Author Archives: Ben Hsu
Even Mercedes-Benz is getting their classics from Japan
It’s been an unintentionally German week here on JNC. Many respondents, rightly so, said that Porsche had the best automaker heritage collection in the world. Then there was news that German supplier Bosch was launching a series of classic car … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the greenest car you’ve ever owned?
Happy Earth Day! We at JNC don’t see a love for cars as being in conflict with care for the planet. We’re all about preservation, whether it’s classic cars or mountain gorillas or clean rivers. We love our Land Cruisers … Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
20 Comments
Baby Toyota Land Cruiser rumored to arrive next year
Since last fall there have been rumblings of a baby Land Cruiser joining the Toyota lineup, a vehicle said to be called a “Jimny killer” internally. A new report out of Japan suggests that, whatever it’s called, the public could … Continue reading
QotW: Which carmaker takes the best care of its heritage?
The recent revelation that the Toyota USA Museum was crushing two of its cars was gut-wrenching for enthusiasts. Every carmaker struggles with the conflicting forces of keeping their heritage alive and having to juggle constraints of cost or space or … Continue reading
Ex-race car driver and Japan National Diet member Junko Mihara just had her car stolen
Japan is a famously safe nation, but car thefts have been on the rise. Among the most popular targets are high-end Toyotas like the Alphard, Land Cruiser, and Lexus LX. The thefts have even struck some of the highest-ranking people … Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged 24 Hours of Spa, a60, celica, corolla, corolla levin, e90, honda, integra, J200, JGTC, jtcc, land cruiser, long beach grand prix, Masahiro Matsunaga, mr2, prelude, pulsar, Super Taikyu, supra, sw20, tom's, toyota
4 Comments
The Mitsubishi Eclipse was named after an undefeated racehorse, not the astronomical event
On April 8 a rare total solar eclipse took place in North America. Despite the many “Eclipse Day” references in automotive media, the beloved 1990s sports coupe is not named after the astronomical event — not directly, anyway. In fact, … Continue reading
A first look inside Suzuka Circuit’s Honda Racing Gallery
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Honda’s entry into Formula 1 at the 1964 German Grand Prix. Today, April 5, Honda is using the occasion to open a new museum dedicated to Honda motorsports at Suzuka Circuit, which began … Continue reading
The Toyota USA Museum is crushing a classic Cressida and record-setting Prius
We are sad to report that the Toyota USA Museum appears to be sending two of its cars to the crusher. A gold 1978 Cressida and a 2003 Prius with a very distinct livery have surfaced in a recycling yard … Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged Bonneville Salt Flats, cressida, mark II, prius, toyota, Toyota USA Museum, x30, XW20
15 Comments
Nissan Z and GT-R will live to see another generation, says execs
Nissan is working on the next-generations of its two most cherished nameplates, according to a new report. Despite a hostile climate to traditional sports cars, the Z and GT-R will soldier on in a new generation, though it might be … Continue reading
Mitsubishi’s Ralliart history comes alive in this short film
Mitsubishi Motors has produced a short film covering its rallying history. In this 10-minute short film, engineers from Mitsubishi’s WRC program reminisce about what got them into rallying and their passion for the sport. They discuss important Mitsubishi rally cars, … Continue reading
Posted in motorsport
Tagged lancer, lancer evolution, mitsubishi, pajero, Ralliart, Triton
2 Comments
QotW: What’s the biggest joke in the automotive world?
Happy April Fools’ Day. Instead of playing a joke on you this year, we’re going to explore the jokes that this cruel world has played on all of us. It would be too easy to mock the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, … Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
23 Comments
Watch the Nissan R92CP claim its third “double title” in a row
Nissan has released a video of its efforts in the 1992 Japan Sports Prototype Championships. The 1992 season was a significant one as it marked the tenth and final year of the JSPC. With the bubble economy having burst the … Continue reading
Posted in motorsport
1 Comment
Why the NA Mazda Miata OEM wheel has 7 spokes instead of 8
As has often been said, the original NA Mazda MX-5 Miata wheel was designed to evoke popular aftermarket wheels of the 1960s. However, as keen-eyed observers might note, all those wheels and the many copies they inspired have eight spokes. … Continue reading
QotW: What car still feels new to you even though it’s actually old?
As lovers of classic cars our perception of time can get seriously warped. That often manifests itself when we see a car like the Nissan 350Z, which because we grew up admiring the S30-Z32 generations, we think of as new … Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
7 Comments
NA Mazda MX-5 Miata OEM wheel reborn as 15-incher
The original Mazda Miata was an icon in every way, and the fact that its original OEM wheel is now being remade is proof. The RML Daisy takes its name from the nickname Miata enthusiasts have given the NA Miata’s … Continue reading
Posted in wheels
4 Comments
Kenjiro Shinozuka, Mitsubishi works driver and Paris-Dakar champion, 1948 — 2024
Famed Japanese rally driver Kenjiro Shinozuka has died after a battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 75. Best known for his achievements as a works driver with Mitsubishi, Shinozuka brought glory to the Triple Diamond in both the … Continue reading
Posted in motorsport
Tagged Galant VR-4, Kenjiro Shinozuka, lancer evolution, mitsubishi, pajero, Paris-Dakar Rally
2 Comments
Marcello Gandini, legendary supercar designer, loved kei cars
The automotive world is still mourning the recent passing of legendary designer Marcello Gandini. One might assume that the much-revered designer of some of history’s most desirable supercars would drive something incredibly exotic. Something from his long résumé of iconic … Continue reading
Posted in Design
Tagged Countach, kei, lamborghini, Lancia, manga, Marcello Gandini, Maserati, suzuki, Wagon R
8 Comments
Honda and Nissan have inked a strategic partnership agreement
Back in 2019 the Japanese government reportedly tried to get Honda and Nissan to merge. At the time, both companies were said to have rejected the proposal right away. But now, a mere five years later, both carmakers have signed … Continue reading
