Author Archives: Ben Hsu

Toyota FT-86 Concept II Unveiled at Geneva

While America slept the Toyota FT-86 Concept II was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show.  According to Toyota, this is the best indication yet of what the production version of the RWD reborn AE86/Toyobaru/FT-86 will look like, and during the … Continue reading

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John Morton’s BRE Datsun 510 to Appear in Hot Wheels Vintage Racing Line

Hot Wheels has a new lineup called Vintage Racing for 2011, which will feature highly detailed race machines from the 60s and 70s with authentic livery. Nostalgic car fans will be pleased to know that the BRE Datsun 510 driven … Continue reading

Posted in minicars, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Today on YJA: Mitsubishi Galant GTO MR Gasket Set for $1000

Rebuilding the 4G32 on your Mitsubishi Galant GTO MR? This is the gasket and seal set you’ll need. Slight issue: the going price is ¥91,000, or about $1114.  Be very, very careful not to tear it.

Posted in mitsubishi | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? 1967½ Datsun 2000 Fairlady Roadster

If you’re parting with a major organ, it’d better be an ultra rare machine or something that’s been immaculately restored to exacting standards. Today’s kidney bait is the latter. The 1967½ Datsun 2000 Sports is a the most desirable of … Continue reading

Posted in for sale, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

NOSTALGIC WEAR: Enkei 92 T-Shirts

We love representing old school wheels but the problem is you eventually have to park your car. Now you can show off your love for vintage meshies anywhere except your shower with T-shirts celebrating the re-issue of the Enkei 92 … Continue reading

Posted in nostalgic wear, wheels | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Rare Form: 1974 Toyota Publica Van Deluxe KP36V

Scouring YJA often brings one across truly rare examples of Japanese steel. Case in point: a 1974 Toyota Publica Van Deluxe, chassis code KP36V. When you see “KP” you think Starlet, but die-hard Toyotaku know that the Starlet was a … Continue reading

Posted in Rare Form, toyota, wagons | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? 38,000-Mile Datsun 720 King Cab Pickup

It’s not often that you see an old Datsun pickup that isn’t trundling down the slow lane, sagging under the weight of a landscaping crew’s livelihood. These trucks were workhorses, and affordable ones at that, so it’s pretty darn amazing … Continue reading

Posted in for sale, nissan, trucks | Tagged , , , , , , | 17 Comments

ANNOUNCEMENT: Toyotafest 2011

The folks at TORC have announced the date for the 16th annual All-Toyotafest! It’s the biggest Toyota family reunion of the year and it will take place Saturday, May 14, 2011 at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. Registration … Continue reading

Posted in Reminder | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Kidney, Anyone? $64,000 Nissan Stanza Ex-Works Rally Car

The UK owner of this car is asking 40,000 pounds sterling (over US$64,000) for a Nissan Stanza. Surprised? Well, this is no ordinary Stanza. According to the seller, it’s the ex-works car that won the 1979 Southern Cross Rally. Held … Continue reading

Posted in for sale, motorsports, nissan, rally | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Nissans at Le Mans: A Return with the Signature LMP2

Twenty-five years ago Nissan entered its first prototype style racer into the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. Now the automaker is returning to the Le Mans Cup series with the Signature LMP2, which will run NISMO-tuned VK45 V8 motors. … Continue reading

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900,000 Mazda MX-5 Roadsters and Counting

The 900,000th Mazda MX-5 rolled out of Hiroshima last week, extending its lead as the best selling two-seat sports car in history according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The Miata got that title back in 2000 after surpassing … Continue reading

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Honda Restarts Development of the NSX

Honda heads, rejoice! In Japan today Honda president Takashi Ito announced that the company will renew development of the NSX. The next generation of Honda’s supercar was put on hold as a result of the Lehman Shock (Japanese for Global … Continue reading

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Toyota Land Cruiser Turns 60 Years Old, Gets Special Edition

The weapon of choice for outdoorsmen and dictators alike, the Toyota Land Cruiser had its humble beginnings as a spartan military vehicle in 1951. The Toyota BJ was the first vehicle ever to scale Mt Fuji to its sixth station, … Continue reading

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Mazda Cosmo Sports Rust Away in Japan

What is this, Ultraman‘s collection of parts cars? [Komin’s Photo Blog via Banpei via Gred. Hat tip to Goki.]

Posted in mazda | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

New Koreisha Marks Go On Sale Today

Today is February 1, which means the “autumn leaf” elderly driver’s symbol is no more. Last summer, a nation-wide contest selected a new koreisha mark, this four-color clover-type thing, because the apparently drivers over the age of 70 do not … Continue reading

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Mitsubishi Bids Slow Goodbye to Galant and Eclipse

Whenever once-great nameplates get axed, we feel a twinge of regret, even if it’s a mercy killing. According to trade journal Automotive News, Mitsubishi will scuttle all region-specific by the end of 2013. That means North American market platforms like … Continue reading

Posted in mitsubishi | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

New Year Meeting 2011 Preview

We’ve got hundreds of photos from the 2011 New Year Meeting streaming through cyberspace as you read this. For now, here’s a quick preview of the biggest nostalgic car show of the year. Here’s the Gateway to drooltown.

Posted in events, mitsubishi, nissan, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Inside a Japanese Used Car Auction

8000 cars on a slow day, 20 seconds to jab buttons like lab pigeon on cocaine, thousands of yen, and one new ride to take home. Follow the Australian series Mad Mods on a quest to buy a JDM car … Continue reading

Posted in japan | Tagged | 10 Comments

Friday Video: Nissan Skyline S54 GT-B vs Porsche 904

In light of Shinichiro Sakruai‘s passing we’ve been talking about the 1964 Japan Grand Prix a lot. As we’ve mentioned, this event was notable because that’s when Sakurai and Prince Motor Company threw down the gauntlets against the Porsche 904. … Continue reading

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The KPGC10 Nissan Skyline GT-R in Battle

Our tribute to Shinichiro Sakurai, Father of the Skyline, continues with some of our favorite images of hakosuka in warpaint, ready for battle. After the S54 GT-B finished the 1964 Japan Grand Prix second to a purpose-built German race car, … Continue reading

Posted in Legends, motorsports, nissan, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments