Japanese Nostalgic Car

QotW: What should we do about the manual transmission?

Posted on December 2, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged QotW | 33 Comments

VIDEO: The Toyota Camry Wagon is the quintessential family car

Posted on November 29, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 →

Posted in Video | Tagged camry, Motorweek, toyota, V30, wagons | 4 Comments

Japanese Classic Car Show 2019: Upping the Game and Best in Show

Posted on November 27, 2019 by Dan Hsu

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 | 5 Comments

See some rare Showa Era trucks at Mega Web right now

Posted on November 27, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 | 6 Comments

TUNE UP: An A60 Toyota Celica stars in Beck’s “Dark Places” video

Posted on November 26, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 →

Posted in Tune Up | Tagged a60, celica, toyota | 3 Comments

MINICARS: Nissan and Lego team up for an official GT-R set

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Ricky Silverio

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 →

Posted in minicars | Tagged gt-r, lego, nissan, r35 | Leave a comment

QotW: What job well done are you thankful for?

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged QotW | 6 Comments

Happy Evolution Day from JNC

Posted on November 24, 2019 by Dan Hsu

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 | 2 Comments

VIDEO: The Toyota Land Cruiser helped build Australia

Posted on November 22, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 | 1 Comment

VIDEO: The Mitsubishi Galant GSX offered AWD in a sporty sedan package

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged galant, mitsubishi, Motorweek | 6 Comments

VIDEO: Nissan gets the whole family together to celebrate 50 years of GT-R and Z

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 240Z/260Z/280Z, 280zx, 300zx, 350z, 370z, c10, c110, datsun, fairlady z, gt-r, Hakosuka, kenmeri, nissan, r32, r33, r34, r35, s130, s30 z, skyline, z31, z32, z33, z34 | 10 Comments

PIXELATED: Toyota Returns To Video Games in Forza Horizon 4

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Ryan Senensky

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 →

Posted in Video Games | Tagged A80, forza, supra, toyota, video games | 4 Comments

New cell phone carrier commercial features Datsun 240Z

Posted on November 19, 2019 by Dan Hsu

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 →

Posted in cm | Tagged 240z, datsun, nissan, s30 z | 3 Comments

MINICARS: Return of the Hot Wheels Supra

Posted on November 19, 2019 by Ricky Silverio

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 →

Posted in minicars | Tagged A80, hot wheels, supra, toyota | 13 Comments

VIDEO: Honda’s early F1 years, told in manga form

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Ben Hsu

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 →

Posted in manga, Video | Tagged formula 1, honda, ra272, soichiro honda | 3 Comments

QotW: What should be inducted into the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame next?

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Dan Hsu

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 →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged QotW | 10 Comments

Japanese Classic Car Show 2019, Part 09: Trucks, Vans, and Wagons

Posted on November 15, 2019 by Dan Hsu

We have arrived at what could be our favorite part of JCCS, the vans, trucks, SUVs, and wagons. And now, in addition to seeing amazing US-market builds of such cars, their Japan-market counterparts are flooding in. No longer are the importers solely focusing on GT-Rs and Figaros. Here are the best Japanese haulers of JCCS. Continue reading →

Posted in events | Tagged 510, 521, 620, Blizzard, bluebird, corolla, corona, crown, daihatsu, datsun, dodge, e30, fj40, forte, H100, hiace, hilux, honda, J60, J80, jccs, land cruiser, Life StepVan, mazda, mitsubishi, montero, n10, N20, N30, nissan, pajero, Pajero Evolution, repu, s130, stout, t80, Taft, toyota, trucks, vans, wagons | 4 Comments

NEWS: NA Mazda Roadster, Mitsubishi Model A inducted into Japan Automotive Hall of Fame

Posted on November 15, 2019 by Ben Hsu

The 2019 inductees for the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame have been announced. The ceremony took place earlier this month, welcoming four historically significant vehicles and three important individuals for their impact and contributions to Japan’s automotive industry. Continue reading →

Posted in News | Tagged B1500, B360, carol, elf, eunos roadster, isuzu, japan automotive hall of fame, k360, kawasaki, Kawasaki Z1, kei, KZ1300, mazda, miata, mitsubishi, mitsubishi model a, motorcycles, MX5, r360, Silver Pigeon, SR400, t2000, yamaha | 1 Comment

SEMA 2019: Honda had the best booth of the show, and there was even a Chevy in it

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Ben Hsu

There used to be tons of Japanese manufacturers at SEMA. One by one, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Mazda, and Lexus have all pulled out. And in a year that marked the 50th anniversary of Nissan’s two most beloved models and the second coming of the Toyota Supra, it was little ol’ Honda that had the best display. Their booth was stacked with cool vehicles old and new, two-wheeled and four. Continue reading →

Posted in events | Tagged acura, cb160, civic, EM1, honda, Honda N-Series, Monkey 125, NA1, nsx, s800, super cub, Type S Concept | 4 Comments

SEMA SPOTLIGHT: Daniel Wu’s show-stopping Honda S800

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Ben Hsu

Even with countless companies spending big bucks, it’s hard to find anything truly stunning at SEMA anymore. The race to outdo each other and grab eyeballs, has resulted in some high-dollar builds, but when everything is extreme, nothing is. It’s been years since we were shocked, in a good way, and this year it was all due to Daniel Wu’s 1968 Honda Sports 800. Continue reading →

Posted in Spotlight | Tagged Chinpira, Daniel Wu, honda, s800, sema | 6 Comments