Author Archives: Ben Hsu
PROFILES: The first Honda built for the US market, restored
One of the reasons JCCS was so special this year was the special debuts that carmakers had in store. Perhaps the most significant of them all was Honda’s unveiling of the newly restored Serial One N600, the first Honda automobile built for … Continue reading
Come to the Toyota USA Museum for the Touge 80s finish
This Saturday will be the inaugural running of Touge 80s, our first Touge California event with a focus on cars of the pop-up headlight era. After six hours of driving, our finish will be the Toyota USA Museum. And while all openings on the driving … Continue reading
TUNE UP: Rich Chigga – Dat $tick Remix feat Ghostface Killah and Pouya
An Indonesian rapper going by the name of Rich Chigga went viral when he uploaded his song “Dat $tick” to YouTube in March. Rockin’ a preppy pink polo, an 80s Reebok fanny pack and plenty of guns, it seemed like satire. Or … Continue reading
NEWS: Toyota-Suzuki partnership could result in a Japanese Big Three
At a surprise press conference October 12 in Japan, Toyota and Suzuki announced that they are in talks about a potential partnership. The announcement was puzzling to industry watchers, but if such a tie-up comes to fruition, we will essentially have three factions of … Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: Nissan pays tribute to the R32 GT-R at Bathurst
Nissan Australia does some pretty cool stuff Down Undah, things we can only dream of in the States. For example, they take the Altima racing, but instead of cheesy stunts punking normal schlubs, the Aussies turn them into actual race cars by … Continue reading
RIP Tony Adamowicz, 1941—2016
American racing driver Tony Adamowicz (above, third from left) has passed away at the age of 75. Over an accomplished career, he drove just about every type of car imaginable in every type of race imaginable. From Dodge Challengers in Trans-Am to … Continue reading
EVENTS: 2016 Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 06 — The Indestructibles
You would think that some of the most indestructable machines built by humankind would be plentiful. Well, yes, but not in show-like condition. Ironically, because Toyota trucks work so damn well they’re used, abused, and then used some more, and vehicles like … Continue reading
NEWS: You guys, this is the real Ken Bone
During last night’s presidential debate, the internet was lit afire when an audience member named Kenneth Bone from Labadie, Missouri stood up to ask Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump a question. Perhaps it was his trenchant query about energy policy and jobs that captured … Continue reading
EVENTS: 2016 Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 05 — FiveTens
Perhaps drawn by the 510 gods that brought John Morton’s BRE racer all the way from Nashville, this year’s JCCS had a surprisingly plentiful turnout of Nissan’s OG sports sedan. While Nissan’s racer was one of the biggest hits of the show, parked there alongside its modern counterparts … Continue reading
REMINDER: Touge 80s registration ends tomorrow
Just a friendly JNC reminder. Touge 80s registration ends tomorrow, October 7, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. All you need to know about the event can be found at this link.
VIDEO: Watch a bunch of Skylines ripping along Japan’s expressways
There’s nothing like watching vintage Skylines in action on Japan’s expressways, especially when one of them is a replica of the 1972 Tokyo Motor Show kenmeri race car.
EVENTS: Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 04 — Fair Ladies
One of the most revered nameplates in the automotive world today is Skyline, but nearly fifty years ago, it was unknown on this side of the Pacific as Nissan was building up their brand in the US. Instead, the Z … Continue reading
EVENTS: 2016 Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 03 — Rotary Power
Mazda’s official JCCS display was a touching tribute to one of Japan’s late, great racing legends. And if Yoshimi Katayama was looking down from the afterlife, he surely would have been beaming over the private entries as well. There were some familiar faces, but … Continue reading
EVENTS: 2016 Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 02 — Skyline City
This year’s JCCS was truly a special event for many reasons, but here’s another one: the numerous and diverse number of Skylines that showed up. Nearly every generation of post-Prince Skyline could be seen, and for a car that was never … Continue reading
EVENTS: 2016 Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 01 — Movin’ On Up
We’ve been going to the Japanese Classic Car Show for over a decade, but this year was undoubtedly the best one yet. In its twelfth year, the JCCS, which took place this weekend at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, has grown … Continue reading
JCCS Preview: JNC Shōnin decal
As you’re walking around at JCCS this weekend, look out for cars wearing the new JNC Shōnin decals. When used in conjunction with the classic JNC inkan, they represent the best of the breed, cars that have either served as JNC booth cars, cars that we … Continue reading
JCCS Preview: JNC “Charge” decals and limited edition Mazda 787B “Le Mans” T-shirts
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Mazda 787B’s victory at Le Mans. The quad-rotor demon, decked out in retina-searing orange and green livery, is one of the most iconic race cars of all time. To honor it, we’ve created two new … Continue reading
JCCS Preview: First US-market Honda to debut
Last year at JCCS we highlighted an old, neglected Honda N600 with peeling, non-original paint. Why? Because it was the first Honda automobile ever built for the US market. One year later, it’s been completely restored and is ready for its debut this Saturday. The … Continue reading
JCCS Preview: San Mamiya stickers and prints
At JCCS this year, JNC is proud to carry the works of one of Japan’s best automotive artists. San Mamiya stickers and prints will be available at the JNC booth in very limited quantities, so get there early. Here’s a listing of what we’ll … Continue reading


