Author Archives: Ben Hsu
QotW: What’s the most inexpensive way to command respect at Car Week?
We just returned from Monterey Car Week, where cars of all types mingle on the streets of the central coast peninsula. Traditionally Japanese cars have been relegated to the sidelines but are now gaining respect, even among the blue-bloods. Sure, … Continue reading
Acura Nexera Vision Concept begins the next chapter for the marque
As Acura marks 40 years since its launch, the brand seeks to establish an outlook for the future. Timed alongside its 40th anniversary, Acura’s Nexera Vision (the name is a portmanteau of “next era”) concept is a low-slung sports car with … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your favorite automotive hat?
Today, August 10, is Hat Day in Japan, formed by Japan’s love for a pun-based occasion: ha (eight) and to (ten), which together form hatto, the Japanese pronunciation of “hat”. It also happens to be one of the punniest dates … Continue reading
The second-gen Honda Accord was a technological marvel: navigation, auto-leveling suspension and ABS in the age of MTV
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Honda Accord, launched in May 1976. Pioneering ideas like front-wheel-drive and taking on environmental concerns with the CVCC engine, it sold 1.5 million examples in 90 countries. Expectations for were high when … Continue reading
QotW: What was your favorite slot car experience?
We at JNC often discuss diecast cars or model kits, but there’s another world of vintage automotive toys that many have fond memories of. In postwar America slot cars were the phenomenon that bridged the gap between toy models and … Continue reading
5Zigen’s iconic FN01R-C is coming back for its 25th anniversary
One of the quintessential wheels of the Tuner Era is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary. 5Zigen has quietly teased an image of its FN01R-C wheel hinting at a special edition celebrating a quarter of a century. Like the Volk … Continue reading
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QotW: What car did you love as a kid but realized was terrible when you got older?
Kids don’t know anything, and as a kid there were many cars that I thought were incredible until I grew up and my brain got better. Growing up in the 80s, I had the obligatory Countach poster on my wall, … Continue reading
Could this test mule be the next Toyota MR2?
A visitor to Fuji Speedway may have spotted a prototype Toyota MR2 lapping the circuit. The car in question is a compact sports car with a mid-engine layout as evidenced at the large air intakes aft of the doors and … Continue reading
It’s the end of the road for the Nissan Altima: The rise and fall of the once-proud Accord rival, Part 02
The Nissan Altima is dead, confirmed by a top Nissan exec last week. In Part 01 of our Altima retrospective, we followed its rise, from compact Stanza spinoff to, by generation three, a true enthusiast’s contender against midsizers like the … Continue reading
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It’s the end of the road for the Nissan Altima: The rise and fall of the once-proud Accord rival, Part 01
The Nissan Altima is officially dead. Its demise was confirmed by Nissan’s head of product planning and senior vice president for North America Ponz Pandikuthira in an interview with WardsAuto. It’s been rumored to be on the chopping block since … Continue reading
Akio Toyoda drops wisdom on students, then takes them drifting in unforgettable graduation ceremony
There’s no question that Akio Toyoda is one of the most impressive auto executives in the world. He’s one of us — an enthusiast — who races cars in his spare time. But even if we take that bias out … Continue reading
A Toyota MR2 SC lost out to a Fiero in Motorweek’s comparo, thanks in part to its eye-watering cost
When Toyota debuted its supercharged MR2 for 1988, it was a revelation. While several automakers experimented with supercharging in the 1950s, it hadn’t really been used in a production car for decades. Sure, there were Lancias and Japanese-market Toyotas that … Continue reading
Five Toyotas are the first Japanese cars to race in the Mille Miglia
The original Mille Miglia was one of the most storied and dangerous road races in automotive history. Covering 1000 miles through beautiful Italian cities, it was the crucible that helped make legends out of Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lancia, and more. … Continue reading
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Tagged 2000gt, A80, Crown S30, lexus, lfa, Mille Miglia, sports 800, supra, toyota
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Honda and Nissan will soon announce team-up of some kind
Honda and Nissan broached a merger in 2024, but the talks blew up spectacularly before any sort of agreement could take place. A lot has happened in the two years since and now Honda’s CEO is hinting that a collaboration … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your best story about buying or selling a car via auction?
Today, June 29, is Real-Time Used Car Auction Day in Japan. It commemorates the anniversary of the first time dealers across the country could bid on a car live. The inaugural auction took place long before the world wide web … Continue reading
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Keisuke Kuwata’s latest music video is a feast of Showa Era cars
Keisuke Kuwata’s latest music video “Hitotarashi” is a carspotter’s dream. It takes place in a Tokyo traffic jam where almost every single car is a standout from the 70s, 80s, or 90s. Prior to the gridlock Kuwata himself, a known … Continue reading
Mazda 787B to return to Le Mans for 35th anniversary
A Mazda North America PR person once told us that every car in the collection is expendable, except for the 787B. “That one is priceless because there will only ever be one Le Mans winner,” he said. Given that, if … Continue reading
