Hiroyuki Hasegawa, co-founder and the “H” of renowned Japanese tuning house HKS, has passed away at the age of 71.
A former Yamaha engineer, Hasegawa founded HKS in October, 1973 in a small shed at the base of Mt Fuji in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture. With a mission to develop an “original racing engine” for the Japanese aftermarket, HKS set out to create high-performance engine components beyond what automakers were willing to produce. Continue reading
With the prices of the most popular models entering unattainable status for a lot of younger JNCers, we felt it necessary to highlight some painfully overlooked — often for no good reason at all — yet still affordable (for now) nostalgics. Consider the following: The Nissan Pulsar NX. Continue reading
Will the Honda Collection Hall ever run out of vehicles to demonstrate? It’s positively amazing that not only do they have the cars, but that they are all kept up in running condition, whether they be motorcycles, cars, or racing machines.
Often we focus on Civics and NSXes, but the company has a hugely impressive range of accomplished competiton veterans. Very few companies can boast a lineup that offers both transportation for the masses and champions in the highest echelons of motorsports. Behold the sons of Soichiro! Continue reading
SevenStock just completed its nineteenth showing. Befitting its namesake, the event is a festival for and by the rotary Mazda community and the largest such annual gathering in the world! Once again throngs of brapping Mazdas occupied the tarmac of Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California for a day of not just show, but also track time. As such, spectators domestic and international were treated to a sweet assault of all senses. Continue reading
As is always the case with SEMA, there’s a ton of stuff to see, and a lot that doesn’t fit into any of the other categories (or any category, for that matter). As our senior editor Dave Yuan puts it, it’s an orgy of automotive excess. Here’s all the rest of the JNC-relevant sights and sounds from this year’s show. Continue reading
It was only fitting that a video in which Fast & Furious star Sung Kang and designer Magnus Walker meet and drive each other’s cars debut during SEMA week. After all, Sung’s Fugu Z Datsun was the star of the show last year, and Magnus’s 277 might just be the most famous 911 in the Porsche tuning world. Both Datsuns and Porsches are red-hot on every part of the automotive spectrum right now, from vaping hipsters to plaid pantsed concoursers.
QotW: What JNC is most “on trend” right now?
As always, the most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What JNCs would you like to see at SEMA?” Continue reading
You’ve seen what Mazda, Toyota, and Honda have done for SEMA. Nissan had no official presence, but one thing is clear. Of all the old school Japanese marques, among customizers, none is more beloved than Datsun. Continue reading
It was 1990 all over again at the Honda booth. There wasn’t much in the way of proper Soichiro-era steel, but the new Acura NSX was one of the biggest OEM hits at the show. People gawked non-stop. We waited 40 minutes to try to get the shot above, eventually gave up, and then stayed for half an hour after the show closed to take the snap. Continue reading
For the 50th anniversary of the Corolla, Toyota brought out one of its best SEMA displays ever, which included one example of every generation of the world’s best-selling nameplate. That alone would have been a pretty awesome display already, but Toyota went a step further, pulling out a grip of non-Corolla classics from their museum to match their current lineup. Continue reading
They were teased last week, now they’ve been revealed at the 2016 SEMA Show. The pair of driver-focused Miatas will never see production, but they exist to show what is important to the company, and to offer two wildly different takes on how to accomplish the same purpose — carving the road with a stupid grin plastered to your mug. Continue reading
Mount Fuji holds a unique position in the minds of both Japanese and visitors alike. There is nothing else quite like it anywhere else in this world, and even many of those who have never visited the country are aware of its role in its lore and history. Quite simply, it is a symbol of Japan. And if it had a counterpart in the automotive world that could represent its stature and grace, that counterpart would unquestionably be the Toyota 2000GT. Continue reading
What’s the scariest thing to the owner of an old car? Having to pop the hood. You never know what you’re going to find under there. Have a safe and happy Halloween!
The biggest aftermarket show in the world is taking place this week, and JNC is headed to the automotive circus. Last year Datsuns were hot and it seemed like the aftermarket was finally recognizing the Nihon classics. What’s next?
Which JNCs would you like to see at SEMA?
As always, the most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What JNC would Dracula drive (and why)?” Continue reading
Unveiled at the JNC booth last Sunday was a one-two punch of miniature Mazda magnificence. First came the cult classic Rotary Engine Pick-Up, but this next casting needs no introduction. The unmistakable profile belongs to none other than the FD3S Mazda RX-7. Continue reading
Those who stopped by our booth last Sunday may have noticed a few sneak peeks from our friends at Hot Wheels, hand-delivered in a nondescript plastic bag by designer Jun Imai himself. The first of them is a brand new casting for 2017, the Mazda REPU. Continue reading
Today’s Kidney Car is a rarity, but it probably won’t even cost you an internal organ. Offered for sale on Craigslist Detroit is a 1986 Plymouth Conquest flatside for the sweet, sweet price of just $2,500. Continue reading
It’s that time of the year, the automotive spectacle that is SEMA is almost upon us. Manufacturers have begun to preview their builds soon to debut in ‘Vegas. For their part, Mazda just dropped a pair of special MX-5 Miatas.
Corporate reports are the best! Said pretty much no one. Imagine our delight then when we found some cool and fun stuff as part of the latest Sustainability Report from Mazda: a make-your-own paper craft lineup.
Toyota had always described their Scion brand, which was axed earlier this year, as not just a car marque but a “lifestyle brand.” People seemed to either lament its passing or thought it was a horrible idea to begin with. As it turns out, Trump Hotels liked the name so much that they decided to revive it for a new — you guessed it — “lifestyle brand” of hotels. Continue reading
Halloween is nearly upon us so why not go for a fun one! There are many iterations of Dracula over the years. He supposedly is hundreds of years old. He’s seen the ages go by so why wouldn’t he get himself a JNC? Be fun, be creative!
What JNC would Dracula drive (and why)?
As always, the most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What defines the era of known as JNC” Continue reading
