Author Archives: Ben Hsu

Honda Prelude officially returning to US after quarter-century

It’s official. After nearly a quarter of a century, the Honda Prelude will be returning to the US market. Honda will be bringing its flagship coupe stateside in late 2025. While hard core enthusiasts yearning for a VTEC kick or … Continue reading

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Electric R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R is coming to Tokyo Auto Salon

Back in March Nissan announced they were converting an R32 Skyline GT-R to run on fully electric power. The project is now complete, and will be shown at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon in January. Ahead of the event, Nissan … Continue reading

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Hagerty selects Datsun 280ZX, Honda Prelude as cars to buy for 2025

Hagerty Insurance has announced its list of classics to buy for 2025. The “Bull Market List”, seemingly named for maximum flipper engagement, includes 10 cars plus an eleventh people’s choice selection whose values are expected to rise significantly. In other … Continue reading

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Toyota Estima is latest nameplate selected for revival

Now that the 86, Supra, Land Cruiser, Celica, and possibly Starlet and MR2 have all been properly resurrected, what other historic model names can Toyota bring back? Sports cars and SUVs are all well covered. How about a minivan? According to … Continue reading

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QotW: How can Nissan be saved?

There’s been some shocking rumors about Nissan circulating in the past week or so. According to The Financial Times, an anonymous senior official from the company said that Nissan has about “12 or 14 months to survive.” Sales have been … Continue reading

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A brief history of Sori Yanagi’s Orient three-wheeled truck

Last week we briefly touched upon the Mitsui Seiki TR-series Orient, one of many three-wheeled trucks that took to the streets of 1950s Japan. The Orient was notable for being the only vehicle designed by Sori Yanagi, a one of … Continue reading

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Toyota’s resurrected Celica needs an ad campaign; here’s one free of charge

With Toyota execs confirming the return of the Celica, the company needs a new ad campaign. Here’s one we think will really resonate with the public and get them buzzing about a car that hasn’t been in production since 2006. … Continue reading

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Toyota Celica revival confirmed by top exec

Rumors of a Celica return have been circulating for over a year and a half, but we finally have confirmation from the horse’s mouth. Or, rather, the mouth of a top Toyota exec who would know about such things. The … Continue reading

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The Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata was a product of the tuner times

It’s funny to see how our beloved cars were reviewed when new. In the present we think of the Miata as standing heads and shoulders above rival sport compacts of the era. Cars like the EP Honda Civic Si, Ford … Continue reading

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Someone donated one of the rarest Mazda RX-7s to the Toyota Automobile Museum

As visitors to the Toyota Automobile Museum in Japan know, it’s not just a hall of Toyotas. The TAM is a museum that celebrates the history of all cars, and just happens to be founded and funded by Toyota. Cars … Continue reading

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Honda transforms Tokyo headquarters showroom into Hot Wheels heaven

Everybody loves Hot Wheels, but it’s for some reason still rare for an automaker to fully embrace the little toys that create thousands of loyal customers for them. Recently, of all places, Honda Japan set up a homage to Mattel’s … Continue reading

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Is Japan making fun of us by decorating their USDM-style cars with plastic bags and other garbage?

If you ever been to Japan you’ll notice that their cars, even the regular commuter ones, tend to be much cleaner than their US counterparts. Part of it is the strict roadworthiness inspections they have to undergo, but owners also … Continue reading

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Mazda exec says Iconic SP ‘not just an empty show car’

While the prospect of a Toyota-Mazda partnership sounds promising, the car they built together had lost some of that Mazda soul. Toyota needs to let Mazda Mazda, especially if cars like the Iconic SP are what they come up with. … Continue reading

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2025 CX-50 Hybrid: What happens when Toyota and Mazda join forces

We’ve long wondered what would happen when Mazda and Toyota finally teamed up. Mazda, the enthusiasts’ choice that carries the torch for true drivers outgunned in a cruel market of crossovers and electrification, and Toyota, the juggernaut which for years … Continue reading

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Motorcycle racing pioneer, father of Prius, and more inducted into Japan Automotive Hall of Fame

The Japan Automotive Hall of Fame has selected its 2024 inductees. In addition to four vehicles of historical importance to Japan’s automotive history, the JAHoF has also selected five individuals whose work in the field are considered significant contributions to … Continue reading

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Japan Automotive Hall of Fame inducts Toyota 2000GT, Subaru Legacy and more

The Japan Automotive Hall of Fame has announced its inductees for 2024. Every year the non-profit organization adds four “Historical Heritage Cars” to its list of vehicles that it believes are important milestones in Japan’s automotive industry. The cars are … Continue reading

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Toyota Celica GT-Four reimagined in Castrol-colored, AWD, turbo GR86

After many years of dormancy Toyota’s famed Castrol livery saw revivals this year, but on non-Toyota cars, oddly enough. Well, here’s the colorway once again, this time on a proper Toyota. Not only that, but the GR86 wearing the livery … Continue reading

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QotW: Which JNC has the best-looking rear?

Today, November 4, is Butt Day in Japan. Now as you pick your brains up out of the gutter you should know that the holiday comes from the popular children’s character Detective Butt, who is a crime solver with a … Continue reading

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Toyota built a retro ‘4Runner TRD Surf’ with two doors and removable roof

The newest Toyota 4Runner debuted with real off-road chops and retro styling, in many ways bettering even its big brother Land Cruiser. Now Toyota has reached even further into the 4Runner’s heritage and created an homage to the OG first-gen. … Continue reading

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Toyota Chaser is perfect pursuit vehicle in ‘Lonesome Hitman’

We’ve featured many classic car chases from Japanese film and cinema, but there has never been one with a car so fitting. In 1989’s Lonesome Hitman, the pursuing car is, in fact, a Toyota Chaser. With a name like that, … Continue reading

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