’ll allow us to toot our horns a bit, we predicted this a year ago, even if we got the name wrong. And this Turbo 3 isn’t just a way to carry on the traditions of, say, the 323 GTX or Mazdaspeed 3. It’s really one of the few new cars today that feel like the wonderful sport compacts Japan gave us in the 80s and 90s. Continue reading
VIDEO: Why the Acura Integra Type R is worth $60,000
These days, Acura Integra Type R values are higher than those of an Acura NSX. Prices have shot as high as $82,000, with most decent examples in the $60,000 range. On paper, the numbers don’t look that spectacular. Its 1.8-liter inline-four had less than 200 horsepower, 195 to be precise, or just 15 more than the much cheaper GS-R. The torque spread was even less, just 130 lb-ft versus 128. Its 0-60 time was around 6.6 seconds, just 0.4 faster than the GS-R’s. Aside from a larger wing, it looked nearly identical to its lesser siblings as well. But a car isn’t just the sum of its spec sheet. Continue reading
Happy RX-7 Day from JNC
Today is July 7, or 7/7, or Sevens Day, the day we celebrate the indomitable Mazda RX-7. Since this year marks the 100th Anniversary of Mazda let’s honor the day with the very first RX-7, the 1978 SA22C, in its iconic Mach Green color. As mentioned in the second installment of our Mazda centenary retrospective, This futuristic little sports car came right out of the gates with rotary guns blazing, winning the 24 Hours of Daytona in its inaugural year, then following up with a win at the Spa 24 Hours in 1981. It paved the way for everything from the Le Mans-winning 787B to the legendary FD3S. It’s truly one of the all-time greats. Happy RX-7 Day from JNC!
Toyota launches Supra reproduction parts program, adds 2000GT, international availability
Toyota has announced that it will start making reproduction parts for the Supra and 2000GT. Even better, it says that the parts will be available both in Japan and “overseas,” which means that they will likely be coming to the US. Back in May 2019, we reported that Toyota announced a GR Heritage Parts Program for the A70 and A80 Supra. Today, Toyota added the 2000GT to the list. Here’s a rundown of what will be available initially. Continue reading
QotW: What are your favorite automotive-themed watches?
For the most part, we at JNC are not Watch Guys. However, we do recognize that it’s a thing that might tick our boxes, if we weren’t pouring every spare dime into cars, and we know that there is a large overlap between those who like vintage cars and those who like a nice wrist-worn timepiece. But hey, convince us why watches are worth our attention, and maybe recommend some befitting of someone who likes vintage Japanese cars. Just know that we aren’t prepared to spend GT-R money on one.
What are your favorite automotive-themed watches?
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 best JNC photo?” Continue reading
If you need Mazda RX-3 taillights, you’re in luck
For many older Japanese cars, plastic bits are near impossible to find. Or, if you do find them, they cost a fortune. They’re not like muscle cars, where you can open a Year One catalog and basically rebuild a 1969 Camaro from scratch. JNCers have had to rely on the innovation and passion of individual enthusiasts to make up the gap. For example, look at these beautiful Mazda RX-3 taillight lenses made by an owner from Detroit, Michigan. Continue reading
Can you identify these classic Nissan-shaped senbei crackers?
Say you’re a hard-core Nissan nut, you’re feeling a bit peckish, and a plain old non-Nissan snack simply won’t do. Fortunately for you, Nissan has officially issued a new line of senbei (rice crackers), one of Japan’s most popular munching options, in the shape of classic Nissan cars. Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Ariya, b10, b120, c10, c110, cherry, Cima, cube, datsun, Datsun Type 12, e10, fairlady roadster, fairlady z, figaro, gt-r, Hakosuka, juke, K11, kenmeri, leaf, march, Murano, nissan, patrol, pivo, r32, r35, S-Cargo, s30 z, sanitora, Serena, skyline, sunny, sunny truck, Z11, z32
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100 YEAR CLUB: Mazda, Part 02
Mazda turned 100 years old earlier this year, and to mark this very special occasion we went in search of what makes this small Hiroshima carmaker so unique. In the previous installment of our retrospective, we examined Mazda’s origin story and early milestones. We arrived at the dawn of the Rotary Era and the development and Cosmo Sport, arguably one of the most futuristic and innovative cars ever created. In Part 02, we pick up where we left off with the Savanna, better known to the rest of the world as the Mazda RX-3. Continue reading
Posted in 100 Year Club
Tagged 323, 626, 717C, capella, familia, le mans, mazda, mazdaspeed, rx-3, rx-7, sa22c, savanna, wrc
2 Comments
Honda launches factory restoration program for RC30 motorcycle
On June 30 Honda announced a factory “Refresh Plan” for the 1987-90 VFR750R motorcycle, more commonly known by its model code, the RC30. The bike was an important part of Honda’s motorsports history, a factory homologation special created to win the inaugural World Superbike Championship of 1988. It did that, repeated the feat in 1989, and won a slew of other two-wheeled championships as well. Crammed with loads of race-developed technology, at the time of launch the ¥1.48 million (approx. $15,000 USD) street-legal version was the most expensive motorcycle ever sold in Japan. Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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Mazda’s 100th Anniversary Edition Miata is coming to the US
Back in April, Mazda announced a slew of 100th Anniversary Edition models to commemorate a century of doing business. Now, Mazda North America has announced that at least one of those models — the most important one, arguably — is coming to the US (Mazda Canada has announced more 100th AE models, including the 3, CX-5, CX-9). Here’s your chance to get a white Miata with a classy wine red top and interior. Continue reading
QotW: What’s your best JNC photo?
It’s National Camera Day, so instead of a written answer this week we are seeking photos of JNCs. They don’t have to be of your car, taken today, or even good. As with the usual Answers of the Week, we will pick a winner based on entertainment value, whether it’s humorous, inspirational, or something that tugs at our heartstrings. It would be ideal if the photo told a story. If there’s a story behind the picture words are okay too, but remember, a picture is worth a thousand of them (side note: our website, which is so old it’s practically nostalgic itself, isn’t great for embedding photos, so feel free to copy/paste a URL link in the comments).
What’s your best JNC photo?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What did your dad teach you about cars?” Continue reading
Happy 626 Day from JNC
The Mazda 626 was known as the Capella in Japan, and though it had some really trick technology on it, it was mostly remembered as a fairly middle-of-the-road compact in the US. However, if you were in Japan, you could get the Capella Canvas Top. It was basically a regular Capella except with an old-timey rollback canvas roof, but instead of cruising by the Riviera in the 1960s you were gliding through Bubble Era Japan. Happy 626 Day from JNC!
VIDEO: The FJZ80 Toyota Land Cruiser was expensive in 1993 but it’s hard to beat its value today
The 80-series Land Cruiser brought Toyota’s venerable off-roader into the modern age. The 70-series was never sold in the US, and as capable the 60-series was, by 1990 it was getting pretty ancient. The 80-series balanced perfectly the off-road capability of the older Land Cruisers while not delving into full-blown luxury mode that following generations did. Though the Supra existed, the 80-series became something of an unofficial flagship for Toyota, with a price to match. The updated 1993 model was reviewed favorably when new, but in hindsight it was drastically underrated. Continue reading
Japanese racing seat company BRIDE is now making face masks
Anyone who is into Japanese cars needs no introduction to BRIDE. The racing seat company has produced all manner of butt-holders for the aftermarket and racing community. However, in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the company says it will use its racing seat knowledge to create branded face masks as well. Continue reading
