Author Archives: Ben Hsu
QotW: Which JNC should remain stock?
Look, we know it’s fun to take a 2,200-pound car that doesn’t require any smog checks and shoehorn into it the biggest engine you can find. However, one day these cars are going to be rare (some would say they … Continue reading
NEWS: Nissan 360, Part 03 – Driving Insane Stuff
Thus far our Nissan 360 coverage has focused on your rare but predictable classic and race cars. However, the global Nissan empire is built on stuff sold in reaches of the world you can’t even find on a map. So every four … Continue reading
NEWS: Nissan 360, Part 02 – 80 Years of Cars
In December Nissan will turn 80 years old, and in light of that milestone this year’s multi-day Nissan 360 press event was all about heritage. Part 01 of our coverage spotlighted the company’s rich motorsports lineage, including some race cars never before seen on … Continue reading
NEWS: Mazda Furai destroyed by fire while in Top Gear custody
The Mazda Furai is (correction: was) one of the greatest concept cars ever built. After debuting in 2007 it was everywhere. Then it was nowhere, making zero public appearances when the car’s very reason for existence was to make public … Continue reading
NEWS: Nissan 360, Part 01 – Racing Heritage
For the Nissan faithful, the name Zama needs no introduction. The sleepy little town outside of Yokohama is home to Japan’s largest and most wondrous collection of classic and race cars, wholly owned by the Nissan Motor Company. For decades … Continue reading
QotW: Which JNC do you most want to see in person?
Here in SoCal, we take a lot of things for granted. One of them is the fact that we get to see some of the rarest Japanese cars ever built. Several times a year, we feast our eyes on sheetmetal … Continue reading
FUTURE NOSTALGIC: 2014 Toyota Sienna SE
Yes, we put a tsurikawa on a minivan. But not just any minivan. We’re talkin’ bout the baddest baby boomer bus on the block — the Toyota Sienna SE. Call us crazy, but we think this is one of the … Continue reading
VIDEO: KE10 and AE86 shill for 2014 Toyota Corolla
The latest commercial for the 2014 Toyota Corolla will either make you think Toyota is pretty rad or ruin your entire day. The spot titled “Step Up to Style” starts with cool 60s daddy-os groovin’ with a KE10. Flash forward … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? $1,600 Datsun steering wheel watch auctioned at Bonhams
We’d gladly give up our internal organs for ridiculously rare cars, but a wristwatch? Amidst all the excitement over million dollar Toyotas at the Monterey Historics we nearly overlooked the fact that a rare Datsun timepiece sold for $1,586 at … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the hardest work you’ve put into a JNC?
This long weekend was Labor Day here in America. In theory, you’re supposed to be free from work during its observance, but most car guys spent it wrenching. What’s the hardest work you’ve put into a JNC? This is not … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 1968 Toyota 2000GT follow-up
Recently a second Toyota 2000GT went up for auction. When the bidding was over, the gavel fell on $935,000 for the 1968 Belatrix Yellow supercar. While it fell slightly short of the $1.2 million baby from Texas earlier this year, … Continue reading
EVENTS: Nisei Week Stancenation & Showoff
Nisei Week has been a Los Angeles institution for nearly two decades. For years the car show capping off a week of Little Tokyo cultural festivities has been a showcase of nisei automotive culture, but now the torch has been … Continue reading
QotW: What non-car Japanese nostalgic vehicle would you love to drive?
We just spent two days driving every new Nissan vehicle produces, from the Moco kei car to the Cabstar truck (more on this soon). Which got us thinking: What non-car Japanese nostalgic vehicle would you love to drive? By 1974 … Continue reading
CRYSTAL, ANYONE? Breaking Bad Toyota Tercel 4WD Wagon
Unless you’ve been living under a rock you probably know that a little TV program called Breaking Bad is heading chaotically towards its series finale. Only six episodes of the show remain and filming has already wrapped. That’s why one of its … Continue reading
EVENTS: Vintage Auto Salon, Part 03 – Bayline Cruisers
For the third and final installment of our Vintage Auto Salon coverage, we take a look at cars that aren’t necessarily the rarest or the sportiest. Instead, this motley crew is comprised of bone stock survivors, tough trucks, and wicked … Continue reading
QotW: Which JNC will the valet park front and center at the opera?
You’re piloting your dream Japanese classic, its drop dead sexiness outshined only by your spouse in the passenger seat, dressed to the nines in an evening gown (or tuxedo, we don’t discriminate). Lights dance across the gleaming hood as you … Continue reading
EVENTS: Vintage Auto Salon, Part 02 – Light, Quick, Agile
Despite holding three shows in one year’s time, including one just three months ago, the variety of cars that come out of NorCal’s woodwork for Historic J events never disappoints. In Part 02 (Here’s Part 01 if you missed it) … Continue reading
EVENTS: Vintage Auto Salon, Part 01 – JDM Machines
Vintage Auto Salon is the third show of its kind held by Historic J, the team that’s quickly becoming the de facto force for nostalgics in the Bay Area. Though co-founders James Vorasane and Ivan Jarmillo are both Americans, their events … Continue reading
NEWS: So apparently Felix Wankel was a big fat Nazi
Today, August 13, is Felix Wankel‘s birthday. Mazdafarians might know him as the father of the rotary engine. Until now, much of his history had been either unexplored or glossed over. On the official Mazda website, they describe him only … Continue reading