Author Archives: Ben Hsu
VIDEO: JNCs make the cut in Ron Howard’s Rush
The hottest video circulating automotive sites today is the trailer for Rush. Last year we reported that some classic Nihon cars were spotted on set, specifically, two daruma Celicas and a kujira Crown Hardtop. Moreover, the screen shot above, which … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the worst thing about loving JNCs?
Aside from the occasional hater, most of you are here because you love Japanese nostalgic cars. But as we all know, what you love most can also hurt you the most. What’s the worst thing about loving JNCs? Being passionate … Continue reading
VIDEO: MotorFix’s V8-powered Corolla by XCar
If you’ve ever seen a ratty E70 Corolla mid-drift, chances are MotorFix was involved. The Gifu Prefecture shop is well known for its thoroughly modified but completely rat rodded fourth-gen Corollas. Remember, these are supsensionally identical to the AE86, and the … Continue reading
VIDEO: Nissan restores the 1947 Tama electric car
The Nissan Leaf might be making waves as the automaker’s all-electric car of the moment, but it wasn’t its first. Way back in 1947 the Tama E4S-47-1 was produced to serve a gasoline-starved post-war Japan. In a new video, Nissan restoration … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the best way to introduce someone to the world of JNCs?
There’s a certain segment of self-proclaimed car nuts convinced that latest equals greatest. Of course, JNCers know that they’re wrong. Dubs aren’t better than a set of 14-inch vintage barrels. A powerful AWD machine isn’t better than a lightweight RWD . … Continue reading
Honda/Acura to Completely Revert to 1991 Lineup
Honda Motor Corp. has shocked the automotive world with the announcement that it will be completely reverting to its 1991 lineup. Safety and emissions equipment will be updated and prices adjusted for inflation, but everything else — including its former … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the most impressive JNC restoration job you’ve seen?
Since it’s Easter this weekend, let’s talk about resurrection. It wasn’t too long ago that Japanese cars were considered disposable and unworthy of restoration. In our opinion, that only makes you crazy JNCers even more heroic when you put your blood, … Continue reading
Beauteous Brown Mitsubishi Lancer Celeste wows 2013 Geneva Motor Show
By dint of being held in a European country known primarily as a tax haven, the Geneva Motor Show is where the latest Paganis and limited edition Lamborghinis are unveiled to the world’s Bond villains. However, this year Mitsubishi surprised everyone … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 55,000-mile AE86 Toyota Corolla
Like the beautiful brown Datsun 510 last week, this is not that AE86, but a lesser loved 1984 Toyota Corolla SR5. Still, it’s a 55,000-mile, RWD hachiroku, probably the best preserved example in the entire country and it’s on eBay right … Continue reading
QotW: If you could have one JNC as your only car, what would it be?
We know most of you have multiple cars. Your JNC, your kiddie haulers, your daily drivers, and so on. But let’s say you could only choose one vehicle to suit all your needs, and it had to be 25 years … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 18,000-mile 1978 Datsun 510
Raise your hands, who wants a showroom condition Datsun 510? Well, no, it’s not that 510, but the A10 Stanza was a fine machine in its own right. After all, it did win Australia’s Southern Cross Rally three times in a … Continue reading
MINICARS: Transformers Masterpiece Datsun 280ZX — Bluestreak and Prowl return
Many JNC readers (and staffers) are of a certain age, one where their childhood memories are filled with golden afternoons glued to television screens to watch the epic war between Autobot and Decepticon unfold. I am of that age, and … Continue reading
EVENTS: 2013 Nostalgic2Days, Part 03
We begin Part 03 of our Nostalgic2Days coverage with four generations of beautiful ‘Ladies. There’s the Wangan wedge Z31, disco club S130, world beating S30, and the pre-Z roadster spanning two decades of sporting Nissans.
QotW: What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to get the JNC (or part) of your dreams?
We’ve met a lot of crazy JNC owners over the years and heard even crazier stories. From buying a one-way ticket from LA to Philly in order to drive back with a set of Celica smiley bumpers, to putt-putting a … Continue reading
EVENTS: 2013 Nostalgic2Days, Part 02
Welcome back to JNC‘s Nostalgic2Days coverage, from the Pacifico Yokohama convention center. The building itself might be located in the city’s Minato Mirai 21, or “Future Port of the 21st Century” district, but the cars are all from back in … Continue reading
We drive the new Toyota Pro/Celebrity TRD Scion FR-S, despite being neither Pro nor Celebrity
Since 1977, Toyota has been putting celebrities with varying degrees of track experience into race-prepped cars and unleashing them onto the streets of Long Beach. The carnage that unfolds is, thankfully, limited primarily to the sheetmetal of two dozen freshly … Continue reading
PRODUCT GUIDE: Koyorad Datsun 510 Radiator
While we’re on the topic of mods for your classic car, cooling is an important part of keeping your nostalgic in tip-top running order. Stock radiators in older cars were usually pretty flimsy to begin with, and after years of … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the best mod you can make to a classic car?
Last week’s QotW broke records for having the most answers since we started doing our weekly polls. JNCers had opinions both plentiful and strong about the absolute worst mods that could be foisted upon classic cars. Well okay then, smarty … Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: 76 Years of Nissan Motorsports
Watch footage from 76 years of Nissan motorsports, starting with the monopoly-piece looking 1936 Datsun racer to the futuristic 2012 Nissan DeltaWing. The video commemorates the new NISMO headquarters grand opening February 26, which will shift the seat of Nissan’s … Continue reading
EVENTS: 2013 JCCA New Year Meeting, Part 04
We continue with more parking lot finds in Part 04 of our 2013 New Year Meeting coverage. Our previous installment featured some bosozoku style rides that caused some controversy, despite their important place in Japan’s tuning culture. Today’s shakotan style … Continue reading