Author Archives: Ben Hsu
Happy Presidents’ Day from JNC
The President was supposed to be the grandest car in Nissan’s lineup, so it’s particularly tragic when we come across one that’s completely rotten. Its insides have seen decades of decay, and it’s probably beyond hope. Still, seeing a President … Continue reading
VIDEO: Watch this amazing Skyline restoration unfold in three minutes
A Nissan Skyline KGC110 that looked to be beyond hope has been brought back to life in Kuwait. The video starts out with a decrepit Kenmeri that looks like it had been left in a field to rust for decades. … Continue reading
VIDEO: The first-gen Celica was decades ahead of its time
When people talk about sporty Japanese cars from the 70s, the Datsun 240Z usually gets first billing. The Toyota Celica, however, was just as compelling, even with its Malaise Era safety bumpers. In fact, when compared with its competition from … Continue reading
NEWS: Parts from Mazda’s Roadster Restore program in Japan are coming to the US
Mazda’s headline at Chicago Auto Show was all about the 30th Anniversary Edition Miata — and its subsequent selling out four hours later — but CEO Masahiro Moro buried an even more exciting Miata revelation in the press conference. Mazda … Continue reading
Chicago Auto Show: Acura celebrates 30 years of the NSX
Honda didn’t introduce a new model or updated trim package at the Chicago Auto Show this year. Instead, with champagne-filled flutes passed around to the assembled guests, they celebrated 30 years of the NSX. Honda’s unleashing of its mid-engined wonder … Continue reading
Chicago Auto Show: Mazda reveals 30th Anniversary Edition Miata
Mazda has returned to the site of the NA Miata’s debut, the Chicago Auto Show, to announce the arrival of the 30th Anniversary Edition Miata. Offered in both soft-top original and RF retractable targa flavors, only 3,000 will be made … Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged Bob Hall, chicago auto show, mazda, miata, Miata ND, mx-5, Tom Matano
4 Comments
Chicago Auto Show: How Honda broke the rules with the NSX 30 years ago, and how Ford never forgot
Thirty years ago, Honda went to the Chicago Auto Show to introduce a concept it called New Sports eXperimental. As we all know, the Acura NSX would become one of the best cars ever to emerge from Japan, or from … Continue reading
Happy TE27 Day from JNC
Whether you’re a thunder or lightning type of person, today is the day in which we celebrate the original Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno. Here is a particularly tasty specimen from the Kiryu Classic Car Show‘s 2016 parade. Happy TE27 … Continue reading
VIDEO: Mythbusters continues its classic Toyota destruction streak by crushing an MR2
Last week, the Mythbusters once again found themselves on the receiving end of some pretty angry car enthusiasts for destroying an innocent, first-gen Toyota MR2. The internet’s response was swift and fierce, but this wasn’t the first time virtual pitchforks … Continue reading
VIDEO: This Toyota Van excursion looks like a load of fun
The Barlow Pass near Mt Hood was one of the final sections of the famed Oregon Trail. And while our ancestors may have died of dysentery in a covered wagon, in modern times you can navigate from the comfort of … Continue reading
Posted in Video
Tagged delica, fj cruiser, hiace, mitsubishi, Tercel 4WD, toyota, Toyota Van, Vanlife
4 Comments
Happy Year of the Pig from JNC
Today, February 5, is the Lunar New Year for much of Asia, and according to their zodiac it’s the Year of the Pig. Therefore, please enjoy a butaketsu (pig butt) Laurel to ring in the year 4717. Happy Lunar New … Continue reading
Toyota remakes MR2 pinball commercial for Superbowl
During last night’s big football game, Toyota ran a rather unexpected ad for the new Supra. In it, stunt driver Greg Tracy wheels and drifts an A90 through a giant pinball machine. It’s not a new concept, because not only … Continue reading
A new Nissan ad depicts the auto industry’s last 30 years
While most of America was watching the commercials between a big contest of Jeep crossovers and Dodge pickups, Nissan released a new advert tracing the arc of automotive trends of the last 30 years. Using only Nissan cars and a … Continue reading
QotW: What’s the best JNC you can find for $1,000?
Despite the rising prices of Japanese classics, there are still plenty of cars that can be bought on the cheap. A quick browse of Los Angeles’s local Craigslist reveals Maximas and Accords, and even some upscale cars like Lexus LS400s … Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
Tagged 180sx, 240sx, ae86, corolla levin, mazda, miata, Miata NA, nissan, QotW, s13, silvia, sprinter trueno, toyota
7 Comments
Honda celebrates Golden Anniversary in Australia literally
On February 4, 1969, Honda established an official subsidiary in Australia. Honda Australia was founded for the purposes of selling cars, but naturally Honda’s expansive lineup of thoughtfully engineered motorcycles, power equipment, and generators soon spread across the continent like … Continue reading
Happy TA22 Day from JNC
Let’s all take a moment to remember the first-generation Celica, perhaps one of Toyota’s finest designs, the timeless A20 Celica. Of course, in the US they were technically RA coded, but nonetheless we celebrate the best of the breed on this … Continue reading
This Hakosuka Skyline chair is the ultimate piece of furniture
If you’re the kind of person who dreams about driving a Hakosuka Skyline even when you’re just sitting around at home, have we got a chair for you. Behold, the GT Chair, a seat inspired by that of of Nissan’s … Continue reading
Happy 99th Birthday, Mazda
Ninety-nine years ago, Toyo Kogyo Cork Company was established in Hiroshima, Japan. Though it’s had many ups and downs over the decades, that humble little firm would grow up to become one of the most innovative and enthusiast-oriented carmakers in … Continue reading
