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 hosting the Japanese Grand Prix in 1987. It was only a year after Honda had started producing cars, and the sport was largely unknown in Japan. 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 near Dallas, Texas, close to Toyota USA’s headquarters. Both of these cars are almost certainly from Toyota’s museum. 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 a while before we see those cars in the metal. They may also be dramatically different than the cars we’re used to. 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, now carefully preserved, many of which have been gathered together in a very rare joint appearance. 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, a car so ugly and strange it’s almost endearing. Instead, we’re going to laugh at how Nissan actually spent good money to produce it during a time when it was absolutely slashing costs in all other aspects. The CrossCab came out just as Nissan began obliterating decades of hard-earned reputation by installing its worst generation of CVTs across its entire lineup. Rumor is that Carlos Ghosn’s wife came up with the idea, which fast-tracked the car into production. That alone should have been cause enough to have sent him packing in a musical instrument box. Your answers of the week don’t have to be a specific car, though many certainly deserve the ridicule. They can be a personal story, a trend, or a sad universal truth.
What’s the biggest joke in the automotive world?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What car still feels new to you even though it’s actually old?“. Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
23 Comments
Here’s what Initial D would look like if it took place in America
The web has countless works of art inspired by Initial D, but here’s a completely original take on the seminal anime. A “what if” short imagines what the touge racing tale would look like if it took place in America. Instead of a Toyota AE86, we get the quintessential 1980s street machine, a Fox Body Mustang — and not the showy GT, but the sleeper LX 5.0. Continue reading
Toyota GT-One arrives in Gran Turismo 7
Gran Turismo 7‘s latest update packs some serious horsepower. Notably, it marks the return of the Toyota GT-One, among the most beautiful and the most tragic Le Mans racers of the last 25 years. The 780-horsepower monster was a force to be reckoned with in previous installments of the racing simulator, and we expect that trend to continue. Continue reading
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 league struggled to get automakers’ participation. However, in its sunset year Nissan was on a dominant streak to claim its third “double title” (winning both Constructors and Drivers Championships). 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. The Miata’s wheel only has seven. What gives? 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 even though it came out over 20 years ago. Maybe it’s because there was a Z hiatus between Z32 and Z33, or perhaps it’s the styling, but the 350Z just doesn’t give us the same warm fuzzy feeling or jolt of excitement as its predecessors when we see one.
What car still feels new to you even though it’s actually old?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Which Nissan model is the most Nissan?“. Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
7 Comments
Honda to open motorsports museum at Suzuka Circuit
Add another destination to your next trip to Japan, because Honda will soon open a new museum at Suzuka Circuit dedicated to motorsports. The Honda Racing Gallery’s grand opening this spring will coincide with the company’s 60th anniversary in Formula 1, which took place at the 1964 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. Continue reading
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 14×5.5 wheel, but it’s not an exact replica. Instead, it modernizes the design for lighter weight and makes it slightly larger in order to clear big brakes. 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 World Rally Championship and the Paris-Dakar Rally, becoming the first Japanese citizen to stand atop the podium in both events. 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 works, perhaps. A Lamborghini Miura? Maserati Ghibli? De Tomaso Pantera? Nope. As it turns out, Gandini was particularly fond of small Japanese cars, and when he got behind the wheel it was in his personal Suzuki Wagon R. Continue reading
Posted in Design
Tagged Countach, kei, lamborghini, Lancia, manga, Marcello Gandini, Maserati, suzuki, Wagon R
8 Comments
QotW: Which Nissan model is the most Nissan?
This is going to be a tough one. Not only has Nissan has built a wide variety of enthusiast cars over its 90 years in business, it has created icons over and over again. From the Datsun 510 to the R35 GT-R, Figaro to Fairlady, it’s almost impossible to pick one car that best represents everything the brand stands for. But asking you to try anyway.
Which Nissan model is the most Nissan?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What tool has saved you the most agony?“. Continue reading
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 an agreement for a strategic partnership on their own. Continue reading
1993 Nissan AP-X concept by Marcello Gandini was rumored to be a Z32 successor
At the 1993 Frankfurt Motor Show Nissan debuted the AP-X, a sports car concept meant to blend driving pleasure and environmental responsibility. The futuristic coupe was penned by Marcello Gandini, he of Lamborghini Miura, Countach, and Lancia Stratos fame. There was also a rumor that the AP-X was a planned Z32 successor. Gandini passed away Wednesday, March 11 at the age of 85, so lets take a look at the legend’s sole Japanese work. Continue reading
Posted in concepts
Tagged concepts, fairlady z, Marcello Gandini, nissan, Nissan AP-X concept, nissan gallery yokohama, tokyo motor show, z32
8 Comments
Life-size Nissan Silvia S14 recreated for car lover’s wedding
A Japanese couple recently went viral on social media for having a Nissan Silvia S14 displayed at their wedding. The car in the photo above isn’t just any S14, though. The groom’s beloved Silvia proved impossible to get into the venue. So a life-size scale replica of the car, light enough to be carried through a doorway, was built instead. Continue reading
Japanese detailers clean up a Toyota TE27 Corolla Levin
After seeing several detailers work their magic on classic Nihon steel, we wondered how such things are done in Japan. We weren’t able to unearth a video of anyone cleaning a full-on rat poop-infested husk, but we were able to find one of a shop thoroughly detail a TE27 Toyota Corolla Levin. Continue reading
QotW: What tool has saved you the most agony?
Today, March 11, is National Worship of Tools Day. This oddly named day is meant to be spent taking care of the instruments that make our lives possible and convenient. Maybe take some time to organize your toolbox, cleaning grease off your implements or, as they did in the old days, putting linseed oil on wooden handles. There is absolutely no substitute for using the right tool for the job. Often when that’s not available people take shortcuts that turn out to be long cuts. For example, you can try to wrestle snap rings using other methods, but there’s nothing like a set of snap ring pliers to get it right the first and every time. And the rings don’t go flying off into no man’s land.
What tool has saved you the most agony?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “How do you tell a ‘car enthusiast’ from a car enthusiast?“. Continue reading
