Nowadays, there are plenty of JNC offerings from importers. It also helps that you can stuff a few JNCs into a shipping container. But, most importers are focusing on a few models that bring in the biggest money. If you had a direct line to Japan, what JNC would you scoop up in a heartbeat?
What JNC would you import from Japan?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your favorite JNC body type?“
Last week, we asked to hear from your favorite body type. The options were limited with the station wagon being a clear winner in terms of practicality and versatile family haulin’. Then, Mazluce reminds us of that cool breeze and open air atmosphere of a B-pillar-less sedan. Oh yea, that is the dream. Congrats!
Easily the hardtop sedan. Nothing looks cooler cruising down the road will all windows down, no B pillar and a grin on your face.
Omedetou! Your comment has earned you a set of decals from the JNC Shop.
For me, it would be the Mazda Eunos Cosmo. The only thing I would do is ditch the automatic and swap it for a manual transmission from an RX-7
This may sound a little weird, but an R33 Skyline sedan, base model, RB20E, automatic.
This way I can live out my fantasies of being a salaryman in Japan during the end of the bubble period, stuck in the mire of Tokyo traffic, my thoughts skipping from wondering if my work load will allow me to take lunch at the ramen shop a block away from my office, to figuring out if there’s anything going on between the Boss and the extremely un-capable new secretary, to what time I’ll pass out at my desk from exhaustion.
From there I can fantasize about being the cars next owner, a young guy living near the mountains who dreams of being the fastest racer on the local touge, but is stuck with this low-powered heavy automatic sedan as his first car, when all his friends have RX7’s, Silvias, and Roadsters. Do I do the RB25/manual swap? Or do I save up for a legit sports car that won’t give me problems at shaken due to modifications? In the meanwhile, just try to get better with the car I’ve got, and hope I don’t stuff it into a guardrail.
There’s something cool about how different cars can make you feel, and in my mind, there’s something unique about a horrible version of a legendary car.
Being a traditional sports car kind of guy, it would have to be the Honda Beat.
It pushes all the right buttons for me. Mid engine dynamic goodness, a top that goes down,
Honda quality and engine tech, nothing more than you really need…
All wrapped together in a wonderful expression of traditional Japanese minimalism Just as in Japanese art, it is the very ideal of the small, wonderful detail surrounded by clean, negative space…
Oh yes.
being in Argentina and without options (or very complex) to import in a particular way I have two options in opposite extremes:
Autozam AZ1 or Honda S660 a sports car for the weekend
Daihatsu Move Custom Turbo 4wd or Honda N-ONE for day to day.
Easy to park, low consumption and tons of fun. And more exclusive than an Ferrari Enzo around here.
Since there was no mention of budget or realism I would import a Mitsubishi HSR-2 because it is awesomeness incarnate and I have dreamed of owning one since seeing it in gran turismo with all of its high tech aero flaps that constantly adjusted and it’s completely outlandish looks made it my first JDM dream car. If I were ever lucky enough to own such a vehicle I would drive it till it’s wheels fell off,fix it up again and keep on going.
1969 Nissan Cedric Estate, bright red with faux sirens on the bonnet and roof and the Kanji for ‘fire department’ on a decal on the side, to match what my first Tomica JNC looked like when it was put into a package in Japan back in the ’70s and shipped here to be sold god knows where. If not available, any other car from my collection of diecast collection would do, provided I could make the real thing match the 1:64.
I’ve been daydreaming about owning a fleet of GX71 Cresta’s and Chasers lately.
Technically not a JNC yet… Toyota Will VS (2001 – 2004). It’s one of a very few cars that are identical or very close to the concept. I drool every time I see one. Especially if it’s been lowered and modded tastefully. It’s a wagon thing for me.
If I could have my choice of JDM cars it would be a stockish R34 GTR. I would build it to 450 wheel and daily it in the summer. I’d race it in Autocross and do some track days too. My current daily is a R34 GTT. Pip
It sounds strange, but it would be one of those weird and bizarre trims that you can only find in Japan. Something like a Toyota Corolla Levin Lime AE85, a Toyota Liteace FXV 4WD with Skylite roof and a swiveling TV set, a Toyota Carina SG Jeune AA60, a Nissan Cedric Brougham VIP or one of the Nissan Pikes. These cars could only have existed (and sold) in Japan as overseas they would have been either too outrageous or too Japanese.
Tough choice, and most of my favorites aren’t quite nostalgic age yet. But my list would include a GZG50 Century, an early 11th generation Crown Royal Saloon G in the white two tone, or a 11th gen Crown Athlete V in silver. Also on my list would be the R34 GTR preferably stock in Bayside Blue. There are too many others to list, but these are my top pics for if I ever win the lottery.
Few more years to go before it’s “officially” a JNC, but it’s already one in spirit – I just can’t get enough of the Daihatsu Midget II. It’s tiny, it’s utterly daft and being a bargain-basement work vehicle I suspect it’d be quite rusty, but growing up racing them in Gran Turismo makes me want one for real. And unlike most of the other stuff I’d like to import, they’re fairly cheap too.
Failing that – a first-generation Honda Today. Launched the year I was born, neat styling, and a two-cylinder engine – I’ve never even seen one in the metal, but it’s among my favourite small cars.
I would go for Stagea or FTO. Are they JNC’s aleready? Never mind – i would love to one one of these, here in Central Europe.
Stagea even in some base version. I became a true wagon/AT combo beliver after driving a Legacy BH for over 3 years, and the Stagea is THE ultimate JDM wagon, the peak of performence hauling, the big-mama of japanese 4WD wagons. And it’s a totall novelity in Europe. And it’s practical as hell in the meantime 😉
The FTO on the other hand is a wonderfull toy, totally unpracticall, but with heart-caching desing, superb handling and high-tech engenerring – MIVEC, INVECS, and such. A miniaturazed GTO. It was one of first true JDm cars that i got knowlege about. From Gran Turismo of course. I was shocked that in Japan were sold so many car unavailible eneywhere else in the world. Thus i would love to own such a elite machine.
Toyota Mega Cruiser
Ta63 celica gttr hatchback, but a ta64 with the group b 4tgte engine would be even better
I would import a Nissan Patrol
C33 Laurel for peak bubble era B-Pillarless luxury. Also because I actually do have one and I love it.
Motocompo, but to keep it car related, the Honda City it came in aswell.
Daihatsu Mira Turbo TR-XX EFI Avanzato. Smiles per gallon game strong, in my opinion. ⚡️
1st gen Honda Life Step Van would be great.
Suzuki Mighty Boy!
1950s toyopet masterline (crown 2dr wagon)
Ever since I imported my Toyota Century VG 40, I wanted the next generation GZG50 with the V 12. I actually imported one last year and I have been enjoying it ever since. It’s a fantastic
car.
After importing my 1989 Century VG40 I really wanted a V12. In 2017 I bought one in Japan and I have been enjoying this great car now for a year.