QotW: Should carmakers use classic nameplates for new models?

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Brandon Kelley

Last week, we finally got a glimpse of the forever-teased fifth-gen Supra. Toyota can now add their historic nameplate back into their lineup to evoke the glory years of exciting expressway champions and literally unbelievable “Gentleman’s Agreement” performance. Honda and Nissan also have historic badges running the streets in the NSX, Z and GT-R, as well as upcoming models like the Urban EV. Looking at the selection, we ask you to ponder:

Should carmakers use classic nameplates for new models?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s the coolest JNC you’ve spotted in the cold dark of winter?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | 7 Comments

Tokyo Auto Salon: Japanese Restomods

Posted on January 18, 2019 by Ben Hsu

Even after 27 years, The Tokyo Auto Salon is still the premier showcase of automotive fashion from a country that has no shortage of them. Many trends have come and gone over the decades, but TAS will probably always have classics in one form or another. Updated with today’s technology and build techniques, here are (to borrow a term from modernized muscle cars) the Japanese restomods. Continue reading →

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Tokyo Auto Salon: Behold this Japanese wave pattern carbon fiber

Posted on January 17, 2019 by Glenn Chiou

Carbon fiber came out of the racing and tuning world, but has grown stale over the years. The epitome of this has to be the faux carbon fiber appliqués stickered onto the so-called “sport” trims of new cars. At this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, we finally spotted a fresh take on carbon fiber, and it incorporates one of the most traditional Japanese patterns into its design. Continue reading →

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Tokyo Auto Salon: Here’s the Toyota Century GRMN in black

Posted on January 16, 2019 by Ben Hsu

Here’s another quick snap from the Gazoo Racing booth at the Tokyo Auto Salon last weekend. Looks like CEO Akio Toyoda has commissioned another Century GRMN, this time in its most proper color, black. Continue reading →

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Tokyo Auto Salon: Suzuki Land Cruiser? Toyota Jimny?

Posted on January 16, 2019 by Ben Hsu

The Suzuki Jimny is one of the coolest SUVs to debut in recent years. With its true body-on-frame construction, transfer case, and low-range, it’s mor of a true off-roader than most of the bigger, tough-looking crossovers on the market today. Plus, with a starting price of ¥1,458,000 ($13,400 USD), you can afford to have fun with it. That’s exactly what one company did at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, when they dressed one up as a Toyota Land Cruiser.
Continue reading →

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Tokyo Auto Salon: Here are some proper Supras

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Dan Hsu

If you’re sick of all the A90 news, here are some true, Toyota-built Supras to soothe your nerves. The Tokyo Auto Salon took place last weekend, just a day before Toyota chose to reveal the production 2020 Supra at the Detroit Auto Show. Of course, Toyota still teased the A90 at TAS, but it also brought along some of its predecessors. Continue reading →

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MINICARS: Someone 3D-printed a working Toyota 22R-E

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Matt De Mangos

If there was one engine that did not need to be preserved digitally, it would be the Toyota 22R-E. They are pretty much indestructible and will likely last beyond human civilization. Still, one clever engineer 3D-modeled a surprisingly faithful replica of the evergreen truck mill — and it moves just like a real one. Continue reading →

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NEWS: This is the production 2020 Toyota Supra

Posted on January 14, 2019 by Ben Hsu

After a 17 year hiatus, the Supra nameplate has returned to the automotive kingdom, unveiled today at the Detroit Auto Show. A poorly kept secret and incessantly teased, the reveal is perhaps no longer really a surprise, but here are the details Toyota provided at today’s press conference. Continue reading →

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QotW: What’s the coolest JNC you’ve spotted in the cold dark of winter?

Posted on January 14, 2019 by Ryan Senensky

For half of the United States it is winter and that means the cool JNCs have been stowed away as winter beaters roam the streets. While people in places like California continue to enjoy weekly magazine coverage worthy car shows, we enthusiasts in the north might as well hibernate with our machines. As such, we begin to itch for some excitement on the roads. We get twitchy and do weird things, like get inordinately excited about seeing a V20 Camry in traffic. Which. brings us to our question:

 What’s the coolest JNC you’ve spotted in the cold dark of winter?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Which 25-year-old cars are you most excited about?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 14 Comments

MARKETWATCH: Damn straight the Toyota Supra is worth $121,000

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Patrick Strong

Last week, a 1994 Toyota Supra Turbo with approximately 7,000 original miles sold for $121,000. About a minute later, the automotive interwebs went into meltdown.

While prices for the most desirable Japanese cars have been steadily moving upward for several years, the notion that a fourth-generation Toyota Supra was suddenly a six-figure automobile seems to have been more than many could swallow. Reactions were largely negative, with commenters across a broad spectrum of platforms echoing the sentiment that this was “crazy” or “stupid” money for “just a Toyota.” Continue reading →

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Akio Toyoda’s Century GRMN has a touching easter egg

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Ben Hsu

Akio Toyoda is a fashionable guy, and as such he knows how to arrive in style. At the recent Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival at Fuji Speedway, the Toyota CEO arrived in his custom Toyota Century GRMN, a version of Toyota’s flagship sedan tuned by his company’s racing division. At the time of this event, there were reportedly just two examples in existence (there should be another one at the Tokyo Auto Salon this weekend), built for internal use. It just might the ultimate Toyota unobtainium. Continue reading →

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MOTORSPORT: The Supra returns to Japan touring car racing

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Ben Hsu

Toyota has announced that the fifth-gen Supra will return to Japanese touring car racing. The prototype body will be shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon this weekend, and marks the first time in 12 years that a Supra has participated in SuperGT (formerly JGTC).  Continue reading →

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NEWS: 2020 Toyota Supra leaked ahead of official reveal

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Ben Hsu

The production 2020 Supra wasn’t supposed to be shown until next Monday at the Detroit Auto Show, but a leaked video reveals the A90 in all its un-camouflaged glory. Toyota Mexico accidentally tweeted the video below, showing the Supra in action. Continue reading →

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NEWS: Subaru’s blue and gold livery is back, baby

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Ben Hsu

Subaru announced this morning that it will revive its celebrated blue and yellow livery, which famously graced Impreza WRX STI during the company’s era of dominance in the World Rally Championships. Eagle-eyed Subarists will notice that the graphics aren’t exactly the same as the ones from the mid-1990s, but it’s a different world now. Sponsorship from cigarette companies are no longer allowed. Continue reading →

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NEWS: Mazda to unveil 30th Anniversary Miata next month

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Ben Hsu

It’s really hard to believe, but the Mazda Miata turns 30 years old next month. The original NA generation of debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in February 1989 and single-handedly revived the roadster, which was at that point a dying breed in the automotive kingdom. The rest is history, and to celebrate that history Mazda plans to release a 30th anniversary model of the 2019 Miata later this year. Continue reading →

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MINICARS: Behold the most detailed Toyota Celica model kit ever made

Posted on January 9, 2019 by Ricky Silverio

Starting today, fans of scale model kits in Japan will be able to buy what is likely the most detailed miniature Toyota Celica ever made. Measuring over 20 inches long and over six inches tall in 1:8 scale, the Celica Liftback 2000GT will have a metal body, working lights, and several moving parts. It will also take you over two years to complete. Continue reading →

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THE MORE YOU KNOW: California has passed a strict new exhaust law

Posted on January 8, 2019 by Ben Hsu

When the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2019, a new traffic law went into effect in California regarding aftermarket exhausts. Before, if you got pulled over for an “excessively loud” exhaust, officers had the option to give you a “fix-it” ticket. That meant rather than getting slapped with the full violation fine, you could put the stock unit back on, take it to an inspection station, and pay a small $25 fine to cover the paperwork. That is no longer possible, and you will have to pay the full fine. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 38 Comments

VIDEO: The 1989 Nissan Maxima was pretty cool

Posted on January 7, 2019 by Ben Hsu

Remember the original “4DSC” Nissan Maxima? The so-called 4-Door Sports Car was a notch above the standard family sedan offerings at the time. It tempted us with a dedicated chassis and V6-only drivetrain. The design was clean, it was tossable, and you could get it in a stick. Continue reading →

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QotW: Which 25-year-old cars are you most excited about?

Posted on January 7, 2019 by Ben Hsu

It’s 2019, and a new crop of cars will officially become classics this year, part of the 25 Year Club eligible for a smog check-free existence and historic car plates and insurance in most states. And then there’s the JDM cars released a quarter-century ago in 1994 that will become legal to import by year’s end, offerings conceived at the height of Bubble Era madness.

Which 25-year-old cars are you most excited about?

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 JNC New Year’s resolution?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 5 Comments

KIDNEY, ANYONE? The oldest known Japanese car officially imported to America needs a new home – UPDATE

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Ben Hsu

About ten and a half years ago, we told you about the oldest known Japanese car officially imported to the US. That car was a 1958 Toyopet Crown, which was then auctioned on eBay and purchased in part by the Tupelo Automobile Museum in Tupelo, Mississippi. Unfortunately, that museum is closing and all its cars, including the now-restored Crown, are to be auctioned off. Continue reading →

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