Author Archives: Ben Hsu

QotW: What’s your springtime JNC ritual?

Spring is here, and for much of the world it’s time to take your JNC out of storage, finish up your winter project, or go for the year’s first drive. What’s your springtime JNC ritual? Well, if you live in SoCal, the answer is … Continue reading

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KIDNEY, ANYONE? The mystery of the “first” Toyota 2000GT

A mysterious ad for what is claimed to be the first Toyota 2000GT has been making the rounds in Japan (and beyond) recently. The serial number on the car is claimed to be MF10-10001, and if that is the case it … Continue reading

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EVENTS: 2015 Nostalgic2Days, Part 03

Closing out our coverage of the 2015 Nos2Days show, we begin with some cars being honored on the red carpet. Just like at a movie premiere, the event reserves a special crimson rug for those that have graced the cover of a magazine. In this … Continue reading

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QotW: When is it okay to stance?

Stance. It’s what all the youngin’s are into these days. Sometimes it looks cool; sometimes it’s downright painful to witness. When is it okay to stance? Yes, we know it’s popular. We also know it’s even more popular to hate on … Continue reading

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MARKETWATCH: Nissan Fairlady Z432 sold for $253,000

Moments ago, a 1970 Nissan Fairlady Z432 that crossed the block at the Amelia Island auctions sold for $253,000, making it the most expensive publicly exchanged S30 Z in the world.

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NEWS: FR Nissan 2-door sedan rendered by Best Car

With the disclaimer that this is pure speculation, we present an image a new rear-wheel-drive Nissan 2-door sedan expected to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show this fall. The cars you see here will appear on the cover of the April 10 issue of … Continue reading

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ART CORNER: Bosozoku Cats and Kyuusha by San Mamiya

San Mamiya is a brilliant artist from Japan that operates mainly on Instagram. With an apparent fondness for old cars, bosozoku cats and the superdeformed style that populates manga, his illustrations exhibit a unique Nihon style that can probably be loosely described as Japanese Ed Roth. 

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EVENTS: 2015 Nostalgic2Days, Part 02

One of the featured marques at this year’s Nostalgic2Days was Isuzu. It’s a brand that usually doesn’t get much love, here or in Japan, so it was a rare opportunity to see some machines from the company’s own collection. 

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KIDNEY, ANYONE? Mint unicorn Datsun F10 Wagon

Perhaps you’ve always wanted a Datsun, but find that 240Zs and 510s are annoyingly rear-wheel-drive. Or maybe you find even Skylines and B210s too common. Speaking of under-appreciated JNCs, here’s a 1978 Datsun F10 Wagon on craigslist. 

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QotW: What’s the most under-appreciated JNC?

One could argue that all JNCs are under-appreciated, but even among the outcasts there’s a hierarchy. Not all of us can drive 2000GTs and Hakosukas, or even 510s. What’s the most under-appreciated JNC? Allow us to proffer the 1984 Toyota Camry. Sure, it … Continue reading

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EVENTS: 2015 Nostalgic2Days, Part 01

Nostalgic 2 Days, the annual two-day event held by Nostalgic Hero, is as much a car show as it is a trade show. It’s as if the magazine springs to life, particularly the pages in which Japan’s classic car businesses — shops, dealers and … Continue reading

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EVENTS: 2015 New Year Meeting, Part 08 — Parking Area Finds

Closing out our coverage of the 2015 New Year Meeting, we make a quick run through the show’s parking area. Thanks to the Japanese protocol of backing into their parking spaces, we were able to get full views of spectators’ rides to the show unobstructed … Continue reading

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NEWS: Can you spot all the nostalgic styling cues of the Suzuki iM-4 Concept?

Suzuki may be gone from the US market, but it’s alive and well in the rest of the world. The 85th Geneva Motor Show is going on right now, and its automotive branch unveiled this morning the Suzuki iM-4 Concept, a … Continue reading

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QotW: What’s your biggest JNC regret?

You hear these stories all the time: “I should’ve never sold that car.” “One day it was gone and the owner said he sold it for scrap.” “I bought a Chrysler Sebring.” Life is full of regrets, and cars are a … Continue reading

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EVENTS: 2015 New Year Meeting Part 07 — Compact Flash

Today (no pun intended!) we take a look at the classic city cars that showed up at the New Year Meeting. Some, like this happy red Honda Today, are kei cars, but not all. As you might remember, the Today was the star car in You’re Under … Continue reading

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VIDEO: Toyota AE86 unites lonely drivers around the world

Toyota has launched a new ad campaign called “Next One” in Japan, aimed at getting millennials interested in cars and driving. The latest have been a three-part series that tells a tale as old as time itself. Boy likes girl. Girl likes … Continue reading

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Mr K designed this Tokyo Motor Show logo

With the news of Mr K’s passing this week, we thought it might be a good time to reflect on his accomplishments, both in and outside of Nissan. Yutaka Katayama’s work extended far beyond the walls of Nissan Motor Corporation, and benefitted the Japanese … Continue reading

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EVENTS: 2015 New Year Meeting, Part 06 — Trucks, Vans and Wagons

There’s nothing like a good, honest work truck. In fact, many of the earliest forms of four-wheeled transport in Japan were commercial vehicles, but precious few, like this row of forlorn-looking Mazda Porter Cabs, have survived till retirement without major wear … Continue reading

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QotW: What’s your best Mr K story?

The news of Mr K’s passing this weekend moved many, especially in the US where he was instrumental in guiding the Datsun brand in its formative years. After retirement in 1977, Mr K remained an active ambassador to the brand, traveling across … Continue reading

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VIDEO: The Life and Times of Mr K

Last September, on the occasion of Yutaka Katayama’s 105th birthday, Nissan produced a series of videos honoring the influential former executive. The sad news came out of Tokyo today that Mr K had passed away on Thursday, but as you can … Continue reading

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