If you haven’t heard, the best Nissan Jam yet happened on June 12, 2016, in Anaheim, California.
On a hot summer Sunday, hundreds of Nissan, Datsun, and Infiniti vehicles lined the grassy La Palma Park, eager to be on display. As a Japanese classic car show, Nissan Jam has never been about new cars or the latest Nissan concept cars or future cars.
Instead, Nissan enthusiasts flock to Nissan Jam to experience car creativity and automotive artistry. In other words, Nissan Jam is about what modifications and enhancements people have added to their beloved vehicles.
We couldn’t make it to the event ourselves, but after following up on some of our favorite auto blogs, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 coolest cars at the Jam.
Our choices for the top 3 coolest cars at the 2016 Nissan Jam.
Source: Bob Hernandez / Super Street Online
In their list of 5 Standout Cars, Super Street Online put a special focus on a 1971 Nissan Skyline 2000GT, and we can see why. This four-door Skyline known as the “Hakosuka” is owned by Michael Castillo and he’s made quite a few noteworthy upgrades.
The best place to start is always the engine, which Castillo switched out for a Nissan 2.6-liter inline 6-cylinder. Featured in Modified magazine in 2011, this oldie but goodie features rebuilt Panasport wheels and a Microtech standalone ECU.
R31 Skyline Wagon
You may be wondering why the Skyline appears twice in our top three. Well, according to Super Street Online, the variety of Skyline models on display were the highlight of the show.
When this versatile line of cars first hit production in 1957, nobody anticipated the lasting love enthusiasts would feel for these vehicles. Our source cites many different Skyline models making an appearance, including the classic GT, R32 four-door, R31 wagon, and an R33.
When we saw that Front Street Media event coverage writer Scott Tsuneishi photographed a late-1980s R31 Skyline Wagon, we knew it was a shoe-in for our top 3 list. According to Tsuneishi, R31 Wagons are extremely rare in the United States – it’s nearly impossible to have them imported.
This particular wagon had been suped up with an RB20ET single-cam turbocharged engine and Electronically Concentrated Control System engine management.
Ray Medeiros’ 1972 Datsun 521
After reading about Front Street Media’s favorite cars from the 2016 Nissan Jam, one stood out from the pack. This 1972 Datsun 521 is currently a work in progress for its owner, Ray Medeiros, but it’s coming along so well it made our, and Front Street Media’s, list of featured vehicles.
Featuring its original paint plus mismatched body panels and doors, this throwback pickup truck certainly makes a statement. The interior features Corbeau bucket seats, a full set of Auto Meter Phantom gauges, and a Nissan GTR push to start ignition button.
Medeiros’ pickup is also set up for performance success. Featuring an FJ20 engine and 100 horsepower nitrous kit, this is no longer a 1972 Datsun 521. It’s a futuristic refurbished beast of a machine.
Even if you couldn’t attend, or were lucky enough to make it to the event, let us know what your favorite cars were at the 2016 Nissan Jam. If you have your own modified Nissan model you’d like to share, send it our way and it might make our next coolest cars list. Don’t forget to check out what events like the Nissan Jam are coming up soon.
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