Author Archives: Dan Hsu
QotW: Which car from 2001 would you import?
It’s a new year, and that means a new selection of Japanese-market cars will become eligible for import in 2026. Our 25-year import law states that cars built in 2001 can now enter the country. While the thought of a … Continue reading
Suzuki applies for trademark to revive 1971 VanVan as modern e-bike
Suzuki has filed for a trademark application for the e-VanVan, an electric mini-bik inspired by the 1971 VanVan 90. Whimsically named for the sound of a revving two-stroke, the original was one of the motorcycles that defined Japan’s leisure bike … Continue reading
Honda launches Heritage Works program for parts and restoration
Honda heads, rejoice! Honda has announced a new reproduction parts program for their sports cars. And yes, the newly christened Honda Heritage Works is going global and will include Acuras as well. With an estimated 70 percent of first-gen Japan-market … Continue reading
A brief history of Street Fighter‘s car-smashing bonus stages
The trailer for the live action Street Fighter movie is out, and some fans are pretty stoked that one famous scene made the cut. Based on the Capcom video game franchise, the upcoming movie includes Street Fighter II‘s bonus stage … Continue reading
Posted in Friday Video, Video Games
Tagged celsior, crown, lexus, Lexus LS, mitsubishi, pajero, toyota
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Honda launched the Prelude with a Japanese curry cafe
To herald the long-awaited return of the Prelude in Japan, Honda opened a pop-up curry cafe. If you’ve never had the pleasure of downing a plate of proper Japanese curry you’re seriously missing out, but what is the association between … Continue reading
Pininfarina’s take on the Honda NSX has been fully revealed
There are two legendary Italian design houses penning modern interpretations of the Honda NSX right now, and one has been fully revealed. The Tensei, meaning “rebirth” in Japanese, is a carbon fiber-bodied reimagining by Pininfarina, a studio that has birthed … Continue reading
Another Honda NSX restomod is coming from Italy, this time a Pininfarina collab
A few weeks ago the famed carrozzeria Italdesign teased a Honda NSX-based tribute car. Now, another legendary Italian design firm, Pininfarina, has released images of its take on the iconic Japanese supercar. It’s a limited production road car that seeks … Continue reading
Yamaha e-bike concept pays homage to its first motorcycle
Yamaha has revealed what it’s bringing to the Japan Mobility Show later this month. Among the 16 motorcycles, three-wheelers, and motorized wheelchairs is a beautiful electric bicycle called the Y-00B. It was inspired by the 1955 Yamaha YA-1, the company’s … Continue reading
Coupon code for $5 off JCCS admission extended to Sept. 30!
Great news! The folks at JCCS have extended the coupon code for JNC readers. Get $5 admission for the 2025 Japanese Classic Car Show when you buy tickets online using the coupon code JNCFAN at checkout. This is the 20th … Continue reading
Posted in Reminder
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Save $5 on JCCS admission with this coupon code
The 2025 Japanese Classic Car Show is almost upon us, and we would like to offer JNC readers a special coupon code for admission. This year’s show will be a very special one, as it’s the 20th anniversary of the … Continue reading
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What could this Honda NSX tribute that Italdesign is teasing possibly be?
The renowned carrozzeria Italdesign-Giugiaro has posted a mysterious teaser to social media. Over a blue background reminiscent of Italdesign’s signature color there’s nothing but the Honda logo with the words “NSX Tribute”. What could it be?`
Honda NSX celebrates 35 years with retrospective video
The groundbreaking Honda NSX forever changed the world when it debuted on September 14, 1990. The slogan in its home-market ads read ,”Our Dreams Come True.” Not your dreams, but ours, as in the Honda engineers who had sought from … Continue reading
Suzuki GSX-R documentary’s retired engineers discuss the trials of building a world-class superbike
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Suzuki GSX-R750, a motorcycle that revolutionized the game. A MotoGP bike for the masses. To mark the occasion Suzuki has released a 35-minute documentary about the bike’s development. Amazingly, the company brought … Continue reading
The Honda CB750 has been immortalized by a Japanese jeweler
The Honda CB750 revolutionized the motorcycle industry when it was launched in 1969. Widely considered the first superbike, it featured an overhead cam, four-cylinder and front disc brake at a time when those features were considered the dominion of specialty … Continue reading
Kobe Bryant’s Toyota Land Cruiser has been restored, thanks to Shaq
The mother of late basketball star Kobe Bryant recently received a surprise, courtesy of Bryant’s former teammate Shaquille O’Neal. When Shaq noticed Bryant’s 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser at Pam Bryant’s house in dilapidated condition, he decided to pay for a … Continue reading
Motorcycles once ruled Japan’s touge roads
Touge is the Japanese word for “mountain pass” but thanks largely to Initial D and Best Motoring, when we hear it we think of AE86s and S13s drifting through hairpins in midnight battles. Back in the 80s, the touge also … Continue reading
Suzuki celebrates 40th anniversary of GSX-R motorcycle with special editions
The Suzuki GSX-R series has long been designed to be the hardest core of the crotch rockets. Others Japanese motorcycles were street bikes that were adapted for racing; the GSX-R was built as a race bike for the street. Incredibly, … Continue reading
The last Honda V10 to power Ayrton Senna is up for auction
Honda will soon be auctioning off the last V10 engine that powered Ayrton Senna’s rise to become the 1990 Formula 1 Drivers’ Champion, and helped McLaren-Honda clinch that year’s Constructors’ Championship. Until now, it’s been in Honda’s possession exactly as … Continue reading
Happy Independence Day from JNC
To commemorate the day 249 years ago when declared our independence from the British crown. This Tomica Nissan Fairlady Z has nothing to do with that, but a few years ago Japan’s favorite diecast toy company released a series of … Continue reading
