Author Archives: Ben Hsu
JNC THEATER: Behind the scenes with JDM Legends on the eve of their Velocity Channel premiere
Until now, the world of automotive-themed television shows has been pretty lackluster when it comes to Japanese cars. That’s all about to change with the Velocity Channel’s JDM Legends, titled after the Utah shop of the same name and premiering tomorrow, April 17. … Continue reading
Posted in JNC Theater, Video Games
Tagged 240z, datsun, Eric Bizek, fairlady z, jdm legends, mazda, nissan, rx-7, S30Z, sa22, skyline, toyota
25 Comments
NEWS: Toyota launches bare-bones Land Cruiser
As lovers of nostalgic cars, a common gripe is that modern machines have too many bells and whistles, too many electronic nannies that stand between you and the driving experience. As it turns out, Toyota has heard your sad cries and just released … Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged J150, land cruiser, Land Cruiser Prado, lexus, Lexus GX, toyota, trucks
10 Comments
Happy 411 Day from JNC
Even in Japan, the Nissan Bluebird 411 is a rare sight. Make it a wagon and it’s doubly rare. This example was positively mint, though, seemingly brought to modern Tokyo via time machine. Happy 411 Day from JNC!
NEWS: Leaked Mazda document reveals 181 horsepower for 2019 MX-5
A document disclosing mid-generational changes to the Mazda MX-5 has leaked. The paper reveals a fairly significant bump to 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, up from the current 155 horses and 148 lb-ft. Here’s the details on how they squeezed more juice … Continue reading
QotW: Does the current state of a marque affect how you feel about its classics?
It’s not easy being a fan of Japanese cars these days. Most no longer offer a smorgasbord of performance cars like they did in their heydays. Some seem to have abandoned the enthusiast-worthy models that made them great altogether. It’s kind of … Continue reading
Happy MA46 Day from JNC
With all the recent scuttlebutt about Supras both new and newly classic, we didn’t want to let April 6 pass by without mention of the Supra that started it all, the MA46. There’s a couple things to note about this spread from the … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? “Absurd condition” 5k-mile FJ40 Land Cruiser will surpass $100,000
The FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser is no stranger to high dollar bids, but a recently listed example might just set a new record. That’s because while we have seen immaculately restored examples break (barely) the $100,000 mark, this one is a bone … Continue reading
VIDEO: Watch Nissan’s earliest electric car in motion
Long-time readers of JNC will be familiar with the 1947 Tama E4S-47-1 electric car. It’s one of Japan’s earliest electric vehicles, and one we’ve written about many times. Until now, though, we’ve never seen it running.
MARKETWATCH: 5,700-mile Supra Turbo sells for $80,500, winner says Nakai body kit coming
A near-new 1994 Toyota Supra twin-turbo sold for $80,500 over the weekend. Its rarity was in the fact that it had only 5,664 miles on the odometer, and was said never to have been modified. That could all change soon.
50 YEAR CLUB: Toyota HiLux
Fifty years ago Toyota introduced what would become the most enduring workhorse the world has ever seen. Though ambitious in name, the HiLux — a portmanteau of the words “high” and “luxury” — was anything but. Utilitarian and austere, it was … Continue reading
Posted in 50 Year Club
Tagged 4runner, dakar, hilux, Hilux Surf, n10, N20, N30, N40, N50, tacoma, toyota, trucks
20 Comments
KIDNEY, ANYONE? EM1 Honda Civic Si sells for $22,750
The 1999-2000 Honda Civic Si is not really a classic yet going strictly by age. Going by what this pristine example just sold for, however, it might be one of those cars that becomes a classic in its own time, fetching more than … Continue reading
MINICARS: Japan Post issues Toyota 2000GT stamp collection
Japan Post has released a stamp set in honor of the venerable Toyota 2000GT. Of course, since this is Japan it’s not just a sheet of postage stamps. The commemorative set comes with a 1:64-scale diecast car, a display case, and … Continue reading
NEWS: Retro Kawasaki Z1000 MkII-inspired bike unveiled at Tokyo Motorcycle Show
One of the biggest news items in the world of nostalgic motorcycles came last year at the Tokyo Motor Show when Kawasaki unveiled the retro Z900RS. Our own San Mamiya called “the Kenmeri Skyline of bikes” due to the impact it had … Continue reading
Posted in Motorcycles
Tagged Doremi Collection, kawasaki, Tokyo Motorcycle Show, Z1000, Z900RS
1 Comment
NEWS: JDM Legends TV show premieres April 17
Well here’s some very exciting news. JDM Legends is a new show that will debut on Velocity Channel on April 17. As the name implies, it follows the Salt Lake City-based shop of the same name. Finally, a TV show, in … Continue reading
PRODUCT GUIDE: Dixcel brakes for classic Japanese cars
Established in 2003, Osaka’s Dixcel Brakes is a relative newcomer to the tuning scene but quickly established themselves in SuperGT and other Asian racing series. However, with their new line of kyusha-oriented brake components they’re targeting owners who want stronger stopping power … Continue reading
VIDEO: The FJ Company is the Singer Porsche of Land Cruisers
We first came across The FJ Company’s work at SEMA 2016 and were impressed by their workmanship. The company’s latest promotional video gives a peek inside their shop, showing how much effort goes into building one of their FJ40s.
NEWS: No Nissan-Mercedes collab on new Z, new claims of 2019 production debut
The rumor last week that Nissan — looking on forlornly as rival Toyota joined hands with BMW on the new Supra — would turn to Mercedes to co-develop the next Z has sparked another round of gossip. This time, the Mercedes partnership is debunked, while other theories … Continue reading
