A 2001 Acura Integra has sold for $204,204. Unfortunately, your clapped out Viper killer is still going for the same price as it did before, because the record breaker is no ordinary Integra. For one, it’s an Integra Type R, the best-handling front-wheel-drive car ever built. It also has less than 4800 miles on the odometer, making it about as new as new can be. Continue reading
QotW: Daily, Garage, or Sell — Transformers, Go-Bots, or MASK
Welcome to another edition of Daily, Garage, or Sell, JNC‘s version of FMK. We’ve asked the question of 90s roadsters, flagship sedans, 80s drifters and more, but this time we’re turning our attention to 80s toys with their own cartoon lines. Transformers, Go-Bots, and MASK competed for the after-school attention of kids by telling elaborate tales of vehicles that changed into formidable battle machines. And when the same kids went to the toy store, complex toy versions of those vehicles competed for their parents’ dollars. It was the first generation to have such an overabundance of pop culture, and it was a great time to grow up.
Daily, Garage, or Sell — Transformers, Go-Bots, or MASK
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s the most scenic place you’ve driven to?“. Continue reading
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Six-wheeled Toyota Century is the ultimate last ride
When it comes time to take that final trip by car, there aren’t many better ways to go than with a Toyota Century hearse. However, if a funeral car built from even the most luxurious of Japanese sedans is too ordinary for you, there is a solution. Up for sale is a modified Century that has been stretched over six wheels. Continue reading
Register now to celebrate 20 years of the Japanese Classic Car Show
America’s premier show for classic Japanese cars is turning 20 this year. It’s an amazing achievement for JCCS, which started at a time when the idea of a Japanese car being worthy of collecting or restoring was still in question. Today nobody would dare challenge that notion, and the JCCS had a lot to do with that cultural shift. The first JCCS was held in 2006, making this year’s show the 20th anniversary of that seminal event. Continue reading
RIP Shunsaku Tamiya, the man who made plastic model kits a global obsession
Shunsaku Tamiya, former president and chairman of Tamiya, Inc., passed away on July 18. His death was announced on July 21, with funeral services attended by close family and friends. Mr Tamiya led the transformation of Tamiya into a world-renowned manufacturer of high-precision plastic model kits, radio control vehicles, and motorized Mini 4WD racers.
He joined the company founded by his father originally as a transport firm, and switched to supplying lumber after the war. That brought about an expansion into wooden models, primarily of ships and planes. After a fire destroyed the company’s lumber supply, it focused primarily on the models.
Not long after, plastic technology improved and began taking over the model kit market. Shunsuke Tamiya spearheaded the shift to puramo (a portmanteau of “plastic” and “model”) and in the process changed the industry. He helped fuel enthusiasm for cars, as well as other types of transportation, for generations of children and adults alike. Continue reading
Weds Wheels debuts steelies for kei cars and vans
Forged alloys take the cake when it comes to pure function, but there’s always going to be something sinister about a set of steelies. Recognizing that steel wheels are from the factory these days, Weds Wheels has developed a steelie that gives kei cars and vans a bit of that old school cool. Continue reading
QotW: What’s the most scenic place you’ve driven to?
Today, July 21, marks two important days of commemoration in Japan. The first is Natural Parks Day, remembering the day in 1957 when the Natural Parks Act was passed in order to protect and promote Japan’s national parks. The second is Japan’s Three Scenic Views Day, which coincides with Hayashi Shunsai’s birthday in 1618. The Edo period writer noted the three most beautiful views of ancient Japan (Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture; Amanohashidate, Kyoto Prefecture; and Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture). Such destinations are the perfect locales to plan a summer road trip around, and will often take you off the beaten path to reveal the majestic wonder of Mother Earth.
What’s the most scenic place you’ve driven to?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your favorite JNC for open air driving?“. Continue reading
‘Cruising J-Town’ museum exhibit spotlights a pivotal chapter in car culture
We suspect that many JNC readers were introduced to the wonders of Japanese cars during the Tuner Era of the late 80s and early 90s. The souped up imports that took over the streets triggered a paradigm shift in American car culture. Japanese Americans in Southern California were the first to “import tune” but the roots of the movement, which stretch back over a century, have largely been lost to time. A new exhibit at the Japanese National American Museum rectifies that oversight by delving into the rich history of Japanese American car culture. Continue reading
Jack White continues to exude cool with his latest ride
As we know all too well in the automotive realm, money does not buy taste. That’s not the case for musician Jack White. Despite a net worth deep into the 8-digit range, his vehicle choice is absolutely brilliant. In a social media post earlier this week the rocker revealed his latest acquisition, a 1991 Suzuki Samurai in his signature red with white stripes. Continue reading
Nissan Oppama plant closure is “the most difficult decision of my career” says CEO
In what CEO Ivan Espinosa has called “the most difficult decision of my career,” Nissan announced Tuesday that it would be shutting down its Oppama plant. The factory has been in operation since 1961 and was Japan’s first full-scale integrated assembly plant. It has been called Nissan’s “mother plant”, a “holy land” and a “sacred site”, but after decades of building iconic cars and birthing Nissan’s motorsports program, it’s coming to a sad end. Continue reading
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Mugen CF-48 wheel returns in very limited quantities
Mugen has announced a remake of its famed CF-48 wheel. Renowned for its functionality. the original was frequently found on tuned Hondas in the 80s, such as CRX, City, and EA/EF Civic. As with anything Mugen, they are pretty rare and expensive now, so a reproduction is certainly going to be welcome in the Honda world. Continue reading
QotW: What’s your favorite JNC for open air driving?
It’s summer and time for open top cruising. Japanese mrques haven’t traditionally been known for convertibles, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t good options for being at one with the elements. Let’s include T-tops, targas, canvas tops, and other assorted breezy alternatives, as well as not-exactly factory conversions from the likes of ASC and similar firms. That should open up (no pun intended) the choices.
What’s your favorite JNC for open air driving?
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 needs to be preserved for posterity?“. Continue reading
Turbo V8 GT3 race and road car duo prove that Toyota its not playing around
Toyota is not sending any mixed signals about its intent to occupy every performance niche. Hot on the heels of a rumor about a mid-engined Celica, Toyota showed off a pair of supercars at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. We’ve seen the GT3 race car concept before, but what’s notable about this appearance is the fact that its road car counterpart came along for the ride. Continue reading
Channel your inner Bunta with an official ‘Initial D’ Zippo lighter
An official Initial D-themed Zippo has been released in Japan. The classic cigarette lighter depicts scenes from one of the manga’s most famous battles — between Takumi Fujiwara’s Toyota AE86 against the Todo School’s EK9 Honda Civic Type R — is laser-etched on both sides. The item is extremely limited, with only 150 units planned, and each one will be engraved with a serial number showing its sequence in production. Continue reading
Toyota’s revived GR Celica will be mid-engined, confusing fans
It’s pretty much assumed by now that Toyota will bring back the Celica, it’s just a matter of when. But a new report out of Japan comes with an extra dose of “what?” as well. Apparently, this new Celica will have a mid-engine configuration. Hmmm, it’s too bad Toyota didn’t have another mid-engined sports car nameplate lying around. Continue reading
Nissan mulls Foxconn deal to save Oppama “mother” plant
Earlier this year, in a desperate financial situation, Nissan announced it would close seven of its 17 factories around the world. Among the facilities on the chopping block was the Oppama plant, founded in 1961 and long considered the “mother” plant of Nissan for steering the company’s ascendance during the post-war and Bubble Economy years. To save it, Nissan is now considering a deal with Foxconn to let the Taiwanese electronics manufacturer build EVs there. Continue reading
QotW: Which Japanese car needs to be preserved for posterity?
Today, July 7, Sevens Day, but also World Heritage Day in Japan. On this day 21 years ago the sacred pilgrimage route in the Kii Mountain Range was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The trail traces a path from Kyoto to Nara, both once capital cities of Japan, passing Shinto shrines that date back to the 9th century. In Wakayama Prefecture, which the route passes through, there’s an ordinance that says it all: “This irreplaceable asset of humankind must be protected, utilized, and passed on to future generations.” There isn’t a UNESCO designation for cars, but if there were, what’s one historic Japanese car would fit that description?
Which Japanese car needs to be preserved for posterity?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your craziest car parking story?“. Continue reading
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Happy Independence Day from JNC
To commemorate the day 249 years ago when declared our independence from the British crown. This Tomica Nissan Fairlady Z has nothing to do with that, but a few years ago Japan’s favorite diecast toy company released a series of cars decorated with flags of the world. The cars were released exclusively via the Japanese grocery store and home goods chain Apita, and this Z sported USA livery that we thought would be fitting for today. Happy Independence Day from JNC!
‘Subaru and Subaru’ promises to unite the worlds of ‘Initial D’ and ‘MF Ghost’
Subaru and Subaru, the sequel to Initial D and MF Ghost, launches in a few weeks. As the debut approaches, the series’ plot summary and setting has emerged. Apparently it will take place after the events of MF Ghost, in the same universe that Initial D occurs in. There’s also a new image of the ZD8 Subaru BRZ (above) that will be one of the star cars int he series. Continue reading
Toyota Land Cruisers at Tokyo Outdoor Show to promote 60, 70, and 80 series GR Heritage Parts
Toyota entered the Tokyo Outdoor Show over the weekend with a pair of classic Land Cruisers. The trucks, an FJ40 and FJ60, hailed from the Toyota Automobile Museum’s collection and have undergone impeccable restorations. They were on site to promote Toyota’s GR Heritage Parts program, which recently expanded to include J60, J70, and J80 Land Cruisers. Continue reading
