Author Archives: Ben Hsu
NEWS: The 4DSC is back! Nissan Sports Sedan Concept
When the J30 Maxima debuted in 1989 Nissan employed a clever little bit of marketing by calling it the “4DSC,” or “four door sports car.” Now the automaker is invoking the spirit of Nissans past in it’s new Sport Sedan … Continue reading
NEWS: Supra, 2000GT-inspired Toyota FT-1 concept unveiled
Since the Supra’s departure from US shores in 1998, Toyotaku have been eagerly waiting for its return. Every year or so there’d be rumors about a new halo sports car for the Toyota brand, including the weeks leading up to … Continue reading
QotW: What “Class of 1989” car would you import?
It may seem like we just asked this question, but just because a car is the greatest graduate from the Class of 1989 doesn’t mean you want to own it. The doors have opened onto a whole new era of once-forbidden Japanese … Continue reading
EVENTS: Meiji Jingu Classic Car Festival & Parade, Part 02
When Toyota holds a car show in the middle of Tokyo’s equivalent of Central Park, people notice. In Part 01 of our Meiji Jingu Classic Car Festival coverage we had the rare opportunity to see the best of Japan’s historic … Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged 110s, 117, 411, a20, a40, ALSID-2, BLRA-3, bluebird, Bluebird 312, c30, carina, celica, clipper, colt, contessa, corolla, corona, corona mark II, cosmo sport, crown, crown eight, csp311, daruma, e10, e20, fairlady z, gemini, gloria, hino, honda, isuzu, jimny, lancer, laurel, mazda, Meiji Jingu Classic Car Festival, mitsubishi, nissan, prince, Publica Sports Concept, S-Series, s130, s20, s30, s500, silvia, skyline, skyline sport, Skyline Van, supra, suzuki, T20, toyopet, toyota, Toyota Automobile Museum, x20
10 Comments
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 1 of 3 1986 IMSA GTO Toyota Celicas
For Celica fans 1986 is known as the year when the beloved sports coupe was transformed from rear- to a front-wheel-drive. Despite its softening, Toyota was still hell-bent on scoring sales with an aggressive racing program. At the time there … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your 2014 automotive resolution?
A new year is upon us, and if you haven’t already made a 2014 resolutions yet it’s not too late to start. Perhaps you have a heap of parts waiting to be re-merged into a car. Or 2014 could be … Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
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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.
