Author Archives: Ben Hsu
SEMA 2018: Demand for resto-modded Land Cruisers continues to grow
SEMA has a reputation for being a circus of cars modified to the brink of absurdity and then some. But among American cars, especially the muscle favorites of the 1960s and 70s, money-no-object yet tasteful resto-mods abound. Among J-tin, there … Continue reading
SEMA 2018: Toyota brings it with Supras, Trucks, and RWD Corollas
We’ve poked fun at Toyota’s SEMA presence before, like when they brought a buncha Camrys to the world’s biggest tuner show. This year, however, they brought the ruckus, with a slew of Supras, a team of Tacomas, and a rear-wheel-drive … Continue reading
SEMA 2018: The Zs of SEMA, offered without comment
Ever since Sung Kang’s “Fugu Z” won Best of Show, Datsuns have been increasingly prevalent at SEMA, the biggest aftermarket trade show in the world. In fact, the number of classic Zs handily outnumber new ones, and Nissan even brought … Continue reading
SEMA 2018: The winner of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour will be made into a toy car
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Hot Wheels went on a 15-city tour of the USA this year, in search of one car they would make into an actual toy car. At each stop, the gang from Mattel held a car … Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged 240z, b120, datsun, escudo, Geo Tracker, Hakotora, hot wheels, nissan, s30 z, sema, sunny truck, suzuki
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SEMA 2018: All five generations of Toyota Supra
As you might have heard, Toyota is coming out with a new Supra. It makes sense that they would use the aftermarket extravaganza that is SEMA to build some excitement for the model’s long-awaited return. What we didn’t expect was … Continue reading
Who hates JNCs?
Our site was down for several hours this morning, the result of a DDOS (distributed denial of service) attack as we were on our way to SEMA. Coverage from the show will be posting later today. We will we … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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NEWS: Nissan reveals 370Z Clubsport 23 ahead of SEMA 2018
Nissan has revealed a new enthusiast-oriented Z variant ahead of the 2018 SEMA show. With the 400-horsepower 370Z Project Clubsport 23, Nissan is considering offering an official tuning package for the Z. The company intends to use this year’s SEMA … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the scariest looking JNC?
All Hallows’ Eve is upon us, and ghosts and ghouls are stirring from their slumbers to creep into our dreams. Ancient carriages from the East don many visages, but some are truly menacing. Which chilling masque makes your heart race … Continue reading
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NEWS: Canadian politician to ban “RHD Asian vehicles”?
A politician in Canada appears to be working on behalf of a dealer’s association to ban “imported RHD Asian vehicles.” United Conservative Party leader Jason Kenney has received a large campaign contribution from the Motor Dealers’ Association of Alberta, in … Continue reading
SHOWA SNAP: Kujira Crown taxis await you at Ginza Tokyu Hotel
Described as “a quiet oasis in the throbbing heart of the world’s biggest and busiest city,” the Ginza Tokyu Hotel was opened in 1960. It was the first hotel of Tokyu Hotels, one of Japan’s most prominent chains that still … Continue reading
A photo album of cars as part of the Japanese family
Most tourists are probably familiar with Orix as one of the major rental car companies in Japan, but the firm conducts many other auto-related businesses. One of them is EverDrive, an app that helps you track your elderly parents’ movements … Continue reading
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VIDEO: Why the Mazda RX-2 is the next collectible Mazda
The Mazda RX-2 was the first truly accessible mainstream rotary-powered car. The Mazda Cosmo Sport and Luce R130 were too rare and expensive and the R100 too small, but the Capella (which eventually became the 626), was the perfect mid-size … Continue reading
VIDEO: Watch classic Mazdas rally across Europe
Earlier this year Mazda Germany found three classic cars, fixed them up, and sent three celebrities on a 3,100-kilometer rally across Europe. The cars, an SA22 RX-7, NA MX-5 Miata, and a rare European market 929 wagon, endure a lot … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized, Video
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VIDEO: Watch a MotoGP champ ride through the history of Japanese motoring
Over the weekend MotoGP rider Marc Marquez was in Japan winning his fifth world championship. Before that, the star 25-year-old motorcycle racer made a promotional video for Redbull Racing that takes viewers through the history of Japanese motoring.
Posted in Friday Video
Tagged c10, dekotora, fd3s, Hakosuka, honda, mazda, motorcycles, nissan, RC213V, re amemiya, rx-7, skyline, SuperCub
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SHOWA SNAP: Los Angeles in the early 1980s
Welcome to the first Showa Snap from the US. Taken in Los Angeles in the early 1980s, it contains a glorious sampling of Nihon steel. Right in the foreground there’s three sporty coupes from three major manufacturers, all lined up … Continue reading
Celebrate Advan’s 40th anniversary with tread-pattern erasers
To commemorate Advan’s 40th anniversary, Yokohama has released a set of erasers shaped in the tread patterns of their most famous tires. Does anyone even use pencils anymore? It doesn’t matter. These don’t look like they were meant to be … Continue reading
VIDEO: How many Land Cruisers is too many Land Cruisers?
In the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, the car collector hosts Brian Corsetti, owner of twelve FJ60 and FJ62 Toyota Land Cruisers. Of course, next to Leno’s triple-digit vehicle collection that sounds positively sane, but at least Jay has … Continue reading
NEWS: The Nissan GT-R 50 anniversary watch costs more than a real GT-R NISMO
With the 50th anniversary of the Nissan GT-R coming next year, expect a deluge of commemorative items marking the occasion. Nissan already made a special car earlier this year expected to cost $1 million. Now, they’ve partnered with Seiko to … Continue reading
SHOWA SNAP: Fukuyama Station, 1975
Fukuyama Station in Hiroshima Prefecture is located right by the 399-year-old Fukuyama Castle. Bullet trains whiz in and out of the station on a daily basis, and over 20,000 people pass though it every day. Back in 1975, parking at … Continue reading
Posted in Showa Snap
Tagged carina, corolla, crown, familia, Fukuyama Station, honda, kujira, Life StepVan, mazda, mitsubishi, ms75, s60, toyota
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QotW: What JNC did you once hate but now love?
If you were alive in the late 1980s, you’ll recall that the V20 Camry was everywhere. Few at the time thought they were particularly attractive, and they seemed to carry the stigma that Camrys today still hold — reliable as … Continue reading
