Author Archives: Ben Hsu
QotW: What’s the greatest Z-Car?
As we prepare for the 2014 ZCon this week, we can’t help but reflect on how influential the Z-Car has been to the JNC scene. We don’t usually devote a QotW to a single model but the Z has earned … Continue reading
NEWS: Mazda gets naming rights to Hakone Turnpike
Mazda sure knows how to pick ’em. In the US, Mazda PR reps never let us forget that the full name for the famous corkscrew-having NorCal circuit is Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. On August 1 in Japan, they’ll be the official sponsors of the Hakone Turnpike, a … Continue reading
VIDEO: A Tale of Two Corollas
For your Hump Day viewing pleasure, we present two videos about 1970s Toyota Corollas. One’s stock, one’s anything but, though both are equally entertaining.
QotW: What’s the coolest JNC stereo deck?
The rise of Japanese stereo component systems parallels the popularity of Japanese cars. Since it’s already been determined that retro electronica bands love the styling of 80s Japanese cars, what about the devices used to play them? What’s the coolest JNC stereo deck? … Continue reading
Reminder: ZCon 2014, August 5-9
ZCon 2014 is coming up soon, and this year the organizers have a lot of great thing planned. First and foremost, you should know that this is not a Z-only gathering. While Zs from 240 to 370 are definitely a large part … Continue reading
TUNE UP: AW11 Toyota MR2, the official car of 80s revival electronica
Electronica, it’s what all the kids are into these days. It’s like the 1980s all over again, especially in car choice, and the AW11 Toyota MR2 is apparently the go-to machine for music videos of 1980s electronica revival bands.
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 57-mile MA71 Toyota Supra Turbo
Yes, you read that right. 57 miles. 92 kilometers. That’s the odometer reading of this Canadian MA71 Toyota Supra Turbo, likely a dealership showpiece for nearly 25 years. Now it’s being offered by County Hills Toyota-Scion in Calgary after a lifetime of being … Continue reading
EVENTS: 2014 Mitsubishi Owners Day
Every summer at the Mitsubishi Motors North America’s headquarters in Cypress, California there’a massive gathering of the triple diamond clan. The company might be in dire financial straits, but they’re still the only Japanese automaker to invite all their fans over for a house party. This is the west coast … Continue reading
ART CORNER: Coop’s “Nag Fink” Kenmeri
The artist known Coop has made a career illustrating hot rods, X-rated devil girls and rock ‘n’ roll album covers. His latest creation takes the style of Ed Roth (check out his sweet Honda N600) and gives it a Japanese twist. Nag … Continue reading
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QotW: What’s the best shade of JNC blue?
Happy Marine Day! Also known as Ocean Day, the third Monday of every July is a Japanese national holiday that celebrates the seas and the bounty they provide for the island nation. On St. Patrick’s Day we asked for the … Continue reading
NEWS: Get your Juke in Nissan heritage colors
Nissan recently revealed the 2015 Juke to media in Nashville, Tennessee. This garishly colored example, which reps jokingly called the “USC edition,” is part of a new program that allows buyers to pimp their Jukes with custom coloring. We think this will lead to … Continue reading
EVENTS: Nissan Jam, Part 03
In our third and final installment of the 2014 Nissan Jam, we take a look at the JDM (and JDM-style) cars that populated the show. In the comments of Part 02 NX Coupe Driver asked “Where are all the Nissan Skylines?” Well, right … Continue reading
VIDEO: The Kanjozoku by Bowls Films
Osaka’s midnight racers have been terrorizing the Kanjo Loop line for decades. There have been many stories about the Kanjozoku, but a new short by Bowls Films is the most in-depth look yet at the Honda Civic driving speed junkies.
QotW: What’s the most unlikely JNC?
Until six or seven years ago, most of the collector world openly scoffed at the idea of a Japanese classic. Today, prices are going up and the tide has shifted. However, even amongst the true believers there’s still a few cars that surprise us with their … Continue reading
25 YEAR CLUB: Z32 Nissan 300ZX
On July 10, 1989 the Z32 Nissan 300ZX went on sale in Japan. Now, 25 years later, the Z32 300ZX is officially a Japanese nostalgic car. Twin turbos, dual intercoolers, 300 horsepower and starship-worthy sheetmetal made a very strong impression on your … Continue reading
Bubble Era Toyota classics meet their successors
The British sure know how to appreciate the classics. In fact, Toyota UK is quietly amassing a proper heritage collection of the company’s best and brightest. Back in April they found what they describe as “quite possibly the best original MR2 in existence” in the … Continue reading
QotW: What JNC would you live in?
One day you’re sitting on the most expensive real estate in the world, the next day the Asset Price Bubble pops. You’ve been forced out of your swanky Aoyama penthouse apartment and the banks have repo’ed your collection of late-80s Wangan monsters. What JNC would you live … Continue reading
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KIDNEY, ANYONE? One of the finest Toyota 2000GT restorations you’ll ever see
Sometimes life throws you lemons. Or, perhaps, an entire lemon tree aimed squarely at your Toyota 2000GT. Other times, the car nut friend you meet in college turns out to be Akio Toyoda. To be clear, Javier Quirós‘s family was already knee-deep in Toyotas … Continue reading
2014 Japanese Classic Car Show registration opens today
The 2014 Japanese Classic Car Show opens for registration today, July 1. This will be a landmark year because it will be the 10th annual JCCS. That’s right. It’s hard to believe, but the show that paved the way for nostalgic car gatherings … Continue reading
QotW: What would you tell automakers to do?
Last week Dave wrote about M2, the Mazda specialty shop designed to hear feedback delivered directly from the customer’s mouth. If only more companies would do that. What would you tell automakers to do? Japanese automakers once made the most perfectly ergonomic dashboards known to … Continue reading
