Author Archives: Ben Hsu

More Nostalgic Minicars: Maisto Fifty-5s

For a car, a diecast replica is the equivalent of having a bronze bust in the shape of your grinning head sitting in a museum. So when John posted Maisto‘s new Fifty-5s, it was further proof that the 1972 Datsun … Continue reading

Posted in datsun, minicars, nissan | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

2011 Honda CR-Z Unveiled in Detroit

During the press conference for the 2011 Honda CR-Z at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, the automaker did much to evoke the original CR-X, and even acknowledged that car’s influential role in the tuner scene. There’s no doubt that its … Continue reading

Posted in honda | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Mitsubishi Starion of Pure Evil

Continuing simultaneously on our Cars of Pure Evil theme and our commitment to bring you more triple diamond coverage, here’s JNC reader Komeuppance‘s Mitsubishi Starion. The strut casings have been sliced and the exhaust probably sparks at speed. If  this … Continue reading

Posted in mitsubishi | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

JCCS x JNC T-Shirt Contest Winners

The prizes from our JCCS x JNC T-Shirt Contest have shipped. Congrats to the following: Yi-Joe K. of Kaneohe, HI Bob J. of Troy, MI Victor R. of Land O’ Lakes, FL For those who didn’t win, don’t despair. You … Continue reading

Posted in contests, nostalgic wear | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? 14,000-Mile 1977 Toyota Celica GT

This immaculate 1977 Toyota Celica hails from America’s Dairyland but you won’t be getting any swiss cheese here. The seller says it has never been driven in Wisconsin’s harsh winters and contains absolutely zero sheetmetal dings. It has most of … Continue reading

Posted in for sale, toyota | Tagged , | 14 Comments

Friday Video: AW11 Toyota MR2 Goes In For the Kill

Normally when a funky Japanese car appears in a video they hide its plebeian roots by not showing any badges or emblems. Not so with La Roux’s 2009 music video for In for the Kill, in which the starring AW11 … Continue reading

Posted in Tune Up | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Hotlanta! Garage Zero's Old School Street Fighters

Congrats to our readers at Garage Zero out of Atlanta, Georgia for coverage on MotorMavens! Click to see how they hold it down.

Posted in tuning shop | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Datsun 510 Drifts Through Forza 3 Motorsports

Mad skills. [tkzun via Automobile]

Posted in datsun, nissan, Video Games | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? 39,000-Mile 1979 Mazda RX-7

The seller of this “barn find” 1979 Mazda RX-7 with less than 39,000 miles on its rotary engine canceled all bids and stopped the auction on New Year’s Eve. But if you’re a fanatic Mazdafarian it might not be too … Continue reading

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

30 Years of Tamiya R/C Cars

Tamiya‘s tradition of fine plastic model craftsmanship extended to R/C Cars in 1976, starting with a Porsche 934 RSR Turbo. This poster was created a few years ago to mark their 30th anniversary. We would commit great crimes to get … Continue reading

Posted in minicars | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Top Gear Lexus LFA Test

In typical Top Gear fashion, they give the Lexus LFA a resounding review and then forcibly use some ridiculous yardstick by which to measure its worth. Minds are not budged when the LFA yields the fastest wet lap on the … Continue reading

Posted in toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , | 35 Comments

Ken Takakura Wants to Put YOU in a Mitsubishi

Most of us only know actor Ken Takakura from Ridley Scott’s 1989 film Black Rain. He played a cop, but in Japan Takakura is as synonymous with yakuza movies as DeNiro is with Italian mob flicks. Therefore, it’s only fitting … Continue reading

Posted in cm, mitsubishi | Tagged , | 6 Comments

RX-7 Redux? Rumors of Rotary Sports Return

If the Toyota FT-86 and Nissan Silvia are returning, why not make it triple? In a great end-of-year present, the grapevine has brought us news that the Mazda RX-7 will return in 2011 or 2012 (sources differ). Power will remain … Continue reading

Posted in mazda | Tagged , | 7 Comments

JNC Reader Visits "Vintage" Vintage Car Dealership

Nakazoto is a JNC reader who lives in Nagoya, Japan. He’s graciously posted two of his visits to a local classic car dealership called, simply, Vintage. Check out his photos here and here.

Posted in japan | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Wednesday Wall: JNC Project Hako KGC10 Skyline

Tired of the last Wednesday Wall yet? We don’t know how you could possibly be, but this might be the only car capable of out-cooling the Lexus LFA and Toyota 2000GT: JNC Project Hako. Kev’s ’71 Nissan Skyline KGC10 terrorizes … Continue reading

Posted in nissan, project hako, Wednesday Wall | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Classic CM: Mitsubishi Galant Lambda & Sigma Eterna

We’re always looking for Mitsubishi-related posts for the all-important job of keeping both Matt and the triple diamond mafia happy. To be honest, there isn’t much to this late-70s commercial for the Galant Sigma Eterna and Galant Lambda Eterna. But … Continue reading

Posted in cm, mitsubishi | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Merry Christmas from Japanese Nostalgic Car

May Santa fill your stockings full of old school parts and rare accessories. Or, if you’ve been especially good, perhaps a new ride in your driveway with a big red bow on it. Merry Christmas, everyone! From all of us … Continue reading

Posted in jnc | Tagged | 24 Comments

Five J-Tin Winter Storage Tips

With a snowstorm of biblical proportions terrorizing the east coast, we thought it might be a good time for some winter storage tips. JNC reader Dustin (aka ohcanada_00 of Giga Pudding fame) works for the car care experts at Griot’s … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Fuji Speedway Frozen in Time, 1977-80

The action that took place at Fuji Speedway in the 70s is the stuff of legend. Back then it was known as FISCO (Fuji International Speedway Co., Ltd.) and was host to epic battles in Group 5, Touring Sedan, and … Continue reading

Posted in datsun, mazda, motorsports, nissan, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Friday Video: Winners and Sinners and a Massive J-Tin Pileup

Here’s another one of those wacky Hong Kong movies involving ridiculously implausible car chases and copious amounts of J-tin genocide. Although main players in this car chase from 1983’s Winners and Sinners are a Triumph Spitfire versus, uh, Jackie Chan … Continue reading

Posted in datsun, honda, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments