Author Archives: Ben Hsu
NEWS: Honda is coming out with a retro motorcycle too
With Kawasaki’s recent debut of a K1-inspired retro motorcycle, Honda is not about to neglect its own rich two-wheeled history. Internet sleuthing has turned up a Honda patent filing with Japan’s intellectual property administration that reveals what could be a revival of the legendary Honda CBX.
Happy 710 Day from JNC
Since this year’s July 10 is the day that the famed Odakyu 7000 Series Romancecar makes its last official run after 38 years of service, we thought it only fitting to celebrate 710 Day with the rail-themed 1974 Datsun 710 … Continue reading
NEWS: The Nissan Titan Surfcamp concept was inspired by the Hot Wheels JNC Surf Patrol Datsun wagon
To celebrate summer Nissan has created a show truck called the Titan Surfcamp, modded to the nines and described a “beach oasis.” Nissan says it was inspired by the beach trucks of the 1960s and 1970s, old Patrols, and — get … Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: The Toyota Supra is now a NASCAR
With the impending return of the Supra, it was only inevitable that Toyota would announce its official participation in some form of motorsport. Well, the first one is here, before the car has even launched. We just didn’t expect it … Continue reading
WILDLIFE: An unmolested Supra Turbo proves unicorns do exist
On holidays, Los Angeles turns from a sprawling grid of congestion into a post-apocalyptic streetscape of empty boulevards. Drives that would take hours during rush hour take minutes as the city’s 6.4 million cars go into hibernation. Perhaps that explains why yesterday, on Independence … Continue reading
SHOWA SNAP: Ginza in the 1960s
Ginza is not just one of the most expensive areas of Tokyo, but of the world. In the early 1960s the area wasn’t quite as developed yet, but look at the cars. Toyopet Crown taxis, privately owned Datsun 210s, what looks to … Continue reading
NEWS: Kawasaki’s retro-styled Z900RS Cafe goes on sale
Since its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show last year, the retro-styled the Kawasaki Z900RS has been well-received in its home market. The bike we called “the Kenmeri Skyline of motorcycles” for its place in Japanese motoring history just went on sale July 1 and … Continue reading
NEWS: Toyota launches GR Sport 86
The first true sports car since Toyota’s launch of its Gazoo Racing performance sub-brand goes on sale in Japan today. The GR Sport 86 is based of the Toyota 86 (née Scion FR-S, aka Subaru BRZ) but features a series of mild upgrades. And before … Continue reading
NEWS: Nissan celebrates 50 years of the GT-R with a 710-horsepower golden Godzilla
Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the Nissan GT-R, one of the most sacred names in autodom. To celebrate the upcoming birthday, Nissan has teamed up with the design firm Italdesign, which also happens to be turning 50 this year, to … Continue reading
EVENTS: All-Toyotafest 2018, Part 05 — A whole lot of RWD
Toyota still makes large sedans, economical cars with transversely mounted engines, and powerful sports cars (at least in V8 form), but the once plentiful species of lightweight, rear-wheel-drive compact has dwindled to just one model. Toyotafest might be the last place in the … Continue reading
SHOWA SNAP: Toyota taxis queue at the old Kyoto Station
Kyoto is one of Japan’s most historic cities, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at its travel hub. Bullet trains pull into Kyoto Station on an hourly basis, sending hundreds of passengers into a vast structure of glass and steel resembling a spaceport. … Continue reading
Happy 626 Day from JNC!
Many forget that the original Mazda 626 came in rear-wheel-drive and pillarless hardtop coupe form. If you can find them, they are typically pretty well preserved and fairly affordable. Perhaps you can adopt one today, this happy 626 Day!
VIDEO: Walk through Toyota history with this new Crown ad
Not content to update a mainstay of Japanese culture with the debut of the new Century last week, Toyota has now unveiled a redesigned version of Japan’s second-most time-honored model, the Crown. The fifteenth generation goes on sale today, marking an … Continue reading
Posted in cm
Tagged 2000gt, a20, ae86, celica, cm, corolla, crown, e10, fj40, Gazoo Racing Super Sport Concept, land cruiser, Mirai, prius, S220, s30, sprinter trueno, toyota
11 Comments
NEWS: Daihatsu debuts retro-styled Mira Tocot kei car
Daihatsu says that its Mira Tocot is designed for women, but we kind of want one. The styling is appealingly somewhat retro, and reminds of the Nissan Pao. It has the same utilitarian look and comes in cool throwback colors, and as most kei … Continue reading
NEWS: Get ready to VIP because the third-generation Toyota Century goes on sale today
For decades, it has been the preferred chariot of high-ranking government officials, captains of industry, and bosses in some of the shadier corners of Japanese society. The essence of the Toyota Century is tradition, and as evidence the latest redesign is only … Continue reading
VIDEO: Mazda UK celebrates 40 years of the RX-7
2018 marks 40 years since the debut of the original Mazda RX-7. According to Mazda UK, Mazda has sold 2 million rotary-engined cars, with 850,000 of them being RX-7s. To honor the occasion, they’ve produced a video bringing together three … Continue reading
NEWS: Power to the people — Mazda confirms 181-horsepower Miata for US
Last week Japanese media confirmed that Mazda was giving the 2019 Miata a significant power bump from 155 to 181 horsepower, and raising the redline from 6,850 to 7,500 rpm. Now Mazda North America has confirmed that the more powerful version of the world’s most affordable … Continue reading
Happy 620 Day from JNC
Hey guys, let’s all take our Datsun 620 pickups to the beach and not worry about splashing salt water into every crevice. Happy Datsun 620 Day from JNC!
Why Toyota is building an insane 986-horsepower supercar
Toyota’s had a big week. They finally achieved their decades-long push to win Le Mans, overcoming a series of agonizing near-misses. It also announced the production of an insane 986-horsepower road car based on a 2021 Le Mans race car. While the given … Continue reading
Posted in toyota
Tagged 2000gt, 24 Hours of Le Mans, akio toyoda, Gazoo Racing Super Sport Concept, toyota
9 Comments
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 1984 “Imported for Dodge” Conquest
Early flat-sided Mitsubishi Starions are far less common than their later, wide-body counterparts. Early, flat-sided Mitsubishi Starions badged as Dodges are even rarer. And finding an early, flat-sided Mitsubishi Starions badged as a Dodge Conquest with a factory black-on-gold two-tone and color-keyed wheels? Well, … Continue reading
