Author Archives: Ben Hsu
QotW: Which JNC had the coolest pop-up headlights?
The pop-up headlight: automotive eyes personified, endearing relic, or just two additional unnecessary points-of-failure? Whatever you think of them, they defined an automotive era. I happen to reap a weird, endless joy from that delay between when you flick the switch and when they actually pop-up or retract. … Continue reading
A Brief History of the Nissan 510 Bluebird Coupe
In the first 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. Be sure to check out the excellent Petrolicious and their beautifully shot short films about vintage … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the greatest Japanese nostalgic hatchback?
The hatchback. Loved everywhere in the world but the US. Rather than embrace its practicality, we Americans refuse to date anyone driving one and insist on adding a smaller, shallower cargo area that extends over the rear wheels like a portable bathtub. … Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: 1976 Kojima Engineering KE007
You never know what you’ll encounter at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Meandering through the paddocks, we came across the 1976 Kojima Engineering KE007, a Japanese Formula One car that was poised to become a formidable challenger in F1 a decade before McLaren-Hondas began their domination. … Continue reading
Posted in motorsport
Tagged Cosworth, formula 1, KE007, Kojima Engineering, masahiro hasemi, Matsuhisa Kojima, mazda, rotary engine, suzuki
8 Comments
EVENTS: A tribute to Mazda at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
You know it ain’t no ordinary car show when you tilt your head up to see a pair of Mazda race cars in the sky. Twisting on a lattice of white steel, the Central Feature at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed was … Continue reading
NEWS: Final Edition Lancer Evo bows amidst thousands of die-hard Mitsubishi fans
Over the weekend Mitsubishi Motors has unveiled the very, very last of the Lancer Evolution line. Fans of the Flanked by other great sports cars from the company’s past, the Final Edition Evo made its debut at the Mitsubishi Owners’ Day … Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged 3000GT, delica, galant, Galant VR-4, lancer evolution, mitsubishi, Mitsubishi Owners' Day, Mitsubishi Van, Montero/Pajero, starion
19 Comments
QotW: What’s the best shade of JNC yellow?
If July could be a color, it would be yellow. With the golden light of our sun shining brightly as ever, beating down on us, and giving Superman his powers, it is perhaps time to ponder a hue not so common … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 11k-mile AE86 Corolla Levin
Take a gander at what is likely the lowest-mileage AE86 hatch for sale in the world. Listed for sale in Osaka, Japan, this true JDM Toyota Corolla Levin GT Apex reads only 18,260 km on the odometer, or 11,346 miles.
QotW: Which nostalgic feature should be brought back?
The reasons for our love of JNCs are plentiful. Almost as plentiful as questions about why we’d drive a 30 year old Toyota/Honda/Mazda/Daihatsu rather than a comfortable new car. Many of those reasons, however, are actually good: simplicity in design and engineering, greater outward … Continue reading
QotW: Which JNC is impossible to find stock?
Some cars, such as the two Kidney candidates we saw last week, are so welcoming to modifications that for it to survive decades untouched, especially at the affordable end of the blue book listings, is as unlikely as like a baby outlasting the zombie … Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
Tagged K10, march, nissan, QotW, Question of the Week, steering wheels
35 Comments
KIDNEY, ANYONE? The perfect EF Honda Civic
Leave it to the Canadians to preserve the holy grail of EF Civics. Not only is this pristine example a final-year, top-spec Si performance model, it’s finished in Tahitian Green Pearl, an achingly proper shade of period correct teal considered highly … Continue reading
VIDEO: Badass women on badass bikes
The style of this video is precisely what was parodied so well by the recent Car Bros’ Secrets of Japan Revealed sketch, but once you get past the over-dramatized Sheriff John Bunnell narration, there’s still some good footage of badass women on badass bikes.
VIDEO: Toyota USA’s new Texas headquarters
Toyota USA’s new Plano, Texas headquarters haven’t been built yet but the company has released a rendering of the new campus. It’s massive. It’s comprised of at least six buildings, each with a sleek glass lobby designed to display a wealth of cars. Still … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 1986 Toyota Corolla GT-S liftback
A few months ago I made the claim — publicly and on video — that there were fewer stock AE86s left than Enzo Ferraris. So naturally the gods are going to make me eat my words by bringing every known example out … Continue reading
Posted in for sale
Tagged ae86, corolla, corolla levin, hachiroku, kidney anyone, sprinter trueno, toyota
6 Comments
QotW: What’s the greatest JNC steering wheel?
The steering wheel. It’s probably the thing you interact with the most when driving a car, so let’s give it some consideration. What’s the greatest JNC steering wheel? Allow us to make a case for the Nissan Gloria Turbo Brougham VIP … Continue reading
Touge California posters now available in the JNC shop
The official Touge California poster is available in the JNC shop. Printed in full color, the artwork features a Toyota Celica and Datsun 240Z in classic art deco style and measures 26 x 18 inches (approx. 66 x 46 cm). Those who’ve delved … Continue reading
Posted in Touge California
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VIDEO: Happy Father’s Day!
Toyota of Japan is cold killing it right now with complex, perspective-shifting videos that would make even Christopher Nolan throw his hands up in surrender. First there was the girlfriend-less AE86 driver story that perfectly synced productions from three different countries. Now comes this heart-rending … Continue reading
NEWS: Toyota Camatte Hajime to debut at Tokyo Toy Show
Given just how many JNC owners are also obsessed with scale model cars, it seems only fitting that Toyota chose to debut their latest retro concept at the upcoming Tokyo Toy Show. The Toyota Camatte Hajime looks like an FJ55 Land Cruiser hot rod, … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your best car story with dad?
Dads. They teach us how to drive, wrench, and curse when either of the first two goes wrong. Many of us got our passion for cars from our dads (or moms too, but it’s Father’s Day that’s coming up), and … Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: Mazda at Le Mans
As you’re reading this sentence, the world’s most advanced race cars are barreling down a country road in France at 200-plus miles per hour. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is happening right now, and to commemorate their own win … Continue reading
