Japanese Nostalgic Car #3

When I was growing up, there were Japanese cars everywhere. That's really no different from today, but of couse the cars were older. Toyota Corollas were much smaller and rear-wheel-drive. Toyota still sold Crowns and Carinas. Every Mazda had a rotary engine, even the trucks. Nissan wasn't even Nissan yet. It was Datsun, and they sold 510s, 610s and B210s. 2-cylinder Hondas were everywhere, and people called them "Hondacars" because "Honda" still meant motorcycle to most people. Subaru 360s were still seen on the road. About 10 years ago, I suddenly realized all those cars were gone. Where did they all go? Most are rusting away in a field or crushed in the junkyard. But a few people are saving them, people who don't want them to disappear. That's where Japanese Nostalgic Car comes in.

Datsun 510s didn't look this good when I was a kid

Japanese Nostalgic Car is a magazine made by Ken and Dan Hsu. They're not magazine writers or publishers. Or at least they weren't, but they definitely are now. They were just a couple of guys who wanted a magazine about historic Japanese cars. There weren't any, at least not in English, so they made one themselves. It was a very steep learning curve, but they kept at it, and there are now three issues out. You can't find it on the newstands. Not yet, anyway. So if you want it, you'll have to subscribe. If you like cars at all, you'll want to subscribe. This is a professional magazine in editorial content, writing and photography. That last bit is important to me. Too many modern car and motorcycle magazines have artistic directors more interested in showcasing the artistry of the photographers rather than illustrating the car or motorcycle in question. Unfortunately, they can publish 15 highly artistic photos of the subject, but still leave you wondering what the car or motorcycle looks like. Dan Hsu is the photographer for JNC, and he understands that car is the subject, not the photographer.

Toyota 2000, beauty like no other

The magazine features several different cars. The premiere issue features a Datsun 240Z and 510 built by the Hiraishi Brothers, both resplendent in blazing orange. The article talks not just about the cars, but the brothers as well, their goals and thought processes in the building of their cars. There are also articles on the history of the Mazda Rotary and Nissan Skyline. Another gorgeous car feature is a story about the restoration of the Toyota 2000GT raced by Carroll Shelby in the SCCA. Unbeknownst to the current owner when he bought it, not only did he not realize it's racing history, he wasn't even aware is was chassis number MF10-10001, meaning it was the very first one ever built. Fortunately for automobile racing fans, he did learn about it's history and it is now restored to it's full racing glory. In another article, they bemoan the fact that Toyota is completely uninterested in in celebrating the fact that they've been selling cars in the US for 50 years. So they celebrate for them.

Toyota Crown wagon. You can still find them if you look hard enough.

Another thing I like about the magazine isn't even the magazine. It's their website, JapaneseNostalgicCar.com. Their blog has several great features, ranging from scenes from the classic cop/car-chase TV series Seibu Keisatsu to reports on classic Japanese car shows to youtube videos of old car commecials. Their forum is a place for owners of classic Japanese cars to meet, talk and get help for their projects. The best part is following the various rebuld/restoration/modification projects. I'm especially fascinated by one guy's rebuld of a 1970 Subaru FF-1 he found sitting in a junkyard, and another guy's restoration of a Datsun Sunny pickup. There are car features not found in the magazine, and profiles of people who were important figures in the history of the Japanese car, and others who are actively striving to preserve that history. Needless to say I'm very impressed with the magazine, the website and the forum. I've subscribed for the next two years, plus bought all the back issues. Now I need to find myself a 1971 or '72 Toyota Crown coupe.