In 2021 Yamaha released the XSR900, a sports heritage bike inspired by the company’s Grand Prix championship victories in 1984. Now, the XSR900 GP takes that foundation and adds retro race bike coolness to the equation. Yamaha says it hearkens back to the “Golden Era” of Grand Prix motorcycle racing, paying tribute to iconic machines like the Yamaha YZR500. Continue reading
The Nissan Armada should’ve been renamed the Patrol
Nissan has unveiled the 2025 Armada, a three-row, body-on-frame SUV that enthusiasts from the rest of the world knows as the Patrol. But does the Armada name really have more cachet than Patrol, which is pretty much recognized globally as an off-road beast rivaling the almighty Toyota Land Cruiser? Nissan itself seems to wish they could call it the Patrol, introducing the 2025 Armada alongside a 1967 Patrol and hiding easter eggs in the Armada’s design that recognize the Patrol’s status as a global legend. Continue reading
QotW: Which once-derided Japanese car will make a comeback?
History is filled with flops, but even some of the worst cars get a second chance at glory after some time has passed. There are owners who now love Chrysler K-cars, Pontiac Azteks, Trabants, and other forms of automotive awfulness. The important difference is that these owners aren’t the original ones who bought the cars when new. They’re younger, second or third owners who specifically sought out the supposedly bad cars, like automotive hipsters. And in hindsight they realize that people have been too harsh. After all, is a Honda del Sol really that bad compared to any number of modern crossovers?
Which once-derided Japanese car will make a comeback?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your ultimate hashiriya build?“. Continue reading
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Subaru SVX getaway car in ‘Loaded Weapon 1’
The 1993 movie Loaded Weapon 1 was a National Lampoon parody of 80s action films like Lethal Weapon. It was completely nonsensical, but actually had some big name stars like Samuel L. Jackson, Emilio Estevez, and Tim Curry. To us, however, the real star was the Subaru SVX that appears briefly as the bad guy’s getaway car. Continue reading
This Kyosho Datsun 240Z Safari Rally RC car wants to empty my wallet
It’s been over 20 years since I messed around with radio control cars, but Kyosho’s new Datsun 240Z rally car could suck me back in. The body is based on the S30 Z that won the 19th running of the East African Safari Rally in 1971. And just like that car, it looks great tearing through the dirt. Continue reading
‘Nissan Love Story’ ad spans the decades with iconic cars
A new Japanese-market Nissan commercial tells a decades-long love story through classic cars. The spot is part of Nissan’s year-long 90th anniversary celebration, which began in December 2023. The ad features Nissan’s greatest hits in fast succession, promising a little something for everyone. Continue reading
Toyota and Huf continue partnership with Land Cruiser-inspired streetwear
Last year Toyota partnered with streetwear brand Huf for a line of clothing with a Toyota and TRD truck theme. This year the collab continues with a lineup of Land Cruiser-inspired apparel, timed to arrive with the return of the Land Cruiser nameplate. Most of the designs, however, feature classic Cruisers like the FJ40, FJ60, J70 and J80. Continue reading
QotW: What’s your ultimate hashiriya build?
The announcement of the first Tokyo Xtreme Racer title in two decades dropped last week, just a few days before the anniversary of the Rainbow Bridge’s opening on August 26, 1993. Coincidence? Probably, but it does raise the question of what kind of car you’d take midnight blast around a Tokyo expressway teeming with hashiriya. You’d need something with excellent high-speed stability, quick steering response, and strong brakes in case a random Hino wanders into your lane. Which Wangan-tuned racer capable of taking down the Devil Z will you choose?
What’s your ultimate hashiriya build?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your favorite Japanese motorcycle?“. Continue reading
Tokyo Xtreme Racer is coming back. Let’s rejoice!
Get ready to flash your high beams because a teaser for a new Tokyo Xtreme Racer has just dropped. It’s been 20 years since the last console installment of the beloved racing game. But developer Genki has just dropped a teaser hinting at a return to the series. Continue reading
Matchbox X JNC Mazda RX-3, 2024 Collectors Series
We are proud to introduce our the latest Matchbox car to feature the JNC inkan, the Mazda RX-3. Introduced in 1971, the early rotary-powered coupe was a pivotal step in Mazda’s ascension to motorsports glory, and has long deserved to be immortalized in diecast form. Let’s take a closer look at the car that will soon be on pegs at retail locations around the world. Continue reading
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‘Pink Subaru’ movie is full of Subarus, but is about life on the Israel-Palestine border
In the 1970s Japanese carmakers were fanning out across the globe, looking for markets that might be interested in their unique takes on the automobile. However, political tensions in the Middle East forced carmakers into a difficult choice. If they sold cars in Israel, the Arab League nations would boycott them in their far larger territory. Bigger companies like Toyota and Nissan didn’t want to jeopardize relationships with the Arab League nations, so they avoided Israel. Except Fuji Heavy Industries. And that is why the 2011 film that takes place on the Israel-Palestine border is called Pink Subaru. Continue reading
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Honda “NSX-type” sports car coming by decade’s end, says exec
Speaking to the press at Monterey Car Week, a top Honda exec has revealed that the company plans to launch a flagship performance sports car by the end of the decade. Rumors of an third-generation NSX have been swirling since August 2021 when then head of Acura Jon Ikeda said that there will be a halo car for the electric age. Now, almost exactly three years later, we have some more clues as to what this car might be. Continue reading
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QotW: What’s your favorite Japanese motorcycle?
Today, August 19, is Motorcycle Day in Japan. The date of the holiday comes from a pun. In Japanese, an alternate pronunciation of eight is ba, one is i, and nine is ku. Put them together and you have baiku, so 8/19 is Bike Day. Two-wheeled vehicles are much more prevalent in Japan than they are in America, from postal carriers on Super Cubs to speed junkies on Hayabusas. The range of bikes available there is much greater than in the U.S. as well. In fact, Japan’s history of motorcycles is probably as great or greater than its history of cars.
What’s your favorite Japanese motorcycle?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your favorite captive import?“. Continue reading
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Kidney, Anyone? 1985 Subaru XT 4WD Turbo with manual transmission
We feel that it is our duty to inform you that an absolutely amazing example of a Subaru XT is currently for sale on eBay Motors. The futuristic 80s wedge that is the Subaru XT is a rare machine and this one is not only a survivor, but one that’s better than what Subaru of America has in their official collection. Continue reading
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Toyota Celica could debut at Tokyo Auto Salon with 400 horsepower
After many months of rumors about a Celica revival, reports now say that the return of the Toyota sports coupe could come as early as five months from now. Not only that, but the Celica will reportedly be powered purely by gasoline to the tune of about 400 horsepower, putting it above the Supra in terms of performance and on par with the Nissan Z. Continue reading
A rare look at the 1965 Honda RA272 Formula 1 racer as it makes landfall in America
A Mazda PR rep once told us that every car in their museum in replaceable, even the original Chicago Auto Show Miatas, except one: the Le Mans-winning 787B. For Honda, that equivalent must be the 1965 RA272, the first Honda — the first Japanese car, period — to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix. If we were Honda, we’d never let it out of the Collection Hall, but this piece of history is currently on a world tour and has landed in America. Continue reading
Posted in motorsport
Tagged formula 1, Goodwood Festival of Speed, honda, monterey historics, ra272
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‘Seibu Keisatsu’ put a bomb on a runaway bus 12 years before ‘Speed’
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the unforgettable 1994 action film Speed. The Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock flick told the story of a cop trying to stop a moving city bus full of passengers from succumbing to a bomb planted on board by a terrorist. As it happens, a very similar plot was the opening episode of Japanese police drama Seibu Keisatsu Part II. Continue reading
QotW: What’s your favorite captive import?
On August 12, 1981 Suzuki, Isuzu, and General Motors signed a deal to co-develop compact cars. In hindsight we know that this deal didn’t result in any game-changing products. Instead, it produced a lot of rebadged models under the defunct Geo brand. History is littered with captive imports, cars produced by a foreign manufacturer but sold under a domestic brand. From the Mitsubishi-made Dodge Challenger to the GM-made Toyota Cavalier, these badge-engineered cars sometimes let customers buy a car that would have been otherwise unavailable in their market. Other times, it was just a lazy emblem swap. But they were once everywhere, and now a dying breed.
What’s your favorite captive import?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi dream build?” Continue reading
The fourth-gen Mitsubishi Mirage was peak Mirage
The Mitsubishi Mirage is dead. The Nissan Versa is now the only new car in America that costs below $20,000. But there was a time when the economy compact was one of the hottest, most competitive segments in the market. Hailing from that era was the fourth-gen Mitsubishi Mirage, the car that was the foundation for the legendary Lancer Evolution. But as it turns out, the base car was pretty neat too. Continue reading
Restored Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo to be unveiled at Monterey Historics
The game-changing Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo chassis 8801 is currently undergoing restoration and will be shown at the upcoming Monterey Historics later this month. Thirty-five years ago the prototype racer ended the Porsche 962’s dominance of the IMSA GTP class, in the process becoming the first Japanese car to win the 12 Hours of Sebring. It wasn’t all rainbows and roses though. The GTP ZX-Turbo experienced its share of hardships before achieving its historic successes. Continue reading
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