QotW: What would you store in a Global JNC Vault?

Posted on June 15, 2020 by Ben Hsu

On this day in 2006, construction began on the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, an international bank that stores the building blocks of important plants in case of a global catastrophe. The seeds tell the story of Earth’s flora, and is intended to last 1,000 years. What if there was a similar vault for JNCs? A place to store important items, information, and actual cars that future generations will be able to admire, learn from, and maybe even replicate so they can comprehend this one shining moment in automotive and industrial history.

What would you store in a Global JNC Vault?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What JNC from 1984 would you buy new today?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 14 Comments

The history of Toyota’s insane dealer networks, explained

Posted on June 12, 2020 by Ben Hsu

“Why does Toyota have so many dealership chains in Japan?” you may have asked yourself at some point, “And why do certain dealers sell only certain models?” It’s all very confusing. Well, as of last month, if you’re buying a Toyota in Japan, you will no longer have to go through its byzantine network of showrooms to figure out who sells what. Say goodbye to the various Netz, Toyopet, Corolla, and Toyota Store chains. At last, everything is being unified under the Toyota brand, as the last vestiges of Japan’s Bubble Era auto sales traditions dies for good. Continue reading →

Posted in Nihon Life | Tagged | 35 Comments

MOTORSPORT: Touring car classes mix it up at the 1973 Japan Grand Prix

Posted on June 11, 2020 by Ben Hsu

While open-wheeled cars were the main event at the 1973 Japan Grand Prix, the supporting Touring Car races were where the action was. Take the TS-a class, for example. Here were racers based on cars that anyone could afford. Nissan Cherrys and Sunnys, Toyota Celicas, Corollas, and Publica Starlets. Continue reading →

Posted in motorsport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

MINICARS: Peep this incredible 1:64 scale Japanese parking garage

Posted on June 10, 2020 by Ben Hsu

We’ve mentioned before that the Chinese website AliExpress is great for finding weird gems of miniature car greatness. Take this Japanese-style parking garage for 1:64-scale diecast cars, for example. The two-story playset looks like the type of scene where street racers would gather at night before a blast on the Wangan or Shuto. Continue reading →

Posted in minicars | Tagged | 10 Comments

Happy 610 Day from JNC

Posted on June 10, 2020 by Dan Hsu

You have a Bluebird Wagon. You have a set of Enkei Bajas, turbine-looking wheels with Datsun fitment. Might as well lift the rear end up in the air to get that 70s funny car look! Happy 610 Day from JNC!

Posted in Holidays | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

SHOWA SNAP: Everyone come see the brand new 1966 Toyota Corolla

Posted on June 9, 2020 by Ben Hsu

The debut of the Toyota Corolla was a big deal in 1966. Though, it’s quite likely that even Toyota didn’t know how big of a deal the new model would be. The idea was a small but sporty compact that would slot between the Publica and Corona, but no one could have predicted that it would by 1974 become the world’s best selling car model and by 1997 break the Guinness world record for sales, outselling the VW Beetle. Did any of the salarymen passing this new Corolla display know the success they were gazing upon? Would they, as old men seeing “Corolla” become a household word around the globe recall, “I saw the first one on the way to work in 1968.”? Continue reading →

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Mississippi man saves total stranger’s Mazda RX-7 from flooding

Posted on June 9, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Here’s an uplifting story, centered around something we can all agree on: love for the FD3S Mazda RX-7. Mississippi has been hit hard by Tropical Storm Cristobal. During the storm, someone posted on Facebook photos of an orange FD parked on the bottom floor of a flooded parking garage, already up to its rocker panels in water. That’s when Gulfport resident and Japanese car fan Austin Owens leapt into action, even though he had no idea who the owner was. Continue reading →

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VIDEO: This is why there’s a drift tax

Posted on June 8, 2020 by Ryan Senensky

RIP to the fallen.

If the video doesn’t work, click here.

Posted in motorsports | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

QotW: What JNC from 1984 would you buy new today?

Posted on June 8, 2020 by Ben Hsu

On June 8, 1949 George Orwell published his seminal dystopian work 1984. It’s an excellent book everyone should read, even though I don’t recall any cars being in it. Luckily, the real 1984 had quite a few cars, especially a rich selection from Japan in the midst of the Bubble Economy. Let’s say you have a flatbed-sized time machine that can carry one car back to the present.

What JNC from 1984 would you buy new today?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What are your thoughts, hopes, and fears for the new Z?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged , , | 24 Comments

KIDNEY, ANYONE? A Honda Civic Si has sold for $50,000

Posted on June 5, 2020 by Ben Hsu

It was just a few short years ago that two low-mileage EM1 Honda Civic Si coupes sold for a just under $25,000. Turns out, that was an excellent investment because their values have just jumped up quite a bit. Today, another one sold for $50,000, and in fact, when you add on the auction fees, it actually adds up to $52,500. Continue reading →

Posted in marketwatch | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

A Honda-themed race track built entirely out of Legos

Posted on June 5, 2020 by Dan Hsu

Honda Australia has created, out of Legos, an entire racetrack populated with Hondas old and new. Called “Mount Hondarama,” it’s a replica of Mount Panorama, also known as Bathurst. While Lego Civic Type Rs race around by radio control, other Hondas dot the landscape, including everything from a Honda lawn mower to a first-gen Civic to the HondaJet. Continue reading →

Posted in minicars | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

SHOWA SNAP: Akihabara, Tokyo, circa 1971

Posted on June 4, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Akihabara, also known as Electric Town, is Tokyo’s epicenter of electronics, old school video arcades, and hobby shops with enough miniature cars to fill an ocean. Back in 1971, it wasn’t quite the otaku paradise yet, with Meiji Era buildings advertising Sanyo color televisions and electrical cables criss-crossing the sky. For comparison, here’s what this area, where the Mansei Bridge crosses the Kanda River, looks like today. The parapet is still there to the left, but everything else is gone. Sadly, that includes the S50 Toyota Crowns, first-gen Mitsubishi Galants, and Hakosuka Skyline Vans rumbling down the street.

Image: 2ch.

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Canada’s supply of the limited edition Phoenix Yellow Civic Type R sold out in less than four minutes

Posted on June 4, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Back in February Honda announced that it was bringing back the iconic Phoenix Yellow to the 2021 Honda Civic Type R. The special edition color, along with a 46-pound diet, would be limited to 1,020 worldwide. If pre-orders in Canada are any indication, it will be in pretty high demand. Apparently, our northern neighbors’ allotment of 100 was sold out in less than four minutes. Continue reading →

Posted in News | 1 Comment

The upcoming Mazda 3 Turbo is essentially a Mazdaspeed 3 without the name

Posted on June 3, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Despite repeated denials by Mazda, about a year ago we predicted that the company would come out with a turbocharged Mazda 3. It looks like that is indeed happening, as indicated by leaked codes from Mazda’s dealership extranet system. Essentially, it’s a new Mazdaspeed 3 in everything but the name.  Continue reading →

Posted in News | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

A Nissan Skyline GT-R has been lovingly restored… by Toyota

Posted on June 3, 2020 by Ben Hsu

The world is utterly divided and in turmoil right now, so this is exactly the kind of story we need. Recently, an R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R was restored by expert mechanics as part of their duties for one of Japan’s largest car companies. Except, the company wasn’t Nissan. It was their age-old rival, Toyota. Continue reading →

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MINICARS: Diecast Racing League is the best sport to watch during quarantine

Posted on June 2, 2020 by Dan Hsu

Actual motorsports might be on hiatus while the coronavirus quarantine is in effect, but that doesn’t mean all auto racing has to grind to a halt. Turns out, there’s a thriving community of drivers who compete in diecast cars. The Diecast Racing League takes place on a variety of 3D-printed courses, all gravity fed and laser-timed. It’s incredibly staged, with March Madness-style brackets, lap records, and even announcers calling the action. Continue reading →

Posted in minicars | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Happy 86th Birthday, Nissan!

Posted on June 1, 2020 by Dan Hsu

On this day in 1934, Nissan as we know today was founded. To be fair, the companies that combined to form it were established long before. However, it was the 1933 merger of Kwaishinsha Motorcar Works established in 1911, Jitsuyo Jidosha Seizo established in 1919, and Tobata Casting Co. established in 1910, that ushered in the new era as Nissan Motor Company.

We’ve been talking a lot about Nissan’s uncertain future as the company faces financial hardships. But with unveiled a plan to weather the coming years, announced just last week and headlined by a new Z, it certainly feels like there’s another new era is coming. Happy 86th birthday, Nissan; here’s to many more.

Posted in Holidays | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

QotW: What are your thoughts, hopes, and fears for the new Z?

Posted on June 1, 2020 by Ben Hsu

After teasing us for a decade plus, last week Nissan made it official. There will indeed be a seventh generation Z. That’s great news for car enthusiasts, especially in this day and age where sports cars are an endangered species. We should be grateful, but we know that the Z name comes a whole lot of baggage: expectations, fanfare, countless online debates. With what little we know so far:

What are your thoughts, hopes, and fears about the next Z?

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 best inexpensive Japanese off-roader?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

Happy S30 Day from JNC

Posted on May 30, 2020 by Dan Hsu

We need to take a quick poll, guys. Today is May 30, or 5/30, or S30 in leet speak. So, a day to celebrate the first-generation Nissan Fairlady Z, then? However, in some corners of Z fandom S30 day is celebrated on the last day of September, or “S 30,” which is just as valid! Which day should we celebrate the gloriousness of Nissan’s game-changing sports car?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

OH, KEI! The Jimny Santa Monica was a cute beach cruiser based on Suzuki’s mini-4×4

Posted on May 29, 2020 by Ben Hsu

With summer is upon us, so are dreams of beachside cruising. In the history of kei cars, there was perhaps no vehicle more fitting for that purpose than the Jimny Santa Monica (it’s right there in the name!). Built upon the second-generation (1984-1990) Suzuki Jimny, it replaced the body with a composite, door-less dune buggy-ish body. Sadly, they are also increasingly rare. It’s estimated that surviving Santa Monicas number only in the single digits. Continue reading →

Posted in kei | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments