Author Archives: Ben Hsu

‘Cruising J-Town’ museum exhibit spotlights a pivotal chapter in car culture

We suspect that many JNC readers were introduced to the wonders of Japanese cars during the Tuner Era of the late 80s and early 90s. The souped up imports that took over the streets triggered a paradigm shift in American … Continue reading

Posted in museum | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Nissan Oppama plant closure is “the most difficult decision of my career” says CEO

In what CEO Ivan Espinosa has called “the most difficult decision of my career,” Nissan announced Tuesday that it would be shutting down its Oppama plant. The factory has been in operation since 1961 and was Japan’s first full-scale integrated … Continue reading

Posted in News | 5 Comments

Turbo V8 GT3 race and road car duo prove that Toyota its not playing around

Toyota is not sending any mixed signals about its intent to occupy every performance niche. Hot on the heels of a rumor about a mid-engined Celica, Toyota showed off a pair of supercars at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. We’ve … Continue reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Nissan mulls Foxconn deal to save Oppama “mother” plant

Earlier this year, in a desperate financial situation, Nissan announced it would close seven of its 17 factories around the world. Among the facilities on the chopping block was the Oppama plant, founded in 1961 and long considered the “mother” … Continue reading

Posted in News | Tagged , | 1 Comment

QotW: Which Japanese car needs to be preserved for posterity?

Today, July 7, Sevens Day, but also World Heritage Day in Japan. On this day 21 years ago the sacred pilgrimage route in the Kii Mountain Range was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The trail traces a path from … Continue reading

Posted in Question of the Week | 11 Comments

Akio Toyoda presents awards to SuperGT and JGTC masters

How many jobs does Akio Toyoda have? He’s already chairman of Toyota, a semi-pro race car driver, and president of the Japan Sumo Association. Now he’s adding another feather in his cap, chairman of the Automobile Business and Culture Association … Continue reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

QotW: What’s your craziest car parking story?

Parking is one of those unfortunate tasks that accompanies the fun of driving. Whether it’s circling for open spaces, dealing with ornery/incompetent drivers, paying exorbitant prices, of fending off door dings, parking is fraught with peril. Yet we have no … Continue reading

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 10 Comments

Toyota GR Garage acquires a clapped out AE86

Here’s a good one for Toyotafest Eve. Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division has picked up a decrepit AE86. They say it’s the start of a new restoration project, but why begin with something so far gone? Surely Toyota has the resources … Continue reading

Posted in Restoration, Video | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

A 1977 Toyota Celica is driving 10,000 miles from the Czech Republic to Japan for the Osaka Expo

There are 158 countries participating in the Osaka Expo, currently being held in in Japan. As far as we know, the Czech Republic is the only one sending a delegation of vintage cars across Europe and Asia to get there. … Continue reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Get $5 off your Toyotafest admission with this coupon code

The 29th annual All-Toyotafest is coming up this Saturday, June 28. The location is the same as last year, Marina Green Park in Long Beach, California. We would like to offer JNC readers a coupon code that will discount admission … Continue reading

Posted in Reminder | Leave a comment

QotW: What’s the greatest Japanese luxury sedan?

If you’ve ever flown on a Japanese airline or shopped at a Japanese department store you know that Japan does luxury better than almost any country on Earth. That’s why it’s a bit odd that Japanese luxury cars faced such … Continue reading

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 16 Comments

NISMO twin-cam conversion kit for L-series engines headed for production

The Nissan L-series is one of the most popular engines at any car show for Japanese classics. Installed in everything from Datsun 510s to Z-cars and Skylines, the tried-and-true SOHC motor isĀ  beloved the world over. Earlier this year NISMO … Continue reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Honda Super EV concept looks like a return of the City Turbo II

Honda has released an image of its upcoming EV concept car ahead of its official debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The Honda Super EV Concept is camouflaged and likely digital, but several design cues hint at a shape … Continue reading

Posted in Next Version | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

QotW: What’s the most Gen X car?

Today, June 16, is National Gen X Day, celebrating those born between 1965 and 1980. I was born in the inaugural year of the Celica Liftback but I don’t think I’m biased when I say it’s the best generation. Our … Continue reading

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 18 Comments

RIP Brian Wilson, Beach Boys songwriter who loved Hondas

Singer and songwriter Brian Wilson has died. Co-founder of the seminal surf-rock band The Beach Boys, Wilson is credited with creating the California sound that defined an era. His musical style created a movement centered around seasides, cruising, and carefree … Continue reading

Posted in News | 2 Comments

This Nissan Sunny conversion on a Suzuki kei truck is the cat’s pajamas

Converting kei cars to look like other vehicles is a tried and true tradition in Japan. Often times the transformations are tongue in cheek, morphing them into something they’re clearly not, like a baroque vintage design or a far more … Continue reading

Posted in kei | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

QotW: What’s your favorite radio control car?

We suspect that there’s a pretty large overlap between fans of old Japanese cars and radio control cars. After all, many of the best RC cars come from Japan, from iconic Tamiyas to new school HPIs, highly detailed Kyoshos to … Continue reading

Posted in Question of the Week | 8 Comments

The Japanese Classic Car Show reaches a milestone

The Japanese Classic Car Show has announced dates for 2025. It marks a significant milestone, as it happens to be the event’s 20th anniversary. The achievement isn’t just for the success of the JCCS, but the Japanese classic movement as … Continue reading

Posted in Reminder | Tagged | 1 Comment

Toyota Land Cruiser ‘Lite’ patent image unearthed

Toyota has been teasing the idea of a baby Land Cruiser for over three years now. The notion seems one step closer to reality now that patent images showing a full render of the vehicle have been discovered. The rendering … Continue reading

Posted in News | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima was synonymous with the X60 Toyota Mark II

On June 3 baseball star Shigeo Nagashima passed away from lung cancer in a Tokyo hospital. Voted 1958’s Rookie of the Year, he was instrumental in establishing the Yomiuri Giants as Japan’s greatest baseball dynasty. By the time Nagashima retired … Continue reading

Posted in cm | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment