Author Archives: Ben Hsu
EVENTS: Infiniti celebrates 30 years
As host of the Japanese Automotive Invitational, Infiniti took the opportunity to showcase, well, itself. 2019 happens to mark 30 years of Nissan’s luxury brand, and it threw a big birthday party complete with classics, concepts, and some special edition … Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged f31, g35, G50, infiniti, Infiniti FX, J30, Japanese Automotive Invitational, m30, Monterey Car Week, nissan, prince, Q Inspiration, Q45, Q50, Q60, Qs Inspiration, QX Inspiration, QX50, QX60, QX80, skyline sport, v35
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NEWS: Toyota may kill off the Land Cruiser in the US market
We desperately hope this is wrong, but rumor has it that Toyota plans to kill off the Land Cruiser in the US market. If true that would mean the longest running model in the company’s history, offered continuously since day … Continue reading
MINICARS: The Datsun 240Z introduces a new Chameleon paint for Hot Wheels cars
Hot Wheels is about to introduce a new type of paint. Chameleon, which transitions from purple to green depending on the angle of light shined onto it, has been around in the full-size car scene for a while now, but … Continue reading
QotW: What rite of passage every JNC owner must endure?
Complete this sentence. You’re not a JNC owner unless you… Prefer driving a slow car fast? Live in deathly fear of salt? Have overpaid for parts from Japan? Have abused your AAA towing privileges to move a parts car? With … Continue reading
NEWS: Lexus’ Nori Green Pearl is the new best color
Normally we don’t really report on a new car unless there’s some link to a past model, like a revived beloved nameplate, or some throwback design touches. There’s not much that’s retro about the new Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series, … Continue reading
EVENTS: Some galleries from SpoCom SoCal 2019
If you want to see what thee latest trends in modified cars are, the SpoCom show is a pretty good place to start. The annual, multi-city show is where the cool kids vie for giant trophies for their whips. Subtlety … Continue reading
VIDEO: That time Gucci used a dekotora to sell overpriced clothes
We somehow missed this, but in 2016 fashion brand Gucci used a dekotora to hawk its ridiculously priced clothing. In a video for their fall/winter line that year some Ziggy Stardust-looking “Gucci kids” (yes, that is a term the company … Continue reading
VIDEO: Every generation of Toyota Mark II gathered for the final Mark X send-off
After 11 generations and 51 model years, the Toyota Mark II/MarkX line is coming to an end. Toyota announced the cancellation of the decidedly old school, Camry-sized rear-wheel-drive sedan back in April. Now, with the Final Edition coming to showrooms … Continue reading
QotW: Where do you like to drive your JNC?
Today is day on which the national holiday Mountain Day in observed in Japan. Technically the holiday falls on August 11 because the kanji for “8” (八) resembles a mountain, and “11” resembles two trees, but everyone gets the day … Continue reading
NEWS: Acura brings back yellow “heritage color” to the NSX
Acura is bringing back one of the most memorable colors for the NSX: yellow. According to Honda, Spa Yellow, named after the official racing color of Belgium and Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, was the fifth most popular color for the first-generation … Continue reading
Happy 86 Day from JNC
As far as we know, 86 Day was the first of the chassis code-based holidays in the JNC community. Toyota even started an official 86 Festival in Japan at Fuji Speedway on August 6. Can you think of any earlier … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your dealbreaker when buying a used JNC?
Buying the JNC of your dreams can be a harrowing task. We all know the heart flutter we get when the proper model, trim level, condition, color, and optional equipment shows up in an ad. We also know the gut-wrenching … Continue reading
VIDEO: The Geo Tracker should be your next overlanding rig
When you think Geo Tracker, your brain typically conjures the image of a convertible top, two-door, cute-ute, maybe in some jaunty color, maybe hanging out at the beach. But the Tracker, and the Suzuki Sidekick it was based on, had … Continue reading
NEWS: Toyota’s next supercar could cost $1.8 to $2.7 million
Another reason Toyota might have farmed out the production of the A90 Supra is that it might be coming out with another supercar that will blow the Supra, 2000GT, and Lexus LFA out of the water. Reportedly, Toyota is planning … Continue reading
VIDEO: Why Nissan celebrated the 50th anniversary of the GT-R and Z at a rest stop
This year marks momentous anniversaries for several Japanese institutions. The Nissan Skyline GT-R turned 50 in February, and the Nissan Fairlady Z will celebrate its 50th this fall. To commemorate these events, Nissan held a 50th anniversary celebration not at … Continue reading
Posted in Video
Tagged 370z, datsun, fairlady z, gt-r, Hiroshi Tamura, nissan, r32, r33, r34, r35, skyline, Tomei Expressway, z33
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QotW: What’s was the moment you fell in love with JNCs?
There were several moments for me, but the first was a photo of a Toyota 2000GT found in the magazine rack of a Skaggs Alpha Beta in Texas circa 1989. Young me had thought Corvettes and Countaches were the be-all … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? Original-owner 1988 Nissan Van
Here’s your chance to own perhaps one of the rarest JNCs ever sold in the US. You’ll probably see more Hakosuka Skylines on the road than the second-generation Nissan Vanette, known simply as the Nissan Van in the States, as … Continue reading
Japan unleashes retro mobile post office based on the Toyota HiLux
On July 19 Japan’s postal service kicked off a national campaign featuring a retro truck that will serve as a mobile mail drop. Based on the sixth-generation Toyota HiLux, the roving post office will travel to tourist destinations and appear … Continue reading
VIDEO: The Plymouth Colt showed what Mitsubishi was capable of at its peak
It’s no secret that Mitsubishi hasn’t been at its best in recent years. Back when it was firing on all cylinders and spinning all its silent shafts, its lineup was actually described as “terrific” and full of “show stoppers,” according … Continue reading
