Author Archives: Ben Hsu
MINICARS: Tomica Limited Vintage made an FD3S Mazda RX-7 and it looks amazing
We haven’t written about Tomica Limited Vintage in a while, but the collectors’ offshoot of Japan’s most popular diecast cars has been quietly churning out excellent 1:64-scale models of classics for a while. The latest, however, is sure to make … Continue reading
Happy 510 Day from JNC
Happy 510 Day from JNC! What’s your favorite 510 memory? Ours was probably the time we spotted a stupendous BRE tribute on the streets of Monterey, which was second only to the time we posed glamorously by an SSS Coupe on … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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MINICARS: Let’s not forget LS Collectibles’ Mitsubishi Starion
Last week we showed you LS Collectibles’ prototype A60 Toyota Supra model. But, if you remember from a post back in January, the company had a second Bubble Era Japanese icon in the works. And here it is: a 1:18-scale Mitsubishi Starion.
VIDEO: Nissan GT-R generations in Hong Kong
Nissan has just released a new beautifully shot video for the launch of the 2018 GT-R in Hong Kong. It’s filled with shots of an R32, R33 NISMO 400R, R34 Vspec II Nür, and the R35 gliding through the urban streets. I will … Continue reading
TUNE UP: Instead of your typical rap video cars, “This is America” is filled with Toyotas and Hondas
In case you were under a rock all weekend, you probably know Childish Gambino’s video for “This Is America” debuted on Saturday and has already garnered over 18 million views. The work is fraught with commentary on violence and slavery, but … Continue reading
Posted in Tune Up
Tagged accord, Accord 2G, corolla, e30, e70, honda, te51, Tercel 4WD, This is America, toyota, wagons
10 Comments
QotW: What’s your greatest tale of JNC acquisition?
It’s getting harder and harder to buy a JNC for a song, but not impossible. Even as prices and general awareness about the value of old Japanese cars rise, once in a while you can still find a good deal. You … Continue reading
May the Fourth: Darth Vader drove a 428-horsepower Mitsubishi GTO 3000GT
So you’re the ultimate Sith Lord, second in command of a galaxy-spanning Empire. You have the entire might of the imperial fleet at your disposal. Still, sometimes you need to travel across planetary surfaces at great speed. What mode of transportation does … Continue reading
MINICARS: LS Collectibles’ 1:18 Toyota Celica Supra is now available for pre-order
Back in January we wrote about an exciting new series of 1:18-scale models of iconic Japanese cars of the 1980s. Made by LS Collectibles, they were still in the prototype phase, and the first one was the long-awaited A60 Toyota Celica Supra. The … Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: John Morton’s 240Z lap at Road Atlanta
The Mitty was this weekend, and Nissan was the featured marque. We’ll have a full report on what it’s like to race at Road Atlanta in a Datsun 240Z coming soon, but for now check out this video of John Morton … Continue reading
Happy TE51 Day from JNC
The third-gen Corolla Sport is under appreciated. So let’s appreciate it today, May 1, otherwise known as TE51 Day. May the Corolla gods smile upon you.
VIDEO: 30 years of the Suzuki Sidekick
It’s hard to believe, but the Suzuki Sidekick is 30 years old. In some markets it was called the Vitara, or Escudo, or Geo Tracker, but we know what it really was — a nonstop barrel of monkeys.
VIDEO: Soichiro Honda’s rousing speech explains “Why we Race”
Honda has released a video called “Why we Race.” The title is taken from an impassioned speech founder Soichiro Honda himself back in the day. Honda’s actual words is played over archival footage of Honda’s racing successes (and failures) from bikes at … Continue reading
Happy DNA Day from JNC
Today is National DNA Day, which celebrates the discovery, 65 years ago, of the double helix structure comprising life’s building blocks by James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, and Rosalind Franklin. And while DNA usually applies to, you know, biological organisms, cars can … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 12k-mile EM1 Honda Civic Si sells for $24,000
It was only a few weeks ago that a near-new EM1 Honda Civic Si sold for $22,750. As far as we know, that was a record price for the much lauded 1999-2000 Civic Si, but in less than a month it … Continue reading
NEWS: Mitsubishi may bring back the Lancer as a crossover
Rumor on the street has it that Mitsubishi is bringing back the Lancer, a name used on its compact sedan for over 40 years, as a crossover. The idea is perhaps not as egregious as the Eclipse Cross, as the Lancer did famously have … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire winner
Before the Lancer Evolution, Mitsubishi’s AWD turbo rally warrior was the Galant VR-4. Starting in 1988 and until the launch of the Lancer Evo, Mitsubishi campaigned the Galant VR-4 in World Rally Championship races across Europe, earning the triple-diamond marque an early reputation for ruggedness and … Continue reading
Posted in for sale
Tagged Côte d’Ivoire, galant, Galant VR-4, kidney anyone, mitsubishi, rally
4 Comments
MINICARS: Charge your phone with a Fairlady Z
There are few phone accessories a boring as a portable charger battery, usually no more than a rectangular box with an LED light and a USB port. In Japan, however, you can now charge your phone with something a little more … Continue reading
VIDEO: A cartoon history of the Suzuki Alto and motorcycle business
After a brief hiatus, Suzuki is back with two new cartoon videos explaining how the company got where it is today. The first outlines the genesis of the Alto, a revered name in kei cars, and the second explains how … Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: Mitsubishi rally cars showcased at Megaweb
Though owned by Toyota, the Megaweb showcase in Odaiba, Tokyo and the adjacent History Garage offer much more than Aichi steel. Since last year, there has been a rotating exhibit of famous rally cars, often on loan from other automakers. Currently, it is Mitsubishi’s … Continue reading
Posted in motorsport
Tagged lancer, Lancer Evolution III, Megaweb, mitsubishi, rally, safari rally, wrc
8 Comments
OPEN THREAD: What did you think of JDM Legends episode 01?
The premiere episode of JDM Legends is airing on Velocity Channel on the west coast right now and has aired in most of the country. What did you think? Leave your comments in the open thread below.
