VIDEO: Burnouts and assorted antics with the Wild Cards

Posted on October 17, 2017 by Ben Hsu

After the recent JCCS show, our friends the Wild Cards swung by the Hoonigan offices for a little video shoot. You’ll see cars like Roy De Guzman’s Hako, Jay Kho’s R30, Patrick Soliman’s Kenmeri, and even JNC award winner Gilbert Susana’s 510. After a hood popping sesh the boys let loose with some burnouts and general hoonage. If seeing tires go up in smoke is your bag, check out the video below. Continue reading →

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QotW: What JNC needs to be Kylo Ren’s ride in the next Star Wars?

Posted on October 16, 2017 by Brandon Kelley

Last weekend, our mighty editor-in-chief Ben swung by the Tokyo offices as we gear up for Tokyo Motor Show. While on the hunt for some new Tomica minicars, we came across the above. Seeing as the latest trailer to the next Star Wars installment dropped, this week’s QotW is fitting. What does the First Order Jedi roll around in when not fighting on self-destructive planets, or losing his cool on a Destroyer?

Simple question, make it fun, gang. Bonus points if you Photoshop something. (Previous Star Wars-branded JNC excluded!!!)

What JNC needs to be Kylo Ren’s ride in the next Star Wars?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “How far will you go for your next JNC?” Continue reading →

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NEWS: Daihatsu’s retro concepts for the Tokyo Motor Show

Posted on October 13, 2017 by Ben Hsu

This year’s Tokyo Motor Show might see the revival of some legendary models — Supra, Z, S2000, Evo — but it might be Daihatsu that takes the cake for the most charming heritage concepts this year. The compact car specialist has revealed a pair of throwback models ahead of the show to mark the company’s 110th anniversary.  Continue reading →

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EVENTS: 2017 Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 06 — Datsun 510 and the winner of the 2017 JNC Award

Posted on October 12, 2017 by Ben Hsu

Every year, the kind folks at JCCS allow us to give one JNC award. This year, we were incredibly happy to give it to a Datsun 510, as 2017 happened to be the 50th anniversary of the Nissan 510 chassis. But which 510? There was a grip of them at the show, so let’s take a look at some of them before we reveal which five and dime went home with the award.  Continue reading →

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NEWS: Mazda’s Tokyo sedan concept to set next generation of design, looks rear-wheel-drive

Posted on October 11, 2017 by Ben Hsu

Mazda has revealed some teasers for two concepts that will headline its Tokyo Motor Show display later this month. One is almost certainly the next-generation Mazda Axela (known stateside as the 3). The more far-out one is a sedan concept the Hiroshima carmaker says will establish the next generation of Mazda design. What’s more interesting though is that the car appears to have rear-wheel-drive proportions.  Continue reading →

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VIDEO: Listen to the sound of the Honda RA300 at Monza

Posted on October 11, 2017 by Ben Hsu

Fifty years ago, the Honda RA300 won the Italian Grand Prix. Earlier this year, Honda took its famed racing machine back to Autodromo Nazionale Monza, and cranked its 48-valve, 12,000-rpm V12 for the fans to hear.  Continue reading →

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EVENTS: 2017 Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 05 — 80s & 90s

Posted on October 10, 2017 by Ben Hsu

This year the JCCS Street Neo Classics show was put on hiatus because its venue, an area of the Toyota USA campus, is no longer available. If you’ve been following the news the company’s move to Texas is underway, so soon the long-standing Torrance headquarters will be a ghost office park. As such, JCCS organizers allowed a one time more 80s and 90s cars than would typically qualify — so enjoy this rare occasion!  Continue reading →

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VIDEO: B110 Nissan Sunny vs KP61 Toyota Starlet touge battle

Posted on October 9, 2017 by Ben Hsu

“Why no moar horsepower?” is probably the most oft repeated and annoying gripe  leveled at Japanese cars. If you’d like to see a video that answers why, here it is. Japan’s roads are mountainous, tight and a ton of fun in small, lightweight cars. Watch Drift King Keiichi Tsuchiya and Takyua Kurosawa drive a KP61 Toyota Starlet and a B110 Nissan Sunny — cars that had less than 100 horsepower when new but weighed about 1,600 pounds — drive them on the roads they were meant to be driven on.  Continue reading →

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QotW: How far will you go for your next JNC?

Posted on October 9, 2017 by Brandon Kelley

A recent trip took me to Dubai and back to Tokyo. A few take aways: Toyota is killing it in the taxi and fleet market, and there are plenty of JNCs out there. With internet auction sites, private listing sites and forums; are you willing to go beyond your local area for your next JNC? Where do you draw the line?

How far will you go for your next JNC?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What is the worst modern design trend?” Continue reading →

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EVENTS: 2017 Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 04 — Shakotan Sleds

Posted on October 6, 2017 by Ben Hsu

We’ve shown you the JDM rarities, competition machines and museum pieces of JCCS, but we know what you really came here for — Nihon sleds slammed on some vintage barrels. It’s the quintessential Japanese modified car look, and there was plenty of it on hand at the Queen Mary.  Continue reading →

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NEWS: Toyota will introduce a new Century for only the third time in 50 years

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Ben Hsu

Toyota has released images of the third generation Toyota Century ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show. This is notable, because in the Toyota flagship sedan’s entire 50 year history, there has been only one complete redesign, until now. While minor updates have been made over the decades, the 2018 Century will be only the third completely new generation in, well, half a century.  Continue reading →

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NEWS: More images of Mitsubishi Evo concept revealed

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Ben Hsu

Mitsubishi has revealed two new images of its next Evolution model. Called the e-Evolution, it is said to combine the automaker’s greatest strengths — all wheel drive, electrification, and off-roading prowess.  Continue reading →

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EVENTS: Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 03 — Stock as a Rock

Posted on October 4, 2017 by Ben Hsu

Before we get started on this installment of the 2017 JCCS coverage, let us just say that it has become impossible to capture every click-worthy car on camera. That’s a good thing, a testament to the ever-increasing quality of cars that show up to North America’s premiere J-tin event, and a statement on how Japanese cars are both appreciating and becoming more appreciated as each year rolls by.   Continue reading →

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JCCS Spotlight: Joseph DeMeo’s 1988 Toyota Celica All-Trac

Posted on October 4, 2017 by Ben Hsu

One of the most mind-blowing cars at this year’s Japanese Classic Car Show was Joseph DeMeo’s 1988 Toyota Celica All-Trac. With just 15,200 miles on the odometer, the rally-inspired AWD coupe was basically showroom and the finest example we had ever seen, but Joseph still wasn’t satisfied with it just yet.  Continue reading →

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Consider The Following: V20 Toyota Camry

Posted on October 3, 2017 by Ryan Senensky

The V20 Toyota Camry is the ultimate hand-me-down car every new driver got because their parent’s frugality was outweighed only by their aversion to shepherding their kids to and fro. Just about everyone has an experience with a run-of-the-mill 3S-FE-equipped DX complete with a A140E 4-speed automatic transmission. For me, it was the donor car in shop class on which I changed my first spark plugs. However, there was much more to the V20 Camry than meets the eye, and no, we’re not even talking about how Bubble Economy Toyota overbuilt it and cemented a legendary reputation for quality. We’re talking about how Camrys can actually be rare and fun. Continue reading →

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NEWS: Honda to debut S2000-esque concept at Tokyo Motor Show

Posted on October 2, 2017 by Ben Hsu

Honda has released a teaser image of an upcoming concept to be shown at the Tokyo Motor Show. Called the Honda Sport EV, it appears to be a sports coupe with rear-wheel-drive proportions, with a flowing hood similar to that of the dearly departed S2000.  Continue reading →

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QotW: What is the worst modern design trend?

Posted on October 2, 2017 by Ryan Senensky

There have been questionable design choices throughout the ages — the giant safety bumpers that disgraced everything from Corolla to the 280Z immediately come to mind. Today it seems that these questionable designs are becoming more prevalent. There are no shortage of design choices that need to be lost to time, but which is the worst? These designs aren’t because automotive designers today are less talented; they’re just dealing with a set of regulations that stifle design options. To satisfy these regulations, belt lines are sky high and all that metal is being contorted into bizarre shapes to break up the space as if it’s no longer acceptable to have flat surfaces or rectangular shapes.

What is the worst modern design trend that needs to be gone immediately?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What will happen to JNCs once autonomous cars take over?” Continue reading →

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EVENTS: 2017 Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 02 — Because Race Car

Posted on September 29, 2017 by Ben Hsu

In Japan, you have full-blown vintage racing events devoted to Nihon steel, factory sponsored motorsports festivals, and manufacturer exhibits. These things don’t really happen in the US with Japanese automakers, so JCCS is one of the rare opportunities for competition machines to shine.  Continue reading →

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EVENTS: 2017 Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 01 — JDM Goodness

Posted on September 28, 2017 by Ben Hsu

We say this every year, but it’s true: the quality and selection of cars at the Japanese Classic Car Show keeps getting better with age. This year, the representation from Japan was increased substantially, with nameplates both beloved and obscure. Here are the best JDM cars we saw at the show.  Continue reading →

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MOTORSPORT: There is now a giant 787B at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Posted on September 27, 2017 by Ben Hsu

Measuring 32 feet long and 10 feet tall, the massive Mazda 787B towers above the Monterey-Salinas Highway. The road, also known as California State Route 68, passes by the entrance of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Apparently, when you buy the naming rights to a track, they let you decorate it how you like.  Continue reading →

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