Category Archives: News
Japan’s motorsports history unfolds at Suzuka Circuit in the 1960s
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Suzuka Circuit. Japan’s first full-scale race track. It was the brain child of Soichiro Honda, who so fervently believed in racing as a means to improve his motorcycles and cars, he carved out … Continue reading
The Nissan Z configurator is now online, so this is how we’d build one
After what feels like eons of waiting, the time has finally come when you can get a new Z. Nissan has just launched its online configurator, prompting us to wonder how we would build a new Z. When a JNC … Continue reading
Nissan Z with revised grille, NISMO seats spotted testing in Los Angeles and Arizona
A new Nissan Z test mule has been spotted testing on Angeles Crest Highway near Los Angeles and in Arizona. Notably, it features a revised grille that evokes the Fairlady Z432R-inspired prototype unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January. … Continue reading
How Honda celebrated 50 years of the Civic
Yesterday Honda launched the new Civic Type R, but the occasion was more than just the debut of Honda’s latest FF rocket. Honda also took the opportunity to celebrate the Civic’s 50th birthday with a lineup of multiple body styles … Continue reading
Rent a classic Toyota on your next trip to Japan
About five years ago a bunch of automakers were trying to rebrand themselves as “mobility companies” to deal with the shifting trends of the industry. Car ownership was dead! People were just going to pay subscriptions to borrow a car … Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged a20, a70, celica, corolla, corolla levin, Kinto Vintage Club, soarer, supra, te27, toyota, z10
5 Comments
Toyota Crown sedan lives on as model expands into new segments
Thank the car gods that we were wrong. It turns out that the horrendously ugly Toyota Crown that we’re getting in the US is only one version of the Crown. There’s actually four versions of the car, including a rear-wheel-drive … Continue reading
Shinzo Abe carried through Tokyo by Toyota Century limousine hearse
After his assassination on July 8, the body of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was carried to its final resting place in a Toyota Century limousine hearse. Toyota’s most elegant car is a fitting way to travel through Tokyo for … Continue reading
1982 Nissan Laurel Givenchy Version welcomed to Nissan Heritage Collection
The family that founded one of Japan’s largest department store chains was doing some spring cleaning recently and stumbled upon an entire car. Not just any car, but an impeccably preserved, one-owner 1982 Nissan Laurel Turbo Medalist Givenchy Version. What’s … Continue reading
Happy 620 Day from JNC
The Datsun 620’s simple yet stylish lines are timeless. Somehow Nissan designers managed to create a truck that looked good without a bunch of unnecessary flourishes or overly ornate grilles. The only embellishment, if it could be called that, was … Continue reading
Posted in News
2 Comments
Retro Land Cruiser builder Flex Auto to open first US dealership
If you love Toyota Land Cruisers, you’ve probably come across the Japanese firm Flex Auto’s restomods before. The shop specializes in transforming modern vehicles into their older counterparts. Their most popular offerings include J80 or J100 Land Cruisers with J60 … Continue reading
Acura Integra Type R driven by 86-year-old made new again
You hear about the “little old lady” driven sports cars still with their original owners, but how many of those stories are actually true? In the case of one Acura Integra Type R, the story is not simply myth. The … Continue reading
Mitsubishi Fuso built its first vehicle 90 years ago at a shipyard
It has now been 90 years since the first vehicle to wear the Mitsubishi Fuso brand was built. The sub-brand’s lineup of heavy-duty trucks and buses has been part of Japan’s automotive landscape for nearly a century. While perhaps not … Continue reading
Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Edition celebrates four decades of 4Running
The Toyota 4Runner, or HiLux Surf as it’s known as in Japan, debuted in October 1983. In simplest terms, it was a a HiLux pickup with an extra row of seats and a fiberglass bed canopy on it. Now, for … Continue reading
Nissan restores the Zexel R32 Skyline GT-R that won the 24 Hours of Spa
In 1991, while the R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R was busy at home winning every single race in the All-Japan Touring Car Championships in a four-year span, it also took the time to win the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Built to … Continue reading
Best Motoring episode created using only Gran Turismo 7 footage
Despite some early (now fixed) issues, Gran Turismo 7 has proven to be one of the best installments in the PlayStation racing series. It’s a continuation of what made fans fall in love with the franchise in the first place, … Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged A80, best motoring, fd3s, gran turismo, honda, lancer evolution, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, nsx, r34, rx-7, skyline, supra, toyota, Tsukuba Circuit
3 Comments
The history of Japanese Rally Cars at the Toyota Automobile Museum
The Toyota Automobile Museum recently ended a special exhibit about the history of Japanese cars in rallying. As those who’ve visited the TAM will know, despite the name, the institution welcomes all marques. As such, the exhibit assembled cars from … Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged daihatsu, datsun, mazda, mitsubishi, nissan, suzuki, toyota, Toyota Automobile Museum, wrc
4 Comments
