Today, August 25, is Instant Ramen Day, honoring the day in 1958 when the flash-fried noodles first hit the shelves. The original instant ramen was developed by Nissin Foods, but soon after NissAn also released a ramen. In this 1963 campaign, you could win a Cedric if you collected enough points attached to the ramen packages. The convenient meal-in-a-packet, which has spawned many imitators and can still be had for less than a buck each, has since become the default dinner for those saving money for a greater cause… like car parts. Can you even call yourself a car enthusiast if you haven’t eaten ramen for weeks, worn the same raggedy event T-shirts, or refrained from haircuts just to put funds towards a car?
What have you sacrificed for your car?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Which beloved nameplate will be revived next?“.
There was definitely some cynicism in the responses. Franxou‘s WRX as BMW M Sport-style appearance packge on Foresters and Outbacks was a horror show from a truly twisted mind, unlike Steve n‘s Corvette SUV idea, which we don’t think even GM is stupid enough to do. TheJWT said anything with a following from Nissan’s back catalog would do, and it seems like the company is actually following that playbook!
Toyota was looking like a beacon of hope, with largely positive model name revivals. GeorgeL, or perhaps the Mandalorian, said the Celica is the way. Ian G. pitched the MR2 and Celica, as well as a left-field Honda Element.
Meanwhile, Ian N made a good case for not bringing back any model names at all, as they make searching for actual classic parts difficult.
The Mitsubishi contingent had some schemes, with Howard D. suggesting a resurrection of the Starion, which isn’t a bad idea if they ever want back into the sports car game. However, the winner this week was JJ, whose proposal is so terrifying because it could really happen.
Mitsubishi 3000GT, they need a Wagoneer/Expedition/Suburban competitor, no?
Omedetou, your comment has earned you a set of decals from the JNC Shop!
In the Great Unfolding ✨ 🌎 🌌 ☀️ 🚙, there is always “Ramen for improvement”.
– Zen Master
You’re uslurping your command for the situation.
Gave up girls for a few years while I was fully focused forward. Then met a young lady who was into rallying and made those four years seem a perfectly sound decision.
Not for a single car, but plural?
Boatloads of money, skin, blood, sweat, fingernails, tears, comfort, safety, security, sanity, hygiene, countless societal standards of propriety, property value, my neighbor’s property value, social skills, EPA and CARB regulations, hearing, clutch knee ligament, a healthy relationship with dopamine, time, money, money, money, and time.
Well this is fitting. Earlier this year I unfortunately spun out in my Z32 300ZX when coming out of a freeway cloverleaf. The car hit the freeway guardrail and ruined the front passenger corner. The car is insured through Hagerty and I did not have updated valuations for it and therefore only got back ~$5100 for the car. The repairs amounted to ~$11k, and it really put a dent in our financials, since I had been looking to go on a family vacation this past summer. The wife and kids advocated to get the car fixed, and I spent a considerable amount of time trying to find the cheapest prices on replacement parts. I made after-work trips to pick up car parts, stopped by the body shop often to see the progress, and drained a lot of my energy on pushing the repairs towards completion.
In the end this car repair not only hurt my wallet, but it definitely gave me a slightly bitter taste towards the car, as it wasn’t “perfect” anymore. But I couldn’t imagine myself letting go of the car, or even see it being parted out. Therefore I bit the bullet hard.
Working my first job at McDonalds for less than $4.00 per hour, got fired (never called back) because of cleaning lady who thought I’d take her job, then worked at 2 Chinese fast-food restaurants for almost a year to buy a set of JDM wheels. Working fast food isn’t too bad except for the heat in kitchen/behind the heat lamps. This was my senior year at high school, time I could have spent hanging out with friends, chasing girls, and studying. All while not eating out, saving school lunch money, and eating at home.