Time travel is real, but it only goes to one point on the space-time continuum: Showa Era Japan. For some reason, you have a briefcase full of 1960s-era yen in large bills. You also know of a remote garage in rural Japan that will be undisturbed for 60 years because, well, you’re from the future.
What JNC would you get if you had a time machine?
What say you, dear reader? As always, the most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Which JNC sighting will you remember forever?”
Last week’s question really brought out the nostalgia in everyone. I guess that’s why it’s our middle name. From ya_boy_yeti‘s story about a life-changing moment with his uncle’s green Hilux to RotaryRalph‘s fond memories of a midwest Mazda RX-2, from Goodshow_aa‘s story of friendship that began with a Kenmeri sighting to Tom Westmacott‘s introduction to JNCs courtesy of a Hakosuka, they were all heartwarming. Sadly, winners are like first loves; there can be only one. And that one is MainstreaM and his tale of how he became a JNC spotter, enthusiast, and owner all in one day:
Easiest question you guys have ever asked. It would be the day in April of 2000 when I was on my way to work and saw this bright red oh so eighties angular sports car shape out of the corner of my eye. I worked evening shift at the parts store and it was very unusual for me not to know what cars were on sale in my small home town. I went back the next day to look to see what it was. There sat a bright shining gem of an 89 Chrysler Conquest with the sun sparkling off the bulging fenders. I was hooked then and there, that day I officially became a Mitsu nut. I whipped out the ol indestructible nokia cell phone and dialed up the owner. Next day was a test drive where I got my first feelings of boost. When that turbo spooled the first time the owner didn’t know it yet but that car was sold. I promptly left the test drive and headed home. I scraped, scrounged, and dug up any cash I could find hoping to have enough to convince the bank that it was a sizable enough down payment for a 20 year old to own a bonified sports car. Luckily the next they agreed. There I was cash in hand walking out of the bank frantically calling the owner. Couple hours later I was driving away with title in hand. That was fifteen years ago and unlike many who have sold their first, mine still sits humbly just outside my home in the garage. My first JNC sighting was the same day I became a japanese nostalgic car enthusiast.
Omedetou, your comment has earned you a set of decals from the JNC Shop!
Without any doubt the Prince Skyline BLRA-3!
It is one of the most beautiful cars of its era (Michelotti built) and it was at the same time a product that showed what the Prince Motoring Company was capable of: a beautiful styled car with a sporty engine.
I could obviously also opt for the Toyota 2000GT, the Mazda Cosmo Sport or a Nissan Silvia (CSP311) instead, but somehow it is not the same. The 2000GT is, obviously, Toyota’s most beautiful car ever but it is a true sports car that needs to be driven and since it is so rare I would feel guilty for any kilometer (or mile) I put on the odometer. The Cosmo Sport is almost the same story and in addition the engine is so fragile it would not be a practical car at all. The Silvia is one of the most beautiful cars by Nissan (pre Prince merger) but the two seater would simply be too small for me. (I’m 6 foot 5 tall)
Now why choose a BLRA-3 instead of the later S54 or C10? Simple: the S54 and C10 are sports cars and even though I love sports cars I’d rather use a more modern car (late 70s/early 80s) sports car to satisfy my cravings for that. The Skyline BLRA-3 is meant to be a grand tourer and much more suitable for a leisurely cruise down the Japanese countryside.
Make it the convertible, and you’ve got one rare car! Hopefully, if I can get my stuff together, we’ll be featuring a Michelotti Skyline here…
Simple, a Toyota 2000GT. I would then use the time machine to warp me & the car back to the future. Then, I would proceed to take it to Monterey, sell it in an auction and, using the immense profit, buy all of the JNCs I truly can’t live without.
Like Dylan, I’d also nab a Toyota 2000GT (or three..), but I’d also need another machine to warp me down from 6′-5″ tall so I could actually fit in the car and drive it instead of just having it in my living room on a velvet turntable.
Then, I would get my former 1971 Toyota Corolla 2-door wagon back again. Man, that was dumb to sell that car three decades ago (my first car).
So simple… I couple of cars :
1. a 1980 Corolla 2 Doors
2. AE82 Corolla 4 Doors
both to keep it in original look
dope picks on the te72
I wholeheartedly agree with the 2000GT comments above. The design and styling narrowly beats out Ferraris of the era, and comes second only to the Miura.
I would have to buy two. One to drive and enjoy, the other to preserve with sub-hundred miles on the odometer for an easy sale to purchase all the others on my bucket list (and a Lexus hoverboard, a sports almanac and all while avoiding making out with my mom again…because that is what people with time machines do).
Throw in stopping in 1985 to pick up a black Toyota 4×4 pickup with cool KC Lites as well!
KPGC10 Skyline, to enjoy with the family and pass down generations!
I would try to get my hands on a Toyota Century. Everlasting desing, highest quality and the uberVIP image.
And if obtaining a Century would be for some reasons imposibru, i would go for the Nissan Laurel C31. As usual 😉
I would go back to 1985 to nab a Mazda HB Cosmo Turbo Coupe! They seem extinct by now, and I cannot get enough of the quirky pop-up headlights, retro-futuristic interior, and gt-furnishings…I don’t really know, actually–I just want to go back and see my father when he studied automotive design at Jilin University before eventually coming to the States with my mother! I am sure he was very ambitious–admiring what his neighbors across the East China Sea were designing!
Gotta go with what I wanted when I was five. ’79 Chevy Luv 4×4 in light blue with matching Mikado cloth interior. Bucket seats if there was any overlap at all between the end of bucket-seat interiors in blue and the start of 4×4 production, otherwise I’ll live with the notched bench.
240Z 432
Damn its a hard question, like shipping fees and what not, or maybe its what america accepted, fuck it. A Datsun Fairlady Z432R with dealer option G-nose and fender mirrors. Long curvy body, looks good in any angle, and with the fuel efficiency to envy the americans. Oh you want rims?? Some 13×8 Tom’s Tosco Trd rims. Yeah I went there TRDXNISMO. plus I dig the kyusha scene. or maybe keep it stock. but the dealer options are non negotiable.
Any R380.
Easy enough for me: 5 brand new 1978 Datsun 280Z’s all finished in paint code 611 (wine red metallic)!
Easy! Whatever the most expensive car is in there.then take it to the future, auction it off and buy an r33 gtr and a bigger garage to house whatever other classics I might want.