Author Archives: Ben Hsu
Detroit Auto Show: The coolest car there could have been a fake
The Honda RA272 is a legend. It brought Old Man Soichiro his first Formula One trophy in 1965, only three years after his company began building cars. It is such a revered car that the company rarely even shows it in Japan. … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 1977 Mazda RX-3 SP
The Mazda RX-3 SP was a US-only appearance package that included unique blacked-out bumpers trim and louvers, a snazzy decal package, and a jutting chin spoiler. Though nothing of note was added to the 12A rotary engine within, the SPs have become … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the greatest nostalgic Subaru?
With the Legacy squarely in the 25 Year Club and Subarus being the best mode of transportation available to much of the snowed-in country right now, it may be a good time to ask: What is the greatest nostalgic Subaru? Subaru … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? How to sell a Datsun 240Z
This 1973 Datsun 240Z has dings, hasn’t been driven in 15 years, and the dash has more cracks than a plumber’s convention. It’s not even a desirable 1970-72 model. Why, then, with just a little over one day on eBay, it’s been bid … Continue reading
The saddest poem you’ll ever read
Forget Keats, forget Yeats. An unnamed Mazda RX-7 owner has penned the world’s saddest poem. Found in the missed connections section of Austin, Texas’s craigslist, it tells the tale of a new FC owner that found his formerly original-paint ’88 was no longer … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 24k-mile Mitsubishi Twin-Stick
The Mitsubishi Mirage (aka Dodge Colt (aka Plymouth Champ)) has one of the most interesting transmissions ever built, with as many gear ratios as your first big kid and two shift levers poking out of the cabin floor like a split hair. And … Continue reading
Posted in for sale
Tagged champ, colt, dodge, kidney anyone, mirage, mitsubishi, plymouth, Super Shift, Twin Stick
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QotW: What’s the most anticipated “Class of 1990” JNC?
Today is Coming of Age Day in Japan, a holiday in which adolescents become adults. Local city halls in towns across the country invite the newly minted adults for a small ceremony, a tradition that dates back to 714 AD. Of course … Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
Tagged bluebird, Class of 1990, datsun, maxima, Nissan 810, QotW, Question of the Week, transformers
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DESIGN: An interview with Nissan designer Ken Lee
It’s not often that you find yourself hurtling down narrow two-lane roads with the guy that designed the very car you’re sitting in. We recently had the rare opportunity to take a ride with Ken Lee, a senior creative manager at Nissan … Continue reading
EVENTS: SevenStock 17 Spotlight — Cherry Capellas
As the name implies, SevenStock is heavy on the Sevens. At SevenStock 17, however, Mazda RX-2s made a tremendous showing. We presented some of them already, along with R100s, RX-3s, REPUs and, yes, RX-7s galore. But there were three examples of Capellas, if going by their Japanese name, that deserved to … Continue reading
QotW: Which JNC should be a Transformer and what should its name be?
Happy 2015! We asked for a Question of the Week in last Monday’s Question of the Week, and you delivered. So to kick off a new year of QotWs, here’s (one of) the winning questions. Which JNC should be a Transformer … Continue reading
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
