Author Archives: Ben Hsu

EVENTS: New Year Meeting

Posted on February 6, 2008 by Ben Hsu

Here it is, 370 pictures of nothing but old school JDM hotness. Enjoy! [LINK]

Posted in events, japan | Leave a comment

Speculation continues to abound at the reincarnation of a lightweight, rear wheel drive Toyota. For those of you who haven’t been following this particular rumor-fest, a quick recap: First, in August 2007, it was the Japanese magazines that began reporting … Continue reading →

Posted in retro, subaru, toyota | 14 Comments

Houston, We Have Liftoff

Posted on February 5, 2008 by Ben Hsu

While JNC was cavorting in Japan, our hometown heroes were putting together the first old school J-tin meet in the Lone Star State. Congrats, guys, for being the pioneers in Texas and getting the nostalgic movement off the ground there, … Continue reading →

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Marketwatch: 1982 Datsun 280ZX, 1410 Miles

Posted on February 4, 2008 by Ben Hsu

1982 Datsun 280ZX Turbo: Silver on grey and black interior, 5-speed, T-tops, rare model without side bump guard moldings, only 1,410 miles, and all original, even the tires. 2nd owner purchased from a collector and claims to drive it around … Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, for sale, marketwatch, nissan | 2 Comments

Yokohama Snow

Posted on February 3, 2008 by Ben Hsu

And now for your viewing pleasure as you snuggle in to watch the Super Bowl, our friends at Mooneyes sent us a photo from Yokohama, where snow has covered three custom Toyota Crowns and a Probox.

Posted in japan, toyota | Leave a comment

Adios, Amigos: Isuzu Is Outta Here

Posted on February 2, 2008 by Ben Hsu

Damn, we’re out of the country for one week and the US loses an entire marque. Isuzu announced on January 31 that in one year, they will completely abandon the American passenger vehicle market after a slow and painful death. … Continue reading →

Posted in honda, isuzu, subaru, trucks | 1 Comment

JNC In Japan: Day 7

Posted on February 1, 2008 by Ben Hsu

Alas, our journey to Japan has come to an end. This morning we packed up our 10,000 lbs of brochures, some low down springs for the Cressida wagon, and 500 mystery boxes into Satoshi’s lowered 1995 Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear … Continue reading →

Posted in japan, jnc, mitsubishi, road trip, vans | 4 Comments

JNC in Japan: Day 6

Posted on January 31, 2008 by Ben Hsu

No, we haven’t come to an untimely death by offending the wrong yakuza lieutenant, accidentally driving down the wrong side of the wangan, or eating ill-prepared fugu. Much to the chagrin of some, we are very much alive, but our … Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, japan, minicar, museum, nissan, nostalgic gear, road trip, toyota | 3 Comments

JNC In Japan: Day 5

Posted on January 29, 2008 by Ben Hsu

Today we headed out to the Chainan 21, the official museum of Hino. Check out this sign. The station name is Toyoda, and if you notice, the previous stop was Hino. Coincidence? Probably. The Hino museum is at neither of … Continue reading →

Posted in japan, museum, road trip, subaru | 4 Comments

JNC In Japan: Day 4

Posted on January 28, 2008 by Ben Hsu

Fun fact: 80% of Tokyo’s mass consists of vending machines, convenience stores, and arcades with coin-operated capsule dispensers. This is all an effort to drive the sales of mystery boxes, which ranks 4th in Japan’s top 10 industries, right between … Continue reading →

Posted in japan, minicar, minicars, nissan, road trip | 7 Comments

JNC In Japan: Day 3

Posted on January 27, 2008 by Ben Hsu

The time has come! It’s a cold but clear morning. Here’s the beautiful skyline of Odaiba, where the New Year Meeting is held, from the Yurikamome monorail. We have a ton of pictures, but here’s just the ones we had … Continue reading →

Posted in events, japan, road trip | 6 Comments

JNC In Japan: Day 2

Posted on January 26, 2008 by Ben Hsu

We had high hopes of getting something completely unlike anything available in the US as a rental car today, but our hearts sank as we saw the Toyota Vitz (Yaris) waiting for us at the parking lot. They sank further … Continue reading →

Posted in japan, museum, rental cars | 3 Comments

JNC In Japan: Day 1

Posted on January 25, 2008 by Ben Hsu

We took NWA, but the food wasn’t very good. If you have a choice, we recommend Public Enemy Air. Our man in Japan Satoshi picked us up in his slammed 1995 Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear Super Exceed. It’s got 0 … Continue reading →

Posted in japan, kei, mitsubishi, road trip, subaru, vans | 7 Comments

JNC Does Japan

Posted on January 24, 2008 by Ben Hsu

One of things we can never wrap our heads around is the fact that in Japan, it’s already tomorrow. By the time you read this, we’ll be crossing the International Date Line in a 747 headed to J-land to meet … Continue reading →

Posted in events, japan, road trip | 6 Comments

Magazine Subscription Update

Posted on January 22, 2008 by Ben Hsu

More news about the Japanese Nostalgic Car magazine subscription. All content in the magazine will be new and unique, not reprints of articles on the website. The only way to get JNC is to subscribe. It won’t be available on … Continue reading →

Posted in jnc | 14 Comments

Ken & Mary, Together Again

Posted on January 22, 2008 by Ben Hsu

Here’s a prime example of why Japan rocks the casbah. From January 8 – 31, Japanese Nissan owners can get this bitchin’ re-issue of the Ken & Mary T-shirts from the famous old ad campaign of 1972. WANT. Yeah, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in japan, nissan, nostalgic gear | Leave a comment

Swiss Bliss

Posted on January 21, 2008 by Ben Hsu

Yank yer Toyoglide out of its peaceful neutral state and slam it into drive, cause Toyotas are invading Switzerland! The Swiss Toyota Museum, located in the unpronounceable municipality of Murschetg, Laax, has enough nostalgic Toyotas to drain an unmarked bank … Continue reading →

Posted in museum, toyota | 2 Comments

I'm In Ur Kar, De4min Itz Proporshuns

Posted on January 18, 2008 by Ben Hsu

If there’s one thing the Japanese love, it’s superdeformation. Do not be alarmed. That simply means the superdeformee’s features are exaggerated to give it a cartoonish, caricatured look. Everything from animals to anime characters get the treatment, and even inanimate … Continue reading →

Posted in minicar, minicars, toyota | 4 Comments

Little GTO, You're Really Lookin' Fine

Posted on January 16, 2008 by Ben Hsu

Just as we finish whining our arses off about how tough it is to decide between freezing said arses at the Detroit Auto Show or Tokyo Auto Salon – and attending neither because we’re busy with the magazine – Damon … Continue reading →

Posted in events, mitsubishi | 5 Comments

Swap Meet Photos