Tag Archives: nissan

JNC THEATER: Datsun 510 spotted in Bumblebee trailer

Paramount Pictures has just released the Bumblebee trailer, and we couldn’t help but notice a BRE-themed Datsun 510 lurking in the background. It’s not the first time a Datsun 510 has made an appearance in the Transformers film universe, and though we hope … Continue reading

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The heartwarming tale of strangers rescuing a Datsun wagon from the desert

There is a B310 Datsun Wagon that has been baking in a remote corner of the Mojave desert for over 20 years. The car was abandoned there when the owner died in a freak accident, but now, in a heartwarming tale … Continue reading

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Happy S30 Day from JNC

Well, there really isn’t an S30 Day on the calendar, but the seminal Japanese sports car certainly deserves a day of its own. So, we might as well make May 30 that day, because an “S” looks kind of like … Continue reading

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VINTAGE RACING JOURNAL: The Mitty, Part 04 — The Final Race

It was only in 2010 that I attended my first vintage race as a spectator. Eight years later, I was reliving racing history at the famed Road Atlanta circuit in an authentic C-Production 240Z I had spent a year restoring. We can only … Continue reading

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MINICARS: Can you help us identify these Japanese race car toys?

I recently rediscovered these toys of two historic Japanese endurance racing prototypes. They are completely plastic, have no branding underneath, but are extremely well-made examples. Can you help us identify where they came from? 

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JNC THEATER: A Datsun 510 episode of Wheeler Dealers

It’s been a while since we mentioned Wheeler Dealers (is the show any good since Edd China left?) but tonight’s feature car is something that piqued our interest. It’s a Datsun 510, that seemingly had hopes of being a BRE tribute car … Continue reading

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VIDEO: How to pronounce Japanese carmaker names properly

A couple of years ago we were at a dinner with several journalists and a Mazda executive. At the other end of the table, a debate broke out about whether the proper pronunciation of the Hiroshima carmaker was the standard issue “MAHZ-dah” or the Australian-accented “MAAZZ-dah.” … Continue reading

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EVENTS: Get a discount code to The Petersen Automotive Museum’s unprecedented Japanese car exhibit

This week the Petersen Automotive Museum is opening three unprecedented exhibits featuring classic Japanese cars. Although the Petersen has exhibited classic J-tin in the past, this is the first time nostalgics have taken such a prominent position in the museum’s … Continue reading

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Happy 521 Day from JNC

You can’t not love an honest truck. They basically tie dogs for status of man’s best friend. The Datsun 520 and 521 were the first of the modern compact pickups by Nissan, and kicked off decades of the breed. Obligatory: Wish … Continue reading

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MINICARS: the Jun Imai Era comes to a close at Hot Wheels

There is just one more bit of Hot Wheels news left for today, and it’s a sad one. Our friend and star designer Jun Imai has left Mattel for new opportunities. We had known it was happening for a couple … Continue reading

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Happy 50th Birthday to Hot Wheels from JNC

Today we mark 50 years of Hot Wheels, the brand that changed toy cars forever and stoked the flames of automotive passion in millions. Since 1968 was the debut year for Hot Wheels and the US-market Datsun 510, we wanted to commemorate … Continue reading

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50 YEAR CLUB: Hot Wheels celebrates half a century of toy cars

Fifty years ago today, the world was introduced to what just might be the most influential cars ever made. The automotive world was forever changed on May 18, 1968 when Mattel introduced the Hot Wheels brand of toy cars to … Continue reading

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VIDEO: Classic car commercials in Australia would be unthinkable in the US

When Ricky told me to check out the Shannons video about the Isuzu Car Club of Australia gathering, I did. But the thing that absolutely blew my mind wasn’t even an Isuzu. It was this classic car insurance ad, which … Continue reading

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VINTAGE RACING JOURNAL: The Mitty, Part 03 — Race Day

“Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting.” Steve McQueen could not have summed it up any better. All the stresses of a day job, outstanding bills, hardships of life, are easily remedied by the smell of race … Continue reading

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VIDEO: Look at all the great driver’s cars you could get in 1991

At the height of the Bubble Era, every Japanese carmaker had a driver’s car. We’re not talking about high dollar sports cars like the NSX or Supra, either. In this Best Motoring video from 1991, a lineup of enthusiasts’ machines, sometimes … Continue reading

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VIDEO: Nissan GT-R generations in Hong Kong

Nissan has just released a new beautifully shot video for the launch of the 2018 GT-R in Hong Kong. It’s filled with shots of an R32, R33 NISMO 400R, R34 Vspec II Nür, and the R35 gliding through the urban streets. I will … Continue reading

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VINTAGE RACING JOURNAL: The Mitty, Part 02 — Qualifying

Road Atlanta is truly a sight to see. Its rich history and beautiful rolling hills make it the perfect venue for vintage racing. After spending most of the prior afternoon and evening swapping differentials, we entered Day Two with high … Continue reading

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VINTAGE RACING JOURNAL: The Mitty, Part 01 — Test Day

There’s nothing like the early morning start to a race weekend. Your mind becomes clear. Any lingering stress from your day job is replaced with the smell of a coffee and race gas mixture. Nothing else comes close. An early rise to … Continue reading

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MOTORSPORT: John Morton’s 240Z lap at Road Atlanta

The Mitty was this weekend, and Nissan was the featured marque. We’ll have a full report on what it’s like to race at Road Atlanta in a Datsun 240Z coming soon, but for now check out this video of John Morton … Continue reading

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VINTAGE RACING JOURNAL: Road to The Mitty, Part 02

The decision to make the trek out to Road Atlanta for the Mitty after hearing Nissan was going to be the featured marque was an easy one. The preparation that the car would require to drive at the Road Atlanta? … Continue reading

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