Author Archives: Ben Hsu
Happy National Doughnut Day from JNC
In Japan, the police don’t like doughnuts. Especially not the kind made by a Toyota Soarer on the pedestrian-dense and high-traffic streets of Shibuya, one of the busiest districts of Tokyo. Don’t try this at home and happy National Doughnut Day, … Continue reading
Happy KP61 Day from JNC too
As many of you have reminded us here on JNC and on Instagram, today is KP61 Day too. So, happy day to all the owners and fans of one of the very few RWD hot hatches around!
GALLERIES: The Datsun Type 14 was Japan’s first mass-produced car
Nissan was founded on June 1, 1934. Most of its earliest cars have been lost to time, but at least three examples of the 1935 Datsun Type 14 have survived. That’s likely because it was the first mass-produced car from Japan.
Happy MA61 Day from JNC
“One is reluctant to speak of ‘a man’s car’ in these liberated times, but the Supra is exactly that,” wrote Car and Driver in 1983 when they put the MA61 Celica Supra on their 10 Best list. “The pedal effort, … Continue reading
NIHON LIFE: Would you like a Skyline with your morning coffee?
In America, coffee costs $4 for a ridiculous latte that doesn’t even come with a toy car. In Japan, coffee companies often run promotions that attach a gift to the can, which you have to get at a specific convenience store chain. This Skyline … Continue reading
VIDEO: Toyota made some ads about long-time Corolla owners
Toyota Japan is continuing its celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Corolla with a series of videos about owners who have driven their Corollas for a very long time.
VIDEO: Rocky Auto’s RB30-powered Kenmeri
You’ve seen photos of Rocky Auto‘s restomod Kenmeri Skyline. It’s got an tuned RB30 engine, a completely reworked multi-link suspension, Work Meisters over R34 brakes, and modern Recaro sport seats. Recently, Rocky-San took it to Fuji Speedway and made a … Continue reading
NIHON LIFE: Stumbling across random car shops in Tokyo
It’s easy to get lost in Tokyo. The streets aren’t laid out in a grid and often have no signs on them, or if they do, they’re in Japanese. As a car otaku, the problem is compounded because rather than looking at … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged atenza, aw11, b310, celsior, Ciic Type R, Cima, civic, Civic EK, cosmo sport, Countach, datsun, F50, fairlady roadster, fairlady z, honda, infiniti, Infiniti Q45, lamborghini, lexus, Lexus LS, lfa, mazda, mr2, nissan, porsche, prius, r33, RUF, s130, skyline, sports 800, sunny, Sunny California, toyota, vip, W50
11 Comments
GALLERIES: Nissan’s 60th Anniversary of the Skyline celebration continues in Yokohama
The 60th anniversary of one of Japan’s most influential models is not lost on Nissan. Last month Nissan held simultaneous events at three locations across Tokyo and Yokohama on same weekend the original ALSID Prince Skyline was launched in 1957. While that has … Continue reading
Nissan Jam 2017 will honor 50 years of the Datsun 510
In its fifth year, Nissan Jam will be returning to Anaheim, California. 2017 promises to be a very special year because it will honor the 50th anniversary of the 510, which was introduced in Japan in 1967. All 510 owners registered for … Continue reading
Toyotafest Spotlight: Mike Muniz’s 1972 Sprinter Trueno is one of the finest Toyota restorations we’ve ever seen
Without exaggeration, Mike Muniz’s 1972 Toyota Sprinter Trueno is a paradigm shift in the world of Japanese nostalgic cars. In fact, we’re pretty certain that Muniz has not only achieved one of the most stunning Toyota restorations we’ve ever encountered, but also … Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged bridgestone, e20, sprinter trueno, te27, toyota, toyotafest, Toyotafest 2017
32 Comments
EVENTS: All-Toyotafest 2017, Part 06 — Straight Sixes
With the passing of time, we are seeing more and more cars pass into 25-year classic status from what is perhaps the most epic era of Toyota history — that of the inline six-cylinder engine. From early Land Cruisers and Crowns … Continue reading
Mitsubishi does not need subwoofers and TV screens
The news that Mitsubishi was seeking West Coast Customs to recreate their first car, the 1917 Model A, was pretty disappointing. Here’s a friendly reminder that Mitsus don’t need useless gimmicks to be cool. That is all.
NEWS: Mitsubishi Motors celebrates 100 years by recreating its first car
The shipbuilding giant known as Mitsubishi became a car company 100 years ago this year with the release of the 1917 Model A. Only 22 were built, giving Mitsubishi Motors the claim to the first “mass produced” Japanese car. To celebrate a century … Continue reading
EVENTS: All-Toyotafest 2017, Part 05 — Trucks
Toyotafest is the only Japanese car show that can boast such a wonderfully diverse a mix of both car and trucks. This year, Toyota celebrated the Land Cruiser but there were just as many HiLuxes, Stouts, Tacomas, and other assorted trucks.
Posted in events
Tagged 4runner, avalon, back to the future, hilux, N20, stout, tacoma, toyota, toyotafest, Toyotafest 2017, trucks
3 Comments
50 YEAR CLUB: Toyota 2000GT
Fifty years ago, the automotive world was forever changed. It was a Tuesday, May 16, 1967 that the Toyota 2000GT was introduced. It marked the dawn of a new age, a breakthrough in not only Japan’s automotive industry, but in … Continue reading
Posted in 50 Year Club
Tagged 2000gt, fuji speedway, japan grand prix, Prince R380, publica, Shihomi Hosoya, sports 800, toyota, yatabe
13 Comments
EVENTS: All-Toyotafest 2017, Part 04 — The rise of the E30 Corolla
There is never a shortage of Corollas at Toyotafest, and for years the best builds in the field belonged to the AE86, TE27, and TE72 contingents, maybe even a front-driver AE92. This year, however, the 1975-79 E30 Corolla has emerged as a new … Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged ae86, corolla, corolla levin, e10, e20, e30, ke15, sprinter trueno, te27, te37, te51, toyota, toyotafest, Toyotafest 2017
10 Comments
Happy Mother’s Day from JNC
To all the moms out there, thanks for doing all that you do. Happy Mother’s Day from JNC!
Toyotafest Spotlight: Orly Tapay’s Works replica KP47 Starlet
One of the stars of Toyotafest this year was Orly Tapay’s 1974 Toyota Starlet. Not only was it a rare model never sold in the US, but it was a stunning replica of a Toyota works racer from the heyday of … Continue reading
Toyotafest Spotlight: JZ-powered Celica drag racers
Two of the biggest head turners at this year’s Toyotafest were a pair of seriously mean drag racers built on a daruma Celica chassis. Both were caged, tubbed, and running mills from the legendary Toyota JZ family.
Posted in events
Tagged a20, celica, daruma, drag race, toyota, toyotafest, Toyotafest 2017
12 Comments
