QotW: What automatic transmission JNC makes a great driver’s car?

Posted on September 18, 2023 by Ben Hsu

My wife knows how to drive a manual, but isn’t confident and doesn’t want to deal with it in traffic. Right now she sees driving as mostly an unavoidable chore, but my hope is that if we start off with a few weekend canyon drives and autocross events, she’ll begin to enjoy driving for its own sake. Once she feels more comfortable behind the wheel, perhaps she’ll graduate to a manual. She might never, and that’s okay. But that’s why the car we pick, a 25-year-or-older JNC, should be able to stand on its own as an automatic. The best scenario would be one that was never offered in a manual from the factory, thus avoiding any regrets for not getting the stick version.

What automatic transmission JNC makes a great driver’s car?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s in your ideal classic and daily two-car garage?“. Continue reading →

Posted in News | 17 Comments

American Honda Collection Hall officially opens at Honda HQ in Torrance, California

Posted on September 15, 2023 by Ben Hsu

In Japan carmakers proudly display their wares at their company headquarters, but that’s not always the case for their American subsidiaries. For years, Honda kept their US heritage collection in a warehouse — a nice one — but one that wasn’t truly accessible by the public. Back in July that warehouse quietly closed for good, and on September 12 reopened the official American Honda Collection Hall at its US headquarters building in Torrance, California. Continue reading →

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Honda Motocompo revived as Motocompacto electric foldable bike

Posted on September 14, 2023 by Dan Hsu

Honda has revived its foldable Motocompo city bike for the modern era. It’s called the Motocompacto, as trademark filing in 2020 revealed, and it’s a little bike that folds into a tidy rectangle. This time around, it’s electric. The original was paired with the Japan-market Honda City hatchback, but the new one is a standalone product you can buy on its own. It’s still designed to fit in the trunk of a car, though not a specific one, but the best part is that you can buy one at a Honda or Acura dealership the US. Continue reading →

Posted in Motorcycles | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Nissan Frontier Hardbody debuts loaded with retro 1980s nods

Posted on September 14, 2023 by Ben Hsu

Remember the Nissan Hardbody teaser from last week? It debuted today and as was foretold from the teaser it’s an option package on the Frontier rather than a distinct model. However, the package contains several nostalgic nods to the original D21 Our favorite is probably the 3-spoke block wheels that are essentially a carbon copy of their 1980s’ counterpart, just bigger. Continue reading →

Posted in Next Version | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Subaru could return to WRC thanks to Akio Toyoda

Posted on September 13, 2023 by Ben Hsu

Akio Toyota may have retired from being president of Toyota, but he appears to be active as ever when it comes to promoting cars. And it’s not just cars from his own company, which his grandfather founded, that he’s promoting. Not satisfied with showing up at a rally behind the wheel of a Honda, it has also been revealed that Toyoda-san, still a chairman at Toyota, is helping Subaru return to the World Rally Championship. Continue reading →

Posted in motorsport | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Chairman Akio Toyoda gives thumbs up from behind the wheel of a Honda

Posted on September 12, 2023 by Ben Hsu

If you needed further proof that Akio Toyoda is the most delightful car executive in the world, look no further. The former president of Toyota recently charmed Japan’s netizens when he was spotted at a rally event in Japan driving a Honda. “What kind of car is this?” the cameraman asks as Toyoda pulls up. With nothing short of total enthusiasm, the current Toyota chairman says, “It’s a Honda!” before chucking a thumbs up and driving off. Continue reading →

Posted in News | 4 Comments

QotW: What’s in your ideal classic and daily two-car garage?

Posted on September 11, 2023 by Steve Chang

Due to life circumstances, you have only two parking spaces at your residence and will for the foreseeable future. Fortunately the car gods have granted you one space for the JNC of your dreams, no questions asked except it must be 25 years or older. The other must be your daily driver for work and family-hauling duties. It can be however old you want, which means it also be a classic if that fits your particular needs. Please show your work (explain why you choose the cars you name).

What’s in your ideal classic and daily two-car garage?

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

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 13 Comments

Nissan Hardbody nameplate to be revived, likely with D21 3-spoke block wheels

Posted on September 7, 2023 by Ben Hsu

Nissan dropped a mysterious little teaser Thursday centered around the delightful D21 Hardbody. The no-nonsense compact pickup embodied the notion of form following function, and there was a minimalist beauty in its simplicity. We aren’t naive enough to think that Nissan will bring back the D21, but the press release reads, “The Hardbody legacy continues,” and “Beloved compact truck begins its next chapter Sept. 14.” As the Hardbody is one of our favorite trucks, consider our interest piqued. Continue reading →

Posted in News | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Toyota Century SUV design sketches show longer, wider body

Posted on September 7, 2023 by Ben Hsu

The dust is still settling from Toyota’s Century SUV bombshell, and strong opinions will continue to reverberate for some time. In the meantime, thanks to some design illustrations we can glimpse what those who worked on the car originally imagined. It’s not uncommon for there to be a huge chasm between what a designer intends and what is practical for packaging and production, but we can’t help but feel some opportunities were missed. Continue reading →

Posted in News | 7 Comments

The Toyota Century SUV is here

Posted on September 6, 2023 by Ben Hsu

At the time Toyota was developing the original Century, the most luxurious cars available in Japan were foreign made. Kiichiro Toyoda wanted to build a Japanese car that could go head-to-head with them, but Toyota’s experience in building passenger cars was in its infancy and the brand lacked the history-laden cachet of the marques it sought to challenge. “Heritage will come later. It would be forgery to pretend it exists, when it does not,” said Kenya Nakamura, the Century’s chief engineer. “We must create a completely new type of luxury car. The Achilles heel of luxury cars today is their inability to change.” This seems to be Toyota’s way of saying they need to change with the times. Continue reading →

Posted in News | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

QotW: What Honda model is the most Honda?

Posted on September 5, 2023 by Ben Hsu

Honda has made some fantastic vehicles in its 75 years as a company. But if you had to pick just one car to represent the distilled essence of Honda, what would it be? From the humble Civic CVCC to the world-beating NSX, there’s a tremendous breadth of engineering excellence under the H banner. Is it even possible to narrow it down to just one? Maybe not, but make your arguments here.

What Honda model is the most Honda?

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 car commercial?“. Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 19 Comments

How Toyota recreated its long-lost first race car from scratch after 70 years

Posted on September 1, 2023 by Ben Hsu

At long last Toyota has revealed the full story of how they recreated their first race car, the 1951 Toyopet Racer. News of the car’s existence was only made public last year, and after 71 years lost to history no examples had survived. Toyota sought to build a replica from scratch, and though the car was primitive by today’s standards the project, even with all the manufacturing might behind one of the largest automakers in the world, proved much more difficult than it might seem at first. Continue reading →

Posted in motorsport | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

The Toyota Century SUV sure looks like it’s happening

Posted on August 31, 2023 by Ben Hsu

Toyota has released a teaser showing a white-gloved chauffeur hand resting on the door handle of a tall and upright black vehicle. What else could this be but the rumored Century SUV? It was rumored to arrive before the end of 2023 and camouflaged test mules have already been spotted all over Japan. It’s as good as official, people. Continue reading →

Posted in News | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Sam Mitani’s Red Mist packs action and espionage with Japanese cars

Posted on August 30, 2023 by Ben Hsu


In his second novel, former International Editor for Road & Track magazine Sam Mitani continues to blend gripping action and international intrigue with fast cars, most of which are Japanese. It’s not hard to understand why. Almost 30 years ago Mitani put Japanese tuner cars on the greater automotive map when he gathered legends like GReddy, RE-Amemiya, and Veilside for a seminal R&T article that showed pre-internet Americans there was more to the aftermarket than  Saleen Mustangs and Callaway Corvettes.

From the moment you open the cover, Red Mist is nonstop action where the hero drives cars like a Lexus RC F, Mazda RX-7, and Subaru WRX STI. Fans of action thrillers tend to geek out over gadgets like cars, aircraft, and weapons, and it can be frustrating when a story doesn’t get these details right. That is never the case with Red Mist.  Continue reading →

Posted in JNC Library | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Datsun Fairlady, Skyline, Miata star in High Card anime

Posted on August 29, 2023 by Steve Chang

There’s a new anime series out that looks to feature some cool classic cars. We haven’t actually seen High Card, but the trailer and opening credits include a healthy dose of automotive mayhem. The plot sounds completely cuckoo-bananas ridiculous, but the star car is apparently a Datsun Fairlady roadster, and plenty of other real-world cars appear throughout. Continue reading →

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QotW: What’s your favorite Japanese car commercial?

Posted on August 28, 2023 by Steve Chang

Today, August 28, is the 70th anniversary of Japan’s first television broadcast and, thus, it is also the 70th anniversary of Japan’s first television commercial. TV signals began beaming at 11:20 am; the first commercial aired 40 minutes later. It was supposed to be a Seiko spot announcing the first noon on TV, but a mistake in the studio caused the film to be reversed and the sound muddled. The ad was halted after three seconds. Another version announcing 7:00 pm aired that evening as the second commercial. Since then, Japanese TV spots have evolved to an art form all its own.

What’s your favorite Japanese car commercial?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s the worst trend in car culture these days?”. Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 18 Comments

Tokyo’s Rainbow Bridge, monument of legendary street races, turns 30 years old

Posted on August 25, 2023 by Ben Hsu

No blast down Tokyo’s legendary Wangan would be complete without an encounter with the Rainbow Bridge. The 2,618-foot suspension bridge links the city’s Shuto expressway to the Bayshore Route, sites of Tokyo’s storied street racing scenes. On August 26, the famed landmark of the hashiriya celebrates its 30th anniversary. Continue reading →

Posted in Nihon Life | 3 Comments

Toyota Celica, the first convertible with 4-wheel-steering

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Steve Chang

Today, August 24, is the birthday of a car that is pretty unique in the annals of automotive history. It’s the day the fifth-generation Toyota Celica Convertible was introduced, a car that most observers don’t think of as being particularly noteworthy. However, this humble Celica has the distinction of being the first factory convertible equipped with 4-wheel steering. Continue reading →

Posted in News | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Tokyo Landscapes circa 1971

Posted on August 23, 2023 by Matt De Mangos

In 1971 NHK went around Tokyo documenting scenes of everyday life. The footage shows a vibrant city full of hope and possibility. From children checking out at Mazinger Z toys in a Ginza department store to advertisements for Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury at the Nichigeki theater, it’s a time warp to an age when the capital was booming. Cars aren’t the focus of the hour-long film but they pop in and out of the many street scenes, making us drool over brand-new Mazda Savanna RX-3s and Nissan Bluebird 510s. Continue reading →

Posted in Showa Snap | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Robot Detective‘s Joker — Guess the Car!

Posted on August 22, 2023 by Steve Chang

If you grew up watching Ultraman or Power Rangers you’ve seen a tokusatsu television series. Meaning “special photography” in Japanese, these action shows for kids usually had a sci-fi theme and used elaborate costumes and primitive live-action special effects to populate a world of superheroes, robots, and/or aliens. Of course, these characters needed similarly futuristic vehicles to get around in. This often resulted in regular cars dressed up as ornate, crime-fighting machines that were completely unrecognizable from their base models. Welcome to a new series on JNC where you guess the tokusatsu car.  Continue reading →

Posted in Film/TV | Tagged , | 13 Comments