Author Archives: Ben Hsu
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
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
