Author Archives: Ben Hsu
PROFILES: Take a ride with the Skylines of the Wild Cards
Spanning two states and twenty-plus members, the Wild Cards are one of the first Japanese-style zoku rengo, or alliances, in the United States. With inspiration from Nihon customization styles like bosozoku and kaido racers, many of the Wild Cards cars are the dream machines … Continue reading
COLLECTIONS: A 1971 Datsun 521 pickup comes home
“Several people have tried to buy it from me,” says Marvin Askew of his 1971 Datsun 1600 pickup, “Especially kids. They want to strip it down and lower it.” But luckily Marvin didn’t sell it to them, because now the truck he … Continue reading
QotW: How will Scion be remembered in 25 years?
The demise of Scion last week caught many, including us, by surprise. Though the Toyota offshoot lasted only 13 years, it left a strong mark on the automotive community. Be clear, we are talking about the automotive community, not necessarily the … Continue reading
Happy year of the Monkey from JNC
Welcome to the Year of the Monkey! In mythology, the monkey is cleverest of all the 12 animals, but also active and adventurous. In fact, it’s sort of the perfect description of the Honda Monkey.
VIDEO: Hankook Tires shows why FJ40s are awesome
With the popularity of the FJ40 at auction, it makes you wonder if people who buy them will actually use them how they were intended. Sometimes it’s not cool when companies try to spice up their brand with an old Land Cruiser. This … Continue reading
VIDEO: Drag racing outside Makuhari Messe circa 1992
Makuahri Messe is the big convention center in Chiba that hosts events the Tokyo Auto Salon and (before its move to Big Sight) the Tokyo Motor Show. If Tokyo city is at the 11 o’clock position of Tokyo Bay, then Makuhari is at … Continue reading
“Iron, Lion, Scion” — Bob Marley
The news that Scion was dead leaked Tuesday night. Few outlets dared report it because it seemed too crazy to be true. At every single auto show last year, representatives continued to reassure the press and public that they were doubling down with new … Continue reading
NEWS: Say hello to the Toyota FR-S
After news broke this morning about the death of Scion and that existing models would be transitioned to Toyota, we wondered whether the Scion FR-S would now get a proper name to fall in line with the rest of the world. The … Continue reading
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NEWS: RIP Scion, 2003-2016
Scion is dead. After 13 years, Toyota announced this morning that the alternative, youth-oriented, no-haggle brand would be killed off and most of its products — some very recently launched — rolled under the Toyota marque.
QotW: How do you feel about auction prices affecting JNCs?
We’ve seen some pretty astronomical prices for J-tin in recent years. We always knew cars like the hakosuka and kenmeri GT-Rs, Toyota 2000GT and Fairlady Z432 were going to be rise in price. Frankly, they were never that cheap to begin with. This week, we saw even new-ish cars … Continue reading
NEWS: Toyota to buy Daihatsu, make it a global brand
Toyota has announced it will buy out Daihatsu in a stock deal worth about $3 billion. The Big T currently owns a controlling stake in the small car manufacturer, approximately 51.2 percent, and Daihatsu has served as Toyota’s kei and compact car arm since … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? Holy crap, a 280Z 2+2 just sold for $49,500
If you needed more proof that originality counts, here it is. In the JNC world, a 1975 Datsun 280Z 2+2 is a special breed. Its 5 mph bumpers and rooflines practically guarantee that no one but the kindest of owners will adopt … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 8,700-mile R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R [UPDATE]
Another year, another round of auctions in which Japanese steel is dangled in front of bidders who wouldn’t have given a flying Figaro two years ago. This time it’s another Skyline GT-R, not the Hakosuka or Kenmeri but Godzilla himself, the BNR32, and … Continue reading
VIDEO: Drifting Hakone in 1992
Imagine a winding touge packed with Japanese drift machines — Silvias, RX-7s, Supras, Fairlady Zs and AE86s. So. Many. AE86s. Last year we showed a video proving that underground drifting was already reaching fever pitch by the late 80s. By 1992, Hakone Pass — one of … Continue reading
VIDEO: 40th Anniversary of TRD
Founded in 1976, Toyota Racing Development is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. At the Tokyo Auto Salon a video played on loop, showing highlights of the last four decades. From Starlets to AE86s to Celicas to Supras, this is … Continue reading
EVENTS: Tokyo Auto Salon, Part 01 — Old School Cool
As one of the most important auto shows on the Japanese calendar, the Tokyo Auto Salon is a showcase of Japan’s latest and greatest tuning trends. With every customization style imaginable on display, however, old school cool is not always easy … Continue reading
EVENTS: 2016 Tokyo Auto Salon Spotlight – Liberty Walk S30 Z
It’s understandable that most non-JNCers would recognize Liberty Walk as the purveyor of trendy widebody kits for Ferraris, GT-Rs and other assorted supercars. In his heart of hearts, though, founder Wataru Kato is an old school bosozoku.
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Tagged bosozoku, c10, fairlady z, Hakosuka, kpgc10, liberty walk, nissan, s30 z, skyline, TAS2016, tokyo auto salon, wataru kato
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