Author Archives: Steve Chang
Japan’s carmakers to jointly relax standards for what makes a part defective
It’s well known that Japanese carmakers employ the highest quality standards in the entire industry. Parts with even the smallest defects are discarded, ensuring that the finished product will be the benchmarks by which all others are judged. However, due … Continue reading
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We regret to inform you that Mitsubishi has desecrated the Eclipse name even more
Mitsubishi has once again exhumed the Eclipse name and slapped it on a car completely unrelated to the sports coupe it originated with. We’re not sure what’s more incongruous, the fact that the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback is an electric … Continue reading
QotW: Which Japanese crossover will be the first classic?
If you lived through the 90s, you saw the rise of crossovers as the downfall of humanity. They were called names like soft-roaders, cute-utes, faux-by-fours. It seemed impossible that people would one day think of them as desirable classics, but … Continue reading
QotW: Why do you like cars?
Today, May 25, is Car Day in Japan. It was established by Yanase, one of the largest importers and dealer chains in Japan, in 2015 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the company’s founding on May 25, 1915. One of … Continue reading
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After a decade, the new Shuto Route 1 between Tokyo and Haneda is almost complete
One of the things non-car things that car enthusiasts can appreciate about Japan is its amazing infrastructure. Whereas pothole-riddled roads in the US are perpetually bandaged over, Japan goes through great lengths to completely rebuild entire roads when needed. Tokyo … Continue reading
Toyota to reprise starring role in ‘Baywatch’ reboot, and it’s the only realistic choice
The hit 90s television show Baywatch is getting a reboot. While cars weren’t typically an integral part of the story, they still played a key part in defining the show’s the perpetually sunny beachscape. It was announced yesterday that Toyota … Continue reading
The OG Mazda RX-7 FD joins ‘Gran Turismo 7’ in March update
Finally, the FD Mazda RX-7 has joined Gran Turismo 7. With the March 2026 update, the racing sim finally gets the early version of the FD that most closely resembles what we got in the US. It only took four … Continue reading
Nissan Cube to Hakosuka conversion kit could not be more apt
The second-generation Nissan Cube is one of the great modern compacts. Its styling is unprecedented, unapologetically boxy and, above all, asymmetrical. It’s like a modern Pike car mass produced by Nissan itself. However, if you still feel that your Cube … Continue reading
QotW: What are your rules for parking your car in public?
On this day in 1959, Tokyo installed its first parking meter in front of the Metropolitan Government building (near what is now the Tokyo International Forum) in Yurakucho. The cost was ¥10 for 15 minutes. Around the same time, Tokyo … Continue reading
OS Giken Fairlady Z’s touge run is pure twin-cam music
There’s lots of buzz about NISMO’s twin-cam L-series head, but there’s been another one that has existed for much longer. The DOHC OS Giken TC24-B1Z was conceived 50 years ago, but is so rare and expensive that only 20 are … Continue reading
QotW: What will you gift your car next?
It’s the season of giving to your loved ones, but no one said those loved ones had to be human. Cars require love and attention as well, and sometimes getting them a much-needed part or devoting some garage time will … Continue reading
Dead Kennedys lead singer has surprisingly good opinions on the Toyota Celica Convertible he’s auctioning
Punk legend Jello Biafra, frontman for the Dead Kennedys, is auctioning off his 1989 Toyota Celica GT convertible. The foundational punk band was known for their satirical lyrics and skewering of the cultural and political establishments, and the Celica is … Continue reading
A Nissan Sunny B310 is being restored by students in Japan
Many of the most prominent automotive technical colleges in Japan are associated with OEMs. The students who graduate funnel directly into those companies or service centers of that particular brand. However, there are less known schools that are also doing … Continue reading
Supra Turbo, Prelude Si, Mitsubishi Galant: Japanese cars at the 1987 LA Auto Show
The Los Angeles Auto Show opens tomorrow. It was once one of the four “tier one” shows (others were Detroit, Chicago, and New York, Chicago), where automakers would unveil their new models with press conferences and big production numbers. The … Continue reading
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Tagged a70, galant, Galant E10, honda, mitsubishi, prelude, supra, toyota
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‘Gran Turismo’ fan-made ‘Beige Edition’ lets you play regular traffic cars
Speaking of ways to kill time, a new fan-made update to Gran Turismo 2 is coming. One of the many groundbreaking aspects of Gran Turismo was its sheer volume of playable cars. That allowed developers to include not just the … Continue reading
Jay Leno pits Toyota Supra TT against Mercedes Evo II and Aston Martin Vantage
The latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage centers around a comparison test of sorts. Three non-American “muscle cars” — hailing from Japan, Germany, and Britain — face off. It’s a battle between a 1994 Toyota Supra twin-turbo, 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E … Continue reading
In Toyota ‘Grip’ movie GR allies with the dark side, teases fourth GR model
Toyota’s latest installment of Grip, its “anime” about human drivers in a world of automated cars, has been released. Unlike previous minute-long episode, this chapter is nearly nine minutes long and features plenty of tire-smoking action from animated cars from … Continue reading
Modified Nissan Patrol continues the vintage SUV lineup at SEMA
Looks like the vintage action at SEMA is in SUVs. Like Toyota’s turbocharged FJ60 Land Cruiser, Nissan has reached into its off-road past and modified a Y60 Patrol. with some serious shove underhood. Unlike the Toyota, the this generation of … Continue reading
