Author Archives: Ben Hsu
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
25 YEAR CLUB: The Mazda MX-5 Miata is officially a Japanese Nostalgic Car
Break out the champagne, because the Mazda MX-5 Miata is 25 years old. Later this week at the New York Auto Show, Mazda will throw a birthday party for what is not only one of the most significant Japanese cars … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your greatest Mazda MX-5 story?
This week at the New York International Auto Show, Mazda will officially celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Mazda Miata, thus inducting it into the “25 Year Old” club of Japanese nostalgic cars. The great thing about the MX-5 is … Continue reading
PRODUCT GUIDE: Koyorad 1971-74 Corolla aluminum radiator
Last summer we informed you that the guys at Koyorad were working on yet another aluminum radiator for classic Japanese cars. This time, the beneficiary was the classic bantamweight street fighter known simply as the TE27. Well the development process has … Continue reading
THE VAULT: That time Mr. K met Barbara Eden
Yutaka “Mr K” Katayama was a celebrity in his own right, but mostly in the automotive world of die-hard Nissan nut jobs. Barbara Eden, on the other hand (for those under the age of 25), was the Zooey Deschanel of … Continue reading
VIDEO: 8-second kujira Crown
So you find one of the rarest Toyotas ever to make landfall in the US, and what do you do? Tub it out, drop in a 2JZ bored .40 over with HKS 280 cams, and take it to the strip, … Continue reading
VIDEO: Chris Forsberg drifting a Datsun 280Z
And now for your viewing pleasure, Chris Forsberg drifting his 500hp, RB25-swapped Datsun 280Z. Chris may be better known his day job as a Formula D champ and pilot of a near-1,000hp Nissan 370Z powered by the VK56 V8 from a Titan … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your best high mileage JNC story?
One of the main reasons people buy Japanese cars in the first place is because of their ridiculous longevity. Ironically, Japanese roadworthiness inspections are so prohibitively expensive that it’s fairly common for many owners to ditch new cars after just … Continue reading
VIDEO: Japanese Nostalgia by Landin Williams
Our friend Ralph Constantino has a terrific collection of classic Japanese cars: a TE27 Sprinter, a couple of AE86s, and MR2 and some pre-Evo Mitsubishi Lancers. Basically, all the cars that many Filipinos grew up with back in the home … Continue reading
QotW: Which JNC has the greatest grille?
Grilles. They provide airflow, set one model apart from another, and can even form become the corporate identity of a brand. Japan has produced some truly outrageous grilles in its time, so therefore we ask: QotW: Which JNC has the … Continue reading
ART CORNER: Sunny Vol. 1 & 2 by Taiyo Matsumoto
The 2013 Cartoonist Studio Prize has been awarded to Taiyo Matsumoto for his works Sunny Vol. 1 and Sunny Vol. 2, about a group of kids living at a Japanese orphanage. At first we thought Sunny was the name of … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the best shade of JNC green?
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we celebrate the color green, aka midori in Japanese. It was prevalent in the golden age of JNCs, from drab military olives to citrusy limes. What’s the best shade of JNC green? In 1983 … Continue reading
1974 Mitsubishi Lancer 1600GSR at Geneva Motor Show
The Geneva Motor Show is happening in Switzerland right now, and unless you’re into hideously modified exotics there’s not much of interest to the typical JNCer. Except, that is, if you happen to wander into the Mitsubishi booth where the … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the best JNC for a new driver?
Last week we asked which JNC would get you the most dates. Let’s say the advice dispensed by our readers worked and netted you a mate. First comes love, then comes marriage, now it’s 16 years later you have a … Continue reading
VIDEO: This OS Giken twin-cam is the most glorious sound you’ll hear all week
You know the OS Giken TC24: The 9,000rpm twin-cam head for Nissan‘s L-series motor costing somewhere in the realm of $30,000 and harder to find than Yeti dandruff (only 11 were built). Last year we saw a new version, the … Continue reading
