Author Archives: Ben Hsu
EVENTS: Mitsubishi Owners Day 2016
Though the company itself has undergone some big changes in 2016, Mitsubishi Owners Day was the same as ever. And by that, we mean as many chrome-bumpered classics as you can count on one hand, a only slightly more 80s cars, and … Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged 3000GT, Chrysler Conquest, eclipse, evo x, galant gto, gto, lancer evolution, Mighty Max, mirage, mitsubishi, Mitsubishi Owners' Day, montero, pajero, sigma, starion, starquest
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EVENTS: 2016 Nissan Jam, Part 01 — The Cool Ones
For its fourth year, Nissan Jam has moved once again, this time to La Palma Park in Anaheim. With its new, grassier venue, the gathering of Nissan, Datsun, and Infiniti vehicles has a more concours-ey feel.
NEWS: Mazda begins restoration of 929 sedan
Mazda North America has begun restoration of a 929 sedan, according to Jacob Brown, a Product Communications Specialist at the company. And according to Brown, JNC‘s very own Dave Yuan was a major reason they’ve been inspired to do it.
MOTORSPORT: Mazda’s 787B Le Mans livery rides again
It may not be 24 hours and it may not be Le Mans, but the Six Hours of Watkins Glen is no walk in the park. In honor of the 25th anniversary of its Le Mans win, Mazda wrapped one … Continue reading
Happy 4th of July from JNC
For the 4th of July, here’s the most patriotic looking zokusha we could find, the Muto Z. Happy Independence Day from JNC.
REMINDER: JCCS 2016 Registration opens today
Registration for the 2016 Japanese Classic Car Show has opened. Be sure to sign up for the US’s premier gathering of historic automobiles from Japan. The show takes place September 25, 2016 at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California and open … Continue reading
NEWS: Toyota creates Initial D-inspired 86
Often, things that are blindingly obvious to enthusiasts sail high over the heads of the automakers themselves. Sometimes, though, they nail it. Take, for example, Toyota UK’s creation of a Toyota GT86 (aka FR-S) inspired by Takumi Fujiwara’s fictional hachiroku from the classic … Continue reading
Honda celebrates 40 years of the Accord
The ubiquitous Honda Accord turns 40 today, launched in June of 1976 as America was still reeling from the oil crisis. It was small (with a wheelbase less than a modern Fit’s) and light enough (at 2,083 pounds) that it could easily surpass … Continue reading
VIDEO: Restored kenmeri Datsun 240K race car
The kenmeri Skyline famously was debuted in race regalia at the 1972 Tokyo Motor Show, only to have Nissan pull the plug on the motorsports program it would have competed in due to the Oil Shock of 1973. It may never have seen … Continue reading
QotW: What was your second car?
Over biru and yakitori dinner Monday night in Ikebukuro, the JNC Japan team discussed cars we’ve owned. Brandon had the bright idea of going around the table to with what their second car was — simply because the first is often a hand-me-down or but … Continue reading
PROFILES: Driving Toyota’s Great Race 1970 Corolla
“It’s a bit snug,” says Jamie Bestwick in typical British understatement as he slides his racing seat into position. He bashes into the knees of his navigator, Laurence Foster, who is hunched in the back seat. Bestwick, a 13-time X-Games … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your most heartbreaking tale of JNC loss?
It’s sure to be a quiet day at the office in Aichi today. After the exact opposite of a fairy tale ending to Toyota’s Le Mans race over the weekend, the tears of Toyotaku are flowing like the waters of the River Sarthe. … Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: Toyota wins the 23 Hours, 55 Minutes of Le Mans
Rumor has it that Mazda, as the only Japanese automaker to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans overall, has a pre-written letter ready to congratulate Toyota should it ever become the second. Despite what seemed like a sure victory, that letter … Continue reading
Posted in motorsport
Tagged 24 Hours of Le Mans, kamui kobayashi, Kazuki Nakajima, toyota, TS050
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QotW What’s the greatest Japanese nostalgic grand tourer?
Half sports car, half luxury sedan, the grand tourer is built for carrying driver and one passenger in utmost comfort, kids and third wheels be damned. Though just as large, or sometimes even bigger, than their 4-door counterparts, fewer doors and less seating capacity is an absolute … Continue reading
Happy 610 Day from JNC
This year the Datsun 610 turns 45 years old. To celebrate, here are a couple of our favorite 610 stories from over the years.
NEWS: Toyota trademarks the Supra name in Europe
Further evidence that the Supra is poised for a return has arrived in the form of a trademark filing. Toyota has claimed the name in the European Union Trademark system for use on an automobile, according to AutoGuide. In 2014, Toyota filed a … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the most American JNC?
Most JNCs are great for slicing a touge, darting through urban streets, and possibly even a late night dice on the expressway if you’ve got a Bubble Era turbo. But what if you just want to take a long, comfortable cruise through several American … Continue reading
EVENTS: Club TE27 Meeting
Japanese owners of the TE27 Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno recently gathered for their annual meeting, held at the Toyota Automobile Museum in Aichi Prefecture in central Japan. Ninety-six cars in total came from all over the country, forming a sea of moss green and orange.
