Author Archives: Ben Hsu
KIDNEY, ANYONE? $90k Nissan 300ZX Turbo
Recently, a 1996 Nissan 300ZX sold for $90,100. No, that is not a typo, nor was it your typical Z32. It was perhaps the most collectible example in the US, a big reason why the price was 10 times what a typical specimen … Continue reading
ART CORNER: Initial D author’s new racing manga has begun
Four years after the conclusion of Initial D, author Shuichi Shigeno has embarked on the development of a new racing manga. The first chapter of the series, MF Ghost, has kicked off in Japan’s Weekly Young Magazine, where Initial D began … Continue reading
Posted in Art Corner
Tagged gt-r, impreza, Initial D, MF Ghost, nissan, r35, toyota, toyota 86
13 Comments
MOTORSPORT: Why Calsonic Blue is a legendary livery in Japanese racing
Outside of Japan, most enthusiasts’ first encounter with the legendary Calsonic Blue livery of Nissan’s touring cars was likely in Gran Turismo. Specifically, it graced the R32 Skyline GT-R of the Japan Touring Car Championships, and while Godzilla notably won every single JTCC … Continue reading
Posted in motorsport
Tagged 350z, b13, bluebird, calsonic, fairlady z, fuji speedway, gt-r, JGTC, jtcc, k12, Kazuyoshi Hoshino, march, Masahiko Kageyama, moto kitano, nissan, pulsar, r31, r32, r33, r34, r35, skyline, z33
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Have a relaxing Labor Day from JNC
It’s Labor Day in the United States so the JNC staff is taking a break from our regularly scheduled program until tomorrow. Fifty years ago, though, the Mazda factory was hard at work churning out three-wheeled trucks. The K360 kei car … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 10,000-mile 1984 Toyota Corolla LE
Do you want a supremely mint example of a hugely influential mid-80s Corolla that helped spread the Toyota gospel far and wide around the world? Behold, a 10,500-mile Toyota Corolla LE sedan. What, you were expecting an AE86? The argument … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 34k-mile 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo
At this year’s Toyotafest we were saw an increase in stock (or stock appearing) and period correct examples of the second-generation MR2. Gone were the Invader body kits and intake snorkels from the Tuner Era heyday. Clearly, the unmolested SW20 is something collectable, … Continue reading
VIDEO: Restored Mazda Cosmo Sport runs the Hamburg-Berlin Rally
After a truly heroic restoration of a rusted out Cosmo Sport, Mazda Germany did what anyone would do with a newly restored classic rotary — take it on a three-day road rally.
VIDEO: Ichikawa Parking Area in the Bubble Era
At the height of the Bubble Era, meets stretched deep into the pre-dawn hours. Even at 4 am, parking areas like Ichikawa PA were filled with Savannas, Soarers, and Skylines. Tuning legend Isami Amemiya even shows up with an FC3S and his … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Bubble Era, eunos, fairlady z, fc3s, Ichikawa PA, mazda, miata, nissan, r32, skyline, soarer, toyota, z20, z31, z32
10 Comments
VIDEO: Mazda Germany’s Cosmo Sport restoration is done
Mazda Germany’s Cosmo Sport saga is finally complete. In the last batch of episodes, the car has gone from rust-holed barn occupant to show-worthy classic. If you’re new to the series, see parts 01 and 02, then watch the rest below.
Happy Eclipse Day from JNC
Today is the first time a total solar eclipse will be visible in America in nearly a century, a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most. So of course we’re going to make an Eclipse joke, but Mitsubishi actually beat us to it — … Continue reading
MINICARS: A Hot Wheels Nissan Laurel is coming [UPDATE: Another pic]
When we posted about the new Hot Wheels Fairlady Z casting we said there was more news we were excited to share when the time was right. That time is now. Two reveals in as many days, Hot Wheels has … Continue reading
VIDEO: Infiniti Prototype 9
Reactions to the Infiniti Prototype 9 have been polarized. Perhaps photos don’t do the one-off design exercise justice. Luckily for you, Infiniti has released a series of videos showcasing its retro EV racer concept. Sometimes seeing the car in motion … Continue reading
VIDEO: That one time Michael Bay destroyed a REPU
Michael Bay has unnecessarily ruined a lot of things, and today we add a Mazda REPU to that list. This is a scene from The Rock, and while most people remember the wanton destruction of a Ferrari F355, the clear tragedy … Continue reading
50 YEAR CLUB: Nissan Bluebird 510
Fifty years ago today, the third-generation Nissan Bluebird 510 went on sale. 1967 was a pivotal year for the Japanese auto industry, with seminal sports cars like the Toyota 2000GT and Mazda Cosmo Sport debuting within a couple of weeks of each other. While … Continue reading
NEWS: Infiniti Prototype 9 envisions a retro racer from the 1940s
Infiniti has revealed the Prototype 9, a true dream car project. Built from authentic old school construction methods and designed with parameters limited only by human imagination, it fantasizes a “what if” scenario that saw Infiniti competing in the so-called Golden … Continue reading
NEWS: Honda announces reproduction parts for the Beat
Twenty-six years after the car’s debut, Honda has announced that it will begin making reproduction parts for its Beat sports car. The mid-engined kei roadster, introduced in May 1991, is a beloved enthusiast’s car in Japan, the only market in which … Continue reading
The Toyota USA Museum is auctioning off a bunch of stuff before it moves to Texas
Like the rest of the company, the Toyota USA Museum is moving from Torrance, California to Texas. And as with any move it is getting rid of a bunch of stuff before it’s forced to cart it halfway across the … Continue reading
RIP Glen Campbell, singer, songwriter, Datsun man
Legendary singer-songwriter Glen Campbell passed away on Tuesday, August 8 at the age of 81. A prolific musician, Campbell played guitar on some of the most famous American songs of the modern age, including “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys, “Viva … Continue reading
VIDEO: The latest Hot Version pits the Nissan GT-R against the Mazda Rotary
Speaking of rivalries, the Nissan GT-R and Mazda rotary have one that stretches back some 45 years. It was Hiroshima’s pistonless wonder that kept the Hakosuka GT-R from capturing its much sought-after 50th touring car win. While Nissan did eventually get that 50th win, … Continue reading
