Tag Archives: debonair

THE SPOT: Behold the bonkers trippiness of these Yellow Hat commercials

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Ben Hsu

Yellow Hat is a nationwide Japanese chain of auto service stores whose ad agency has clearly huffed one exhaust molecule too many. The completely Mr Sparkle-ized ads exist ostensibly to notify you of Yellow Hat’s tire and battery services, but the execution … Continue reading →

24 Comments

GRAND TOURING: Tohoku, Part 02

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Skorj

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the twin disasters — a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and devastating tsunami — that struck Japan off the coast of Tohoku in 2011. In remembrance, we are re-running a series of stories that relate to the event’s aftermath. This … Continue reading →

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EVENTS: 2015 Mooneyes All Odds Nationals

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Ben Hsu

If you’re looking for high-powered GT-Rs and the like, Mooneyes shows are probably not for you. The cars you find at a typical Mooneyes event celebrate the art of customization, whether it’s on kei cars or commercial trucks. The vehicles here less about racing than … Continue reading →

5 Comments

JNC RADIO: Sing along to the The Auto Show Song

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Ben Hsu

Originally released in 1964, “The Auto Show Song” was composed by famed Japanese songwriter Tetsuro Hoshino and performed by action movie star/singer Akira Kobayashi (there are a lot of crossover entertainers in Japan). It was an old standard of the Showa Era, and sounded … Continue reading →

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EVENTS: Showa Kinen Park Car Show

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Chris Nicholson

Today’s guest writer is Chris Nicholson, who keeps the cars running at the Lane Motor Museum. Chris recently attended a classic car show in Showa Kinen Park. Every trip to Japan is full of wonder, and every trip to Japan is too … Continue reading →

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Ten years, 100,000km of Mitsubishi ownership

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Matt De Mangos

Back in 2010 Mitsubishi went around Japan looking for the most loyal members of the triple diamond clan. They sent journalist Hirohisa Kaneko across the country looking for individuals who had owned their Mitsubishis for either 10 years or 100,000km … Continue reading →

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EVENTS: Yokohama Hot Rod and Custom Show

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Ben Hsu

Step into Mooneyes‘ Yokohama Hot Rod and Custom Show and you might think you’ve stepped through a wormhole to 1960s America. Every style you can imagine, from high-boys to lowriders, is represented, including ones actual Americans no longer care about. Raked … Continue reading →

5 Comments

EVENTS: Mooneyes Hot Rod & Custom Show

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Ben Hsu

There’s no event on Earth that captures the the fusion of Japano-American car culture quite like the Mooneyes Hot Rod & Custom Show. Everything from Baja Bugs to T-Buckets are represented, with the majority of cars shown are imports to … Continue reading →

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Grand Touring: The Kii Peninsula via the newly opened Shin-Tomei Expressway

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Skorj

Earlier this year the first section of the Shin-Tomei Expressway opened for traffic, marking a new era for Japan’s highway system. Naturally we went exploring, taking this newest road to one of the oldest inhabited regions of Japan, the Kii Peninsula.

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EVENTS: 2012 Mooneyes Street Car Nationals, Part 02: Sedans

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Ben Hsu

The Mooneyes Street Car Nationals may take place in Tokyo, but unlike the typical kyuusha gathering the SCN is a celebration of Amesha Kulture. That’s why you’re more likely to spot a Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier van than a G-nosed Z, and … Continue reading →

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Your gallery of Superdeformed Nostalgics is here

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Ben Hsu

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 →

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What a Japanese Redneck Would Drive

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Ben Hsu

Whilst browsing The Intarwebs last weekend we came across this feat of fabrication. Why anyone would ute the Triple Diamond’s executive town car is something we, sadly, do not have the answer to. What we do have is a Mitsubishi Debonair … Continue reading →

7 Comments

EVENTS: New Year Meeting 2011 Part 03: Sedans, Saloons, Four-Doors

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Dan Hsu

Whether you prefer a relaxed ride, enjoy the extra roominess, or require three yakuza enforcers with you at all times, a nostalgic sedan can be a practical yet stylish choice. For example, everything about Mooneyes‘ S50 Toyota Crown — the … Continue reading →

6 Comments

Friday Video: Guerilla Group 8 Mitsubishi Sigma Clown Car

Posted on June 4, 2010 by Ben Hsu

As we’ve mentioned before, Guerilla Group 8 was Mitsubishi‘s attempt at throwing vehicle sponsorship behind an action cop show to spice up their image (a la Nissan and Seibu Keistasu, Abunai Deka, and many others). Since Mitsubishi was footing the … Continue reading →

11 Comments

EVENTS: 2010 Mooneyes Street Car Nationals, Part II

Posted on June 1, 2010 by Ben Hsu

Welcome to Part Two of our coverage of the Mooneyes Street Car Nationals. As we mentioned in Part One, this show often blends American and Japanese customization styles, as evidenced by this army-themed van. If you think a US military motif, … Continue reading →

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Friday Video: Mitsubishi Starion vs Toyota Crown

Posted on March 5, 2010 by Ben Hsu

Poor Sgt. Daimon. It seems that no matter what TV series he’s in, he is always called upon to dispatch a ridiculously over-armed bad guy with a single shot worthy of Vasily Zaytsev, after which he must solemnly watch their … Continue reading →

5 Comments

Debonair: When AMG met Mitsubishi

Posted on December 28, 2007 by Kevin San

Recently, we profiled some bizarre tie-ups between JDM and European car companies, like the weird alliance between Nissan and Alfa Romeo and between De Tomaso and Daihatsu. But one that we forgot, and to be honest, it’s the one that … Continue reading →

15 Comments