Author Archives: Ben Hsu
Gas ‘N’ Mach GoGoGo with Speed Racer
In Japan, the 60s manga and anime series known here as Speed Racer is so popular that it’s even spawned a chain of service stations and used car lots. Everything is Speed Racer themed, including the in-store service computer menus. … Continue reading
More Skyline Ads with Ken & Mary
Ok, by now you guys have all figured out yesterday’s post about a majority share of Nissan being bought out by Tata Motors was an April Fool’s joke. Sorry, we couldn’t resist! Well here’s some old Nissan Skyline that are … Continue reading
Posted in cm, nissan
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Tata Motors to Buy Nissan, Revive Datsun Name
Not content with its recent purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford, India’s Tata Motors is turning their sights eastward with a lock on Nissan. The Ford deal netted India’s largest conglomerate three other hallowed marques too – Rover, … Continue reading
Posted in datsun, nissan
8 Comments
Skyline Drives Through Alien Desert with Spacefish
When George Lucas wanted to zazz up Star Wars with an automotive cross-promotion in 1977, he opted for a Toyota Celica Liftback. Say what you will about the prequels, but the man had vehicular taste. A dozen years later in … Continue reading
Posted in cm, nissan, Video Games
2 Comments
(Hayashi) Sakuras in Full Bloom
This weekend begins the National Cherry Blossom Festival in our nation’s capital. The sakura were a gift from Japan to the USA in 1912 and the first festival was held in 1935. We’ve seen some sweet old rides with the … Continue reading
Posted in bosozoku, nissan, wheels
6 Comments
We'll Always Have Yatabe
Check out these sad photos from Yatabe Test Track, which the Japanese Automobile Research Institute opened in 1964. It may look like just another banked slab of concrete, but many a high-performance car was put through its paces here. And … Continue reading
Posted in japan, toyota
4 Comments
Datsun 280ZX, Someday
Back when we were kids there was no Wii, MyFace, or whatever the hell kids are into these days. The bicycle was the king of birthday presents, and the freedom of movement it provided is probably what turned us into … Continue reading
Posted in cm, datsun, nissan
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Cool Cosmo Sports
With only 1,519 of the Mazda Cosmo Sports built, it’s rare to see one with heavy modification done, especially to the body. Although some might cringe to see one of these in anything less than original condition, we think this … Continue reading
Posted in mazda
6 Comments
Toyota Ghost Found on Toast
Today is Resurrection Day, and as everyone knows, long-dead spiritual figures just love to reveal themselves to the world via pre-sliced bread conveniently warmed by modern kitchen appliance. Toast is the medium of choice, in fact, for the likes of … Continue reading
Posted in nostalgic eats, pre-war, toyota
3 Comments
Proposed CA Bill Threatens Pre-1976 Cars
California State Senator Dean Florez has proposed a new bill that, if passed, will repeal the emissions exemption on pre-1976 cars in eight California counties. This means your classic car would have to pass California’s emissions test for the life … Continue reading
Posted in laws
7 Comments
The End of a Kareha?
It’s being reported now that the Japanese government is encouraging drivers over the age of 65 to hand over their driver’s licenses. It’s a move meant to reduce congestion in crowded cities and road accidents as well, about 100,000 of … Continue reading
Spring Is Here and We're Sprung for Nostalgics
The long winter of our discontent is over, for today is the first day of spring. If you live in the northern half of the country, rejoice! The temperature is on the rise and it’s actually still bright out at … Continue reading
Posted in mazda, nissan, toyota
5 Comments
NEWS: Hako Concept revealed at NY Auto Show
Ha! You know you’re a true nostalgic nut when the first thing that pops into your head at that headline is, “OMG, A retro car based on the C10 Skyline!” No such luck, compadre. It’s just a new Scion concept … Continue reading
Posted in datsun, News, nissan, toyota
3 Comments
Oh, Nap! '82 Toyota Lite Ace Gets the Bunk Out
The interior of this 1982 Toyota Lite Ace makes us wish we were kids again. Why? Because it has bunk beds! The lower level is formed by folding the rear seats flat, while the upper bed is suspended from the … Continue reading
Posted in cm, toyota, vans
2 Comments
WANT. '82 Honda Motocompo, MIB, on Ebay
By any stretch of the imagination, the Honda City was a small car. It’s smaller than the modern-day Fit, which is still sold as the City in some Asian markets. That’s why it’s even more surprising that when the City … Continue reading
Posted in for sale, honda
22 Comments
Happy St. Patrick's Day From JNC
First it was the wakaba mark (also called shoshinsha mark), the green and yellow symbol that new drivers in Japan are required to display on their vehicles for one year. Wakaba marks gained popularity in the US when JDM scenesters … Continue reading
Posted in japan
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Some Bike it Hot
Apparently this is quite the hot video meme in Japan right now. We were positively floored by the amazing skills of these Japanese riders, instructors at the Fushimi Techincal Center motorcycle driving school. The Japanese are just as fanatical about … Continue reading
Posted in Motorcycles
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Car Brochure Nirvana
Okay, all you brochure freaks, thanks to our dear reader colhogen, you’re in for a real treat. Prepare to whittle away hours of your once productive life at the Catalog Gallery of Automotive Nostalgia, a Japanese blog that has nothing … Continue reading
Posted in catalogs
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Yet Another Bulbous Speculative Resurrection
Here’s another speculation about the alleged 2010 Supra found in Japan’s BestCar magazine. Ugly, ugly, ugly. The FT-HS concept looked cool because of its angular lines, but this thing just looks like a piece of hard candy that’s been sucked … Continue reading
Posted in toyota
3 Comments
