Today is Greenery Day in Japan, a national holiday that honors nature. Established in 1989, many parks, zoos and aquariums open free of charge today, encouraging visitors to appreciate the wonders of the natural world. Because of the Greenery Day’s significance, other green-adjacent holidays have also since popped up for May 4th: Botanical Garden Day, Itogawa Jade Day, as well as Usui Pea Day. And if Shinshu “Green Mark” Ham Day can piggyback off of Greenery Day, then so can we.
There are many JNCs that look good in green, but we’re seeking answers for which ones look their best in a factory green. For example, the DC Acura Integra often comes in dark green, but is it the best possible color for it? Well, that would probably be Championship White for the Type R or Supersonic Blue for the GS-R. On the other hand, we can’t imagine the original Mazda RX-7 in anything better than Mach Green. We asked a similar question about red last year, but now green’s time has come.
Which JNC looks most proper in green?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Which Japanese car had the best font?“.
It’s pretty impressive how great Japanese automotive fonts are, especially considering English isn’t even the native language for most of their designers. Nevertheless, here are some of your favorites:
Going with something uniquely Japanese, we have Sakamoto‘s pick of the Supra brushstroke, followed closely by the Kawasaki Ninja calligraphy. For a more classical looking font, Taylor C. chose the Infiniti Q45, whose luxurious typefaces extended to the gauges as well. In a purely American style that’s retro cool, Negishi no Keibajo selected the serif font from the Joe Isuzu ads. In a more modern direction, we have Ian G.‘s option of the MR2 block letters. And for an artistic twist, we have TheJWT‘s pick of the Autozam logo.
This weeks winner was Anthony W, who made an excellent point about how Toyota switched fonts mid-generation:
I love the cursive script of the first gen celica badge. Situated under the dragon badge, it exemplified the flow and beauty of the car. Unfortunately, it didnt last long enough and was replaced by the block letter font which I feel is the complete opposite of what the car was supposed to be.
Omedetou, your comment has earned you a set of decals from the JNC Shop!
The Nissan Silvia CSP311 of course.
Followed closely by an S13 Silvia in Seafoam green two-tone
The special edition MX5s in that luxurious “British” Racing Green.
If any JNC was meant to be green, it’s the Miata/Eunos.
RE Amemiya FC3S
Agree with Blitz. The Miata’s inspiration, Colin Chapman’s Lotus Elan, was a proper British sports car from the days of national racing colors…
Great Britain: British Racing Green
USA: Imperial Blue
Japan: Ivory White (with Red sun)
Italy: Rosso Corsa (Red)
France: Bleu de France
Germany: Silver
TE38 Corolla wagon, 679 Green with beige interior. For sentimental reasons, my Aunt Betty’s was the first Japanese car I ever rode in and had up-close contact with.
The second-generation Mazda MX-6 with the tan interior. That color combination just made it look so rich. Second place would go to the 5th-generation Mazda 626, particularly the ES-V6 trim. Both looked great in green.
Being biased, I was going to say the obvious with “Montego Blue on an NA Miata.” But if not putting my own car out there for the vote, I’d go with the CB Honda Accords with the signature Arcadia Green Pearl. Even Ford started copying that color for their second-generation Taurus. I’m not sure what else screamed 1990s.
You answered your own question in the lede photo.
I have nothing to add.
I’m quite partial to the Isuzu Bellett in Ilex Green.
first gen crown lyons metallic.
Easy. The Honda Del Sol. No contest.
One appeared in an episode of the Sopranos and my girlfriend didn’t understand why I wanted to pause it and freak out. 🙂
isuzu trooper/bighorn in green. proper color for boxy Big SUV. Also I see a few days ago a Beijing BJ60, similar tone and proportions… maybe the colors are black with the chinese brands.
Isuzu Bellett 1600GTR i mean it’s known best in orange but the race car with the red hood and that dark green bodywork makes me wanna zoom around mountain roads till the wheels fall off!
There is a green that stays in your mind after you have seen it.
The dark green on a Te27 Corolla. Maybe on Tosco’s for double the impact.
Easy. Midori Green 1996 Honda Civic DX hatchback.
Mazda RX3 in Earth Green
Mitsubishi HJ58 Jeep, in olive drab of course! Second goes to the 1974 Datsun PB210, as seen in the November ’73 2-page advert in National Geographic. (With the jerrycan “Datsun Saves” logo in the bottom corner of the left page)
Jasper Green metallic for 1990-93 Acura Integra hatchback and sedan.