Author Archives: Ben Hsu
QotW: Which influential person in the JNC world, living or dead, would you like to meet?
History is full of influential men and women whose training, decisions, and determination conceived of and built the things we love today. Engineers, designers, CEOs, race car drivers, tuners, and so on. If someone had a magic machine through which … Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
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Here’s the new Emperor’s Toyota Century convertible
The 30-year Heisei Era came to an end and the Reiwa Era began with the official transition of royal rule on May 1 of this year. However, the new emperor’s actual coronation ceremony, which expects foreign dignitaries and envoys from … Continue reading
SHOWA SNAP: Tokyo Imperial Plaza, 1967
With Tokyo Tower looming in the background, the streets in front of the Imperial Palace were absolutely teeming in 1967. Four lanes of traffic in each direction couldn’t keep the stream of Crowns, Cedrics, Glorias, Bluebirds, Publicas, and Minicas flowing. … Continue reading
Posted in Showa Snap
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QotW: What’s your ultimate JCCS build?
The 15th annual sapanese Classic Car Show is this Saturday, September 21. For many, it has been the one place in America where you can see the vast range of Japanese cars all in one spot. There is always something … Continue reading
NEWS: Calsonic is no more, say hello to Marelli
As of September 9, Calsonic Kansei is no more. The company whose bright blue livery graced many a Bubble Era race car is now known as Marelli. That’s Marelli, as in Magneti Marelli SpA., the Italian supplier of electronics, fuel … Continue reading
VIDEO: A Mazda Miata now holds the world record for most hairpin turns in 12 hours
While most automakers are chasing speed records on the Nürburgring, Mazda has been quietly unlocking an achievement of a different sort. Mazda Germany revealed last month that back on July 18, it had broken the world record for most hairpin … Continue reading
VIDEO: How Honda was making some of the world’s most precise machines in 1967
Though Honda was still in its infancy in 1967, it was already conducting some of the world’s most precise engineering. A video tour of the company’s Wako R&D facility and various plants is a fascinating glimpse into Honda’s operations at … Continue reading
MARKETWATCH: MF12 Toyota 2000GT prototype sells for $820,000
At a high end sports car auction in Tokyo last weekend, a 1969 Toyota 2000GT sold for a record ¥88 million ($820,000 USD). Though other 2000GTs have sold for over $1.1 million, this is a new auction record for the … Continue reading
SHOWA SNAP: Chiyoda, Tokyo, 1972
Tokyo’s subway system is a confounding wonder, but as late as 1972 the metropolis still had streetcars that drove alongside traffic. Here in the Chiyoda district, 510 Bluebirds, Cedrics, Sunnys, Corona Mark IIs, and kujira Crowns teem among the rails. … Continue reading
What cars were parked at Toyota USA headquarters in the 1980s?
Toyota is long gone from southern California, but back when they were still in Torrance, their massive campus was a showcase of its then-current models. This was especially true in the 1980s, when their star was on the rise. These … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged a40, celica, corolla, cressida, supra, Tercel Wagon, toyota, x30
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VIDEO: FJ Company’s G43 is a restomod Land Cruiser done right
There is exactly one Japanese car that has achieved the kind of cult following that spawns aftermarket companies building ground-up tributes to the original, and it’s not a car at all. The Toyota Land Cruiser, like the Porsche 911, has … Continue reading
NEWS: Japan’s postal service honors 50 years of GT-R and Z with postcards
Like Christmas cards in the US, Japan has a tradition of sending nenga, or New Year’s postcards for the upcoming year, during the year-end holiday season. This year, to honor the 50th anniversary of the Nissan GT-R and Fairlady Z, … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the coolest JNC work vehicle?
It’s Labor Day, an occasion to honor the hard working men and women that make the world go round. We also recently celebrated the 60th anniversary of one of Japan’s most popular work vehicles, the Isuzu Elf. It’s the perfect … Continue reading
VIDEO: Motorweek reviews the 1987 Acura Legend Coupe
Lexus and Infiniti might wear the Japanese VIP crowns today, but in 1986 Acura was the first to challenge the idea that a luxury car could come from Japan. The Legend was loaded with features like leather, automatic climate control, … Continue reading
NEWS: The best way to get around Kyushu right now is via Land Cruiser
Torrential downpours have struck Japan’s western region of Kyushu, where three deaths due to Typhoon Krosa have been confirmed and the government has issued evacuation warnings for 870,000 residents. Footage of vehicles up to their headlights in brown water is … Continue reading
NEWS: Toyota and Suzuki’s stock share meld takes us one step closer to a Japanese Big Three
Some industry news out of Japan tells us that Toyota and Suzuki have made their courtship official in the way that multinational corporations do: by taking a stock stake in each other. The two companies announced a technology sharing partnership … Continue reading
NEWS: Isuzu celebrates 60th anniversary of the Elf
Yesterday, every major newspaper in Japan carried the above spread in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Isuzu Elf, the first Japanese cab-over-engine light truck in its class. In six decades and six generations, the Elf has sold over … Continue reading
QotW: What Japanese luxury car would you get, and why?
We all love our roadsters and lightweight coupes but sometimes you just want the nicer things in life. Whether it’s a serene cabin as quiet as your penthouse living room, a fancy stereo, or just a seat that’s not made … Continue reading
