QotW: What’s the worst JNC decision you’ve ever made?

Posted on January 27, 2020 by Ben Hsu

They say hindsight is 2020. It’s also the year 2020, so it’s time to reflect on some of the mistakes we’ve made and save others from the same fate. Is it getting in over your head in on a project car? Or perhaps letting that rare car/part/collectible get away? Or maybe the time you forgot to fully remove the jackstand from under the car before lowering it and denting the rocker panel (you know, just as an example).

What’s the worst JNC decision you’ve ever made?

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 greatest JNC dream?” Continue reading →

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Civic Type R’s chief engineer’s love for cars began with a toy Toyota Celica

Posted on January 24, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Last week Tomica announced for its 50th anniversary that it would be collaborating with several Japanese carmakers for special edition toy cars. One of them was Honda, represented by the new FK8 Civic Type R. At the press conference Hideki Kakinuma, the chief engineer of Honda’s scorching hot hatch took the opportunity to describe how he fell in love with cars in the first place. Turns out, it was all due to a first-gen Toyota Celica Liftback. Continue reading →

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VIDEO: Even a shift to front-wheel-drive couldn’t slow down the Toyota Celica GT-S

Posted on January 23, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Looking back now, the Toyota Celica’s switch from rear- to front-wheel-drive may seem like a let-down. Back in 1986, though, FF was seen as modern and the fourth-generation Celica’s performance was affected by the shift. In fact, it continued to rank tops in its class of lightweight sports coupes. Continue reading →

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VIDEO: If you’re in St Louis check out this great Honda museum

Posted on January 23, 2020 by Ben Hsu

The Mungenast Classic Museum in St. Louis, Missouri is what we all hope our collections look like when we pass on. Founded by Dave Mungenast, a man described as a Green Beret, stuntman, American Motorcycle Association hall-of-famer, and car dealer, it’s a shrine to his life’s work and a showcase of the countless cars, motorcycles, and memorabilia he collected over the decades. Continue reading →

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MINICARS: Stay in this Tomica-themed hotel room in Japan

Posted on January 22, 2020 by Ricky Silverio

To coincide with 50th anniversary of Japan’s favorite toy cars, a hotel in Tokyo has created a Tomica-themed room that kids (and presumably adults, too) can stay in. The hotel is the Maihama First Resort overlooking Tokyo Bay and is part of Tokyo Disneyland. The partnership with Tomica fills the room with Tomica decorations, bed sheets and pillows, and a display of actual Tomica vehicles along the back wall. Continue reading →

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MARKETWATCH: The reason why so many kaido racers run Olio Fiat stickers sold for $319,000

Posted on January 21, 2020 by Ricky Silverio

There were several significant classics and performance cars that crossed the auction block at the BH Auctions last week, but there is one more machine worth mentioning. The LM07 Toyota Group C race car wasn’t particularly successful, but it kicked off a tradition in one of Japan’s most unique car cultures that lasts till this day. If you’ve ever wondered why so many kaido racers run Olio Fiat logos on their cars, you’re looking at the reason. Continue reading →

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QotW: What’s your greatest JNC dream?

Posted on January 20, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Do you have a dream of unlimited parking for a real life Gran Turismo garage? Do you have a dream that one day all parts, no matter how obscure, will be offered in the heritage catalogs of every carmaker? Do you have a dream that the descendants of GT-Rs and the descendants of rotary-engined Mazdas will drive together (because the companies will continue to make them for geneerations to come)? On a day marked by dreams, tell us:

What’s your greatest JNC dream?

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 Japanese car from 1995?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 15 Comments

Next Nissan Z design to have heritage cues

Posted on January 17, 2020 by Ben Hsu

There’s some scuttlebutt going around about how the next-generation Nissan Z will have heritage-inspired design cues. First of all, hallelujah! Zed-heads and sports car fans in general should be thrilled that there will be a next-generation Z. Secondly, the heritage design cues are said to be hearken back to both the original S30 Z and the Z32. Continue reading →

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MARKETWATCH: These are the recently auctioned Skyline GT-Rs we would want

Posted on January 17, 2020 by Ricky Silverio

We wouldn’t kick a half-million-dollar Kenmeri out of our garages, but when it comes to Skyline GT-Rs that really get our juices flowing, it’s the ones at the Tokyo Auto Salon auctions. This year, there were two very special examples that are essentially once-in-a-lifetime chances representing the best of two eras of Japanese motoring. Continue reading →

Posted in marketwatch | 5 Comments

Happy 117 Day from JNC

Posted on January 17, 2020 by Dan Hsu

The New Year Meeting is no more, sadly, but back when times were headier an Isuzu 117 was the way to exit in style. Happy 117 Day from JNC!

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MARKETWATCH: Good condition Skyline GT-Rs are way past the quarter million mark

Posted on January 16, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Last weekend, at the same event that saw a Nissan Fairlady Z432-R sell for over $800,000, several S20 siblings traded hands for significant sums as well. Nissan Skyline GT-Rs of both Hakosuka and Kenmeri generations are seeing increased interest at classic car auction. While these sale prices are nothing new when it comes to sales in Japan, the amounts still serve as a public marker for the values of Nissan’s flagship performance machines. Continue reading →

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MINICARS: Tomica collaborates with carmakers for 50th anniversary

Posted on January 15, 2020 by Ricky Silverio

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Tomica, Japan’s favorite diecast metal cars. The childhood toy of almost every car aficionado in Japan, they are as imprinted onto the minds of enthusiasts there as Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars are in the US and UK. To commemorate the occasion, Tomica has a number of activities planned. At a press conference yesterday, they announced collaborations with three actual carmakers. Continue reading →

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Honda S2000 20th prototype shown at Tokyo Auto Salon

Posted on January 15, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Last weekend Honda unveiled its S2000 20th Anniversary at the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon. Man, that’s a lot of twos and zeroes. The car exhibited several minor changes, mostly subtle and cosmetic, that kept true to the original design. Continue reading →

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MARKETWATCH: A Nissan Fairlady Z432-R has sold for over $800,000

Posted on January 14, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Over the weekend a Nissan Fairlady Z432-R sold for ¥88.55 million, or $804,600 or so at current exchange rates. That makes it the most expensive S30 Z — and one of the most expensive Japanese cars, period — ever sold at auction. Given the history of the model, however, perhaps that shouldn’t be surprising. Continue reading →

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VIDEO: The year 2000 was still a great year for Japanese sports cars

Posted on January 13, 2020 by Ben Hsu

In the US, we often think of the late 1990s as when the good times came to an end. The flagship Japanese sports cars had left the US market, and automakers began building cars to the preferences of local markets, meaning once fun but practical choices started to get dumbed down for the average commuter. However, in Japan, even though the bubble economy had burst, many golden age sports cars continued production through Y2K. Continue reading →

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QotW: What’s your favorite Japanese car from 1995?

Posted on January 13, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Today is Coming of Age Day in Japan, the day when all those who turn 20 years old between April 2 of the previous year and April 1 of the current one officially become adults. It’s fitting, because as is the custom when we change our calendars, our QotW is all about the cars that pass the 25-year threshold to become official classics. For 2020, that marker is 1995, the year of Braveheart in theaters, Chrono Trigger on the Super Nintendo, and Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise” blaring from every double-DIN head unit. That’s right, cars from the year that eBay launched are now importable into the US, eligible for historic plates, and qualify for classic car insurance. Tell us why you picked what you did.

What’s your favorite Japanese car from 1995?

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 JNC New Year’s resolution?” Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 13 Comments

RIP Yoshikazu Sunako, 1932 — 2020

Posted on January 11, 2020 by Ben Hsu

It was announced yesterday that on January 3, 2020, racing driver Yoshikazu Sunako passed away at the age of 87. The former Prince and Nissan works driver was a pioneer during the nascent years of Japan’s motorsports scene, perhaps most known for helping kick start the legend of the Skyline. Sunako came in second at the 1964 Japan Grand Prix driving his blue No.39 Prince Skyline 2000GT, a family saloon stretched to accommodate the straight-six engine of a Prince Gloria, and sent into battle against a purpose-built Porsche 904 Carrera GTS. Continue reading →

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Toyota says the GR Yaris is a Celica GT-Four successor

Posted on January 10, 2020 by Ben Hsu

At the Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota has debuted a new hot hatch that it says is the spiritual successor to the almighty Celica GT-Four. While that claim does raise an eyebrow, the GR Yaris is a potent machine that could have hailed from the Bubble Era. It’s based off of Toyota’s World Rally Championship entrant like the Celica before it, and has dazzling specs for a compact. Continue reading →

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Happy Kenmeri Day from JNC

Posted on January 10, 2020 by Dan Hsu

It’s Kenmeri Day, the holiday where you take a road trip with your significant other to a deserted field and frolic through the grass for no reason. Enjoy!

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Toyota’s Supra Heritage Parts Program will be offered in the US

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Last May Toyota became the latest Japanese carmaker to announce a heritage parts program, starting off with items for the Supra. Just hours ago, Toyota announced that not only is the program kicking off this spring, but that it will extend overseas. What’s more, the company has released a list of initial parts that will be offered. Continue reading →

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