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

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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

Posted in kei, News, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

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

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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

Posted in mazda, News | Tagged , , | 36 Comments

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

Posted in motorsports, museums, News, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

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

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged , | 33 Comments

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

Posted in toyota, Uncategorized, vans | Tagged , , , | 36 Comments

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

Posted in cm, toyota | Tagged , , , , | 26 Comments

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

Posted in for sale, nissan | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

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

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GRAND TOURING: Journey to Subaru of America’s History Collection, Part 02

In Part 01 of our journey to Subaru of America‘s headquarters, we got a rare glimpse inside the “attic,” a jaw-dropping treasure trove of the automaker’s most important cars. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as the nondescript New Jersey warehouse … Continue reading

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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

Posted in for sale, toyota | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

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

Posted in events, honda, nissan, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

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

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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

Posted in for sale, toyota, Video Games | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

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

Posted in events, honda, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

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

Posted in Question of the Week, vans | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

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

Posted in events, mazda, nissan, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

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

Posted in events, nissan, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

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

Posted in mazda, News | Tagged , , , | 28 Comments