QotW: How should Mazda celebrate its 100 birthday?

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Ben Hsu

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

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Ben Hsu

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!

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Here’s how Mazda celebrated its 100th anniversary

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Ben Hsu

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 →

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100 YEAR CLUB: Mazda, Part 01

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Dave Yuan

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 →

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MARKETWATCH: A mint Datsun 240Z has sold for $310,000

Posted on January 29, 2020 by Patrick Strong

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 →

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Here’s a kit to make the new Suzuki Jimny look like its great-grandfather

Posted on January 29, 2020 by Ben Hsu

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 →

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Stand out from the other CEOs with a TOM’s Racing Toyota Century

Posted on January 28, 2020 by Ben Hsu

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 →

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Liberty Walk creates Super Silhouette-inspired R34 Skyline

Posted on January 27, 2020 by Ben Hsu

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 →

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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 →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 22 Comments

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 →

Posted in marketwatch | 4 Comments

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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