QotW: What’s your ultimate SUV restomod project?

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Ben Hsu

Last week Acura unveiled a very cool thing: a restomodded SLX with a modern RDX engine and drivetrain. It was clever, challenging, and unexpected — all the hallmarks of a great build. Since SUVs and crossovers outsell sedans these days, maybe it’s time to start souping up these AWD family haulers like how the generation before made hot rods out of Sentras and Accords.

What’s your ultimate SUV restomod project?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What should we do about the manual transmission?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 16 Comments

EVENTS: Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Mazda’s iconic roadster at the Miata Reunion

Posted on December 6, 2019 by Ben Hsu

There aren’t many cars like the Mazda Miata, and we don’t mean light, two-seat sports cars, even if their scarcity is indeed glaring these days. We’re talking about something even rarer — a machine that transcends the realm of car nerds speaking in chassis codes and enters the mainstream consciousness. Like Corvette or Beetle, Miata is a household name that even non-car people will know. It holds a very special place in motoring history, one that makes its three decades worthy of celebration. Continue reading →

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Acura resto-modded an SLX with 350-horsepower and a modern drivetrain

Posted on December 5, 2019 by Ben Hsu

When one ponders the modified Acura, it’s usually a B18C-swapped Integra or some kind of insane time attack NSX. The SLX is probably pretty far down that list, if one can remember that is exists at all. However, Acura — yes, the actual company — has just built what is certainly the world’s first resto-modded example and will debut at the Radwood SoCal show this Saturday. And dare we say it, the result is actually kind of awesome. Continue reading →

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They’ve gone to plaid: You can now buy reproduction plaid fabric for the first-gen Mazda RX-7

Posted on December 5, 2019 by Dave Yuan

Design patterns covering kyusha interiors fall into a special category of obsession for us. Who can resist the finely embossed crests in vinyl headrests, or the colorful swirls in 80s upholsteries? Unfortunately, these surfaces tend to be points of major wear, and sourcing replacements range from difficult to impossible. Now, a shop in Saitama Prefecture has risen to this restoration challenge by offering replacement fabric that reproduces the seat design patterns in classic Mazdas. Continue reading →

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MINICARS: Hot Wheels Japan Historics 3

Posted on December 4, 2019 by Ricky Silverio

For 2020, the Japan Historics series returns to Hot Wheels’ premium line with three all-new castings and metal-base versions of two popular models. The beautiful five-car series continues to fill in the gaps of Japan’s automotive history with a distinctively Hot Wheels twist, and if these prototypes are any indication, they will be flying off the pegs. Continue reading →

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TUNE UP: “Toyota Man” is an actual song by Indian Neon

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Ben Hsu

You can imagine our joy when we discovered that there was an actual song called “Toyota Man.” Unfortunately, upon further research, the new release by Neon Indian doesn’t really have much to do with Toyotas at all, even if the video features a snazzy red A70 Supra throughout. Continue reading →

Posted in Tune Up | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

The Shoei NXR Zork TC-7 is the raddest helmet

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Dan Hsu

We don’t often write about motorcycle helmets here on JNC, but when one comes along that is this striking, it’s hard to ignore. For 2020, Shoei is releasing a version of their popular NXR helmet slathered with 80s-inspired graphics, and it is called the Zork. Continue reading →

Posted in Motorcycles | Tagged | 7 Comments

VIDEO: How Japan’s best-selling compacts stacked up against the Ford Pinto

Posted on December 2, 2019 by Ben Hsu

Here is a 1977 Ford commercial that is great on several accounts. First, it pits a Pinto against the best-selling Japanese compacts, which include an E30 Toyota Corolla, first-gen Honda Civic, and Datsun B210 (Honey Bee!). Second, it has none other than three-time Formula 1 champion Jackie Stewart shilling for the Pinto. Continue reading →

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QotW: What should we do about the manual transmission?

Posted on December 2, 2019 by Ben Hsu

Last month, a turning point in automotive history was reached when electric vehicles outsold ones with manual transmissions. According to JD Power, stick-shifts accounted for 1.1 percent of new cars sold in America, while EVs accounted for 1.9 percent. The future looks bleak for the standard trans, indeed. Should we try to preserve this disappearing skill? Just enjoy it while we can? Welcome the march of technology?

What should we do about the manual transmission?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What job well done are you thankful for?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 33 Comments

VIDEO: The Toyota Camry Wagon is the quintessential family car

Posted on November 29, 2019 by Ben Hsu

We hope everyone is having a good Thanksgiving. Holidays, family get-togethers, road trips. These are the domain of the station wagon, and what better steed for the occasion than the longroof version of the 1992 Toyota Camry? The third-generation clan carrier was one of the sleekest wagons to come out of the 90s, but this contemporary Motorweek review disagreed vehemently. Here’s how a Camry Wagon was viewed at the time of its launch. Continue reading →

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Japanese Classic Car Show 2019: Upping the Game and Best in Show

Posted on November 27, 2019 by Dan Hsu

We are 60 percent of the way to the point where the JCCS itself, if it were a car, would be eligible for classic status. In its 15 years in existence, the Japanese Classic Car Show has grown from a small gathering of anything-goes “old cars” to a summit of the best examples of Nihon steel available in the US. It’s taken us a long time to get here, but we think the cars are worth it. Continue reading →

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See some rare Showa Era trucks at Mega Web right now

Posted on November 27, 2019 by Ben Hsu

If you’ve been to Tokyo you’ve likely visited MegaWeb, Toyota’s showroom in the Odaiba shopping district. The History Garage section has a rotating collection of classics, and typically you’ll be able to see a Toyota Sports 800, Mazda Cosmo Sport, Hakosuka Skyline, and more. And while seeing a Toyota 2000GT is nice, if you go right now you’ll be treated to a display of even rarer vehicles — trucks of the Showa Era. Continue reading →

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TUNE UP: An A60 Toyota Celica stars in Beck’s “Dark Places” video

Posted on November 26, 2019 by Ben Hsu

There’s definitely some 80s vibes going on in Beck’s new song “Dark Places,” off the album Hyperspace, which just dropped November 22. Lingering shots of the Los Angeles skyline, distant highway lights, and a woman driving a red A60 Toyota Celica make up the tableau of the moody video. Continue reading →

Posted in Tune Up | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

MINICARS: Nissan and Lego team up for an official GT-R set

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Ricky Silverio

In a 30-minute press conference in Yokohama this morning, Nissan announced a new licensing partnership with Lego. The first car to appear in the collaboration will be the GT-R NISMO, which will appear in the Lego Speed Champion series. In fact, it will help kick off a new format in the Lego Speed Champions line, which will now feature more detail and pieces than before. Continue reading →

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QotW: What job well done are you thankful for?

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Ben Hsu

Japan obviously doesn’t celebrate the same Thanksgiving Day as the US, but there’s a very similar holiday in Japan that occurs on November 23 each year. Labor Thanksgiving Day, or Kinrōkanshanohi, has its roots in a harvest festival, but in modern times honors workers and their role in society. Though many JNCers are do-it-yourselfers, there are always things we need help with, whether it’s from a tradesman, a good buddy, or the creator of some obscure part with which your project would otherwise be incomplete.

What job well done are you thankful for?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What should be inducted into the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame next?” Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 6 Comments

Happy Evolution Day from JNC

Posted on November 24, 2019 by Dan Hsu

We don’t think Charles Darwin had flying Mitsubishis in mind when he published On the Origin of Species in 1859, but nevertheless, here we are, 160 years later, to celebrate Evolution Day. All our ancestors were running across the savanna at one point in time or another. Some were just faster than others.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

VIDEO: The Toyota Land Cruiser helped build Australia

Posted on November 22, 2019 by Ben Hsu

Toyota Australia is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and the company is celebrating the brand’s early years in the country. The back story starts with the Snowy Mountains Scheme, Australia’s largest construction project. With seven power stations, 16 large dams, and 140 miles of tunnels, it took 25 years to complete. Toyota’s involvement began in 1958, about midway through its construction, when Leslie Theiss, owner of the company tasked with building the massive infrastructure project, privately imported 12 Land Cruisers to use on site. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

VIDEO: The Mitsubishi Galant GSX offered AWD in a sporty sedan package

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Ben Hsu

Everyone remembers the Eclipse GSX, Mitsubishi’s wildly popular sports coupe. Everyone also remembers the Galant VR-4, their rally-bred, turbocharged, AWD sedan. Before that arrived, however, Mitsubishi also offered a car that we almost forgot existed: the Galant GSX. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

VIDEO: Nissan gets the whole family together to celebrate 50 years of GT-R and Z

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Ben Hsu

As regular JNC readers know, 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Nissan GT-R and the Nissan Fairlady Z. The GT-R debuted on February 21, 1969 and the Fairlady Z debuted on October 18, 1969. Nissan has released two videos honoring these iconic models, showing every generation taking to the track. Continue reading →

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PIXELATED: Toyota Returns To Video Games in Forza Horizon 4

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Ryan Senensky

It’s official. Hot on the heels of a return to Hot Wheels’ lineup, Toyota is coming back to video games on December 12th with an update to Forza Horizon 4. After reportedly pulling their licensing out of video games that “promote street racing,” Toyota has reversed course and are beginning to allow video game companies to use their cars again. What is equally important about this news, however, is what car they chose to start with. Continue reading →

Posted in Video Games | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments