Author Archives: Ben Hsu
2024 Nissan GT-R gets retro R34-inspired face and color palette
Unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the 2024 Nissan GT-R adds a surprise late-in-the-lifespan facelift to Nissan’s supercar slayer. Those familiar with the R35’s Skyline predecessors will immediately recognize its lineage. Along with the visual throwback it also brings back … Continue reading
Toyota may reveal electric or hydrogen-powered AE86
As the industry shifts to alternative fuels and some cities consider the ban of gasoline cars altogether, how will enthusiasts enjoy their classic cars? Some automakers, like Mini and Aston Martin, are working on electric motor conversion kits for their … Continue reading
The Rays Vesta Eins Glacé “Strawberry” is the ultimate JDM fashion wheel
Today is Strawberry Day in Japan. The Japanese word for strawberry is ichigo, but as it happens, the Japanese pronunciation for the number one is ichi and the pronunciation for the number five is go. So “one-five” becomes “ichi–go” and … Continue reading
Mitsubishi Ralliart’s video history still gets our blood pumping
“The desire to elevate motorsports to the realm of art.” That is what Mitsubishi says the name Ralliart is meant to evoke. For decades, it was the banner under which the Triple Diamonds raced. And even though the revived Ralliart … Continue reading
Posted in motorsport
Tagged galant, Galant VR-4, lancer, lancer evolution, mitsubishi, pajero, Paris-Dakar Rally, Ralliart, safari rally, starion
1 Comment
Nissan Z crossover is hopefully not a sign of things to come
Sorry to start the year with this, but a Nissan Z crossover is apparently scheduled to appear at the Tokyo Auto Salon. Called the Nissan Fairlady X (the letter “X” for “cross”), the car is being built by students at … Continue reading
Posted in Tokyo Auto Salon
7 Comments
QotW: What’s your automotive New Year’s resolution?
I’ve been pretty depressed since my 1986 Toyota Corolla GT-S was stolen. I’m glad I got it back, but there were some rare parts broken that I fear I’ll never be able to fix or replace. I’ll get into all … Continue reading
Classic Toyota Land Cruiser merged with J70 chassis is the ultimate FJ40 restomod
With enthusiasm for classic Land Cruisers at an all time high, it was only a matter of time before Toyota itself got in on the resto-mod craze. For the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon, they’ve Frankensteined a classic FJ40 with a … Continue reading
Posted in Tokyo Auto Salon
Tagged fj40, J70, land cruiser, tokyo auto salon, toyota, Toyota Auto Body
2 Comments
QotW: What automotive presents did you get this year?
We hope your holiday season has been better than ours. Maybe you got that new set of tools, the diecast car you’ve always wanted, or one of those brand new Lexuses in a giant bow that you see on TV. … Continue reading
Please help us find my stolen AE86 and FD RX-7
Update 12/19 2am: Sadly we confirmed with Washington State Police that the RX-7 was involved in an accident and towed away. We can’t see the car until business hours. More info soon. Update 2/18: Big shoutout to the JNC fam … Continue reading
Posted in News
8 Comments
QotW: What’s the best gift for a car enthusiast?
With the holidays coming it’s time to think about gifts. My wife will be the first one to tell you that car enthusiasts are impossible to shop for. The stuff we want is so specific, whether it’s a particular part … Continue reading
Toyota is saving the manuals for its next Lexus sports car
Of all companies, Toyota just might be the one to save the manuals. The future may look bleak for many enthusiast-oriented automotive technologies, but Toyota has just revealed that it is indeed working on a manual transmission for an upcoming … Continue reading
QotW: What car will go extinct in the next five years?
Stylish. Powerful. Affordable. These are attributes that typically make a very desirable car. Unfortunately, it also transforms them into dirtbag magnets. Once noble motorcars like the Infiniti G35 are now, at least in southern California, most often seen in various … Continue reading
NISMO is planning an electrified Nissan GT-R replacement
Nissan apparently has a GT-R successor in the works, says a new report out of the UK. It has no name yet, but will take the GT-R’s spot as a NISMO-fied top-dog of Nissan’s lineup. The flagship is seen as … Continue reading
Cry for what Mitsubishi’s Ralliart division has become
Mitsubishi has rebooted its Ralliart brand, the name once synonymous with Lancer Evolution rally cars and Dakar dominance. As a new video shows, the works team once responsible for world-beating motorsports development has now been demoted to hawking mudflaps, decals … Continue reading
Posted in motorsports, News
8 Comments
Bruce Canepa’s FJ Company Land Cruiser has nostalgic looks, supercharged Tacoma engine
Bruce Canepa is no stranger to amazing cars. The ex-race car driver owns a literal museum and dealer showroom of Porsches, Nissans, and Trans-Am era race cars. He’s a constant at the Monterey Historics and has raced in everything from … Continue reading
QotW: What does your car cleaning regimen consist of?
We hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving long weekend last week. Perhaps you were able to get some quality time with your car because today, November 28, is Car Wash Day in Japan. In fact, it’s one of two Car … Continue reading
Mazda Vision Study Model teases stunning next-gen Miata
Mazda is teasing car enthusiasts with a low-slung sports car design that could portend the next Miata. The Mazda Vision Study Model was buried in a mid-term plan outlining an $11 billion push toward electrification. Reading between the lines it … Continue reading
