Author Archives: Ben

Forgotten steel tempts rust in Aichi Prefecture

A few weekends ago, we were again exploring some outlaying areas outside of Nagoya, and in the middle of the rice fields was a small mechanic who had amazed a sizable collection of varied old Japanese cars. As distressing as … Continue reading

13 Comments

Wednesday Wall: Nissan Skyline 55th Anniversary Wallpapers

For the Skyline‘s 55th birthday Nissan has released a series of wallpapers by artist Eizen Suzuki. The gorgeous illustrations depict each generation of the Japanese legend in various nostalgic settings, and a new one will be released every month of … Continue reading

7 Comments

Friday Video: Subaru commercials want your heartstrings tugged

ToMoCo has plenty of FR heritage to capitalize on as they gear up for the Toyota 86 launch, but what about its Subaru BRZ twin? Instead of drifting XT coupes we get a  disowned son reuniting with his father over a … Continue reading

13 Comments

New York Times reports on vintage Japanese cars

A few months ago Koji and Terry Yamaguchi of the JCCS, Jun Imai of Mattel and I were interviewed by a reporter from the New York Times about the growing collectibility of vintage Japanese cars.  This is the article. Nothing in … Continue reading

13 Comments

Wednesday Wall: Racing Toyotas from TRD

As the Toyota 86 inches closer to its Japanese debut the Aichi mothership is releasing a slew of propaganda. The latest is a series of TRD wallpapers beautifully illustrated by Masahisa Higuchi. They depict the neo-hachiroku and its racing forebears, including the … Continue reading

9 Comments

Wangan-Style Z31 Anniversary

Some say we don’t post enough Z31s. Let’s rectify that right now with a hidari-handoru 1984 Nissan 300ZX 50th Anniversary Edition targa that’s returned home for modification, wangan style. That is all. [HTF]

18 Comments

Hot Wheels Datsun 510 Bluebird in Metallic Gray

The latest iteration of Hot Wheels‘ ever-popular Datsun 510 Bluebird is going to be metallic gray. It has the same graphics as the red one that came out late last year, but racier wheels. It’s still part of the “Faster … Continue reading

17 Comments

Friday Video: How not to stop a heavy duty dump truck with your Nissan Cedric

As it turns out, ramming an 8,000-pound dump truck with your 2,800-pound Nissan Cedric Special 6 is not an effective method for slowing it down. Like always, what you need is a Sgt Daimon in his own Cedric several miles … Continue reading

2 Comments

Friday Video: Dekotora Chase!

The 1996 film Super-Woman was not in fact about an ultra-strong female hero, but a cashier who uncovers shady dealings at a rival supermarket chain. The Japanese love of abbreviation strikes again! The movie would be altogether unremarkable except for a … Continue reading

8 Comments

Your gallery of Superdeformed Nostalgics is here

In case you were wondering where you could get your favorite nostalgic drawn in superdeformed anime style, your prayers have been answered. This unnamed master of Choro-Q style illustrations is a master of the form. Peep the gallery and video … Continue reading

11 Comments