Author Archives: Ben Hsu
QotW: What question should we ask next year?
We’ve asked you for many answers, but we’ve yet to ask you for a question. As the year draws to a close, what would you like to know from your fellow JNCers? What question should we ask next? What say … Continue reading
GALLERIES: Honda Heritage Center opens in Ohio
Honda has opened a new Heritage Center at its plants and R&D center in Marysville, Ohio. Take note, this is a different collection of Honda vehicles than the American Honda Collection we recently toured in Torrance, California. This one showcases … Continue reading
VIDEO: Nissan explores pickup history in “Truckumentary”
The next-generation Nissan Titan will be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Leading up to it, Nissan has produced a multi-part “Truckumentary” leading up to its reveal. Part one delves into Nissan’s storied truck history.
QotW: What is your JNC getting for the holidays?
The holidays are meant to be spent with your loved ones. Sometimes your family is there too. What is your JNC getting for the holidays? A new car cover, some fresh new wheels, or perhaps that impossible-to-find NOS plastic bezel that hasn’t been … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 29k-mile 1986 Toyota Cressida
Before Lexus, there was Cressida. The top-of-the-line Toyota from its 1980s glory days was a tech-laden luxo-barge with rear-wheel-drive and an M-series straight-six that will outlast the cockroaches. Obscure enough to have a cult following but cheap enough to be snapped up by … Continue reading
REMINDER: Get your California blue plate before year’s end
So here’s a thing that is probably not going to happen due to lack of interest. But it should! The California Legacy License Plate Program is offering you a chance to get a legal blue plate for your 1969-87 cars, and … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the greatest Japanese nostalgic rally car?
With all the snow blanketing the country this winter, you might as well be rallying. There have been many a JNC throughout history built for tackling the not-quite-paved roads of the world. What’s the greatest Japanese nostalgic rally car? The A73 Lancer 1600 GSR was … Continue reading
EVENTS: SevenStock 17
SevenStock is the annual gathering of the Southern California Rotary Club. The combination car show and track day is one of the largest American assemblages Mazdas both old and new, held at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California with official support … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? One-owner, 40k-mile Toyota Celica
Up for auction right now is a 1973 Toyota Celica with just over 40,000 miles. According to the listing, it has had only one owner previous to the current seller, who acquired it in an estate sale upon the first owner’s passing.
QotW: How does a JNCer pass the winter?
The weather sucks in much of the country and/or world. Even SoCal is experiencing the strange meteorological phenomenon in which drops of water mysteriously fell from the sky and temperatures dipped into the low 60s. It’s hard out there for a JNCer. … Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
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GALLERIES: The American Honda Collection, Part 02 — Soichiro’s Dream
From a shed in the middle of a burned out lot in 1946 to a small US subsidiary selling motorcycles in 1959 to their first US-sold car in 1970, the company Soichiro Honda founded has come a long way. In Part 01 of our visit … Continue reading
NEWS: Akio Toyoda voted Best Dressed CEO
In addition to being Toyota’s petrolhead honcho, Akio Toyoda has been given Japan’s Best Dresser Award. The man who fast-tracked the Toyota 86, Lexus LFA and Lexus RC F to production was bestowed the honor by the Men’s Fashion Association, which has … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 4-door Hakosuka GT-R up for auction
A 1970 Nissan Skyline GT-R sedan will cross the block at RM Auctions in Scottsdale, Arizona in January. After the floodgates opened in Monterey earlier this year, there has been a frenzy of invisible trans-Pacific activity. Moneyed gaijin are trading their dollars for Nihon steel … Continue reading
EDITORIAL: Why 2014 is the Year of the JNC
Ever since we founded JNC way back in late 2006, we’ve been waiting for this year. We knew it would be an important milestone, but this particular orbit around the sun has exceeded even our wildest expectations. Here’s why 2014 is the year of the … Continue reading
Posted in Editorial
Tagged Bullet Train, hot wheels, infiniti, jccs, lexus, mazda, nissan, shinkansen, toyota
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NEWS: Honda reveals another retro kei car
Look on the back of Honda‘s latest JDM-only kei jidosha and you’ll see “N/” — the letter N and a forward slash. Apparently the way to pronounce that is N-Box Slash. This is the fifth offering in Honda’s revived N-Series and the second retro-styled car in … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the rarest special edition JNC?
The Japanese love their special editions. Whether it’s celebrating an anniversary, a final run series or just some odd color combo, JNCs have a lot of bizarre option packages on their cars. What’s the rarest special edition JNC? In 1975 … Continue reading
QotW: What are you most thankful for?
Though symbolized by the turkey, Thanksgiving is all about being grateful for what you have. When what you have is an old Japanese car, however, it may be easier to curse your skinned knuckles than count your blessings. What are … Continue reading
VIDEO: Happy Doukoho Eve, Everyone!
On November 22, 1978, over 3000 bosozoku motorcycles and cars swarmed the streets of Tokyo, cruising, parading, revving and generally causing a ruckus. On the following day a new Japanese traffic law would require helmets for all motorcyclists. So a huge … Continue reading
