QotW: What modern car will be a collectible JNC 25 years from now?

Posted on July 22, 2019 by Ben Hsu

Owners of classics love to complain about new cars. Not enough soul, too much tech, not enough value, too much weight, and so on. But, there are perhaps a few offerings that you would like to own, maybe even deem worthy of keeping for posterity. For the purposes of this question, we’ll define “modern” as being made in the last five years.

What modern car will be a collectible JNC 25 years from now?

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 longest road trip you’ve taken with your JNC?” Continue reading →

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JNC THEATER: Tom Cruise uncovers his old Kawasaki Ninja in Top Gun: Maverick trailer

Posted on July 19, 2019 by Dan Hsu

The surprise dropping of the trailer for the upcoming Top Gun: Maverick has given fans of Japanese nostalgic motorcycles a cool throwback to the 80s. In one scene, Tom Cruise’s character whips the cover off his old bike, a Kawasaki GPZ900R, otherwise known as the original Ninja. It was a fitting steed for Cruise’s Lt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, because at the time it was the fastest production ever made. Continue reading →

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MINICARS: Hot Wheels X JNC Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R

Posted on July 19, 2019 by Ricky Silverio

We at JNC are proud to announce the next Hot Wheels car to bear our logo, the legendary R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R. This is the first casting beyond the chrome-bumper era to wear the mark, and we couldn’t think of a better car to represent the 80s and 90s era of JNCs. Continue reading →

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BIKES: Japan kicks off high-end collector motorcycle auctions

Posted on July 18, 2019 by Dan Hsu

We at JNC certainly love our classic Japanese cars, but Japan’s true technological tour de force came on two wheels. The design, engineering, and performance of Japanese bikes had an even bigger impact on the motorcycling world than that of Japanese cars on the automotive world. It was only a matter of time that collectible classic and racing bikes would get their turn on the auction block. Continue reading →

Posted in Motorcycles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

NEWS: Mazda might have a sporty 3 in the works

Posted on July 17, 2019 by Dave Yuan

Mazda has trademarked a bunch of new model names in Europe, including one that might herald a sub-Miata sports offering: MX-30. The name recalls the sporty MX-3 hatchback of the 90s, which was sold in Japan as the Eunos Presso and Autozam AZ3. However, we think it might be something Mazdafarians are clamoring even more for. Continue reading →

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VIDEO: Jay Leno compares a new Honda Cub with the original

Posted on July 16, 2019 by Ben Hsu

When it comes to Japanese vehicles, Jay Leno’s Garage has been most entertaining when they’ve been about Honda bikes. The host has a true affinity for them in a way that’s not always there when he’s talking about, say, a Toyota Supra. It also doesn’t hurt that his first bike was a Honda, and is of the generation when Hondas entered the US market and transformed the face of motorcycling in America forever. Continue reading →

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KIDNEY, ANYONE? 660-mile Nissan 300ZX 50th Anniversary

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Ryan Senensky

What if you were offered the lowest mileage Z31 300ZX Turbo 50th Anniversary edition that you’ve ever seen? The good news is that it’s fully optioned out and perfectly preserved. The bad news is that it’s fully optioned out and perfectly preserved. Continue reading →

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QotW: What’s the longest road trip you’ve taken with your JNC?

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Ben Hsu

Summer is a time for road trips, and there is perhaps no greater reward in life than making a journey in a car that you’ve built yourself, or cared for lovingly, or when even your timely arrival is not guaranteed. Having made several 1,00o-mile expeditions in Toyotae of varying age, I can tell you that even with ToMoCo’s vaunted reputation for reliability, when you’re talking about decades-old cars such trips are an excellent way to learn intimate details about your car and yourself. It’s a beautiful thing.

What’s the longest road trip you’ve taken with your JNC?

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 summer plans with your JNC?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 9 Comments

PARTS GUIDE: Yokohama re-issues GT Special Classic tire

Posted on July 12, 2019 by Dan Hsu

Yokohama Tire has announced the GT Special Classic, a re-issue of its iconic sports radial tire from 1967. Developed in response to the expansion of Japan’s expressway system in the mid-1960s and the rise of performance cars, the original Yokohama GT Special Y350 was key in advancing Japan out of the bias-ply age. Continue reading →

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Celebrating 40 years of Toyota Racing Development USA

Posted on July 11, 2019 by Ben Hsu

These days TRD USA’s primary focus is with NASCAR and dressing up some trucks, but back in the 80s and 90s, it was a Toyotaku’s dream come true.  Founded in 1979, it’s celebrating its 40th anniversary and looking back at some of its humble origins. “It’s the story about this quirky, little, aftermarket, southern California speed shop for Toyotas,” says current TRD USA president David Wilson. “Literally a couple of lifts out back, and, instead of hot-rodding Mustangs and Camaros, it was Celicas and Supras.” Continue reading →

Posted in History Lesson | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

VIDEO: A tour of Nissan’s Zama warehouse

Posted on July 10, 2019 by Ben Hsu

Nissan’s Zama warehouse is a 400-plus collection of historic, racing and concept cars, a living catalog of the company’s long history. It used to be closed to the public, and only those with a special invitation could see the cars. Some say it was because Nissan insiders wanted to keep a low profile, fearing that Carlos Ghosn, the president nicknamed “Le Cost Killer” would see the collection as a waste of money during Nissan’s recovery from near-bankruptcy and sell off all the cars. Continue reading →

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Happy 710 Day from JNC

Posted on July 10, 2019 by Dan Hsu

The Datsun 710 isn’t as revered as some of its ancestors, but let’s not forget, they were formidable race cars too. Happy 710 Day from JNC!

 

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KIDNEY, ANYONE? The Corolla that started it all

Posted on July 9, 2019 by Ben Hsu

The Toyota Corolla is the best selling nameplate in automotive history. It’s a household name, recognizable around the world to car enthusiast and normie alike, and has been produced for 12 generations and 53 years consecutively.  Go back to its humble beginnings to find what kickstarted it all, and you’ll find an E10 just like the one currently being offered for sale in Orlando, Florida. Continue reading →

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VIDEO: Jay Leno drives another Datsun 510

Posted on July 8, 2019 by Ben Hsu

On the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, the host welcomes the prototypical hot rod for our generation. Leno mentions that for his era, it was the ’32 Ford, but for Millennials, it’s the Datsun 510. He may have been off by a generation depending on how you look at it, but Jonathan Lessner’s 1970, a archetypal build with a KA24E swap, is the kind of car JCCS used to be swarming with. Continue reading →

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QotW: What are your summer plans with your JNC?

Posted on July 8, 2019 by Ben Hsu

It’s the heart of summer, at least for those of us living in the northern hemisphere, and the perfect occasion to spend a little time with our cars. Whether it’s some basic maintenance, digging into the rebuild of a major component, or taking a much deserved road trip, we must brave the heat before the colder months return.

What are your summer plans with your JNC?

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 US-built or US-market JNC?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 12 Comments

Happy Sevens Day from JNC

Posted on July 7, 2019 by Dan Hsu

It’s the perfect day to exercise your rotary engine. Just remember to lubricate those apex seals! Happy Sevens Day from JNC!

Posted in Holidays | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Behold Miataland, the Miata-themed hotel in Italy

Posted on July 5, 2019 by Ben Hsu

Any tour of Italy would have to include the Ferrari factory collections in Modena and Maranello, the Lamborghini museum in Bologna, or even the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile in Turin. But if you’re looking for a small slice of JNC worship, then head to Miataland. The resort boasts a beautiful hotel, outdoor activities, and what is claimed to be the largest privately owned Miata collection in the world. Continue reading →

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Happy Independence Day from JNC

Posted on July 4, 2019 by Dan Hsu

The Mazda Miata made its debut 30 years ago at the Chicago Auto Show, in the good ol’ US of A. The three stock production models were, appropriately, finished in red, white and blue. After the debut, the white one was turned into a race car, and that’s why it wears the sponsor stickers today, but the other two remain as they were on that day. Have a safe and happy Independence Day holiday out there, everyone!

Posted in Holidays | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

TUNE UP: E20 Corolla spotted in Bad Bunny and Drake video

Posted on July 3, 2019 by Ben Hsu

There is an E20 Toyota Corolla in the music video for “Mia” by Bad Bunny featuring Drake. The song actually came out late last year, but because we are Teh Olds and hail from a time when a drake was something the Avatar encountered in Ultima VI, we didn’t see the video until the other day. However, the choice of the Peanut parked outside a house party scene was wholly appropriate. Continue reading →

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Happy MX73 Day from JNC

Posted on July 3, 2019 by Dan Hsu

We love a good chassis code-based holiday here at JNC, but cars like the Toyota Cressida present a dilemma. The US sedan’s chassis code is MX73, so naturally that would make today, July 3, MX73 day. I think we can all agree that it should not be celebrated on July 2, because the MX72 wagon, as cool as it is, is an offshoot of the sedan. However, Japan’s chassis code for the Mark II on which the Cressida is based is GX71, which would put the holiday on July 1. Which day should we observe celebration of this fine automobile?

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