Author Archives: Ben Hsu
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
QotW: What’s the worst car buying experience you’ve ever had?
A few years ago a friend of JNC finally bought his dream car, a machine that he’d been talking about and saving up for for years. It had a Toyota engine, but the rest was a bit more British. After … Continue reading
Acura Integra Type R driven by 86-year-old made new again
You hear about the “little old lady” driven sports cars still with their original owners, but how many of those stories are actually true? In the case of one Acura Integra Type R, the story is not simply myth. The … Continue reading
Mitsubishi’s hidden collection of Fuso work trucks was restored 12 years ago, then left untouched
May marked the 90th anniversary of when Mitsubishi Fuso built its first vehicle, a 38-passenger bus, at its Kobe shipyard. While researching the B46 bus, we learned that Mitsubishi Fuso has a small collection of classic trucks dating back to … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your most memorable rainy day car story?
Today is National Wiper Day in Japan, a date to remind drivers to replace their wiper blades in the name of safety. A date with the same month and day numeral was chosen because wipers are replaced in pairs, and … Continue reading
See you at Toyotafest 2022!
We are packing up the Land Cruiser and heading to the 2022 Toyotafest! If you’re at the show, please stop by and say hello. Look for the red JNC booth at Marina Green Park in Long Beach, California this Saturday, … Continue reading
Posted in Reminder
2 Comments
This huge Toyota AE86 model will cost $1,600 and take two years to complete
The Toyota AE86 is finally getting immortalized in a highly detailed 1:8-scale model kit. Specifically, it’s a weekly subscription kit by DeAgostini in which parts will be mailed to the subscriber every seven days for over two years. At the … Continue reading
The base 2023 Nissan Z Sport 18-inch wheels will be timeless
Recently we got the chance to manhandle the 2023 Nissan Z. Nissan provided a base version, now called Sport, and an enthusiast’s version, called Performance. Most reviews have focused on the Performance trim, and rightly so. While the Performance is … Continue reading
Mitsubishi Fuso built its first vehicle 90 years ago at a shipyard
It has now been 90 years since the first vehicle to wear the Mitsubishi Fuso brand was built. The sub-brand’s lineup of heavy-duty trucks and buses has been part of Japan’s automotive landscape for nearly a century. While perhaps not … Continue reading
QotW: What should the plot of the Gran Turismo TV show be?
EXT. TRIAL MOUNTAIN CIRCUIT — DAY The world’s best drivers are gathered at the track, prepping their machines for the bout. It’s an eclectic mix of cars: Toyota GT-One, NISMO Skyline GT-R LM GT1, TVR Cerbera LM, Vector M12 GT2, … Continue reading
Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Edition celebrates four decades of 4Running
The Toyota 4Runner, or HiLux Surf as it’s known as in Japan, debuted in October 1983. In simplest terms, it was a a HiLux pickup with an extra row of seats and a fiberglass bed canopy on it. Now, for … Continue reading
