Author Archives: Ben Hsu
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
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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
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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
NEWS: Nissan’s IDx Freeflow is the Datsun 510 reborn
At the Tokyo Motor Show today, Nissan revealed the IDx Freeflow Concept, a car inspired by the legendary Datsun 510. It’s a love letter to the hard core Datsun devotee, or even newfound fans born decades after the original ceased … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the wildest Japanese concept car?
We are headed to the Tokyo Motor Show tomorrow to cover Nissan’s new retro concept. The salon is known for bringing us design studies and techno-wizardry that could only have stemmed from a nation as obsessed with the future as … Continue reading
NEWS: Nissan readies 86/BRZ fighter with retro styling
In less than a week, Nissan is going to reveal something very special to JNC readers at the Tokyo Motor Show. We can’t tell you what it is, as we have no desire to steal Nissan’s thunder or betray our sources. All … Continue reading
EVENTS: SevenStock 16
Mecca for Mazdafarians. That was the scene at SevenStock 16 last weekend, held at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. This year’s gathering for fans of rotary engine was one of the biggest in recent memory, and although everything … Continue reading
EVENTS: 2013 SEMA Show
The SEMA show is a purist’s worst nightmare. Stock is a dirty word to these people. You won’t find a single unmolested car in the whole Death Star-sized convention hall, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Those brave enough … Continue reading
VIDEO: JDM Legends Prince Skyline GT-B touge run
Here’s JDM Legends taking the Prince Skyline GT-B we profiled earlier this year into the snowy touge of Utah. That straight six burble is music to our ears. Watch the video below.
DESIGN: Our beer with Shiro Nakamura
A couple months ago we had a beer with Nissan’s Shiro Nakamura. He’s a man with a long title, namely, Senior Vice President, Chief Creative Officer, Design and Branding. In other words, he’s the Don Draper of Nissan. Nakamura-san oversees the … Continue reading
Posted in Design, nissan
Tagged datsun, Design, infiniti, nissan, Nissan 360, Shiro Nakamura
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MOTORSPORT: Joginder Singh, Mitsubishi Rally Pioneer, 1932-2013
The Mitsubishi world recently lost one of its greats. In 1974 Joginder Singh, behind the wheel of a Lancer GSR 1600, brought the Triple Diamond Syndicate its first major international rally victory by winning the Safari Rally. Then he did it again in … Continue reading
Posted in mitsubishi, motorsport, News
Tagged a73, Joginder Singh, lancer, mitsubishi, motorsport, rally, safari rally
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QotW: What modern car would be acceptable at a JNC meet?
So it’s Friday evening and your local old school Japanese meet is about to begin. But your sweet, chrome-bumpered ride is still on jack stands and has no hope of being finished in time. Gotta hop in the daily. What … Continue reading
PROFILES: Mooneyes’ 1JZ 1970 Toyota Crown Hardtop
With 14 consecutive generations and counting, the Toyota Crown is the standard of Japanese sedans. In its 58 years of continuous production, it’s inhabited many guises — saloon, wagon, pickup, ambulance, and even police pursuit vehicle — but the most … Continue reading
PRODUCT GUIDE: Hella Vision Plus 7″ Halogen H4 Conversion Headlamp
One of the sacrifices we have to make to drive the cars we love is safety. And while old cars offer great visibility thanks to large greenhouses, that advantage is nullified at night when 30-year-old wiring and outdated bulb technology … Continue reading
Posted in Product Guide
Tagged corolla, h4, Hella, levin, Product Guide, sprinter, te27, toyota, trueno
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