Despite repeated denials by Mazda, about a year ago we predicted that the company would come out with a turbocharged Mazda 3. It looks like that is indeed happening, as indicated by leaked codes from Mazda’s dealership extranet system. Essentially, it’s a new Mazdaspeed 3 in everything but the name. Continue reading
A Nissan Skyline GT-R has been lovingly restored… by Toyota
The world is utterly divided and in turmoil right now, so this is exactly the kind of story we need. Recently, an R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R was restored by expert mechanics as part of their duties for one of Japan’s largest car companies. Except, the company wasn’t Nissan. It was their age-old rival, Toyota. Continue reading
MINICARS: Diecast Racing League is the best sport to watch during quarantine
Actual motorsports might be on hiatus while the coronavirus quarantine is in effect, but that doesn’t mean all auto racing has to grind to a halt. Turns out, there’s a thriving community of drivers who compete in diecast cars. The Diecast Racing League takes place on a variety of 3D-printed courses, all gravity fed and laser-timed. It’s incredibly staged, with March Madness-style brackets, lap records, and even announcers calling the action. Continue reading
Happy 86th Birthday, Nissan!
On this day in 1934, Nissan as we know today was founded. To be fair, the companies that combined to form it were established long before. However, it was the 1933 merger of Kwaishinsha Motorcar Works established in 1911, Jitsuyo Jidosha Seizo established in 1919, and Tobata Casting Co. established in 1910, that ushered in the new era as Nissan Motor Company.
We’ve been talking a lot about Nissan’s uncertain future as the company faces financial hardships. But with unveiled a plan to weather the coming years, announced just last week and headlined by a new Z, it certainly feels like there’s another new era is coming. Happy 86th birthday, Nissan; here’s to many more.
QotW: What are your thoughts, hopes, and fears for the new Z?
After teasing us for a decade plus, last week Nissan made it official. There will indeed be a seventh generation Z. That’s great news for car enthusiasts, especially in this day and age where sports cars are an endangered species. We should be grateful, but we know that the Z name comes a whole lot of baggage: expectations, fanfare, countless online debates. With what little we know so far:
What are your thoughts, hopes, and fears about the next Z?
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 best inexpensive Japanese off-roader?” Continue reading
Happy S30 Day from JNC
We need to take a quick poll, guys. Today is May 30, or 5/30, or S30 in leet speak. So, a day to celebrate the first-generation Nissan Fairlady Z, then? However, in some corners of Z fandom S30 day is celebrated on the last day of September, or “S 30,” which is just as valid! Which day should we celebrate the gloriousness of Nissan’s game-changing sports car?
OH, KEI! The Jimny Santa Monica was a cute beach cruiser based on Suzuki’s mini-4×4
With summer is upon us, so are dreams of beachside cruising. In the history of kei cars, there was perhaps no vehicle more fitting for that purpose than the Jimny Santa Monica (it’s right there in the name!). Built upon the second-generation (1984-1990) Suzuki Jimny, it replaced the body with a composite, door-less dune buggy-ish body. Sadly, they are also increasingly rare. It’s estimated that surviving Santa Monicas number only in the single digits. Continue reading
Here’s your first look at the seventh-generation Nissan Z
Nissan dropped a video this morning that teases its upcoming lineup in a new, post-Ghosn, post-COVID era. Notably, the it provides the first glimpse of what the seventh-generation Z could look like. The rendering of what we’ll call the Z35 confirms two promising things: 1.) That the Z will indeed live on, and 2.) have the S30-inspired looks that that have been rumored. Continue reading
And now for your viewing pleasure, videos of brand new NSXes
Two NSX videos were released yesterday, one from each side of the Pacific. The first was a retro review of the 1994 Acura NSX from Motorweek, America’s favorite (only) public broadcasting car testing show. However, instead from the regular parade of practical cars reviewed from Owings Mills, Maryland, this time they are at Pocono Raceway hot lapping Japan’s premier 1990s supercar. Continue reading
VIDEO: Watch an epic battle of 90s sports cars
In a race that looks like a real-life Gran Turismo battle, the best of 1990s sports cars duke it out in this 1995 episode of Best Motoring. The field is a who’s who of Bubble Era machinery, including a Supra Turbo, R33 Skyline GT-R, FD3S RX-7, SW20 MR2, 993 Porsche Carrera, and not one but two NSXes, one automatic and one manual. The manual NSX even comes in the best 90s color, teal, a paint option Honda didn’t offer in the US. Who will come out on top? Continue reading
SHOWA SNAP: A Toyota police car pulls over a Datsun, 1965
Like many cities around the world, traffic has died down dramatically due to stay-at-home advisories stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. Tokyo’s Shuto Expressway has seen a 60 percent drop in traffic, meaning it probably has not been this traffic-free since its early days in the 1960s. In this 1965 photo it was so traffic-free, in fact, that a Toyota Crown police car was able to pull over a 310 Bluebird driver, blocking off an entire lane during daytime hours on the famously narrow Shuto. Other vehicles include the ubiquitous Crowns and Cedrics, but also a 1960 Chevy Impala.
Image: eBay
Posted in Showa Snap
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QotW: What’s the best inexpensive Japanese off-roader?
Recently we saw some laudable off-roading conducted by an unexpectedly capable 1978 Subaru station wagon. That has made us yearn for a truck that we can take into the wilderness without worry. To make this question more challenging, let’s add a budget — say, $5,000 or so, or about the blue book value of that Subaru. That effectively eliminates options like the Toyota Land Cruiser and other classic SUVs. Also, because this is JNC, we’ll add the caveat that we don’t want to abuse a mint or rare vehicle just to thrash around on some rocky trails. Aftermarket support would be a nice bonus as well.
What’s the best inexpensive Japanese off-roader?
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 museum experience?” Continue reading
Here’s a GT-R50 Kenmeri Skyline homage in the proper colors
Earlier this week Nissan released images of the first production GT-R50. It featured a subtle tribute to the Kenmeri Skyline GT-R show car from the 1972 Tokyo Motor Show — one that was in fact too subtle for some. So courtesy of Italdesign, here’s another one that’s a more on the nose. Continue reading
You can now drive the Mazda RX-Vision… in Gran Turismo
One of the most stunning concept cars of the last decade has been the Mazda RX-Vision. No one has been able too drive the supposedly rotary-powered sports car, but that’s about to change — at least in the virtual world of Gran Turismo Sport. On May 22, the RX-Vision GT3 race car will be available in the racing sim. Continue reading
VIDEO: Watch this 1978 Subaru GL Wagon master Moab
Moab, Utah is famous of its tough-as-nails off-roading obstacles, and normally one would not think of tackling them with anything less than a Toyota truck or Jeep. One owner of a 1978 Subaru GL, however, took his 42-year-old economy wagon with 67 horsepower way, way off-road. Surprisingly — or perhaps not for Subarites — the old blue workhorse surpassed all expectations. Continue reading
The first Nissan GT-R 50 pays homage to the Kenmeri Skyline
Nissan has released images of the first production Nissan GT-R50. Part of the extremely exclusive supercar’s $1.1 million price tag stems from the fact that each one features a hand-made body by Italdesign. It may be an exorbitant expense, perhaps, but it’s one that allows for some degree of customization. And as it happens, the first one appears to be a tribute to a 48-year-old Skyline GT-R show car. Continue reading
Posted in Next Version
Tagged c110, gt-r, GT-R50, Italdesign, kenmeri, kpgc110, nissan, r35, skyline
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Happy 521 Day from JNC
Today is the day that we celebrate reasonably sized pickups. Yes, we know there’s a 520 but they are extremely hard to come by and thus difficult to take a photo of. So let’s just say May 21 is also 520 Day Observed. Whatever you call it, hope it’s a good one for ya!
PSA: Stop using these Harbor Freight jack stands immediately
Ah, Harbor Freight. It’s like the McDonald’s of tool stores. You know it’s probably not good for you, but when you’re working hard and need a quick fix so you can get on with your project, their easy access and dirt cheap prices are there to lure us in. Sometimes that lack of planning comes back to bite us in the ass, like when one of the most important tools in your arsenal — jack stands — become the subject of an NHTSA safety recall. Continue reading
VIDEO: Mazda racing liveries, animated
Mazda UK has released a new video called “Our Greatest Motorsport Liveries” to honor its 100th Anniversary. The short animated movie goes through several of the company’s famous racing colorways, varying from the Group B RX-7 to the renowned (ha!) Le Mans-winning 787B. Continue reading
Posted in motorsport
Tagged 24 Hours of Le Mans, 323 GTX, 787b, familia, fc3s, imsa, mazda, mazda 6, RT24-P, rx-7, rx-792p, sa22c, Xedos 6
4 Comments
DESIGN: A modern Honda roadster inspired by the Beat and RA272
Honda has come out with a new electric vehicle, a small, rear-wheel-drive electric hatchback called simply the Honda e. We have to admit the production version, while a good car, was a bit of a visual letdown after the fabulously retro concept. However, automotive designer David Beasley, friend of JNC and the man who penned the beloved Nissan IDx concepts, recently sent us an incredible vision of how Honda could utilize the e’s platform for something that embraces its heritage and offers enthusiasts an exciting driving machine. Continue reading
Posted in Design
Tagged beat, civic, concepts, David Beasley, honda, Honda e, IDx, nissan, ra272, Urban EV Concept
4 Comments
