QotW: What would you put in a JNC theme park?

Posted on October 16, 2023 by Steve Chang

A few weeks ago we asked what you would put in a Mitsubishi theme park. It’s something worth considering since the Mitsubishi Group is actually building one. But that may have been too restrictive. Today, October 16, happens to be the 100th anniversary of Disney, so we’re giving you a blank check to build your own JNC theme park with whatever attractions you can dream up. Will there be an arcade with every driving game ever made? A Watanabe-shaped ferris wheel? A roller coaster that simulates a race on the Shuto?

What would you put in a JNC theme park?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your favorite Japanese truck?“. Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | 8 Comments

Akio Toyoda admits he’s pushing for a Celica (and Subaru and Mitsubishi WRC) revival from behind the scenes

Posted on October 13, 2023 by Ben Hsu

Akio Toyoda is no longer president of Toyota. We were sad to hear of his resignation, as he is was the most outspoken “car guy CEO” in the industry. His advocacy for fun-to-drive cars resonated throughout Toyota and Japan at large. However, it seems that retirement has given Toyoda the freedom to do even more for enthusiasts, even subtly pulling the strings to champion the revival of the Celica. Continue reading →

Posted in Next Version | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Mitsubishi teases next Delica ahead of Tokyo reveal

Posted on October 12, 2023 by Ben Hsu

This year the theme of the Japan Mobility Show (formerly Tokyo Motor Show) for several companies seems to be historic models that represent their respective brand identities. For Mazda, it’s all about the Miata. For Honda, it’s the City. For Daihatsu, it’s the Copen. For Mitsubishi it appears to be the overlander’s darling, the Delica, and it’s really leaning into the whole off-road adventure van angle. Continue reading →

Posted in Tokyo Motor Show | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Mazda teases next-gen Miata’s rear end

Posted on October 11, 2023 by Ben Hsu

As we near the event formerly known as the Tokyo Motor Show (now rebranded as Japan Mobility Show), Japan’s carmakers are releasing teasers of what they’ll be showing off. It’s Mazda’s turn, and they’ve announced that the theme for the 2023 show will be all about the Miata. The teaser they’ve revealed is likely the next-generation Roadster/MX-5/Miata, but we’ve all basically seen the whole thing already. Continue reading →

Posted in Tokyo Motor Show | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Daihatsu Vision Copen is gloriously retro and rear-wheel-drive

Posted on October 10, 2023 by Ben Hsu

The original Daihatsu Copen was a decent enough kei car. By the time it was introduced in 2002, the Bubble Era craziness that spawned the Mazda AZ-1, Honda Beat, and Suzuki Cappuccino had faded. Those were legit kei sports cars and the front-wheel-drive Copen more of a cute cruiser. Now, Daihatsu has revealed a concept called the Vision Copen that transforms it into a droolworthy Miata-fighter. Continue reading →

Posted in Tokyo Motor Show | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

QotW: What’s your favorite Japanese truck?

Posted on October 9, 2023 by Steve Chang

Today, October 9, is Truck Day in Japan. Like many such days, the occasion is a pun on the word toraku, which means “truck” in Japanese. The syllables to and raku are alternate pronunciations of 10 and 9, respectively. While the holiday was started by the Japan Trucking Association, established in 1954 to promote the interests of cargo haulers, it’s not a stretch to include pickups, kei trucks, vans, and other workhorses from Japan’s long history of trucks.

What’s your favorite Japanese truck?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Do you give your cars names and, if so, what are they?“. Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 10 Comments

Toyota Baby Lunar Cruiser takes FJ40 heritage to other worlds

Posted on October 6, 2023 by Ben Hsu

If you had to take one production vehicle on an extraterrestrial expedition, the Toyota Land Cruiser would be a pretty solid pick. The designers at CALTY, Toyota’s southern California studio, seem to agree. As part of their 50th anniversary celebration, they’ve dreamed up the Baby Lunar Cruiser, an off-road vehicle inspired by the FJ40 that’s meant for exploring non-Earth lands. Continue reading →

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Never before seen Toyota concepts mark 50 years of first southern California design studio

Posted on October 5, 2023 by Ben Hsu

This week marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of CALTY Design Research, Toyota’s southern California design studio. Today, almost every non-US auto company has a studio in this mecca of car culture, but Toyota was the first. To mark the occasion, Toyota has released some images of CALTY-developed concept cars that have never before been shown to the public. Continue reading →

Posted in concepts, News | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Toyota GR86 meets its Initial D and MF Ghost predecessors in new ad

Posted on October 4, 2023 by Steve Chang

Toyota has teamed up with the creator of Initial D and MF Ghost again in a new ad. The spot features the new GR86, the old 86, and the really old AE86 on a late night touge run while a eurobeat soundtrack blares in the background. The release of this commercial is timed to coincide with the recent launch of the MF Ghost anime series and even features a foreword by author Shuichi Shigeno. Continue reading →

Posted in cm | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toyota Tacoma with FJ60 Land Cruiser face is Flex Auto’s first USDM offering

Posted on October 3, 2023 by Steve Chang

Last year we reported that Flex Auto was opening its first US office. The Japanese company is known for grafting old school noses onto modern Toyota vehicles, mostly classic Land Cruisers and HiAce vans. Upon opening their first American branch, they got busy working that same magic on a USDM truck, the Toyota Tacoma. Continue reading →

Posted in News | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

QotW: Do you give your cars names and, if so, what are they?

Posted on October 2, 2023 by Steve Chang

Today, October 2, is National Name Your Car Day. According to National Day Calendar it was created by a TV personality named John Pertzborn from St. Louis in 1990. No one gives a name to their fridge or clothes dryer, but cars are unique among machines. They carry us to and from important life events. They’re our sanctuaries where we can sing and cry and shout in way we wouldn’t in front of others. We’re sad when we we have to let them go. We see them as trusty companions with distinct personalities. Cars are our sidekicks, our comrades, our confidants.

Do you give your cars names and, if so, what are they?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What would you put in a Mitsubishi theme park?“. Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 19 Comments

JCCS Preview: A Toyota Celica Supra is the first ever JCCS “Event Car”

Posted on September 29, 2023 by Dan Hsu

The Japanese Classic Car Show has always had great memorabilia, from dash plaques to T-shirts to stickers. This year the JCCS crew have come up with something truly special, their first “event car”. It’s a 1982 Toyota Supra in TRD USA racing tricolor, and it’s a beaut. Continue reading →

Posted in minicars | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

JCCS Preview: Sam Mitani’s Red Mist book signing

Posted on September 28, 2023 by Dan Hsu


Are you revved up for the 2023 Japanese Classic Car Show yet? If you’re going, we have a special announcement that you might be interested in. Sam Mitani, former International Editor of Road & Track, will be a the JNC booth for a book signing of his new novel, Red Mist.

Sam will be at our booth from 11am-12pm, There will be a very limited number of paperback copies of Red Mist at the event, but you can also bring your own. Look for a booth with a red awning and Japanese Nostalgic Car flags.

The 2023 JCCS takes place Saturday, October 7, from 9am to 3pm at Marina Green Park in Long Beach, California. Hope to see you there!

Posted in jccs | Tagged | Leave a comment

Initial D sequel anime MF Ghost debuts next week

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Steve Chang

If you’ve been jonesing for some automotive anime action, your time has come. MF Ghost, the long awaited follow-up to Initial D, will make its debut this coming Sunday. Like its predecessor, it follows the tale of an unlikely racing hero, who takes down far more powerful cars in a Toyota 86. This time, rather than an AE86, it’s the first-generation Toyota 86 (aka Scion FR-S). Continue reading →

Posted in manga | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Honda City modernized for Tokyo Motor Show and it comes with a small bike

Posted on September 26, 2023 by Ben Hsu

The Tokyo Motor Show is about to kick off, and Honda is first to the gates with a retro-modern concept. The Sustaina-C looks like a modern Honda City, and it was even revealed with a new bike, the Honda Pocket, which may or may not be foldable. Could it be the next City and Motocompo duo? Continue reading →

Posted in News, Tokyo Motor Show | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

QotW: What would you put in a Mitsubishi theme park?

Posted on September 25, 2023 by Ben Hsu

We recently learned that Mitsubishi is opening a theme park in Japan. While not automotive-themed, we do hope that they include at least some nods to their automotive division’s long history. Why not include a Pajero jungle cruise, Lancer Evolution roller coaster, or Mirage bumper cars? The possibilities are endless. For some reason, the Mitsubishi Group mothership has put you in charge of developing Mitsubishi-land.

What would you put in a Mitsubishi theme park?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What automatic transmission JNC makes a great driver’s car?“. Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 9 Comments

Toyota celebrates 40 years of AE86 with GR86 anniversary edition

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Ben Hsu

The iconic Toyota AE86 was introduced to the world in 1983 in Japan, making this year the 40th anniversary of the beloved classic. So it was only fitting that Toyota mark the occasion by releasing a tribute edition of the GR86. While the package is mostly cosmetic, there are many nods to the Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno that inspired it. Continue reading →

Posted in Next Version | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Yokohama Advan erasers remove marks instead of leaving them

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Steve Chang

A lot of the merch that automotive companies make is pretty generic. I mean, is there really anything special about a Toyota-branded water bottle or a Nissan ball-point pen? Every once in a while, though, an absolutely genius idea results in the perfect promotional item. Such is the case with Yokohama’s Advan tread-pattern erasers. Continue reading →

Posted in Aftermarket | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Mitsubishi won’t build a Lancer Evolution but it will build a Disneyland-sized theme park in Japan

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Steve Chang

As car enthusiasts we desperately want Mitsubishi to show some sign of life, preferably by building a Lancer Evolution XI or even a new Pajero/Montero. Then we read about how instead of lending a helping hand to its car division, it’s building a gigantic theme park in Japan that will rival Tokyo Disneyland in size. The proposal was announced by the city of Yokohama last week. Continue reading →

Posted in News | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Mazda RWD straight-six sports sedan might not be dead yet

Posted on September 20, 2023 by Ben Hsu

Hallelujah! The on-again, off-again Mazda FR straight-six sports sedan might not be completely dead yet. A new report out of Japan says that Hiroshima might be proceeding with the project, which was slated to be the next Mazda 6. Last we heard, it had been shelved in favor of SUVs, but it looks like the SUVs might just be its savior. Continue reading →

Posted in News | 9 Comments