Author Archives: Ben Hsu

QotW: What’s the best JNC for extreme social distancing?

It looks like this coronavirus social distancing thing is going to last a lot longer than what was initially ordered. In fact, it might be best to take a few months’ supply of food and essentials and escape from civilization … Continue reading

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Mazda 100th Anniversary Edition models include a nod to the R360 Coupé

Mazda is celebrating their 100th anniversary this year, and they are marking the milestone with a series of 100th Anniversary Special Edition cars. Announced this morning in Japan, the lineup draws inspiration from Mazda’s very first passenger car, thee 1960 … Continue reading

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GALLERIES: A virtual tour of Japan’s impressive Isuzu museum

Isuzu Plaza, the official Isuzu museum was opened in 2017 in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, next to one of the company’s oldest factories. It’s currently closed through April 30 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but thanks to Isuzu you can still … Continue reading

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The new Corona Pandem kit is here

The widebody masters at Rocket Bunny are preparing to launch a new kit for the T40/T50 Toyota Corona. The latest subject for their popular line of Pandem-branded kits may seem like an odd choice, but we think it’s one that … Continue reading

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Bake some quarantine treats with these car-shaped cookie cutters

We know being trapped at home can be boring, and not all of us can use this time in the garage. Luckily, here’s another JNC-themed way to liven up the quarantine and possibly occupy any kids that are climbing the … Continue reading

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QotW: What’s the scariest thing you’ve discovered while working on your car?

Since we in California are under “shelter in place” orders due to the coronavirus, I decided to spend some much-needed time making a bit of headway in my multiple project cars. About a year ago I picked up an FZJ80 … Continue reading

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VIDEO: Watch Tim Allen try to identify a Mazda Cosmo Sport while blindfolded

On Jay Leno’s Garage, there’s apparently a recurring segment where the prolific car collector puts blindfolds on his fellow showbiz car guy friends and makes them guess what car they’re riding in. In a recent clip Tim Allen, star and … Continue reading

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Honda has brought back the Trail Cub

At the Tokyo Motor Show last year Honda showed a cool little concept bike that looked like a revival of the 1980 CT110. Also known as Trail Cub or Hunter Cub, the original was a more rugged version of the … Continue reading

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Details on next Toyota 86, Land Cruiser leaked

We’ve given Toyota a lot of shit recently, but maybe there’s a method to their madness after all. Yesterday, a slide from a dealer meeting was leaked, revealing Toyota’s plans for six models extending to the 2022 model year, including … Continue reading

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VIDEO: In post-Maria Puerto Rico, cars still shine

Even though it’s about the size of Connecticut, and despite a devastating hurricane just two years ago, Puerto Rico has a thriving car scene. It’s downright amazing what enthusiasts on the small island territory are able to accomplish, considering the … Continue reading

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QotW: What shot of a JNC will be forever seared into your brain?

Today is the birthday of one of the greatest humans ever to work behind a camera, director Akira Kurosawa. If he were alive today, Kurosawa would be 110 years old. Film (and digital) shots, whether still or moving, can make … Continue reading

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Nissan has trademarked a retro logo for the next Z; could it be electrified?

Nissan has filed trademark applications in at least three countries for a new Z logo. For Zed heads waiting for a new Z, this alone would cast a ray of hope for a next-generation Z, but there’s one aspect that’s … Continue reading

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VIDEO: There’s no need for austerity measures when you’re driving the T12 Nissan Stanza

The T12 Nissan Stanza was called the Nissan Auster in Japan, but even if you owned this sub-Maxima compact it didn’t necessarily mean you were living in austerity. It offered styling and features above its station in the Nissan lineup, … Continue reading

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Good guy Nissan offers virtual tour of Zama warehouse during corona virus quarantine

Nissan knows people are staying home to prevent the spread of the corona virus. So, to keep us occupied, it’s going to offer a live two-hour virtual tour of its heritage collection, otherwise known as the Zama warehouse, of 400-plus … Continue reading

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The Subaru BRZ Final Edition has launched, in Germany

Well, it’s happening. Production of the Subaru BRZ is coming to an end, and the Toyota 86 is likely to follow. After eight years on the market, the last of the lightweight, RWD, Japanese sport coupes will soon bid us … Continue reading

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ART CORNER: Stuck at home because of the corona virus? Download a papercraft diorama for your Toyota Corona race car

The Japanese website of Brother, the printer company, has an astounding array of things you can do with paper. There are coloring books, greeting cards, forms, business card templates, and a whole lot more. Naturally, there is also an insane … Continue reading

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VIDEO: The Ford Probe was a more futuristic looking Mazda MX-6

The Ford Probe is now largely forgotten, but even at the height of its popularity it was mostly known as the butt of jokes about its orifice-seeking name. Developed during Ford’s ownership of Mazda, it shared a platform with the … Continue reading

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QotW: What’s your JNC project until this whole coronavirus thing blows over?

Many places around the world are shutting down because of the COVID-19, a.k.a. the coronavirus. Though the virus has nothing to do with vintage Toyotas, this is an excellent time to get some work done on your JNC project if … Continue reading

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Toyota revives the Black Limited 86

At the Tokyo Auto Salon in January, Toyota unveiled a close-to-production concept of a special edition 86 called the Black Limited. A throwback to one of the most desirable AE86 special editions of all time, it seemed to signal an … Continue reading

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JNC LIBRARY: A must-have book for the Isuzu aficionado

If you’re a hard-core enthusiast, or even just a casual fan, of Isuzus, the the new book A History of Isuzu Passenger Cars by Setsuo Toma should be in your library. As the title implies, it spans the entire run … Continue reading

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