Author Archives: Ben Hsu
NEWS: Toyota and Mazda deepen partnership with stock stakes, US factory
Toyota and Mazda announced late Friday in Japan that they would strengthen their partnership with a formal capital alliance. In 2015, the industrial giant from Aichi and the small carmaker from Hiroshima agreed to work together, but it was little more than a handshake. What … Continue reading
VIDEO: This bosozoku biker chase deserves some Benny Hill music
It’s tough being a city cop in Japan. First, you have to drive a kei car. Then, at night, gangs of bosozoku bikers close off intersections and basically lead you on a circular chase while other ne’er-do-wells launch fireworks and generally get … Continue reading
VIDEO: You could tune pretty much anything in Japan
In the 90s, Japan was so high on octane that you could find aftermarket parts for just about any car imaginable. In this Best Motoring video, the hosts step out of NSXes and GT-Rs for a second and test drive tuned … Continue reading
QotW: What JNC do you need to buy now before prices get ridic?
Last week’s post about the FJ Company’s Land Cruiser restomods turned into heated discussion about skyrocketing prices of JNCs. We’ve seen some shocking prices for well-restored FJ40s, and while there are still examples within reach of most buyers, it may not be that way for … Continue reading
VIDEO: Celebrating 30 years since the AE86 conquered British Touring Car Championships
For cars that are immensely fun to flog in the twisties, there are few better than the Toyota AE86. Less discussed, however, is its racing provenance. We’re not talking about its touge battles on Mt Akina, here. Or even talking about Japan. … Continue reading
VIDEO: Classic looks and modern power converge in these Land Cruiser restomods
We met the owners of the FJ Company at SEMA last year and were astounded by the level of craftsmanship in their builds. These guys and gals take classic Toyota Land Cruisers and thoroughly modernize the drivetrains so they can be driven … Continue reading
EVENTS: Mitsubishi Owners Day 2017
In past years, we haven’t found a lot of JNC-worthy material at Mitsubishi Owners Day. Ninety-nine percent of the cars there were white Evos, parked in formation like some kind of Galactic Empire land fleet. This year, however, there were all sorts of interesting offerings from the … Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged 3000GT, Chrysler Conquest, delica, Expo, galant, Galant VR4, lancer, lancer celeste, mitsubishi, montero, pajero, Pajero Evolution, plymouth arrow, starion
39 Comments
EVENTS: 3rd Touge California, 2017
Because we, along with title sponsor Mazda, were celebrating the 50th anniversary of the rotary engine this year, a large contingent of piston-less cars were lined up at the starting grid of the 2017 Touge California. Joining them were decades-old twin-cam Toyota … Continue reading
Posted in Touge California
Tagged 240z, 510, a10, a20, a40, bluebird, Bluebird Coupe, c10, carina, celica, century, corolla, corolla levin, cosmo, cosmo sport, CX-3, cx-5, CX-9, daruma, datsun, dodge colt, eunos, fairlady roadster, fc3s, fd3s, galant, Hakosuka, kgc10, mazda, mazda 3, mazda 6, miata, mitsubishi, MX-5 RF, nissan, repu, rotary engine, rx-2, rx-3, rx-3 sp, rx-7, rx-8, S30Z, sa22, skyline, sprinter trueno, sunchaser, te27, Touge California, toyota, VG40
17 Comments
NEWS: Hakosuka Nissan Skyline crashes, one dead
A tragic report coming out of Japan says that the driver of a Hakosuka Nissan Skyline has lost his life in a crash that saw the car burst into flames. According to TBS News, the collision occurred on the morning of July 25 near … Continue reading
PRODUCT GUIDE: From the creators of Rocket Bunny, a new widebody kit for the Datsun 620
In the race to find the next hot kyusha to widebody, TRA Kyoto has unveiled its latest creation, the Pandem kit for the Datsun 620.
Posted in Product Guide
Tagged 620, datsun, Kei Miura, nissan, Pandem, Rocket Bunny, TRA Kyoto, trucks
17 Comments
VIDEO: No big deal, just a couple of 2JZ Toyota 2000GTs driving around
You know Rocky Auto, the famous Japanese tuner known for his radical takes on classic Nihon steel. When it came time to build his ultimate creation, a 2JZ-powered Toyota 2000GT, however, the originals were too rare and valuable to modify. So founder … Continue reading
VIDEO: It’s hard finding Cosmo Sport parts in Japan
If you haven’t been keeping up with Mazda Germany’s web series about the restoration of a very rusty Cosmo Sport race car, you’re missing one of the best car restoration shows out right now. Since we last checked in, there have … Continue reading
VIDEO: Listen to the engine roar of three seminal GT-Rs
We’ve snapped a lot of photos and spilled a lot of digital ink writing about the Skyline GT-R, but one thing that images and words can’t convey is the amazing aural power of its incredible engines. Luckily, Motor Trend provides … Continue reading
EVENTS: 2017 Nissan Jam, Part 04 — Nissan Forever
Why do people love Nissans so much? Our final installment of our Nissan Jam coverage, offers an explanation. Perhaps it’s the sheer diversity of not just the cars from the factory, but that of the custom styles they inspired. Speaking of inspiration, the … Continue reading
EVENTS: 2017 Nissan Jam, Part 03 — All Together Now
Nissan owners are a passionate bunch, with owners who are fanatical about Z-Cars, 510s, and Skylines. While it’s great to be enthusiastic about your favorite model, the fervency expressed by owners of the most popular models often overshadows the amazing diversity of … Continue reading
VIDEO: Do any of these Toyotas remind you of the new Camry?
Toyota is launching the 2018 Camry in Japan, and pulling out their greatest hits to do so. The newest Camry commercial begins with images of the MR2, Soarer, Altezza, Celica and Supra, a stick-shift X70, and many more — all set … Continue reading
Touge California: Honoring 50 years of the rotary engine
Our commemorative poster for this year’s Touge California commemorates the calling card of our title sponsor, Mazda. It has been 50 years since the world’s first production dual-rotor engine debuted on the 1967 Cosmo Sport. Our poster honors the historic achievement with … Continue reading
Posted in Touge California
Tagged cosmo sport, familia, mazda, r100, rotary engine, Touge California
6 Comments
VIDEO: Mazda’s History of Red
Even though I own a red car, in most cases I don’t like the color. It’s loud, hides the taillight design, and generally makes it seem as if the car is trying to compensate for something, whether it’s speed or exoticness. Also, … Continue reading
Happy 710 Day from JNC
A JNC public service announcement: On this and very 710 Day, please make sure you fill up whatever’s under your 710 cap. Image: NICO Club
TOUGE CALIFORNIA: Roundels not round this year
Touge California has a tradition of using large magnetic roundels to identify cars participating in the rally. They are not for sale and only available to participants of the event. For this year’s event, which will take place July 15, the … Continue reading
