Author Archives: Ben Hsu
Toyota Crown sedan lives on as model expands into new segments
Thank the car gods that we were wrong. It turns out that the horrendously ugly Toyota Crown that we’re getting in the US is only one version of the Crown. There’s actually four versions of the car, including a rear-wheel-drive … Continue reading
Toyota Land Cruiser FJJ restoration gets under way
When we last saw the dilapidated but rare Toyota Land Cruiser FJJ fire engine, it was being hauled from an owner’s driveway to a restoration shop. Turns out, that shop is Shinmei, a company that has been responsible for some … Continue reading
Honda Civic design sketch gallery traces 50 years of evolution
The Honda Civic debuted on July 11, 1972. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, let’s look back on five decades of design sketches that have helped shape the car. Spanning 11 generations, the illustrations are taken from various stages of development … Continue reading
JCCS registration open with welcome changes to award structure
The 2022 Japanese Classic Car Show has opened its doors for registration. Now in its 17th year, the show continues to evolve. The biggest change this year is the award categories. There will now be two Best in Show awards, … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your Honda Civic story?
Fifty years ago today, on July 11, 1972, the Honda Civic went on sale. The tiny but mighty compact became synonymous with value, dependability, and the tuner culture of the 90s. It’s a household name to even the least car-aware … Continue reading
Hasemi Motorsport R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R offers rare chance to own JGTC race car in America
One of the earliest JGTC race cars will hit the auction blocks this August. The final R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R produced by Hasemi Motorsport was built for the 1994 All-Japan Grand Touring Championship season, where it came in second overall … Continue reading
Toyota 85C back in action at the 2022 Le Mans Classic
Over the weekend the No.36 Toyota 85C raced again at Le Mans after first setting tire to asphalt there in 1985. As Toyota’s first factory entry for the famed 24-hour endurance race, the 85C is a pivotal car for the … Continue reading
Posted in motorsport
Tagged 24 Hours of Le Mans, 85C, group c, Kazuki Nakajima, Masanori Sekiya, Satoru Nakajima, toyota
3 Comments
VIDEO: The 1999 Civic Si was peak Honda
Ah, the EM1 Civic Si, a jewel among jewels. The brilliantly engineered performance variant of the humble sixth-generation Civic was peak Honda. When it debuted in 1999, magazine reviews were unanimous in their praise. The Motorweek take could have been … Continue reading
QotW: What type of car has the best community of owners?
There are some cars you love, but can’t stand the people in their orbit. Then there are other cars that seem to attract owners with whom you can forge life-long friendships. We have friends who own all types of cars, … Continue reading
1982 Nissan Laurel Givenchy Version welcomed to Nissan Heritage Collection
The family that founded one of Japan’s largest department store chains was doing some spring cleaning recently and stumbled upon an entire car. Not just any car, but an impeccably preserved, one-owner 1982 Nissan Laurel Turbo Medalist Givenchy Version. What’s … Continue reading
Pikes Peak Tacoma brought out of retirement for 100th hill climb
Over the weekend the 100th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb took place. The event was marked by rain and dense fog, conditions that shattered any chance of drivers setting new records. One driver that didn’t need to … Continue reading
Posted in motorsport
Tagged pikes peak, Pikes Peak Celica, Pikes Peak Tacoma, Rod Millen, tacoma, toyota
2 Comments
The third-generation Toyota 4Runner brought it into the modern age
The third-generation Toyota 4Runner ushered the model into the modern age. Split from its HiLux pickup roots, it was a fully modernized SUV that still managed to maintain its off-road cred. It arrived at just the right time for Toyota, … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your craziest story about buying goods from Japan?
Years ago, I had a dream of turning my factory 1997 Lexus SC into a JDM-spec Soarer. The SC and naturally aspirated Supra 5-speeds used Toyota’s W58 transmission, but to get big power to the rear wheels you needed the … Continue reading
Toyota to restore rare Land Cruiser FJJ fire engine
Toyota has begun restoration on a very rare Land Cruiser FJJ. Introduced in 1954, it was first Land Cruiser to bear any kind of “FJ” chassis code. Originally designed for use as a fire engine, Toyota only sold it to … Continue reading
Why the Pikes Peak Suzuki Escudo is a legend in Gran Turismo
The 100th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb starts this Friday. As it happens, the latest update to Gran Turismo 7 released this week brings back one of the greatest race cars of all time — at least for the in-game … Continue reading
Posted in Video Games
Tagged escudo, Geo Tracker, nobuhiro tajima, pikes peak, Sidekick, suzuki, Vitara
7 Comments
Retro Land Cruiser builder Flex Auto to open first US dealership
If you love Toyota Land Cruisers, you’ve probably come across the Japanese firm Flex Auto’s restomods before. The shop specializes in transforming modern vehicles into their older counterparts. Their most popular offerings include J80 or J100 Land Cruisers with J60 … Continue reading
Toyota 85C at Le Mans links father-son racing dynasty
Over the weekend, Toyota won its fifth consecutive victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Just before the race, Le Mans tradition requires that the previous year’s winner bring back their trophy so it can be passed on to … Continue reading
Posted in motorsport
Tagged 24 Hours of Le Mans, dome, Kaoru Hoshino, Kazuki Nakajima, Masanori Sekiya, Satoru Nakajima, tom's, toyota
5 Comments
