Author Archives: Ben Hsu

New Wangan Midnight Movie in the Works

Recently in our forum there’s been an ongoing discussion about the Wangan Midnight movie from back in the days of VHS. The story of the Devil Z has also been retold in anime and its original manga form. Now it … Continue reading

Posted in datsun, manga, nissan | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

This is How the Bosozoku Roll

They say that the goose-step, ridiculous and inefficient as it may seem, became the march of choice for dictatorships around the world specifically because of its silly appearance. After all, only a terrifying madman could force thousands of able-bodied soldiers … Continue reading

Posted in bosozoku, japan, mazda, nissan, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? 2450-mile Mazda RX-7

At this rate, your JNC editors are going to run out of kidneys by Wednesday. Not only have we seen a 1427-mile Mazda RX-4 and a 33,000-mile ’79 Honda Civic, now there’s a 1985 Mazda RX-7 with only 2450 miles … Continue reading

Posted in for sale, mazda | Tagged | 6 Comments

V8-Powered Aussie Celica in Drag

Check out this angry daruma Celica from Australia, with tube framed everything and and a V8 where the firewall should be. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but you have to admire the craftsmanship. Take a peek under the sheetmetal … Continue reading

Posted in toyota | 4 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? Mint 1979 Honda Civic

This 1979 Honda Civic doesn’t quite have the low mileage as the 1427-mile Mazda RX-4 from last week, but it’s close. Besides, who’s going to complain about a 33,000-mile car that’s 30 years old, especially one in this condition? Our … Continue reading

Posted in for sale, honda | 4 Comments

Issue 3 Sneak Peek: Datsun 240Z & Nissan 370Z

Here’s a sneak peek of what we think will be an awesome article in the next issue of Japanese Nostalgic Car magazine. When Antonio Alvendia of Cipher Garage told us he was shooting a 2009 370Z for Speedhunters‘ Nissan month, … Continue reading

Posted in datsun, jnc mag, nissan | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

Honda Ends F1 Participation

We have always admired Honda for charging right into Formula 1 at a time when it barely made any passenger cars at all. That’s why it saddens us to hear that the automaker is pulling out of F1. Honda made … Continue reading

Posted in honda, motorsports | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Mazda Rotaries at New Zealand Summerdrags

Hey Mazdafarians, we just got this in from Kiwi Bureau: photos from last weekend’s Mazda Rotary Summerdrags in New Zealand. Yes, while we’re huddled by the fireplace for warmth in the dead of winter, Nee Zeelanders are enjoying nice warm … Continue reading

Posted in mazda, motorsports | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Bay Area Toyotas at Performance Options Meet

Straight outta Oak-town, here’s some photos from an old school Toyota meet at Performance Options in Oakland, California. The crew hopes to make this a semi-regular gathering, welcoming all old school J-tin. Thanks to Miles Aquino and Justin Bonoan for … Continue reading

Posted in toyota | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? 1427-mile Mazda RX-4

If the story accompanying this auction is to be believed, this could be the lowest mileage Mazda RX-4 in the country. It appears that the prospective customer, way back when this baby was new in 1976, got into a bit … Continue reading

Posted in for sale, mazda | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Japanese Road Trip in Transforming Toyota Truck

Ok, this car isn’t nostalgic (or even a car, really), but the idea is timeless. After graduating high school, three Japanese buddies decided to follow their dream of a year-long cross-country road trip, from the northeastern island of Hokkaido to … Continue reading

Posted in japan, road trip, toyota, trucks | 18 Comments

Classic Toyota Celicas at Fuji Speedway

And now for your viewing pleasure, some footage of some vintage Toyota Celicas tearing it up at Fuji Speedway. Love that mean green liftback! Beware, by the end you’ll be seeing double. [Chase the Horizon]

Posted in motorsports, toyota | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Datsun 510 Does Mexico Too

This year, team Lucha Libre Racing‘s Datsun 1600 roadster wasn’t the only nostalgic running in Mexico’s vintage road race, La Carrera Panamericana. Check out Francisco Ortiz Rivera‘s BRE-replica Datsun 510! Our Spanish is a little rusty (ie, nonexistent), but it … Continue reading

Posted in datsun, motorsports, nissan | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Datsun 1600 Roadster Does Mexico

Team Lucha Libre Racing’s Datsun 1600 Sports roadster has once again returned triumphantly from La Carrera Panamericana 2008. As readers know from the article in Japanese Nostalgic Car magazine Issue 2, this was the first Japanese car ever to run … Continue reading

Posted in datsun, motorsports, nissan | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Yutaka "Mr K" Katayama Inducted into Japan Automotive Hall of Fame

In a ceremony last month, Yutaka Katayama has finally been inducted to the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame at the age of 99. Known as Mr. K to his fans, he presided over Nissan USA during its formative years in … Continue reading

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

Happy Thanksgiving and Honda Thanks Day

Each fall Honda Racing puts on something called Thanks Day at their Twin Ring Motegi complex. Any machine that has fought to bring home a checkered flag for Honda is honored, from MotoGP bikes to SuperGT NSXs to F1 cars. … Continue reading

Posted in events, honda, japan, motorsports | 2 Comments

Car Nut Could Take the Wheel at Toyota

There’s more than a few Toyotaku who come to JNC because, let’s face it, most of the exciting machines in the automaker’s portfolio are in its past – RWD Celicas, Supras, Sports 800s, MR2s, twin-cam Corollas and the glorious 2000GT. … Continue reading

Posted in industry, toyota | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Vintage Japanese Drag Racing at Fuji Speedway

Old School Japanese Drag Cars Break out the earplugs before watching this footage of vintage Japanese iron doing the Zero-Yon (0-400m, approximately a quarter-mile), circa 1986. Unlike the nostalgia drag racers of the US, these cars sport canister mufflers and … Continue reading

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

Toyota Sports 800 Styled iQ Roadster

Last month, Toyota launched the iQ city car, to much fanfare amongst the green-machine crowd. Within days, speculation began on a sporty two-seater roadster based on the same small platform. Naturally, the first thing we noticed was its resemblance to … Continue reading

Posted in toyota | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Game Over for Sport Compact Car

This is sad news. Sport Compact Car, one of the most authoritative and well-written magazines about small engines and tuning tips for compact cars has been killed off by its parent company, Source Interlink, along with Truck Trend, with 115 … Continue reading

Posted in media | 13 Comments