Author Archives: Ben Hsu
JNC Wagon: Tokico Shocks Install
A bone stock 1986 Cressida Wagon is a lanky beast, in desperate need of a slam. We’ve had low-down springs on our JNC Wagon for a while now, but 23-year-old shock absorbers meant we were bobbing like a Halloween apple … Continue reading
Posted in how to, toyota, wagon
Tagged tokico shocks, tokico struts, toyota cressida, toyota cressida wagon
17 Comments
Japanese Classic Car Show Registration Open
This is it, kyusha fans. Registration for the 2009 Japanese Classic Car Show is now open! This one’s a can’t-miss because it’s the fifth anniversary of the JCCS and it will be the biggest ever. If you haven’t done so … Continue reading
Kidney, Anyone? 1974 Mazda RX-4 "GTR"
Before we found this 1974 Mazda RX-4 on ebay, we thought the letters “GTR” were found trailing the emblems on Nissan Skylines, Isuzu Bellets, and the occasional Toyota Carina. According to the seller, the GTR was a special edition for the … Continue reading
Carboy, Circa 1998: Draggin' MarkII Wagon
Doesn’t it seem like 1998 was not that long ago, when in fact it’s been over 10 years already? Back before the formation of D1GP, drag racing was still all the rage in Japan. Drifting was on juuust the verge … Continue reading
Posted in toyota, wagon
9 Comments
Our Honda, in the Middle of the Street
This is hilarious: the 80s British ska group Madness (of “Our House” fame) did a series of Japanese commercial for the Honda City and Honda City Turbo. Note the appearance of the Motocompo folding scooter, which came with the car. … Continue reading
It’s Official: Cash for Clunkers is Law
The Cash for Clunkers law we’ve all been dreading passed both houses of Congress and was signed by the President yesterday. Although funding was reduced to $1 billion from its original $4 billion, and is limited to a four-month window, … Continue reading
Posted in laws
19 Comments
Kidney, Anyone? Tomica Grand Prix Circuit
So Transformers not your style? Here’s our first open kidney offer that doesn’t involve an actual car. It’s a vintage Tomica Grand Prix Circuit set that we came across while skimming the Tomica Fan Club forums. Talk about cool… just … Continue reading
Event Horizon: Summer's Here!
Here’s another slew of local car meets where you can take your cars, meet some fellow enthusiasts and have a good time. If we missed anyone let us know in the comments below and we’ll post it up!
Posted in events
2 Comments
Transformers Alternity Nissan GT-R & 370Z
If there’s two things Japan is known for its robots and cool cars. Put them together and you have Transformers. And even if you’ve been living under a rock for the past 9 months you can’t avoid the barrage of … Continue reading
Posted in minicars, nissan
Tagged megatron, nissan 370z, nissan gt-r, optimus prime, transformers, transformers alternity
1 Comment
Toyota Motorsports History Video
It’s not Friday yet but in honor of known motorfan Akio Toyoda’s ascension to the top spot at Toyota, here’s a two-part video about the company’s motorsports history. Based on the intro with WRC ST185 and Ironman Stewart pickups, it … Continue reading
Hasemi Tomica Skyline Livery Rides Again
Fueled by the sponsorship of toy car maker Tomica, Masahiro Hasemi’s original fire-spitting KDR30 Nissan Skyline Super Silhouette was at the forefront of every Japanese child’s fevered imagination. The outrageous bodywork inspired legions of bosozoku-style ride-pimpers, countless diecast models, and even made … Continue reading
Posted in datsun, minicars, motorsports, nissan
5 Comments
Akio Toyoda Officially Confirmed, New Supra On the Way?
You knew this was coming all along but today it’s official: Lexus LF-A hooning, Toyota 2000GT rallying Akio Toyoda is the new Prez of Toyota. All hail! Is it a well timed leak or mere coincidence that on the same … Continue reading
Posted in toyota
11 Comments
Autech-tuned Nissan Fairlady 370Z NISMO On Sale
Here’s some more retro car news, this time for the Zedheads. Nissan’s in-house tuner Autech has just released the Fairlady Z Version NISMO. It’s not quite the monster the Z432 was for the original S30 chassis, with only a 19PS … Continue reading
Last Honda S2000 to be Given Away
When the last Honda S800 was sold in 1970, who knew it would be 30 years before Honda would continue the lineage with another FR roadster? Well, after 10 years in production, that lineage is coming to another end when … Continue reading
JCCS 2009 Announcement
Listen up, nostalgic car fans! The event you’ve all been waiting for, the 2009 Japanese Classic Car Show, will be open for registration on Wednesday, July 1st. Be sure to enter your car into this historic event as early as … Continue reading
Posted in events, jccs
4 Comments
Bosozoku-Style Sharknose How-To
Should the urge to extend the hood line of your car into some kind of Death Race-style slicer suddenly overwhelm you, here’s a how-to using a Nissan C210 Skyline that’s been floating around for a while. Yes, now this bosozoku … Continue reading
Posted in bosozoku, datsun, nissan, toyota
Tagged bosozoku style, nissan skyline c210, shark nose, toyota mark ii
9 Comments
Bonus Vid: JDM Nostalgic Drag Racing
Is the traditional low and wide JDM look too boring for you? How ’bout some JDM funny cars built for the zero-yon (0-400m, about a 1/4 mile) with massive slicks and tubbed bodies? Here’s some footage from an Option video … Continue reading
Posted in datsun, isuzu, mazda, mazda rx-7, mitsubishi, motorsports, nissan, toyota
9 Comments
Friday Video: Police vs. Bosozoku
Are these the most ruthless cops ever or just an extremely dedicated crew of stuntmen? We don’t know, but if you want to see some patrol cars mowing down a gang of bosozoku while being filmed from the trunk of … Continue reading
Posted in bosozoku, Video Games
8 Comments
Mini JNC Wagon! DISM Toyota Mark II
This is probably not going to be of any interest to most of you, but we’re jumping out of our seats right now because we just got an email from Toyotageek informing us that the JNC wagon is now available … Continue reading
