Author Archives: Ben Hsu
QotW: Which car should Japanese automakers sell again exactly as they were?
In 1998 Nissan embarked on an unprecedented program to buy back 1970-71 Datsun 240Zs, restore them, and sell them through dealerships with an official warranty. Only about 40 of the 250 planned cars were sold, and even at nearly $28,000 … Continue reading
Posted in honda, nissan, Question of the Week
Tagged 240z, 260z, 280z, crx, datsun, fairlady z, honda, nissan, QotW, Question of the Week, s30
34 Comments
ART CORNER: The least resilient Land Cruisers you’ll ever see
Yesterday we saw Toyota FJ40s fetching some high prices at the recent Arizona auctions. These, on the other hand, are the cheapest Land Cruisers you’ll ever encounter. They’re also some of most easily destructible ones too, as they’re made completely out … Continue reading
Posted in Art Corner, toyota, trucks
Tagged Art Corner, fj40, fj45, fj55, land cruiser, papercraft, toyota
5 Comments
VIDEO: The Emperor of Japan drives a mauve Honda Integra
You would think that being the absolute top dog of a country known for building spectacular vehicles would provide Emperor Akihito with a garage to end all garages. Instead, when the head honcho of the Japanese royal family is not … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the most significant “new” nostalgic car from 1988?
It’s 2013, and that means a new lineup of vehicles has officially crossed the magical 25-year threshold to become nostalgics. Cars built when INXS and Arsenio Hall ruled the airwaves can now officially qualify for historic tags and and collector’s … Continue reading
Posted in nissan, Question of the Week
Tagged 180sx, 240sx, nissan, QotW, Question of the Week, s13, silvia
31 Comments
EVENTS: Fundraiser for ex-Toyota 2000GT driver Scooter Patrick
This is just a quick post to let you guys know that Scooter Patrick, former driver of the white-and-red #33 Carroll Shelby SCCA Toyota 2000GT, has a case of rapid onset Alzheimer’s disease. There’s a fundraiser happening January 12, 2013 … Continue reading
Posted in motorsports, toyota
Tagged 2000gt, Riverside International Auto Museum, Scooter Patrick, toyota
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QotW: What’s your New Year’s resolution?
It’s a new year, and you know what that means. Finally, for the love of all that is good and holy, it’s time to open up that good book gathering dust on your nightstand, get that oxidized heap in your … Continue reading
Posted in honda, Question of the Week
Tagged f1, formula 1, honda, QotW, Question of the Week, ra272
21 Comments
MINICARS: 2013 Hot Wheels Toyota 2000GT Treasure Hunt
Boom. Ever since we began reporting on Hot Wheels‘ Renaissance of classic Japanese cars, there’s been one that collectors clamored for more than any other — the Toyota 2000GT. Well, your offerings to the diecast gods have paid off. We … Continue reading
California to enact vintage license plate program
Great news for nostalgic car owners in California. The state has just announced today a new program that will allow classic car owners to get period correct license plates based on the year their cars were manufactured. “Legacy” license plates … Continue reading
ART CORNER: Announcing the JNC Ken & Mary Art Contest winners
This year we held our first ever JNC Art Contest. The theme, “Ken and Mary,” was inspired by the 40th anniversary of the C110 Skyline, and we asked our (extremely talented) readers to submit kenmeri related artwork. Here are the … Continue reading
Posted in Art Corner, nissan
Tagged Art Corner, c110, Ken & Mary Art Contest, kenmeri, kgc110, kpgc110, nissan, skyline
13 Comments
Merry Christmas from JNC!
And now for your holiday viewing pleasure, a GX71 Mark II driver performing a heartwarming rendition of Jingle Bells with nothing but his exhaust. Merry Christmas from all of us at JNC!
VIDEO: “Napa Valley Roadsters” by Petrolicious
Hot on the heels of San Francisco Skyline, it’s It’s time for yet another beautifully shot video from Petrolicious. This time, the crew heads north into wine country for Napa Valley Roadsters, a look at two more Nissans, but this … Continue reading
Posted in nissan, Video
Tagged 1600 sports, 2000 sports, datsun, fairlady, fairlady roadster, nissan, Petrolicious
11 Comments
QotW: What do you want from Japanese Santa Claus?
Well it’s that time of year again, when we gather with our loved ones, reflect on the last 12 months, perhaps drink some hot cocoa, and tear into colorfully wrapped boxes like feral dogs on a holiday ham. And if … Continue reading
Posted in mazda, Question of the Week, toyota
Tagged 2000gt, 323, demio, mazda, mazda 2, mf10, protege, QotW, Question of the Week, toyota
45 Comments
POP QUIZ: What kind of car is this?
Obviously this isn’t really a Nissan Fairlady Z. What is it? Put your best guess in the comments below and we’ll have to use the no-googling honor system here. Find out on Sunday! UPDATE:
Posted in nissan, suzuki
Tagged 240z, 260z, 280z, cappuccino, datsun, fairlady z, nissan, s30, suzuki
44 Comments
VIDEO: The Birth of the Skyline Legend
Yesterday we wrote about the watershed events that put Datsun on the motorsports map in the USA (and by extension, the western world). Here’s how it began in Japan. We’ve written about the Prince Skyline GT-B‘s historic battle against the race-bred … Continue reading
Posted in motorsports, nissan, Prince
Tagged 1964 Japan grand prix, datsun, japan grand prix, Kazuyoshi Hoshino, nissan, porsche 904, prince, s54, shinichiro sakurai, skyline, skyline gt-b, suzuka, Tetsu Ikuzawa, Yoshikazu Sunako
14 Comments
BOOKS: The Stainless Steel Carrot, An Auto Racing Odyssey — Revisited
John Morton has lived a life most of us can only dream of. The legendary driver has had a storied career piloting everything from Shelby Cobras to Porsche Le Mans Prototypes. Of course, the reason Nissan nuts line up for … Continue reading
Posted in mazda, motorsports, nissan
Tagged 240z, 260, 280z, 510, bluebird, bre, brock racing enterprises, datsun, fairlady z, john morton, mazda, nissan, Pete Brock, rx-7, s30, savanna, scca, Sylvia Wilkinson, The Stainless Steel Carrot, trans-am
16 Comments
