Tag Archives: trucks
Japan’s Automotive Hall of Fame inductees for 2020 include the Suzuki Jimny, Honda RA272
Each year the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame choose three classic automobiles of historic significance to honor, and they’ve announced their inductees for 2020. More so than in past years, the trio covers extreme opposite ends of the vehicular spectrum. … Continue reading
VIDEO: Why the Isuzu museum in Japan has a Chevy in it
Despite its prowess in building large industrial trucks for any type of terrain, Isuzu was never truly able to succeed in the domestic truck and SUV market. They never were able to challenge the like of the Land Cruisers, Patrols … Continue reading
VIDEO: The Isuzu Elf had a cute name but did massive work
The Elf is to Isuzu what the Land Cruiser is to Toyota or the Skyline is to Nissan. At 61 years old it’s the longest running nameplate in Isuzu’s history, and a truck that can be seen in almost every … Continue reading
VIDEO: The Isuzu TX-80 helped build modern Japan
The Isuzu TX-series trucks were a fixture in Japan’s post-war reconstruction. Their rule spanned over three decades, from 1946-79, an era that saw Japan transform from a defeated power to and economic juggernaut. TX-series trucks hauled cargo, moved earth, and … Continue reading
OH, KEI! The Jimny Santa Monica was a cute beach cruiser based on Suzuki’s mini-4×4
With summer is upon us, so are dreams of beachside cruising. In the history of kei cars, there was perhaps no vehicle more fitting for that purpose than the Jimny Santa Monica (it’s right there in the name!). Built upon … Continue reading
Happy 521 Day from JNC
Today is the day that we celebrate reasonably sized pickups. Yes, we know there’s a 520 but they are extremely hard to come by and thus difficult to take a photo of. So let’s just say May 21 is also … Continue reading
Check out Isuzu City, the mind-blowing miniature town that is Japan’s largest diorama
Goodbye forever, readers. We at JNC have decided to move to a place in Japan where there are plenty of nostalgic cars, clean streets, and barely any traffic. It’s Isuzu City, population 3,300, located inside the Isuzu Plaza museum in … Continue reading
Here’s a kit to make the new Suzuki Jimny look like its great-grandfather
It should come as no surprise that the Suzuki Jimny is a popular car in Japan. It’s one of the coolest new cars you can buy there, and a vehicle whose purposeful engineering is at the core of its appeal. … Continue reading
See some rare Showa Era trucks at Mega Web right now
If you’ve been to Tokyo you’ve likely visited MegaWeb, Toyota’s showroom in the Odaiba shopping district. The History Garage section has a rotating collection of classics, and typically you’ll be able to see a Toyota Sports 800, Mazda Cosmo Sport, … Continue reading
Japanese Classic Car Show 2019, Part 09: Trucks, Vans, and Wagons
We have arrived at what could be our favorite part of JCCS, the vans, trucks, SUVs, and wagons. And now, in addition to seeing amazing US-market builds of such cars, their Japan-market counterparts are flooding in. No longer are the … Continue reading
NEWS: Isuzu celebrates 60th anniversary of the Elf
Yesterday, every major newspaper in Japan carried the above spread in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Isuzu Elf, the first Japanese cab-over-engine light truck in its class. In six decades and six generations, the Elf has sold over … Continue reading
EVENTS: All-Toyotafest, Part 06 — Trucks
Many long-time Toyota enthusiasts may feel that the company has squandered their loyalty by farming out their sports car icon (no matter what the reasons) or dissolving important parts of the Toyota USA Museum. However, there is one thing Toyota … Continue reading
Happy 620 Day from JNC
It’s time to celebrate the little pickup that was fit for a King. Or a King Cab, at least. Happy 620 Day from JNC!
Happy 521 Day from JNC
The Datsun 520 and 521 were the first real compact pickups to make it big for Nissan, and their endless charm is still readily apparent today. In age where pickups are mostly gigantic and laden with the bells and whistles … Continue reading
NEWS: Suzuki reveals retro-styled Jimny Pickup
Suzuki has revealed some of its concepts for the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon, and the most intriguing one is a new take on the just-released Jimny that came out earlier this year. Based on the flared-fender, 1.o-liter version, the retro-look … Continue reading
NEWS: Honda’s latest kei truck marks the 55th anniversary of its first 4-wheeled vehicle
Fifty-five years ago, Honda entered uncharted waters when it released its first four-wheeled vehicle. The T360 truck launched what was then primarily a motorcycle company into the realm of cars. To commemorate this watershed moment, Honda has released a two … Continue reading
Kidney, Anyone?: 1973 Toyota Corona Mark II Ute
Usually we don’t feature JDM cars on our Kidney, Anyone? series because that’s a rabbit hole that could easily overwhelm the site. When we do, it has to be a very special car, something worthy of all the kidneys in … Continue reading
SEMA 2018: Toyota brings it with Supras, Trucks, and RWD Corollas
We’ve poked fun at Toyota’s SEMA presence before, like when they brought a buncha Camrys to the world’s biggest tuner show. This year, however, they brought the ruckus, with a slew of Supras, a team of Tacomas, and a rear-wheel-drive … Continue reading
VIDEO: A complete snapshot of Nissan circa 1974
A short film made in the UK shows a complete snapshot of Nissan’s activities in what appears to be 1974. After a brief history of the carmaker’s early history, it delves into the company’s extensive manufacturing and R&D efforts. And … Continue reading