For 2020, the Japan Historics series returns to Hot Wheels’ premium line with three all-new castings and metal-base versions of two popular models. The beautiful five-car series continues to fill in the gaps of Japan’s automotive history with a distinctively Hot Wheels twist, and if these prototypes are any indication, they will be flying off the pegs. Continue reading
MINICARS: Hot Wheels Japan Historics 3
Posted in Hot Wheels, minicars
Tagged b120, city, cosmo sport, csp311, datsun, dr30, honda, hot wheels, Japan Historics, mazda, nissan, r30, silvia, skyline, sunny truck
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TUNE UP: “Toyota Man” is an actual song by Indian Neon
You can imagine our joy when we discovered that there was an actual song called “Toyota Man.” Unfortunately, upon further research, the new release by Neon Indian doesn’t really have much to do with Toyotas at all, even if the video features a snazzy red A70 Supra throughout. Continue reading
The Shoei NXR Zork TC-7 is the raddest helmet
We don’t often write about motorcycle helmets here on JNC, but when one comes along that is this striking, it’s hard to ignore. For 2020, Shoei is releasing a version of their popular NXR helmet slathered with 80s-inspired graphics, and it is called the Zork. Continue reading
VIDEO: How Japan’s best-selling compacts stacked up against the Ford Pinto
Here is a 1977 Ford commercial that is great on several accounts. First, it pits a Pinto against the best-selling Japanese compacts, which include an E30 Toyota Corolla, first-gen Honda Civic, and Datsun B210 (Honey Bee!). Second, it has none other than three-time Formula 1 champion Jackie Stewart shilling for the Pinto. Continue reading
QotW: What should we do about the manual transmission?
Last month, a turning point in automotive history was reached when electric vehicles outsold ones with manual transmissions. According to JD Power, stick-shifts accounted for 1.1 percent of new cars sold in America, while EVs accounted for 1.9 percent. The future looks bleak for the standard trans, indeed. Should we try to preserve this disappearing skill? Just enjoy it while we can? Welcome the march of technology?
What should we do about the manual transmission?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What job well done are you thankful for?” Continue reading
VIDEO: The Toyota Camry Wagon is the quintessential family car
We hope everyone is having a good Thanksgiving. Holidays, family get-togethers, road trips. These are the domain of the station wagon, and what better steed for the occasion than the longroof version of the 1992 Toyota Camry? The third-generation clan carrier was one of the sleekest wagons to come out of the 90s, but this contemporary Motorweek review disagreed vehemently. Here’s how a Camry Wagon was viewed at the time of its launch. Continue reading
Japanese Classic Car Show 2019: Upping the Game and Best in Show
We are 60 percent of the way to the point where the JCCS itself, if it were a car, would be eligible for classic status. In its 15 years in existence, the Japanese Classic Car Show has grown from a small gathering of anything-goes “old cars” to a summit of the best examples of Nihon steel available in the US. It’s taken us a long time to get here, but we think the cars are worth it. Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged 240z, 280zx, 300zx, 410/411, 510, a10, a20, a60, a70, Accord 1G, ae86, aw11, b110, b210, bluebird, carina, celica, corolla, datsun, datsun 1200, dc2, del Sol, e20, e30, e70, fairlady roadster, fc3s, fd3s, fj cruiser, honda, Honda N-Series, integra, Integra Type R, japanese classic car show, kp61, L10, Legend 2g, mazda, mr2, nissan, Prelude 3g, rx-2, rx-3, rx-7, s130, s30 z, sa22, starlet, sunny, supra, T160, te27, tercel, toyota, toyota 86, z31
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See some rare Showa Era trucks at Mega Web right now
If you’ve been to Tokyo you’ve likely visited MegaWeb, Toyota’s showroom in the Odaiba shopping district. The History Garage section has a rotating collection of classics, and typically you’ll be able to see a Toyota Sports 800, Mazda Cosmo Sport, Hakosuka Skyline, and more. And while seeing a Toyota 2000GT is nice, if you go right now you’ll be treated to a display of even rarer vehicles — trucks of the Showa Era. Continue reading
Posted in Galleries
Tagged 3-wheeled truck, corona, daihatsu, datsun, datsun 220, honda, Honda T-Series, mazda, midget, nissan, Ohta, T20, toyoace, toyota, trucks
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TUNE UP: An A60 Toyota Celica stars in Beck’s “Dark Places” video
There’s definitely some 80s vibes going on in Beck’s new song “Dark Places,” off the album Hyperspace, which just dropped November 22. Lingering shots of the Los Angeles skyline, distant highway lights, and a woman driving a red A60 Toyota Celica make up the tableau of the moody video. Continue reading
MINICARS: Nissan and Lego team up for an official GT-R set
In a 30-minute press conference in Yokohama this morning, Nissan announced a new licensing partnership with Lego. The first car to appear in the collaboration will be the GT-R NISMO, which will appear in the Lego Speed Champion series. In fact, it will help kick off a new format in the Lego Speed Champions line, which will now feature more detail and pieces than before. Continue reading
QotW: What job well done are you thankful for?
Japan obviously doesn’t celebrate the same Thanksgiving Day as the US, but there’s a very similar holiday in Japan that occurs on November 23 each year. Labor Thanksgiving Day, or Kinrōkanshanohi, has its roots in a harvest festival, but in modern times honors workers and their role in society. Though many JNCers are do-it-yourselfers, there are always things we need help with, whether it’s from a tradesman, a good buddy, or the creator of some obscure part with which your project would otherwise be incomplete.
What job well done are you thankful for?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What should be inducted into the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame next?” Continue reading
Happy Evolution Day from JNC
We don’t think Charles Darwin had flying Mitsubishis in mind when he published On the Origin of Species in 1859, but nevertheless, here we are, 160 years later, to celebrate Evolution Day. All our ancestors were running across the savanna at one point in time or another. Some were just faster than others.
Posted in Uncategorized
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VIDEO: The Toyota Land Cruiser helped build Australia
Toyota Australia is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and the company is celebrating the brand’s early years in the country. The back story starts with the Snowy Mountains Scheme, Australia’s largest construction project. With seven power stations, 16 large dams, and 140 miles of tunnels, it took 25 years to complete. Toyota’s involvement began in 1958, about midway through its construction, when Leslie Theiss, owner of the company tasked with building the massive infrastructure project, privately imported 12 Land Cruisers to use on site. Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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VIDEO: The Mitsubishi Galant GSX offered AWD in a sporty sedan package
Everyone remembers the Eclipse GSX, Mitsubishi’s wildly popular sports coupe. Everyone also remembers the Galant VR-4, their rally-bred, turbocharged, AWD sedan. Before that arrived, however, Mitsubishi also offered a car that we almost forgot existed: the Galant GSX. Continue reading
VIDEO: Nissan gets the whole family together to celebrate 50 years of GT-R and Z
As regular JNC readers know, 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Nissan GT-R and the Nissan Fairlady Z. The GT-R debuted on February 21, 1969 and the Fairlady Z debuted on October 18, 1969. Nissan has released two videos honoring these iconic models, showing every generation taking to the track. Continue reading
PIXELATED: Toyota Returns To Video Games in Forza Horizon 4
It’s official. Hot on the heels of a return to Hot Wheels’ lineup, Toyota is coming back to video games on December 12th with an update to Forza Horizon 4. After reportedly pulling their licensing out of video games that “promote street racing,” Toyota has reversed course and are beginning to allow video game companies to use their cars again. What is equally important about this news, however, is what car they chose to start with. Continue reading
New cell phone carrier commercial features Datsun 240Z
A new commercial for cellphone carrier Boost Mobile features a nice, lightly modified Datsun sports car. The rest of the spot features music, a lot of sweet moves, and someone maybe named Pitbull? We don’t know, we’re old, like that guy quietly polishing his 240Z. Continue reading
MINICARS: Return of the Hot Wheels Supra
The Supra is back, and we aren’t talking about the A90. Instead, we’re referring to the the sleek A80 Hot Wheels casting. It, along with all other Toyota castings, from the popular toy lineup, has taken a hiatus but now it’s making a return, and we think this is great news for both Hot Wheels and Toyota. Continue reading
VIDEO: Honda’s early F1 years, told in manga form
Honda periodically releases videos that tell its history in manga form. The latest is about Honda’s early years competing in Formula One. In 1964, just two years after Honda produced its first cars, it formed an team to take on the world’s best. As history shows, Honda did emerge victorious in 1965, but getting there was a tremendous uphill battle. Continue reading
QotW: What should be inducted into the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame next?
There are actually surprisingly few cars in the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame. The Mazda Roadster/Miata was just inducted, and the Toyota Corolla was welcomed last year, but the list is still pretty short. There can be many reasons for a car to deserve a spot. A pure and consistent sports car like the Mazda is appealing to enthusiasts, but the Corolla has put more people on the road than any other model in history. The JAHoF takes motorcycles, commercial vehicles and notable individuals too. What would you nominate, and why?
What should be inducted into the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame next?
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 last car you will ever own?” Continue reading
