Author Archives: Ben Hsu
VIDEO: Battle of the Japanese one-box vans
The sheer variety of Japan’s one-box vans are as mind-melting as their ubiquity. There are so many trims, options, and configurations that we could launch a sister site, JNV, to cover them all. Luckily, during the brief moment that they … Continue reading
QotW: How should Mazda celebrate its 100 birthday?
It’s not every day that a car company reaches 100 years of age. Of the Japanese companies still making cars today, only Daihatsu, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, and now Mazda have made it this far. It’s a momentous occasion that literally happens … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
15 Comments
Happy TA22 Day from JNC
Later this year, the original Toyota Celica will celebrate its 50th birthday. Perhaps we should paint one eye of a little red Japanese doll, set it on our shelf, and paint the other one when the Celica joins the 50 … Continue reading
Here’s how Mazda celebrated its 100th anniversary
Turning 100 years old is a tremendous milestone for anyone. Mazda celebrated with an understated gathering at their headquarters in Hiroshima. The entrance was arranged with two cars from Mazda’s past, and two from its present. Around them, the lobby … Continue reading
Here’s a kit to make the new Suzuki Jimny look like its great-grandfather
It should come as no surprise that the Suzuki Jimny is a popular car in Japan. It’s one of the coolest new cars you can buy there, and a vehicle whose purposeful engineering is at the core of its appeal. … Continue reading
Stand out from the other CEOs with a TOM’s Racing Toyota Century
You’re wealthy enough to own a Toyota Century, but you don’t want it to look like every other bank CEO’s executive coach. What to do? Well, prior to the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon, the only option was to a.) be … Continue reading
Liberty Walk creates Super Silhouette-inspired R34 Skyline
The Japanese tuning house Liberty Walk has created a what they call the LB-ER34 Super Silhouette Skyline. The red-on-black paint scheme will be instantly recognizable to fans of Skyline race cars of the 1980s. Revealed at the 2020 Tokyo Auto … Continue reading
Posted in tokyo auto salon
Tagged group 5, liberty walk, masahiro hasemi, nissan, r30, r34, skyline, super silhouette, tokyo auto salon
9 Comments
QotW: What’s the worst JNC decision you’ve ever made?
They say hindsight is 2020. It’s also the year 2020, so it’s time to reflect on some of the mistakes we’ve made and save others from the same fate. Is it getting in over your head in on a project … Continue reading
Civic Type R’s chief engineer’s love for cars began with a toy Toyota Celica
Last week Tomica announced for its 50th anniversary that it would be collaborating with several Japanese carmakers for special edition toy cars. One of them was Honda, represented by the new FK8 Civic Type R. At the press conference Hideki … Continue reading
VIDEO: Even a shift to front-wheel-drive couldn’t slow down the Toyota Celica GT-S
Looking back now, the Toyota Celica’s switch from rear- to front-wheel-drive may seem like a let-down. Back in 1986, though, FF was seen as modern and the fourth-generation Celica’s performance was affected by the shift. In fact, it continued to … Continue reading
VIDEO: If you’re in St Louis check out this great Honda museum
The Mungenast Classic Museum in St. Louis, Missouri is what we all hope our collections look like when we pass on. Founded by Dave Mungenast, a man described as a Green Beret, stuntman, American Motorcycle Association hall-of-famer, and car dealer, … Continue reading
Posted in Collections, Video
Tagged cb750, CBX, honda, honda N, Honda S, honda z, motorcycles
Leave a comment
QotW: What’s your greatest JNC dream?
Do you have a dream of unlimited parking for a real life Gran Turismo garage? Do you have a dream that one day all parts, no matter how obscure, will be offered in the heritage catalogs of every carmaker? Do … Continue reading
Next Nissan Z design to have heritage cues
There’s some scuttlebutt going around about how the next-generation Nissan Z will have heritage-inspired design cues. First of all, hallelujah! Zed-heads and sports car fans in general should be thrilled that there will be a next-generation Z. Secondly, the heritage … Continue reading
MARKETWATCH: Good condition Skyline GT-Rs are way past the quarter million mark
Last weekend, at the same event that saw a Nissan Fairlady Z432-R sell for over $800,000, several S20 siblings traded hands for significant sums as well. Nissan Skyline GT-Rs of both Hakosuka and Kenmeri generations are seeing increased interest at … Continue reading
Posted in marketwatch
4 Comments
Honda S2000 20th prototype shown at Tokyo Auto Salon
Last weekend Honda unveiled its S2000 20th Anniversary at the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon. Man, that’s a lot of twos and zeroes. The car exhibited several minor changes, mostly subtle and cosmetic, that kept true to the original design.
MARKETWATCH: A Nissan Fairlady Z432-R has sold for over $800,000
Over the weekend a Nissan Fairlady Z432-R sold for ¥88.55 million, or $804,600 or so at current exchange rates. That makes it the most expensive S30 Z — and one of the most expensive Japanese cars, period — ever sold … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your favorite Japanese car from 1995?
Today is Coming of Age Day in Japan, the day when all those who turn 20 years old between April 2 of the previous year and April 1 of the current one officially become adults. It’s fitting, because as is … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
13 Comments
RIP Yoshikazu Sunako, 1932 — 2020
It was announced yesterday that on January 3, 2020, racing driver Yoshikazu Sunako passed away at the age of 87. The former Prince and Nissan works driver was a pioneer during the nascent years of Japan’s motorsports scene, perhaps most … Continue reading
Toyota says the GR Yaris is a Celica GT-Four successor
At the Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota has debuted a new hot hatch that it says is the spiritual successor to the almighty Celica GT-Four. While that claim does raise an eyebrow, the GR Yaris is a potent machine that could … Continue reading
Posted in tokyo auto salon
Tagged celica, Celica GT-Four, GR Yaris, homolgation, rally, st165, st185, st205, tokyo auto salon, toyota, wrc, yaris
10 Comments
