Happy Valentine’s Day, y’all. Show your loved ones some TLC today, but don’t forget your spouses!
The winners and runners up of the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon
The 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon was, like SEMA, largely a big ol’ Supra-fest. However, after the trophies were handed out there were a few highlights from the awards categories that defied convention. Like the teachers said in English class, you have to appreciate the classics. Continue reading
Posted in Tokyo Auto Salon
Tagged A80, A90, b310, Blitz, c210, century, crown, csp311, datsun, fairlady roadster, hino, hks, mazda, nissan, re amemiya, rx-7, sa22c, silvia, skyline, sunny, supra, tokyo auto salon, Top Secret, toyota, ts cup
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VIDEO: How Hiroshima’s unique past made Mazda what it is today
Mazda is celebrating its centenary this year, so expect to see a lot of historical content from them this year. The latest is a video about the company’s early history and its origins in Hiroshima, an area far removed from the Tokyo-Osaka corridor that all other Japanese carmakers operate out of. As we’ve mentioned before, Mazda’s ties to this region run deep, and this video shows how the history of Hiroshima has uniquely influenced the company. Continue reading
Japan’s postal service celebrates 50 years of the Skyline GT-R with a commemorative stamp set
On Monday Japan’s postal service released a set of commemorative stamps honoring the Nissan Skyline GT-R’s 50th anniversary. Technically, the 50th anniversary took place almost exactly one year ago, but better late than never, no? Of course, with this being a Japan Post commemorative set, it doesn’t end with just stamps. Continue reading
PIXELATED: Acura video game matches its graphics with the car’s era
We pooh-poohed Acura’s “Beat That” ad when it came out last October. A video game based on that spot, though? Well, that’s just undeniably cool. Here’s how you can play. Continue reading
QotW: What’s your most romantic JNC story?
Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, and you know you have some romantic, steamy, or downright heartbreaking stories involving a JNC and a significant other. Maybe there was a date, relationship, or marriage that turned out particularly well (or ended in spectacularly bad fashion) because of your car. Now is the time to share your tales of love.
What’s your most romantic JNC story?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “How should Mazda celebrate its 100 birthday?” Continue reading
VIDEO: Chevy’s captive import Isuzu and Suzuki turbos were the bee’s knees
The 1980s were heady times. Even the smallest econoboxes coming out of Japan had sport-ified versions lavished with tech and gear that would have seemed at home on much higher-priced sports cars. Plus, both Isuzu and Suzuki were still operating in the US, and bringing these tiny, turbocharged compacts to our shores. Even if they were badged as a Chevy, they still offered loads of fun and personality for a rock-bottom price of entry. Continue reading
MINICARS: Hot Wheels ’89 Mazda Savanna RX-7 FC3S test shot
A few months go we showed you an early prototype for one of the most exciting Hot Wheels releases for this year, Mazda’s second-generation turbo rotary flagship. According to our friends at Mattel, the official name will be ’89 Mazda Savanna RX-7 FC3S. Now, we have several photos of an early test shot in addition to those released on the Hot Wheels Dream Team Instagram account. Continue reading
Toyota brought out stock and rally Celica GT-Fours to the GR Yaris debut
The Toyota GR Yaris seems like it will be an insanely awesome hot hatch, even if its connection to the Celica GT-Four is dubious. We said it smelled like a retcon, but we have to admit, when Toyota put all four cars on the stage at Makuhari Messe for the GR Yaris’s debut, it did look downright cool. Continue reading
Posted in Tokyo Auto Salon
Tagged A90, ae86, celica, corolla, corolla levin, Dakar Rally, GR Yaris, J200, land cruiser, rally, st165, SuperGT, supra, tokyo auto salon, toyota, TS050, wrc, yaris
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The Toyota 86 Black Limited Concept could mark the model’s final edition
At the Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota had a pretty killer display that included a trio of Hachiroku. The purpose of the display was to show off a new prototype version of the Toyobaru 86 called the Black Limited Concept. For those familiar with the original AE86 from which the Toyota coupe gets its namesake, that is an extremely significant name. Continue reading
Posted in Tokyo Auto Salon
Tagged ae86, brz, corolla, corolla levin, sprinter trueno, subaru, tokyo auto salon, toyota, toyota 86
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VIDEO: Battle of the Japanese one-box vans
The sheer variety of Japan’s one-box vans are as mind-melting as their ubiquity. There are so many trims, options, and configurations that we could launch a sister site, JNV, to cover them all. Luckily, during the brief moment that they were available in the US, English-language reviewers were able to assess the American-spec versions back to back. Continue reading
QotW: How should Mazda celebrate its 100 birthday?
It’s not every day that a car company reaches 100 years of age. Of the Japanese companies still making cars today, only Daihatsu, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, and now Mazda have made it this far. It’s a momentous occasion that literally happens only once in a lifetime, if that, and deserves a celebration worthy of the moment.
How should Mazda celebrate its 100th birthday?
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 worst JNC decision you’ve ever made?” Continue reading
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Happy TA22 Day from JNC
Later this year, the original Toyota Celica will celebrate its 50th birthday. Perhaps we should paint one eye of a little red Japanese doll, set it on our shelf, and paint the other one when the Celica joins the 50 year club. Happy TA22 Day from JNC!
Here’s how Mazda celebrated its 100th anniversary
Turning 100 years old is a tremendous milestone for anyone. Mazda celebrated with an understated gathering at their headquarters in Hiroshima. The entrance was arranged with two cars from Mazda’s past, and two from its present. Around them, the lobby was filled with hundreds of white moth orchids. Continue reading
100 YEAR CLUB: Mazda, Part 01
Exactly 100 years ago today, on January 30, 1920, Toyo Cork Kogyo was founded. This company, whose name translates to Oriental Cork Industries, would go on to build cars under the name Mazda. Thus, today marks the 100th anniversary of Mazda, a storied and charismatic firm that has brought us some of history’s most memorable and beloved enthusiasts’ cars. Continue reading
MARKETWATCH: A mint Datsun 240Z has sold for $310,000
If there is one constant in the collector car market, it’s that the best cars will always find willing buyers for strong money. Exhibit A: A series-1 Datsun 240Z worthy of consideration as possibly the finest original example in the world just sold for $310,000. Continue reading
Here’s a kit to make the new Suzuki Jimny look like its great-grandfather
It should come as no surprise that the Suzuki Jimny is a popular car in Japan. It’s one of the coolest new cars you can buy there, and a vehicle whose purposeful engineering is at the core of its appeal. However, that doesn’t mean the design couldn’t use a little added fun, and at the Tokyo Auto Salon this year one company decided to go retro with it. Continue reading
Stand out from the other CEOs with a TOM’s Racing Toyota Century
You’re wealthy enough to own a Toyota Century, but you don’t want it to look like every other bank CEO’s executive coach. What to do? Well, prior to the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon, the only option was to a.) be Toyota Motor Company CEO Akio Toyoda and build your own custom GRMN Century, or b.) be born in to the Japanese royal family and get your own bespoke convertible version. Now there’s a third option, but you’d better act fast. Continue reading
Liberty Walk creates Super Silhouette-inspired R34 Skyline
The Japanese tuning house Liberty Walk has created a what they call the LB-ER34 Super Silhouette Skyline. The red-on-black paint scheme will be instantly recognizable to fans of Skyline race cars of the 1980s. Revealed at the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon, it was one of the show favorites and in true Liberty Walk fashion, held some surprises under the skin. Continue reading
Posted in tokyo auto salon
Tagged group 5, liberty walk, masahiro hasemi, nissan, r30, r34, skyline, super silhouette, tokyo auto salon
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