Author Archives: Ben Hsu
VIDEO: The best car show is this Mazda Cosmo Sport restoration from Germany [UPDATE: 3rd episode released]
Are you tired of purported car shows that promise wrenching but end up being a collection of character tropes manufacturing drama while standing next to muscle cars? The answer is yes, we all are. That’s why this web series from Mazda Deutschland could … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? Beautifully mint Mitsubishi Lancer Celeste
Today’s Kidney Car post is unique because we’re not really trying to draw anyone’s attention to an actual ad. In fact, we think it’s probably a scam. But what’s not a scam is how unbelievably beautiful this Mitsubishi Lancer Celeste is.
MOTORSPORT: A giant cutout commemorating the Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo is up for grabs [UPDATE: It’s been claimed]
For years a giant, 15-foot-wide image of Nissan’s championship GTP ZX-Turbo prototype racer has been displayed at the automaker’s marketing agency’s offices in Los Angeles. That piece of history is now up for grabs, completely free, but the catch is … Continue reading
Posted in motorsport
Tagged datsun, Electramotive, GTP ZX-Turbo, imsa, motorsport, nissan
4 Comments
QotW Update: This is the car my fiancée got
A couple of months ago, I enlisted the help of JNC readers to pick a chariot for my soon-to-be wife. She got one, and though it isn’t a Japanese nostalgic car yet, we think one day it might be. This was one of … Continue reading
VIDEO: FJ40 Land Cruiser stars in Hankook ad
We all know the FJ40 is legendary in its off-road capabilities. It’s also one of the hottest SUVs in the very hot segment of classic SUVs that are skyrocketing in value. It’s no wonder then that a beautiful Coronado Beige example stars … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? Mint Nissan 200SX Turbo
We don’t know where Elyria, Ohio is, but we do know that right now there’s a 1984 Nissan 200SX Turbo there pulling some pretty impressive prices on eBay. It’s got all the right ingredients to justify the numbers, too. It’s a rare … Continue reading
Happy National Doughnut Day from JNC
In Japan, the police don’t like doughnuts. Especially not the kind made by a Toyota Soarer on the pedestrian-dense and high-traffic streets of Shibuya, one of the busiest districts of Tokyo. Don’t try this at home and happy National Doughnut Day, … Continue reading
Happy KP61 Day from JNC too
As many of you have reminded us here on JNC and on Instagram, today is KP61 Day too. So, happy day to all the owners and fans of one of the very few RWD hot hatches around!
GALLERIES: The Datsun Type 14 was Japan’s first mass-produced car
Nissan was founded on June 1, 1934. Most of its earliest cars have been lost to time, but at least three examples of the 1935 Datsun Type 14 have survived. That’s likely because it was the first mass-produced car from Japan.
Happy MA61 Day from JNC
“One is reluctant to speak of ‘a man’s car’ in these liberated times, but the Supra is exactly that,” wrote Car and Driver in 1983 when they put the MA61 Celica Supra on their 10 Best list. “The pedal effort, … Continue reading
NIHON LIFE: Would you like a Skyline with your morning coffee?
In America, coffee costs $4 for a ridiculous latte that doesn’t even come with a toy car. In Japan, coffee companies often run promotions that attach a gift to the can, which you have to get at a specific convenience store chain. This Skyline … Continue reading
VIDEO: Toyota made some ads about long-time Corolla owners
Toyota Japan is continuing its celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Corolla with a series of videos about owners who have driven their Corollas for a very long time.
VIDEO: Rocky Auto’s RB30-powered Kenmeri
You’ve seen photos of Rocky Auto‘s restomod Kenmeri Skyline. It’s got an tuned RB30 engine, a completely reworked multi-link suspension, Work Meisters over R34 brakes, and modern Recaro sport seats. Recently, Rocky-San took it to Fuji Speedway and made a … Continue reading
NIHON LIFE: Stumbling across random car shops in Tokyo
It’s easy to get lost in Tokyo. The streets aren’t laid out in a grid and often have no signs on them, or if they do, they’re in Japanese. As a car otaku, the problem is compounded because rather than looking at … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged atenza, aw11, b310, celsior, Ciic Type R, Cima, civic, Civic EK, cosmo sport, Countach, datsun, F50, fairlady roadster, fairlady z, honda, infiniti, Infiniti Q45, lamborghini, lexus, Lexus LS, lfa, mazda, mr2, nissan, porsche, prius, r33, RUF, s130, skyline, sports 800, sunny, Sunny California, toyota, vip, W50
11 Comments
GALLERIES: Nissan’s 60th Anniversary of the Skyline celebration continues in Yokohama
The 60th anniversary of one of Japan’s most influential models is not lost on Nissan. Last month Nissan held simultaneous events at three locations across Tokyo and Yokohama on same weekend the original ALSID Prince Skyline was launched in 1957. While that has … Continue reading
Nissan Jam 2017 will honor 50 years of the Datsun 510
In its fifth year, Nissan Jam will be returning to Anaheim, California. 2017 promises to be a very special year because it will honor the 50th anniversary of the 510, which was introduced in Japan in 1967. All 510 owners registered for … Continue reading
Toyotafest Spotlight: Mike Muniz’s 1972 Sprinter Trueno is one of the finest Toyota restorations we’ve ever seen
Without exaggeration, Mike Muniz’s 1972 Toyota Sprinter Trueno is a paradigm shift in the world of Japanese nostalgic cars. In fact, we’re pretty certain that Muniz has not only achieved one of the most stunning Toyota restorations we’ve ever encountered, but also … Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged bridgestone, e20, sprinter trueno, te27, toyota, toyotafest, Toyotafest 2017
31 Comments
EVENTS: All-Toyotafest 2017, Part 06 — Straight Sixes
With the passing of time, we are seeing more and more cars pass into 25-year classic status from what is perhaps the most epic era of Toyota history — that of the inline six-cylinder engine. From early Land Cruisers and Crowns … Continue reading
Mitsubishi does not need subwoofers and TV screens
The news that Mitsubishi was seeking West Coast Customs to recreate their first car, the 1917 Model A, was pretty disappointing. Here’s a friendly reminder that Mitsus don’t need useless gimmicks to be cool. That is all.
NEWS: Mitsubishi Motors celebrates 100 years by recreating its first car
The shipbuilding giant known as Mitsubishi became a car company 100 years ago this year with the release of the 1917 Model A. Only 22 were built, giving Mitsubishi Motors the claim to the first “mass produced” Japanese car. To celebrate a century … Continue reading
