Author Archives: Ben Hsu

JCCS 2015: The Ibarra Brothers’ incredible collection of classic Mazda rotaries

No one that walked through the Japanese Classic Car Show last weekend could have missed the astounding collection of half a dozen classic rotaries parked on the Queen Mary lawn. Each one was more pristine than the next, as if we had jumped a few … Continue reading

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EVENTS: Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 01 – It’s JDM, yo

As it embarks on its second decade, the 2015 Japanese Classic Car Show has become a must-attend event, not just for J-tin owners or readers of this fine site, but car enthusiasts everywhere. Nowhere in America will you see a wider array of cars … Continue reading

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JCCS 2015: The first Honda car ever imported to the US

This decrepit looking Honda N600 was one of the most important cars at the Japanese Classic Car Show last weekend. Why? Because it is the very first Honda automobile built for the US. That’s right, this faded lime green hatch barely larger than a picnic … Continue reading

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QotW: Which JNC sighting will you remember forever?

As a die-hard car nut, you may not remember how many kids your boss has, your first kiss, or even your birthday, but you can sure as hell remember every vivid detail about the millisecond you laid eyes on a mind-blowingly awesome JNC. I, for … Continue reading

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JCCS Preview: San Mamiya X JNC Fuji Speedway available

We are proud to debut our first poster collaboration with Japanese artist San Mamiya at this Saturday’s Japanese Classic Car Show. Titled Fuji Speedway, it is an easter egg-filled tribute to the golden era of Japanese motorsports, Showa Era pop culture, and, … Continue reading

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JCCS Preview: Nissan’s Zama cars arrive in California

Man, those guys at Nissan really know how to cut it close. Here are two cars they shipped over from the Zama warehouse in Japan for this Saturday’s JCCS, and they just arrived today. 

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JCCS Preview: Mazda’s lawn lineup at the Queen Mary

Mazda’s lineup for this Saturday’s Japanese Classic Car Show promises to be a terrific gathering of zoom-zoomy machines. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s to come, in chronological order.

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NEWS: Honda’s RA272-inspired “Project 2&4” revealed

Honda has created a mutant offspring of motorcycle and street legal Formula One car from the 1960s. The Honda Project 2&4 has been revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show. 

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JCCS Preview: Nissan is now an official JCCS sponsor

For the first time since the Japanese Classic Car Show’s inception, Nissan is finally an official sponsor. This Saturday will mark the 11th annual JCCS, and in the decade we at JNC have been setting up our little red canopy, we’ve heard … Continue reading

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VIDEO: Jay Leno drives a 1971 Toyota Celica

In the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, the noted talk show host and car collector takes a ride in a 1971 Toyota Celica. The Celica was a game-changing car for not just Toyota, but the sport coupe segment that it spawned. Leno … Continue reading

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JCCS Preview: Get Jun Imai’s autograph on this very limited edition hakosuka Skyline illustration

Hot Wheels designer Jun Imai will be at the JNC booth this Saturday at the Japanese Classic Car Show in Long Beach, California. Jun will participate an autograph session from 10:30 to 11:00 am. Feel free to bring your cars, parts, posters … Continue reading

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JCCS Preview: 2015 Japanese Classic Car Show this Saturday

The 2015 Japanese Classic Car Show will be held this Saturday, September 19, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. The premiere show for vintage autos from Japan is back, and this year it promises to be bigger and better … Continue reading

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NEWS: Nissan’s Z-inspired crossover — “They’re not idiots”

Nissan has unveiled the Gripz, the Safari Rally Z-inspired crossover at Frankfurt. Last week, Z enthusiasts reached for their pitchforks after media-fueled assumptions that it would replace the Z. But like we said on Friday, let’s take a deep breath. This is not the replacement … Continue reading

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25 YEAR CLUB: Acura NSX

Today at JNC we welcomes another inductee into the 25 Year Club, one that launched exactly 25 years ago, on September 14, 1990. Yes, it’s a car, it’s Japanese, and it’s beloved. But we’re going to go one step further and … Continue reading

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A Brief History of Mitsubishi’s Colt Galant GTO

In the third of a series, JNC is teaming up with our friends at Petrolicious to launch simultaneously a video and an article about historically significant Japanese cars. Today’s is special because the featured car belongs to JNC contributor and admin Matt … Continue reading

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QotW: How can Nissan save the Z?

The news late last week that Nissan is releasing a crossover inspired by — not necessarily replacing, but inspired by — the Z caused “grab the pitchforks” style unrest among the enthusiasts. We know the automotive landscape does not favor sports cars now, and it is … Continue reading

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NEWS: Will the next Z really be a crossover?

Next Tuesday Nissan will unveil a new concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Many are calling it the next Z. Nissan is calling it the Gripz, and a video released today shows that it was inspired by the Datsun 240Z rally … Continue reading

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EVENTS: Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2015

The Rolex Motorsports Reunion is typically a high point of Monterey Historic Car Week, but this year a black cloud hung over the festivities. The volunteers that have run Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca since it opened in 1957 is being forced out by the … Continue reading

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ART CORNER: Khyzyl Saleem’s bosozoku future

The cars Khyzyl Saleem draws seem to ask the question, “What if Mad Max took place in the dystopian future of Blade Runner?” Neon-lit cityscapes, heavily modified cars, and a substantial dose of Japan-influenced tuning styles combine to form an incredible imagined … Continue reading

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QotW: What’s the next blue chip JNC?

Cars like the hakosuka and kenmeri Skyline GT-Rs, the Fairlady Z432, Cosmo Sport and Toyota 2000GT have already hit prices that we bitter, long-time JNCers can no longer afford. What’s the next ship we should jump on before it leaves port? What’s the … Continue reading

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