Author Archives: Ben Hsu

Rust in Peace: J's Tipo Ends Magazine Publication

Sad news from Japanland today. It’s the end of the road for J’s Tipo magazine. The publishers have announced that Issue 180 will be the last for the long-running automotive periodical. They covered mostly new cars but always had a … Continue reading

Posted in media | Tagged | 8 Comments

Rotary Overload: New Zealand Summerdrags 2010

Listen up, Mazdafarians! If you want to see over 300 pics of vintage kiwi-style rotaries at the recent 2010 Summerdrags, click right here and braap your brains out.

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Kidney, Anyone? 40K-Mile 1985 Subaru GL

At first, this 40,433-mile 1985 Subaru GL surprised us by popping up in Phoenix, Arizona. What does a state need with a quirky, all-wheel-drive hatchback if they don’t even know what a snowflake is? But it makes sense that such … Continue reading

Posted in for sale, subaru | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

V is for Vintage: Rays Volk TE37V

You know you’re a JNCer if you hear “TE37” and think third-gen Toyota Corolla rather than the coveted six-spoke by Rays Wheels. Remember how in the 90s every tuner with JDM jones lusted after the Volk TE37? Well Rays recently … Continue reading

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Nostalgics at the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon

For the latest and craziest in women’s fashion, you turn to the runways of Paris. For the latest and craziest in automotive tuning, we look to the Tokyo Auto Salon. But like costumes on the catwalk, you might find yourself … Continue reading

Posted in datsun, nissan, tokyo auto salon | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

New Year's Meeting… of Auckland

Well, the Japanese New Year Meeting doesn’t take place for another few weeks but here’s BeeOneOneOh’s photos from their local meet in Auckland. I am in love with this visor-clad Crown goon.

Posted in mazda, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Friday Video: The Original Japanese Version of Speed

A runaway city bus careens through the streets after the driver is shot. The police can’t do anything for fear of triggering the explosive device stowed on board. Only one renegade cop can leap onto the bus from another moving … Continue reading

Posted in datsun, nissan, Video Games | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

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

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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