Author Archives: Ben Hsu
EVENTS: 2014 All-Toyotafest, Part 03 — Practicals
We’ve seen the high-end luxocruisers that gave Toyota its reputation of apocalypse-grade reliability and the long-forgotten sports coupes Akio Toyoda hopes will rekindle passions for his great-grandfather’s company, but Part 03 of our Toyotafest coverage is about the everyday cars and trucks that made the ToMoCo kingdom possible.
EVENTS: 2014 All-Toyotafest Part 02 — The Sports Coupes
This year Toyotafest fell on a very special occasion — President and CEO Akio Toyoda‘s 58th birthday. Since taking the helm of his great-grandfather’s company in 2009, Toyoda-san has vowed to bring the wakudoki back. What’s wakudoki? “A palpable, heart-pounding sense of excitement,” says Toyota. … Continue reading
EVENTS: 2014 All-Toyotafest, Part 01— Luxe & GT
Hanging like a cloud over the festivities of the 19th annual All-Toyotafest this year was the news that had been leaked to the press a week prior: Toyota USA was moving its headquarters, which had been a southern California fixture … Continue reading
VIDEO: Identify these nostalgic Nissan race cars by sound
Pop quiz, hotshot. Five nostalgic Nissan race machines tear down a straight. You have only the glorious sounds of their motors to identify whether they are the 1971 Safari 240Z, a touring spec B110 Sunny Excellent, the turbocharged 240RS, the OG Prince Skyline GT … Continue reading
2014 Nissan Jam registration now open
Registration for the 2014 Nissan Jam is now open. After the success of last year’s inaugural show, the venue has been opened up to include space for even more Nissan and Datsun cars than last year. Click here to register. All entrants receive a free … Continue reading
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QotW: What’s the story with your JNC’s keychain?
Keychains. They will soon be a thing of the past thanks to fancy push-button starters and “smart” keys. Can something really even be called a key fob if there is no key attached? Well, at least when you drive a JNC … Continue reading
Happy Mother’s Day from JNC
A page from the 1962 Mazda Carol 360 brochure, one of Japan’s first family cars. Happy Mother’s Day from JNC.
Happy 510 Day from JNC
Just a reminder to cherish your Bluebird on this May 10, our day of 510s. Happy 510 Day from your friends at JNC.
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 19k-mile 1974 Toyota Corolla
Proof again that California does not have a monopoly on classic J-tin comes in the form of this Philadelphia-based 1974 Toyota Corolla 1600 Deluxe. Said to be a one-owner car with just under 19,000 original miles, it is likely one of the least … Continue reading
NEWS: Honda S660 confirmed for 2015
Honda has greenlit the S660 roadster, shown at the Tokyo Motor Show last year, for production. The mid-engined kei sports car will begin rolling off the assembly lines in 2015.
QotW: Is Toyota making the right move?
Last week it was confirmed that Toyota USA would be moving from its home of 57 years in southern California to new digs in Plano, Texas. Is Toyota making the right move? On the one hand, there are dollars to … Continue reading
2014 All-Toyotafest, a reminder
There are only three days till the 19th annual All-Toyotafest. As usual, JNC will be there with a booth, and we’ll be making the drive in this black 1980 Toyota Supra. Stop by and say hi. As it happens, the day of … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the greatest nostalgic Toyota?
This coming Saturday marks two very special events for Toyotaku. Not only is it the 19th annual All-Toyotafest, but it’s also the birthday of ToMoCo President Akio Toyoda! Therefore, we take this opportunity to ask a question: What’s the greatest nostalgic Toyota? … Continue reading
NEWS: Toyota USA moving headquarters to Texas
Toyota USA might be moving its US headquarters to Texas, unconfirmed reports say. UPDATE: It was confirmed this morning by Toyota in an official press release. The move would put Toyota USA’s executives closer to its manufacturing hubs in San Antonio, … Continue reading
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T-minus one week: Toyotafest!
Just a reminder that at this time next week, you should be at Queen Mary Park for the biggest Toyotafest yet. This year registration filled up in a matter of days, something that’s never happened before, so you know it’s … Continue reading
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JNC THEATER: Solaris
The 1972 Russian film Solaris is considered one of the greatest sci-fi films of all time. It tells the tale of a psychologist sent to investigate the deteriorating mental state of a space station crew orbiting the distant planet of Solaris. Like many sci-fi … Continue reading
Nissan Bluebird and Toyota Levin revived in China, in name at least
Soon, you will be able to buy a 2015 Nissan Bluebird or Toyota Levin. Only, they won’t be available in Japan, and definitely not in the US. Instead, Japanese automakers are reviving these classic nameplates for the Chinese market.
Winning Paul Newman documentary seeks Tom Cruise
Adam Carolla and his crew are hard at work putting together the Winning, the documentary about Paul Newman‘s racing life. We recently met Carolla and producer Nate Adams, and we can confirm that the level dedication and work they’ve committed … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your best fuel-saving JNC story?
Tomorrow is Earth Day, and if we can get real for a moment let’s admit that one of the main reasons Americans bought Japanese cars by the boatload is because we’re cheaper than Scrooge McDuck when it comes to fuel. Japan … Continue reading
EVENTS: Mazda Miata’s 25th birthday steals the NY Auto Show
Welcome back to Miata week here at JNC. We’ve covered the origin story of the world’s favorite sports car, and now we’re at the New York Auto Show, where Mazda’s party for the Miata’s 25th birthday is in full swing. … Continue reading
