Author Archives: Ben Hsu
QotW: What does your dream truck look like?
Today is Ugly Truck Day but, as we all know, that’s kind of a misnomer. Even ugly trucks are actually good-looking trucks, because while dents, scratches, or rust ruin a car, those same imperfections give a truck character. That is, … Continue reading
Now that Nissan has a new logo, let’s take a look at a history of Nissan logos
Nissan has a new logo, debuting on the electric Ariya Crossover unveiled in Yokohama this week. Usually we have to be dragged kicking and screaming toward any change like this, but in this case, we have to say, the new … Continue reading
RIP Yoshihiko Matsuo, Nissan Fairlady Z and Datsun 240Z designer, 1933—2020
Yoshihiko Matsuo, the man who spearheaded the design of one of the most influential sports cars of all time, has died. Matsuo led the Nissan design team that penned the S30 Fairlady Z, known as the Datsun 240Z in the … Continue reading
Posted in Legends
Tagged 240Z/260Z/280Z, datsun, fairlady z, nissan, s30 z, Yoshihiko Matsuo
21 Comments
VIDEO: Keiichi Tsuchiya drifts a collector’s stock $37,000 AE86
The AE86 is a hot commodity now, with very nice examples selling in the mid-$20,000 range in the US. In Japan, however, cherry low-mileage examples have been commanding top prices for years. In 2017, Hot Version gathered a dream gathering … Continue reading
Posted in Video
Tagged ae86, best motoring, corolla, corolla levin, d1gp, hot version, keiichi tsuchiya, Max Orido, Nob Taniguchi, sprinter trueno, toyota, Tsukuba Circuit
6 Comments
SHOWA SNAP: Oji San-chome, Kita Ward, Tokyo, 1967
At 10:00 am on April 20, 1967, a procession of Shinto priests followed by a brass band opened a pedestrian footbridge over a five-way intersection in Tokyo. This type of blessing ceremony is typical of grand openings in Japan, even … Continue reading
Posted in Showa Snap
3 Comments
VIDEO: What made the 1992 Honda Civic a good car?
History has taught us that the EG Civic was one of the greatest compacts of all time, but how was it reviewed when it was new? Surprisingly, it wasn’t for the things we love about 90s Hondas like responsive engines, … Continue reading
WRC champion Nicky Grist bought his dream car, an ST185 Celica GT-Four
Nicky Grist has co-driven in over 130 WRC races, won 21 of them, and even racked up a season championship. He’s navigated for legends like Colin McRae, Juha Kankkunen, and Armin Schwarz. He’s shouted instructions for legendary teams like Ford, … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Armin Schwarz, celica, Celica GT-Four, Colin McRae, Juha Kankkunen, Nicky Grist, st185, T180, toyota, wrc
3 Comments
VIDEO: Why the Acura Integra Type R is worth $60,000
These days, Acura Integra Type R values are higher than those of an Acura NSX. Prices have shot as high as $82,000, with most decent examples in the $60,000 range. On paper, the numbers don’t look that spectacular. Its 1.8-liter … Continue reading
Toyota launches Supra reproduction parts program, adds 2000GT, international availability
Toyota has announced that it will start making reproduction parts for the Supra and 2000GT. Even better, it says that the parts will be available both in Japan and “overseas,” which means that they will likely be coming to the … Continue reading
QotW: What are your favorite automotive-themed watches?
For the most part, we at JNC are not Watch Guys. However, we do recognize that it’s a thing that might tick our boxes, if we weren’t pouring every spare dime into cars, and we know that there is a … Continue reading
If you need Mazda RX-3 taillights, you’re in luck
For many older Japanese cars, plastic bits are near impossible to find. Or, if you do find them, they cost a fortune. They’re not like muscle cars, where you can open a Year One catalog and basically rebuild a 1969 … Continue reading
Can you identify these classic Nissan-shaped senbei crackers?
Say you’re a hard-core Nissan nut, you’re feeling a bit peckish, and a plain old non-Nissan snack simply won’t do. Fortunately for you, Nissan has officially issued a new line of senbei (rice crackers), one of Japan’s most popular munching options, … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Ariya, b10, b120, c10, c110, cherry, Cima, cube, datsun, Datsun Type 12, e10, fairlady roadster, fairlady z, figaro, gt-r, Hakosuka, juke, K11, kenmeri, leaf, march, Murano, nissan, patrol, pivo, r32, r35, S-Cargo, s30 z, sanitora, Serena, skyline, sunny, sunny truck, Z11, z32
8 Comments
Mazda’s 100th Anniversary Edition Miata is coming to the US
Back in April, Mazda announced a slew of 100th Anniversary Edition models to commemorate a century of doing business. Now, Mazda North America has announced that at least one of those models — the most important one, arguably — is … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your best JNC photo?
It’s National Camera Day, so instead of a written answer this week we are seeking photos of JNCs. They don’t have to be of your car, taken today, or even good. As with the usual Answers of the Week, we … Continue reading
VIDEO: The FJZ80 Toyota Land Cruiser was expensive in 1993 but it’s hard to beat its value today
The 80-series Land Cruiser brought Toyota’s venerable off-roader into the modern age. The 70-series was never sold in the US, and as capable the 60-series was, by 1990 it was getting pretty ancient. The 80-series balanced perfectly the off-road capability … Continue reading
Japanese racing seat company BRIDE is now making face masks
Anyone who is into Japanese cars needs no introduction to BRIDE. The racing seat company has produced all manner of butt-holders for the aftermarket and racing community. However, in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the company says it will use … Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: Help restore this JGTC Supra race car
Recently the internet helped get the restoration of a rare left-hand-drive 1960 Prince Skyline underway. As fate would have it, another chance to help resurrect a glorious piece of Japan’s automotive history has presented itself. And the car in question … Continue reading
SHOWA SNAP: Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo, 1974
The Shibuya Crossing, also known as the Shibuya Scramble, is the busiest pedestrian intersection in the world. It’s the intersection Sean’s Evo, Han’s Veilside RX-7, and the Drift King’s Z (digitally) slid through in Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, and … Continue reading
