Author Archives: Ben Hsu
Tetsu Ikuzawa’s 1967 Japan Grand Prix-winning 906 gets factory homage from Porsche
No, you haven’t mistakenly clicked on German Nostalgic Car (no relation). Granted, this isn’t the type of car we normally cover, but it’s too cool not to share. Porsche Japan has created a one-off factory custom tribute to Tetsu Ikuzawa’s … Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged 1967 Japan Grand Prix, fuji speedway, nissan, porsche, prince, r380, r381, r382, Tetsu Ikuzawa
Leave a comment
New California laws will mean stricter smog tests, phase-out of gasoline cars by 2035
The strictest state in the union in terms of emissions and fuel economy is about to put the hammer down on gasoline cars. Two laws introduced in California this week will crack down on emissions cheats and fossil fuels. It’s … Continue reading
Honda has been quietly reproducing parts for the 1988-99 Acty Truck
In recent years Japanese automakers have been remaking genuine parts for many of their most popular discontinued models. Thus far, such programs have been for sports cars and enthusiasts’ models. However, Honda has also been quietly reproducing parts for the … Continue reading
Japan’s motorsports history unfolds at Suzuka Circuit in the 1960s
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Suzuka Circuit. Japan’s first full-scale race track. It was the brain child of Soichiro Honda, who so fervently believed in racing as a means to improve his motorcycles and cars, he carved out … Continue reading
The Nissan Z configurator is now online, so this is how we’d build one
After what feels like eons of waiting, the time has finally come when you can get a new Z. Nissan has just launched its online configurator, prompting us to wonder how we would build a new Z. When a JNC … Continue reading
How good are you at Japan’s Car Meister Test?
Can you correctly answer 100 questions about cars in one hour? If so, you might have what it takes to pass Japan’s Car Meister Test. Since 2014, the Japan Meister Test Association has held exams to see who qualifies as … Continue reading
QotW: What is the best engineered Toyota?
In 1985 Japan’s Patent Office named the country’s 10 greatest inventors. As it turns out, a full six out of the ten came from Japan’s central region. The most famous among them, at least to automotive enthusiasts, was Sakichi Toyoda, … Continue reading
Initial D taxis are here to take you around Takumi’s hometown
The city of Shibukawa, Gunma is promoting itself as the home town of Initial D protagonist Takumi Fujiwara. The real-life town is where all the action of the series began, and even now, 27 years after its debut, fans of … Continue reading
QotW: How do you encourage a kid who’s just discovering cars?
On a recent visit with some friends that I haven’t seen in years, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the younger of their two kids, now eight years old, is really into cars. His parents aren’t, so he’s been … Continue reading
How Honda celebrated 50 years of the Civic
Yesterday Honda launched the new Civic Type R, but the occasion was more than just the debut of Honda’s latest FF rocket. Honda also took the opportunity to celebrate the Civic’s 50th birthday with a lineup of multiple body styles … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the last year that had cars which interested you?
If you’re a glass-half-empty type of person, you’re probably not excited about where the automotive industry is headed. Each year that passes, there seems to be fewer and fewer enthusiast cars, and the ones that come out are compromised in … Continue reading
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
