Author Archives: Ben Hsu
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 10k-mile Toyota MR2 for $30,000
The gods of mid-engine runabouts must be receiving their share of sacrifices, because here’s the second ridiculously low-milage MR2 we’ve seen for sale in less than a week. Though this 1986 model in Indianapolis has traveled more than double the distance of the 1993 … Continue reading
Tokyo Auto Salon: Endless brakes make this Hino Contessa a show stopper
One of the benefits of the growing interest in Japanese classics is that aftermarket companies are producing an increasing number of parts for the cars we know and love. One of the leaders of this movement is Endless Advance, the Japanese maker of … Continue reading
Posted in events, Tokyo Auto Salon
Tagged contessa, Endless brakes, hino, tokyo auto salon
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NEWS: Nissan still “working on” keeping the Z alive
The current Nissan Z is nearly a decade old and the automaker has given not even the slightest suggestion of a successor. However, the company’s most memorable model is perhaps not completely dead, according to a Nissan executive’s recent statements.
QotW: Which JNC introduced in 1993 is your favorite classic of 2018?
It’s hard to believe, but the year that gave us President Bill Clinton, Jurassic Park, and Beanie Babies is now 25 years in the rear view mirror. 1993 was a seminal year, quite possibly the peak of the Bubble Era cars, as … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 4,400-mile Toyota MR2 Turbo
If you wanted a brand new second-generation Toyota MR2 Turbo back in the day but foolishly did not buy one, this could be your one shot at redemption. Offered for sale in Canal Winchester, Ohio, is quite possibly the country’s lowest-mile all-original … Continue reading
COLLECTIONS: Nissan completes restoration of 24 Hours of Spa R31 Skyline
On Saturday Nissan celebrated the completion of its restoration of the Group A HR31 Skyline GTS-R that ran at the 1988 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. With only 800 homologation models made, the R31 Skyline GTS-R is a rare and technologically advanced model, even if often overshadowed … Continue reading
NEWS: Heavy snow hits Tokyo, disrupts road, train and air travel
A heavy snow storm struck Tokyo Monday, dumping 9 inches of powder on the capital city. According to NHK about 50 cars were stranded on Tokyo’s iconic Rainbow Bridge. The weather interfered with Tokyo’s train schedules as well, and according to Reuters 250 … Continue reading
NEWS: The return of Mazda’s rotary engine
It’s official, Mazda’s rotary engine is making a comeback, but perhaps not in the way sports car enthusiasts hope. Rather than powerful, turbocharged powerplants in a new RX car, the new rotary will serve as range extenders on a fleet of self-driving … Continue reading
MINICARS: Hot Wheels Hakosuka Nissan Skyline Wagon
JNC stopped by Mattel’s design center yesterday and saw what promises to be one of the most coveted Hot Wheels for 2018 — the Nissan C10 Skyline Van. Designer Jun Imai was kind enough to share the final version with us, card art and … Continue reading
Happy 117 Day to all the Isuzu faithful
Today is January 17, or World Isuzu 117 Day. That’s probably not a real holiday, but it should be. Celebrate with a tour across Japan in a 117, or a visit to a 117 specialist shop. There aren’t enough holidays celebrating Isuzus on … Continue reading
JNC THEATER: A drama about a nameless racer, a car designer, and the “Nagoya” 2000GT
Promotion has begun for a new TV drama in Japan that crosses Speed Racer and a A Night at the Museum. Called Midnight Supercar, the star car is a 2000GT and the museum is the Toyota Automobile Museum itself.
MINICARS: A 1:18-scale Mitsubishi Starion, people!
The Mitsubishi Starion is an icon of the 1980s, and one of the great Japanese sport coupes of the pop-up headlight era. That’s why it’s odd that there have been surprisingly few models of it in any scale. Here are the … Continue reading
Tokyo Auto Salon: Toyota reveals Gazoo Racing Super Sport Concept
Toyota has stubbornly refused to show the next Supra at major international motor shows even though prototypes have been photographed countless times. Instead, as enthusiasts cry, Toyota been quietly working on sleek new supercar concept, which it has just unveiled at the tuner-fest known as … Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged Gazoo Racing, Gazoo Racing Super Sports Concept, le mans, tokyo auto salon, toyota
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MINICARS: At last, a 1:18-scale A60 Toyota Celica Supra
The diecast world has long been missing models of several seminal Japanese cars, especially when it comes to larger scales. One that’s been long desired by collectors but never seen before in 1:18 scale is the A60 Toyota Supra. That’s all about … Continue reading
VIDEO: A bosozoku night cruise
Do you like bolted on bubble flares, takeyari shaped like lightning bolts, and blinding dome lights that look like they’re off a 1960s police car except they’re purple? If not, well, maybe avert your eyes so you don’t see the parade of Celicas, Soarers … Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: The Kenmeri GT-R running at Fuji Speedway, just like it was always meant to
At the 1972 Tokyo Motor Show the most anticipated race car in Japan was unveiled at the Nissan stand. The Hakosuka Skyline GT-R was the most beloved touring car in the country, but its time was coming to an end. Nissan was unveiling … Continue reading
MINICARS: This 24-karat gold Toyota 2000GT model is definitely not for kids
There is no shortage of Toyota 2000GT models in the world, but perhaps they are all too plain in white or not sufficiently capable of showing off your tremendous disposable income. Well, Japanese jeweler SGC might have a solution for you — … Continue reading
100 YEAR CLUB: Mitsubishi Motors, Part 02
In Part 01 of our Mitsubishi Motors retrospective we covered the beginnings of the vast Mitsubishi empire, in which the car company is just a small part. In fact, until 1970 the Mitsubishi Motors we know today only existed as a … Continue reading
Posted in 100 Year Club
Tagged 3000GT, chrysler, Diamond Star Motors, Dodge Stealth, Eagle Talon, eclipse, galant, lancer evolution, mitsubishi, mitsubishi model a, pajero, Plymouth Laser, PX-33
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