Author Archives: Ben Hsu
QotW: What car from 2000 would you import from Japan?
It’s hard to believe, but Y2K was 25 years ago. It honestly doesn’t feel like that long ago, says the old man typing these words without using AI. Nevertheless, that means cars built in the year 2000 are now eligible … Continue reading
Nissan Fairlady Z aluminum body panels unveiled at Tokyo Auto Salon
Star Road is known for wild overfendered FRP body kits on Fairlady Zs, but what they revealed at the Tokyo Auto Salon was surprisingly stock-appearing. The unpainted sections aren’t really stock, though, because they’re made out of aluminum. The goal … Continue reading
Posted in Tokyo Auto Salon
4 Comments
Rocky Auto R380: A street-legal Prince race car appears at Tokyo Auto Salon
Built to conquer purpose-built racing Porsches, the Prince R380 was Japan’s first prototype race car. It never had a road-going counterpart and was retired after it fulfilled its reason for being, but now a street-legal version can be yours. At … Continue reading
Posted in Tokyo Auto Salon
Tagged japan grand prix, nissan, porsche, prince, r380, rocky auto, tokyo auto salon
6 Comments
QotW: How do you save a car from a natural disaster?
Over the last few days I’ve been racking my brain on how I could have better prepared for the terrifying California wildfire scare we experienced last week. Aside from my family and a few heirlooms and photos, the most valuable/sentimental/precious … Continue reading
New Honda Prelude back in black at the Tokyo Auto Salon
The new Honda Prelude may not be the rousing sports car we want it to be, but at the very least it’s a stylish coupe in a world where coupes are all but extinct. At the Tokyo Auto Salon that … Continue reading
Packing up the Land Cruiser
Last night as my wife, 5-year-old son and I sat down to dinner we looked out of our window and saw flames. For the last 48 hours smoke from wildfires has been billowing into Los Angeles’ skies, but this was … Continue reading
Mazda RX-7 daily driven by 80-year-old grandmother begins new life
For the final post of the year we wanted to end on a heartwarming story about Naoko Nishimoto, the coolest lady you’ll ever meet. Nishimoto just turned 80 years old on December 18, and has been dailying an FD Mazda … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your automotive resolution for 2025?
A new year is almost upon us, which means new opportunities, new perspectives, and new resolve. We don’t know what the year will bring, but let’s head into it with the bright-eyed optimism and energetic enthusiasm of Japan in the … Continue reading
Happy Holidays from JNC
Happy Holidays frmo all of us at JNC. Thanks for reading and hanging out with us in this little corner of the internet. Be good to each other, and to the cars. We wish you peace and joy and petrol.
Posted in Holidays
5 Comments
Lexus digital gauges mimics that of classic Toyota 2000GT, AE86, and more
At the Japan Mobility Show last year Lexus unveiled the LF-LZ, an electric flagship concept. We didn’t pay much attention to it at the time because looked like any number of EV concepts developed by various automakers over the last … Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged 2000gt, 24 Hours of Le Mans, ae86, century, concepts, corolla levin, fj40, GR010, land cruiser, lexus, lfa, sprinter trueno, toyota
1 Comment
Honda and Nissan’s merge is about more than just EVs
Honda and Nissan are reportedly “in talks” regarding a possible merger. Officially the two companies plus Mitsubishi, of which Nissan owns 24 percent, say they’re “considering various possibilities for future collaboration, but no decisions have been made.” In our opinion, … Continue reading
Honda Prelude officially returning to US after quarter-century
It’s official. After nearly a quarter of a century, the Honda Prelude will be returning to the US market. Honda will be bringing its flagship coupe stateside in late 2025. While hard core enthusiasts yearning for a VTEC kick or … Continue reading
Electric R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R is coming to Tokyo Auto Salon
Back in March Nissan announced they were converting an R32 Skyline GT-R to run on fully electric power. The project is now complete, and will be shown at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon in January. Ahead of the event, Nissan … Continue reading
Hagerty selects Datsun 280ZX, Honda Prelude as cars to buy for 2025
Hagerty Insurance has announced its list of classics to buy for 2025. The “Bull Market List”, seemingly named for maximum flipper engagement, includes 10 cars plus an eleventh people’s choice selection whose values are expected to rise significantly. In other … Continue reading
Posted in News
3 Comments
Toyota Estima is latest nameplate selected for revival
Now that the 86, Supra, Land Cruiser, Celica, and possibly Starlet and MR2 have all been properly resurrected, what other historic model names can Toyota bring back? Sports cars and SUVs are all well covered. How about a minivan? According to … Continue reading
QotW: How can Nissan be saved?
There’s been some shocking rumors about Nissan circulating in the past week or so. According to The Financial Times, an anonymous senior official from the company said that Nissan has about “12 or 14 months to survive.” Sales have been … Continue reading
A brief history of Sori Yanagi’s Orient three-wheeled truck
Last week we briefly touched upon the Mitsui Seiki TR-series Orient, one of many three-wheeled trucks that took to the streets of 1950s Japan. The Orient was notable for being the only vehicle designed by Sori Yanagi, a one of … Continue reading
Toyota’s resurrected Celica needs an ad campaign; here’s one free of charge
With Toyota execs confirming the return of the Celica, the company needs a new ad campaign. Here’s one we think will really resonate with the public and get them buzzing about a car that hasn’t been in production since 2006. … Continue reading
Toyota Celica revival confirmed by top exec
Rumors of a Celica return have been circulating for over a year and a half, but we finally have confirmation from the horse’s mouth. Or, rather, the mouth of a top Toyota exec who would know about such things. The … Continue reading
Posted in News
6 Comments
The Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata was a product of the tuner times
It’s funny to see how our beloved cars were reviewed when new. In the present we think of the Miata as standing heads and shoulders above rival sport compacts of the era. Cars like the EP Honda Civic Si, Ford … Continue reading
Posted in News
3 Comments
