Mazda brings back the 93LE Miata’s black and red for a limited Eunos Edition ND

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Ben Hsu

The Mazda MX-5 Miata has had many, many limited and special editions, but one of the most beloved is the 93LE. As the enthusiast-coined name implies, it came out in 1993 (1992 for Japan) and wore a distinctive black-with-red-interior color scheme. Now, Mazda is bringing it back for the fourth-generation MX-5. Not only that, but they’re reviving the Eunos name, just for the occasion. Continue reading →

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QotW: Which JNC model deserves its own museum?

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Most automakers have their own museums that showcase the history of the entire marque, but last week we wrote about an entire museum dedicated to one model, the Suzuki Jimny. Typically, to warrant its own museum the model would have to be something special and widely, like a Skyline or Miata, but there are plenty more models that we’re honestly surprised don’t have a museum of their own. The ways to outfit the museum would be endless — one of every variation ever built, mountains of literature, promotional materials, scale models in dioramas, or all of the above. The possibilities are endless!

Which JNC model deserves its own museum?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What JNC would you pick if you had to charge through a snowy mountain?” Continue reading →

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BIKES: Now the Yamaha XSR700’s paint finally matches its retro looks

Posted on March 6, 2020 by Dan Hsu

When Yamaha introduced the XSR700 in 2016, its goal was to combine modern technology with classic styling. The naked twin used the MT-07’s frame, suspension, and the crossplane crank parallel twin, but wore the retro look of famous Yamahas of old like the XS 650. Now, for 2020, Yamaha is finally introducing a throwback livery to go along with the look. Continue reading →

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COLLECTIONS: By opening the Jimny Museum, Shigeru Onoue achieved his dream

Posted on March 5, 2020 by Ben Hsu

The Jimny Museum in Japan was not officially established by Suzuki. Instead, the two story shrine to the country’s favorite mini 4WD truck was the obsession of one 72-year-old man, Shigeru Onoue, who has devoted his life to this single model. Continue reading →

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KIDNEY, ANYONE? MS75 Kujira Toyota Crown Coupe

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Ben Hsu

The fourth-generation Toyota Crown is one the most outlandish designs in the company’s long history. The space-age front end was like nothing else at the time, and like nothing else since. Predictably, it was quite polarizing, leading to perhaps an aborted sales period in the US market. Continue reading →

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PARTS GUIDE: Yokohama adds new sizes for GT Special throwback tire

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Last year, Yokohama Tires released a modern version of its iconic GT Special tire, with sizes specifically fitted for classic cars. Due to its success, Yokohama is adding new sizes to the lineup, which should be a boon to restorers of many JNCs. Continue reading →

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Happy Z32 Day from JNC

Posted on March 2, 2020 by Ben Hsu

A styling departure from the ones that had come before it, the Z32 300ZX still looks good today. Happy Z32 Day from JNC!

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QotW: What JNC would you pick if you had to charge through a snowy mountain?

Posted on March 2, 2020 by Ben Hsu

The Toyota Celica GT-Four may have nabbed the starring role in Take Me Out to the Snowland, though the filmmakers originally wanted to cast a Mitsubishi. The Celica proved capable, but Japan has a plethora of AWD and 4WD machines that can take on inclement conditions, from kei cars to Land Cruisers.

What JNC would you pick if you had to charge through a snowy mountain?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What should the Emperor of Japan have in his garage?” Continue reading →

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Happy Z31 Day from JNC

Posted on March 1, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Won’t you consider adopting a third-generation Nissan Fairlady Z? There are many that need loving homes. Happy Z31 Day from JNC!

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JNC THEATER: That time a Celica GT-Four starred in a Japanese movie about skiing

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Ben Hsu

The ST165 Celica GT-Four has gotten some attention lately, thanks to Toyota constantly comparing it to the new GR Yaris. While that link is still somewhat tenuous, it did remind us of when Toyota showed off the newly introduced Celica GT-Four’s snow driving prowess in the Japanese rom-com, Watashi o Sukī ni Tsuretette (Take Me Out to the Snowland). Continue reading →

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Honda wants to know which parts S2000 owners need

Posted on February 27, 2020 by Ben Hsu

For the 20th anniversary of the S2000 Honda has created exclusive parts to make essentially a “third facelift”  version, but it’s also going one step further. As with the NSX and Beat, Honda is creating a parts catalog of hard-to-find and in-demand parts for the S2000. Continue reading →

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Honda is selling new parts for the S2000’s 20th anniversary

Posted on February 26, 2020 by Ben Hsu

In honor of the S2000’s 20th anniversary, Honda is selling all-new parts designed for its popular roadster. Based on the S2000 20th Anniversary prototype unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon, Honda is technically calling this a MMC, or minor model change. In other words, consider this the third facelift for the S2K. Continue reading →

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VIDEO: Z-Cars and Rotaries, classics that appeal to “the youths”

Posted on February 25, 2020 by Ben Hsu

What are the classic cars that will inspire the younger generation of car enthusiasts  to carry on the restoration hobby? You already know the answer but if any additional validation was needed, Hagerty Insurance’s Barn Find Hunter video series reaffirms it: Japanese steel in the form of Mazda rotaries and early Nissan Z-Cars. Continue reading →

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Kidney, Anyone? A well preserved 1968 Toyota Corona

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Ryan Senensky

The RT40 Corona is easily one of the most underrated Toyota classics, which is why it was the subject of one of our illustrious Consider the Following articles. Given how instrumental it was for getting the Toyota name into the American lexicon and its beautiful of-the-era mid-century design, it is a wonder that they aren’t more sought after. Some days you can find a flawless manual coupe for $3,500 and other days it’s $15,000 for an automatic sedan in North Dakota that last saw the road during the Carter administration. Today, however, we have what appears to be one of the best preserved examples that we have had cross our desk recently. Continue reading →

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QotW: What should the Emperor of Japan have in his garage?

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Today is the day when Japan celebrates the Emperor’s birthday. Though the Japanese royals are just figureheads, they can still own pretty much any car(s) they want. The previous Emperor, Akihito, kept it 100 with a low-spec Honda Integra sedan. He stepped down last year, presumably to spend more time cruising around in his Teggy, so this is the first time the country is celebrating the birthday of the new Emperor, Naruhito. Toyota already gifted him a fleet of four Centurys, including a bespoke vert, but why should the patriarch of the Imperial Family settle for just four cars? A birthday seems like a good a time as any to request automobiles from your subjects.

What should the Emperor of Japan have in his garage?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your best Toyota Corolla story?” Continue reading →

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VIDEO: Watch the Isuzu Trooper take a slalom without rolling over

Posted on February 21, 2020 by Ben Hsu

In the 90s at the dawn of the SUV takeover, truck-based people haulers were trying to move upscale while still retaining their off-road cred. Also, Isuzu still existed as a purveyor of passenger vehicles. Their entry into the segment was the second-generation Trooper (or Bighorn, Jackaroo, Horizon, or Monterey depending on which country you lived in). Continue reading →

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Honda brings back Phoenix Yellow for limited edition Civic Type R

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Ben Hsu

We all know that the most proper color for any Type R Honda is Championship White, but Phoenix Yellow ranks as a close second. Well, Honda has just announced that it’s bringing back the color on a limited edition Civic Type R for the 2021 model year. Continue reading →

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Toyota won’t bring the GR Yaris to the US, but will deliver another hot hatch

Posted on February 19, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Toyota USA is adamant that the bonkers GR Yaris won’t be coming to the US. However, even if the car doesn’t, the WRC homologation special’s engine could, according to Toyota’s Bob Carter, executive vice president of sales, in the form of a new hot hatch. Continue reading →

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TUNE UP: A Mazda RX-7 appears in a Japanese boy band video

Posted on February 18, 2020 by Ben Hsu

Once again we remain utterly clueless about the song or the artist portrayed in the video called “44 Raiders” by the Ballistik Boyz from Exile Tribe. We can only tell you that there is a Mazda RX-7 in it, and it looks very similar to a recent Tokyo Auto Salon winner. Continue reading →

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QotW: What’s your best Toyota Corolla story?

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Ben Hsu

On this day in 1972, the Volkswagen Beetle overtook the Ford Model T as the best-selling car in the world. However, the Toyota Corolla has long since obliterated both combined, with over 44 million sold. Unless you’re living in an Amazonian tribe untouched by modernity you’ve owned, known someone who has owned, or ridden in a Corolla. And while we are eager to talk about our AE86s, TE27s, or FX-16s, some of the best tales can come from your run-of-the-mill DX sedans, Geo Prizms, or NUMMI Novas, all of which we will count for this week’s question.

What’s your best Toyota Corolla story?

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

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