Author Archives: Ben Hsu

Peter Brock reflects on his career on his 85th birthday

Yesterday, November 15 was the 85th birthday of car designer, race car builder driver, team manager, and artist Peter Brock. JNCers may know him best for his work on the Brock Racing Enterprises race team campaigning Datsun race cars in … Continue reading

Posted in Anniversaries | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

VIDEO: The Lexus ES300 had some unexpected features, like a manual transmission and ski sheath

The Lexus ES300 was largely decried as a “Camry with a fancy badge” back in the day. It was a more than that, though, even if it shared the same platform with its mainstream cousin. And so what if it … Continue reading

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Let’s talk about the new Acura Integra and how to fix it

With a name like Integra, expectations were bound to be high. But we don’t think Honda knew just how high they would be, especially from enthusiasts who still have an enormous amount of love for the trio of original Integra … Continue reading

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Acura Integra returns for 2023 a reskinned Honda Civic Si

It’s been 20 years since an Integra was sold under the Acura banner (20 years if you want to get technical and exclude the RSX). It’s back for 2023, looking like a reskinned current-generation Civic Si. The good news is, … Continue reading

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A car brochure collection of over 17,000 is used by Japanese police to investigate automotive crimes

Many of our readers have substantial car brochure collections, but none are likely to rival that of the Aichi Prefectural Police. Its Traffic Investigation Division has over 17,000 brochures covering nearly every make, model, year, and limited edition variant that … Continue reading

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Japan’s Automotive Hall of Fame inductees for 2021 include Toyota Celsior and Nissan Be-1

The Japan Automotive Hall of Fame has announced its 2021 inductees. Each year three vehicles representing milestones in the country’s auto industry are selected for the honor. This year, they include two cars from the Bubble Era and a classic … Continue reading

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Hyundai’s Grandeur Heritage Concept turns an 80s Mitsubishi Debonair into a ritzy retro lounge

Hyundai has just unveiled one of the coolest concept cars we’ve seen in a while, an electric sedan based on its 1986 Grandeur flagship. Don’t check your calendar, it’s not April 1; nor have you stumbled upon Korean Nostalgic Car, … Continue reading

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Infiniti releases 8-part documentary about the brand’s 1989 launch

Infiniti launched exactly 32 years ago today, on November 8, 1989. To mark the occasion, the company has released an 8-part documentary on the origins of the brand. What’s unusual about this series is that there is almost no footage … Continue reading

Posted in Anniversaries | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

QotW: What JNC should receive a lifetime achievement award for design?

Recently, the Daihatsu HiJet received a lifetime achievement award from Japan’s top design institution. There haven’t been many cars to receive this honor. Past recipients have included the Nissan Cube and Toyota HiAce. While these vehicles are surely deserving, they’re … Continue reading

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Honda S660 extends final production run, for the fans

It’s always good to hear a story about a carmaker doing something for the fans. Honda announced that sad news back in March that production of the S660 roadster would be coming to a close. That led to a spike … Continue reading

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Toyota Chinook Camper reborn in “Tacozilla” SEMA build

Toyota has revealed its incredible Tacoma-based Tacozilla, a retro mobile home based on the Chinook campers of the 1970s. Unlike the Chinooks of old, which were mostly fitted to 2WD pickups, the Tacozilla rides on a 4WD Tacoma TRD Sport … Continue reading

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A Honda NSX joins the Toyota Automobile Museum’s permanent collection

Last month the Toyota Automobile Museum unveiled a new addition to their permanent collection: a 1991 Honda NSX. As those who have visited the museum know, Toyota’s museum not just a showcase of Toyotas, but a comprehensive look at the … Continue reading

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QotW: Tell us you’re a JNC owner without telling us you’re a JNC owner

The JNC life is a hard one. There’s a lot to deal with when you drive an old car, so let’s commiserate with each other by playing the Tell Me Challenge, in which you tell your fellow travelers what it’s … Continue reading

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 24 Comments

Toyota will begin making new parts for the AE86 again as the Hachiroku joins the Heritage Parts Program

Toyota announced on November 1 that it will begin remaking parts for the AE86 Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno. The beloved Hachiroku is the latest car to be added to the Toyota Gazoo Racing Heritage Parts Program. What’s more, Toyota … Continue reading

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The Daihatsu HiJet has won Good Design’s lifetime achievement award

The Daihatsu HiJet, perhaps the most ubiquitous of all the many kei trucks in Japan, has won Good Design’s “Long Life” award. It’s one of Japan’s highest honors in the field of industrial design, recognizing graphics, products, and architecture that … Continue reading

Posted in Back Roads | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Mazda reveals 990S Roadster, an even lighter ND Miata

God love Mazda. As if the ND Miata wasn’t already one of the purest, lightest sports cars on the road today, in Japan Mazda has just announced an even lighter model. It’s called the Mazda Roadster 990S because it weighs … Continue reading

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Watch an original Acura NSX being slung around by an F1 driver

At last weekend’s US Grand Prix, Formula One drivers from the Honda-powered Scuderia AlphaTauri team got the chance to throw an original Acura NSX around Austin, Texas’ Circuit of the Americas. Though their driving was impressive, it’s almost funny because … Continue reading

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The Subaru GL-Turbo 3-door 4WD is a total unicorn

Talk about a unicorn. The Subaru 3-door was probably the rarest of all the US-market third-generation Leones, and was significant for being Fuji Heavy’s first sporty model offered in the US market. Despite this notable history, there remains precious little … Continue reading

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10-mile Honda CRX could be the most pristine example on Earth

A 1990 Honda CRX billed as the lowest-mileage example anywhere in the world has come up for sale. With just 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) on the odometer that claim is likely to be accurate, at least if we discount the … Continue reading

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QotW: What’s the one car enthusiast tourist thing you must do before you die?

Today is Industrial Tourism Day in Japan, an occasion that sounds a lot more boring than it is. Started by the Nagoya Chamber of Commerce, it asks people to explore the ingenuity and craftsmanship that may lurk behind the scenes … Continue reading

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 8 Comments