Author Archives: Ben Hsu
Happy Hatsuhinode from JNC!
In Japan it’s a new year’s tradition to wake up early, drive to the coast or the top of your nearest mountain, and watch hatsuhinode, the year’s first sunrise. Bosozoku take this seriously enough that police blockades are set up to … Continue reading
NEWS: Nissan’s Sport Sedan Concept may preview Bluebird successor, but not the 510
Earlier today, Nissan released a teaser shot of a car called the Sports Sedan Concept to close out the year. The show car will be fully revealed at the Detroit Motor Show in January, where it will be joined by the IDx … Continue reading
Posted in News, nissan
Tagged 4DSC, Detroit Auto Show, maxima, nissan, Sports Sedan Concept
26 Comments
The Top 10 JNC stories of 2013
As we bid sayonara to 2013 let’s look back at some of the highs and lows it has given us. Enthusiasm for classic Japanese cars continues to grow and gain mainstream acceptance. This will only increase as cars that went … Continue reading
QotW: Which “Class of 1989” car is the greatest “new” JNC?
It’s here. 1989, one of the greatest single years Japanese automotive history. With the 25-year-or older rule rolling over one more year, any car built at the peak of the Bubble Economy is now officially a classic. Which “Class of … Continue reading
Happy 80th Birthday, Nissan!
Nissan Motor Corporation was founded 80 years ago today, on December 26, 1933. Starting with just one 12-horsepower model, the company set forth into the world. Through eight decades of triumphs and hardships, it has given the world some of the … Continue reading
Merry Christmas from JNC!
May Japanese Santa Claus bring you all the car parts your hearts desire. メリークリスマス!
Posted in jnc
6 Comments
One last tour of Toyota’s Amlux showroom as it closes for good
Today marks the end of a Tokyo institution. Toyota‘s Amlux showroom is closing after 23 years of operation. Most residents of Japan’s constantly morphing metropolis probably didn’t even notice, but for die-hard Toyotaku it’s the end of an era.
KIDNEY, ANYONE? Unmolested AE86 Coupe
Your chances of coming across an unmolested AE86 lie somewhere between winning the $600 million Powerball jackpot and spotting Sasquatch riding a unicorn. Being the O.G. drift machine and star of Initial D has its downsides. Namely, legions of aspiring Formula D … Continue reading
EVENTS: Yokohama Hot Rod and Custom Show
Step into Mooneyes‘ Yokohama Hot Rod and Custom Show and you might think you’ve stepped through a wormhole to 1960s America. Every style you can imagine, from high-boys to lowriders, is represented, including ones actual Americans no longer care about. Raked … Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged 510, 521, 620, 720, b-series, b110, bluebird, c10, Chevy LUV, crown, daihatsu, datsun, debonair, faster, fc3s, ford courier, Hakosuka, hijet, honda, isuzu, jimny, kawasaki, kei, kujira, mazda, mini truck, mitsubishi, mooneyes, motorcycles, ms51, nissan, proceed, rocky auto, rx-7, s50, s60, samurai, skyline, sunny, SuperCub, suzuki, toyota, trucks, yamaha, Yokohama Hot Rod & Custom Show
5 Comments
BOOKS: Inside Shelby American by John Morton
We suspect that while most readers will be buying the new book Inside Shelby American to learn about Carroll Shelby, JNCers will be buying it for its author, legendary race car driver John Morton.
Posted in Books, motorsport, nissan
Tagged 240z, 510, bre, carroll shelby, datsun, john morton, nissan, s30
3 Comments
QotW: What’s the best winter JNC?
Massive loads of snow have been falling on our planet, even in regions like Texas (though still sunny in LA, in case you’re wondering). And while it’d be stark raving insanity to drive a classic car through the slush and salt, … Continue reading
PROFILES: Touring Osaka in a Seibu Keisatsu Skyline
Driving through Japan in a red-on-black DR30 Skyline festooned with emergency lights is akin to prowling rural Georgia in an orange ’69 Dodge Charger. Or Miami in a white Testarossa. Or Los Angeles in a black ’82 Firebird with a … Continue reading
Posted in nissan, profiles, Uncategorized, Video Games
Tagged 117, co10t, corona mark II, cosmo, crown, daihatsu, Hiroyuki Narazaki, isuzu, mazda, nissan, osaka, president, r30, r31, rx-5, Ryu Asada, seibu keisatsu, skyline, toyota, x20
19 Comments
VIDEO: Behind the scenes at Mattel
We’ve been to Mattel’s design studio in El Segundo, California a few times but have never been granted permission to take photos. Instead, we signed a mountain of NDAs. Clearly what we needed to be was CBS News.
EVENTS: Naniwa Swap Meet
Among the items on our Japan bucket list was checking out a real swap meet. Turns out, automotive-themed ones are not terribly common there, but we were fortunate enough to have Osaka’s Naniwa Swap Meet coincide with our stay.
Posted in events, honda, kei, mazda, Motorcycles, nissan, suzuki, toyota, wagons
Tagged advan, c10, cappuccino, cressida, crown, Crown Majesta, dekotora, Hakosuka, honda, jimny, Kanjo Loop, kei, Kei Works, Laputa, mark II, mazda, motorcycles, Naniwa Swap Meet, osaka, passol, police, porter, publica, r31, s130, S180, sanitora, skyline, sunny truck, SuperCub, suzuki, toyota, tundra, wagons, x70, yamaha
20 Comments
QotW: Which completely inconspicuous car will be a JNC of the future?
There was a time when a ’57 Chevy Bel Air was just a plain ol’ car that wasn’t even as spectacular as a Buick. Now it’s a emblematic of its era and a bona-fide classic. Which completely inconspicuous car will … Continue reading
GRAND TOURING: Late night blast in the S800
While in Tokyo for the big Motor Show, we took Skorj’s Honda S800 coupe out for a mini-grand tour around the city. At night, of course.
QotW: What’s the cutest JNC you ever did see?
Japan obsession with cuteness even trickles down to their cars. Look, for example, at the Suzuki Twin we spotted the other day in Yokohama, leading us to wonder: What’s the cutest JNC you ever did see? The Twin got its … Continue reading
EVENTS: Tokyo Motor Show, Day 02
On Day One of the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show we saw one of the most significant concepts to come out of Japan since the FT-86. With that excitement out of the way, we spent Day Two seeing what Nissan’s major … Continue reading
Posted in concepts, events, honda, mazda, minicars, Motorcycles, toyota
Tagged atenza wagon, concept, corolla fielder, crown, daihatsu, deca deca, fc deck, fit, formula 1, honda, Ken Okuyama, kopen, mazda, motorcycles, nsx, ra271, rc142, s360, s660, SuperCub, tokyo motor show, tomica, toyota, toyota 86
20 Comments
QotW: What’s one thing a JNCer must do in Japan?
So we’re “stuck” in Japan this week in the aftermath of the Tokyo Motor Show. Boo hoo, poor us. Tell us where to go and we’ll shoot some pictures. What’s the one thing a JNCer must do in Japan? If … Continue reading
