Now that we know the Lexus GS is not long for this world, it’s time to reflect on what it meant. In the US it was seen mostly as a middle-tier luxury sedan, a competent but unassuming rebadged Japanese Toyota that returned in reliability what it gave up in performance compared to its German rivals. In reality, it was much, much more, and we are sad to see it go. Continue reading
VIDEO: Travel through time with these defining moments in Mazda’s 100-year history
As you may have heard, Mazda is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2020, and they have created a little video showcasing the company’s “defining moments”. It’s short, but cleverly blends archival footage with modern, to give the impression that you are traveling through time to witness the events. Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 787b, cosmo sport, cx-30, Green Panel, le mans, mazda, rotary engine
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ART CORNER: Here’s your classic Toyota papercraft
If you’ve ever visited the Toyota Automobile Museum, you may be familiar with the exclusive papercraft they give away at the info desk. It changes every so often, so you’ll never get the same one twice. Well, the museum has now been closed for over two months and will remain closed until further notice, so they have decided to release some of those papercraft to the public. Continue reading
Posted in Art Corner
Tagged a20, buses, celica, corolla, e10, FB-series, papercraft, toyota
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Next-gen Nissan “480Z” and design detail rumors
More dispatches about the next Nissan Z are coming through the grapevine. The latest is that the Z35 will spawn a high-performance version called the 480Z, and the number will refer not to the engine displacement, but its power output. We’ve also learned some more aspects about its styling. Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: Watch these old Nissans dominate Fuji Speedway
If you’ve ever wondered why Nissan has such a strong following among Japanese enthusiasts, this video snapshot from 1970-71 explains it all. Nissans of all types dominate the field in two major races from those years. Though this was likely put together as a Nissan promotional video, their total command over Fuji Speedway can’t be denied. Continue reading
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Tagged 1300 coupe 9, 1600gt, 510, a30, b110, bluebird, c10, cedric, Colt F2000, corolla, datsun, fairlady roadster, fairlady z, familia rotary coupe, fuji speedway, gloria, Hakosuka, Hiroshi Kubota, honda, Jackie Stewart, JAF Grand Prix, japan grand prix, Kenji Tohira, kpgc10, kunimitsu takahashi, Kuniomi Nagamatsu, masahiro hasemi, mazda, mitsubishi, moto kitano, Motoharu Kurosawa, nissan, pgc10, publica, s30 z, Shogo Omori, skyline, sunny, Toshinori Takechi, toyota
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QotW: What’s the best way to make progress on your project car?
There are many hurdles to moving forward on a big project. In the past year, my wife and I bought a house, moved, and had a baby. I waited a long time to have my own garage space but now that I do, I’ve barely touched it. The space became a temporary storage facility as we were getting settled in the house, and then it just kind of stayed that way. However, this weekend I ordered something that will hopefully change all that: a shed. When it arrives, we will have a space to throw all the extra paint, tiles, garden tools, and other stuff that we never use but can’t seem to throw out. Whether it’s keeping a clean workspace, finding a babysitter, building a workbench, canceling your Netflix subscription, or something else:
What’s the best way to make progress on your project car?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Do you have any fond memories of the Lexus GS?” Continue reading
VIDEO: And now for your viewing pleasure, Hakosuka drift!
We were quite taken by this Hakosuka when we came across it in 2016, even though it might just be one of the rattiest examples to set a wheel into a car show. But, there’s a reason for its battle-scarred appearance — it’s a drift car. Continue reading
Happy TE51 Day from JNC
One of the oddest Corolla body styles must have been the SR-5 Liftback, or what hipsters today would call a shooting brake. Essentially, it’s a wagon, but sporty because it has two doors. I still see one in my neighborhood here in LA every once in a while, and it puts a smile on my face every time. Also, is anyone else in the mood for pistachio ice cream? Happy TE51 Day from JNC!
Toyotafest 2020 has been canceled, but you can still get these 50th anniversary of the Celica T-Shirts
We are sad to report that Toyotafest 2020 has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The show, originally scheduled for June 6, was to be the 25th annual Toyotafest, a momentous occasion to be sure. So, while quarter-century celebration can be postponed till 2021, the planned celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Celica can’t. Continue reading
ART CORNER: Ease your quarantine blues with an official Mazda coloring book
Automakers continue to find new ways to help us deal with being stuck at home during the coronavirus outbreak. Mazda’s latest scheme to help us kill some time is a downloadable coloring book that features seven of their landmark cars. Continue reading
Posted in Art Corner
Tagged 3-wheel truck, 323, 787b, cosmo sport, familia, Familia BD, le mans, mazda, mazda 3, Miata NA, mx-5, r360, Type-DA
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VIDEO: Every Honda S-car, driving
Every iteration of Honda’s S-series cars has been a hoot to drive. In a newly released video, the Honda Collection Hall in at Twin Ring Motegi compiles runs by each of their S roadsters around the narrow footpath behind the museum. The video starts with the original S500 and S600 before moving onto the S800, S2000 and S660. Continue reading
Watch all six episodes of Honda’s history as told by manga
Honda has re-released its full six-part cartoon history video series, told with manga panels. The series is based on the m the Shogakukan manga series about company founder Soichiro Honda. Though Honda has released the videos piecemeal before, the old ones have all been taken down. Now, you can binge-watch all six at once. Continue reading
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Tagged beat, Dream, formula 1, honda, Honda S-Series, manga, ra271, ra272, soichiro honda, super cub, t360, Takeo Fujisawa, Yoshio Nakamura
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Check out Isuzu City, the mind-blowing miniature town that is Japan’s largest diorama
Goodbye forever, readers. We at JNC have decided to move to a place in Japan where there are plenty of nostalgic cars, clean streets, and barely any traffic. It’s Isuzu City, population 3,300, located inside the Isuzu Plaza museum in Fujisawa. The town measures just 12 meters wide, but despite its size it’s Japan’s largest diorama and there’s plenty to see. Continue reading
There was a Subaru 360 on The Sopranos, youse guys
Last week we asked what show had the best background JNCs. I had no idea at the time that I would find one of Japan’s iconic kei cars on HBO’s groundbreaking Y2K-era mobster drama, The Sopranos. Continue reading
QotW: Do you have any fond memories of the Lexus GS?
We learned Friday that Lexus has killed off the GS name. It had been rumored for a while, and at the same time models like the ES are getting big enough to step on the GS’s toes. Plus, there’s that whole decline of the sedan and rise of the crossover thing. We can’t help feel a pang of sadness about its demise. It was always the cool middle child of the Lexus lineup; more elegant than the IS, not as ojisan as the LS. We know there will be some who say it makes economic sense for Toyota, but still:
Do you have any fond memories of the Lexus GS?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s a great movie or TV show for background JNC spotting?” Continue reading
The Lexus GS is no more.
Lexus has announced it is ending the GS nameplate. The Grand Sedan is no more. Sales for the luxury sedan have been slow as people move towards crossovers instead. It also spells doom for the wonderful 467-horsepower, naturally aspirated, V8-powered GS F sports sedan. Pour some 5W-30 out for the fallen. Continue reading
You can get the old Suzuki Jimny’s graphics on a new Suzuki Jimny
Not only is the Suzuki Jimny is one of the hottest new cars you can buy in Japan right now, but it’s one that’s ripe for modification. From functional off-road equipment to appearance packages, there’s tons of options available in the aftermarket. As it happens, Suzuki offers some of their own accessories, including two packages that make your brand new Jimny look like its predecessor from the 80s and 90s. Continue reading
ART CORNER: Here’s some classic Mazdas you can build out of paper
Carmakers have been coming up with creative ways to keep us occupied during the time of corona. The latest is Mazda’s recent release of papercraft cars marking its 100th anniversary. Specifically, they are the white and red Mazda R360 Coupé and ND Roadster used to commemorate a whole slate of 100th Anniversary Edition cars, but Mazda also has several more paper classics on hand. Continue reading
Posted in Art Corner
Tagged cosmo sport, CX-3, cx-5, familia, Luce Rotary Coupe, mazda, mazda 2, mazda 3, mazda 6, Miata ND, mx-5, papercraft, r360
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CONCEPT CARS: 1991 Honda EP-X
Here at JNC, we have an Earth Day tradition where we dig deep into the memory banks to highlight an environmentally themed, often bizarre concept. This time around, we’d like to draw your attention to the alien-looking 1991 Honda EP-X. Continue reading
VIDEO: More of the Daihatsu museum in a virtual tour
Daihatsu has uploaded more videos continuing the virtual tour of curiously named Humobility World, the company’s museum in Osaka. In part one, we saw the earliest Daihatsu products, a 5,842-pound diesel engine that’s likely the heaviest thing in Humobility World, and the Daihatsu-go three-wheeled truck. In these newly uploaded clips, we get to see some actual cars. Continue reading
Posted in Galleries
Tagged charade, copen, daihatsu, Daihatsu Humobility World, Fellow, kei, midget, mira, Taft. Rocky
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