Author Archives: Ben Hsu
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
NEWS: Here’s Japan’s most delicious service area food
The food at Japan’s service areas is so good that NEXCO East, the expressway management company for eastern Japan, holds a contest to determine which one has the most tasty lunch. The Grand Prix winner this year was just announced, … Continue reading
Happy first day of spring from JNC
This is a friendly reminder from JNC that it’s the first day of spring. That means it’s time for the cherry blossoms to come out, and for your car that’s been in hibernation all winter to come out as well. Take to the … Continue reading
Posted in Holidays
6 Comments
VIDEO: Mazda Canada celebrates 50 years
Fifty years ago, Mazda Canada started when a Familia Rotary Coupe, known on this side of the Pacific as an R100, went on sale. To celebrate half a century of sales, Mazda Canada released a flashback video covering significant milestones and models.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from JNC
Do you have the luck o’ the Irish when hunting for Hot Wheels? Maybe some green in the form of a Japan Historics 2 Nissan Laurel will bring you good fortune. Happy St. Patrick’s Day from JNC!
Posted in Holidays
2 Comments
KIDNEY, ANYONE? Unmolested 1987 Toyota Corolla AE86 Coupe
A bone stock 1987 Toyota Corolla GT-S Coupe has surfaced auction on eBay in southern California. The AE86 chassis, famed for its drifting prowess and starring role in Initial D, has risen to legend status, especially as unmolested examples dwindle. That’s why even with nearly … Continue reading
PRODUCT GUIDE: The IRC MB52 “footprint” tire has our new favorite tread pattern
Japan has an incredible penchant for making vehicle modification fun, something that is missing from a lot of car cultures. While going through Ricky’s excellent article about the odds and ends of the NYM, I came across the funkiest tire I’ve ever seen on … Continue reading
ART CORNER: Japanese artist recreates Initial D touge scenes with amazing model cars
It’s an iconic scene from the pages of Initial D — Takumi Fujiwara’s AE86 touge-battling Keisuke Takahashi’s FD RX-7, drifting through a hairpin. A Japanese artist known as Shinga on Twitter has recreated the moment, but as much as the finished product looks … Continue reading
Posted in Art Corner
Tagged ae86, corolla, fd3s, Initial D, mazda, rx-7, sprinter trueno, toyota
8 Comments
NEWS: Next-gen Nissan Fairlady Z rumored to be co-developed with Mercedes-Benz
Should we be worried? The Axis Powers seem to be getting a bit uncomfortably close with their technology sharing. The latest rumor is that Nissan is preparing a seventh-generation Fairlady Z, one that is being co-developed with Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz.
MOTORSPORT: Australia’s Improved Production Racing is absolutely riveting
Even to car guys, a lot of modern racing is boring because there simply isn’t a lot of differentiation in the actual cars. Sanctioning bodies have made the rules so strict that in many cases the cars are basically identical. … Continue reading
Posted in motorsport
Tagged 510, 808, ae86, australia, b110, datsun, Improved Production Challenge, lancer evolution, Magna, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, r100, rx-3, rx-7, sa22, sunny, toyota
11 Comments
QotW: How excited are you about the new Supra?
Few model names evoke as much zeal as “Supra.” Last week, Toyota finally made it clear that it will revive the name for a new sports car that it unveiled in racing guise at the Geneva Motor Show. It even wore number 90 on the … Continue reading
Happy 311 Day from JNC
Before the famous BRE Datsun 510s and 240Zs, there was the Datsun Roadster. This is the actual, restored car driven by Frank Monise. As the story goes, when asked why he hired Monise, Peter Brock said, “Because he kept beating … Continue reading
