garage_fresh
04-13-2008, 11:45 PM
So I guess I'll kick this off with a conservative walkthrew of VIP for n00bies
thanks to yakuzasoarer for the info
Because knowing is half the battle!
VIPcar tuning and VIPstyle are two very different things, that are related by central themes. In Japan, the VIPcar culture is driven by the VIPcar clubs. The clubs set standards for which cars are and are not VIPcars. It is not the modifications of the car that give it VIP status, rather, its the chassis itself. Currently you will find the following cars in VIPcar clubs:
Note- there is a current trend in the major VIPcar clubs away from the older models. This does not mean that a first gen LS or GS is not a VIPcar, but it does mean that we will start seeing less and less of them at VIPcar meets, and in VIPcar magazine.
*I will be using Junction Produce pictures for this write up, do note however, that they are only one of MANY VIPcar tuning companies
Toyota:
Aristo
JZS161
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/16aristo/img/mae.jpg
JZS147
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/14aristo/img/aristo.m.jpg
Century
GZG50
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/century_gzg50/img/CENTURY_50_F_Vf.jpg
VG40
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/cenyury.vg40vg45/img/CENTURY_40_F-Vf.jpg
Celsior
UCF30/31
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/30celsior.z/img/30celsior.jpg
UCF20/21
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/20celsior/img/celsior.jpg
UCF10/11
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/10celsior/img/celsior.jpg
Crown Majesta or Athlete
JZS181
http://www.jp-boutique.jp/images/0408_crown_front.jpg
JZS171
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/17crown/img/12-a.jpg
JZS151
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/15crown/img/crown.m.jpg
JZS141
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/14crown/img/14.z.m.jpg
JZS131
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/13crown/img/13.m.jpg
Nissan:
Cima
F50
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/nissan/f50cima/img/50.m.jpg
Y33
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/nissan/y33cima/img/33.m.jpg
Y32
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/nissan/y32cima/img/32.m.jpg
Y31
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/nissan/y31%82%83ima/img/31.m.jpg
Q45 *note- first gen Q45 was sold as Q45 in Japan also
HG50
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/002premiums/infinitiq45/img/50m.jpg
Cedric/Gloria
Y34
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/nissan/y34cedric_gloria/img/s.m.jpg
Y33
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/nissan/y33cedric_gloria_gb_k/img/001.jpg
Y32
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/nissan/y32cedric_gloria/img/11.jpg
Y31
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/nissan/y31cedric_gloria/img/31.m.jpg
Fuga-(new M45) *The jury is still out on this car, similar to the current gen Aristo (UZS190)... Some companies have begun producing products for these cars, and I would expect them to start making a showing in the VIPcar club scene soon, but not much news is out on them at the moment
President
JHG50
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/nissan/president/img/president.z.m.jpg
Mazda:
Sentia (929)
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/11041929.jpg
Note- Junction Produce does not currently produce aero for the Sentia, so I had to use a picture from my personal collection...
-Which brings me to another point. Look at the JP cars, then look at the Sentia, they are all VIPcars with VIP tuning, but they are so different! This is what makes VIPcar tuning a very unique hobby. There are countless ways to modify the VIPcar, as long as there is an over-riding theme of Low, Wide, and Classy.
Wide:
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/032.jpg
The cars attempt to created a wider profile with the use of extremely wide wheels, aggressive low offsets, streched tires, negative camber, and fender work. The cars can sport stock aero, or extreme widebody aero (and all styles inbeteen)...
Low:
http://www.j-complete.com/top-photo.jpg
*Do note that the Jag above is not a VIPcar, but a VIPstyled car for sure- there are seperate clubs for VIPstyle Euros.
Most VIPcars run an air suspension, but coilovers will also work, as long as the car can be dumped. There is a bit of a debate in the VIPcar world as to how the tires should sit on a VIPcar;
-Some believe that the wheel and tire should tuck in the fender well:
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/501/medium/11041aristo41.jpg
-Others believe that the car should sit just above or even with the wheel:
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/hotVIP.jpg
Both styles are currently accepted.
Classy:
http://insurance-group.net/products/bluege/bl_table/bl_table_image.jpg
Small modifications are made to the car to make it more enjoyable to ride in. After all, a VIP does not drive himself (well actually they do, but they modify it to appear that it is for being driven in rather than driving.)
-Tint-
Be sure to note the curtaints in rear of this car and the green tint.
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/medium/sessionsY32.jpg
All black tint gives a VIPcar a very menacing look.
http://kta.cc/image/okaji2.jpg
The front windows often have a very light green or blue tint, while the rear windows are often times tinted as dark as possible. However, there are many other tinting styles and options. It is not rare to see a car with full black tint all the way around (windshield included) or light green tint all the way around. Curtains are often-times installed in the rear side windows and rear window. Pillows are placed in the rear to make the ride more enjoyable for the "very important passenger," and there will sometimes be ammenities like Screens, computer's, and small refrigerators in the back. Its all about class and comfort.
*This does not mean that there aren't VIPcars with "go-fast" modifications... Its not unheard of to see blowers on engines, custom turbo set ups, etc.
If you would like more info on VIPcars, I suggest that you find some copies of VIPcar magazine. This magazine exclusivly covers shows, clubs, and VIPcars in Japan. Its all Japanese, but even if you cant read Japanese, the pictures are worth it.
http://img.7andy.jp/bks/images/i7/M0001687.jpg
END of VIPcar write up, VIPstyle write up coming soon:
thanks to yakuzasoarer for the info
Because knowing is half the battle!
VIPcar tuning and VIPstyle are two very different things, that are related by central themes. In Japan, the VIPcar culture is driven by the VIPcar clubs. The clubs set standards for which cars are and are not VIPcars. It is not the modifications of the car that give it VIP status, rather, its the chassis itself. Currently you will find the following cars in VIPcar clubs:
Note- there is a current trend in the major VIPcar clubs away from the older models. This does not mean that a first gen LS or GS is not a VIPcar, but it does mean that we will start seeing less and less of them at VIPcar meets, and in VIPcar magazine.
*I will be using Junction Produce pictures for this write up, do note however, that they are only one of MANY VIPcar tuning companies
Toyota:
Aristo
JZS161
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/16aristo/img/mae.jpg
JZS147
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/14aristo/img/aristo.m.jpg
Century
GZG50
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/century_gzg50/img/CENTURY_50_F_Vf.jpg
VG40
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/cenyury.vg40vg45/img/CENTURY_40_F-Vf.jpg
Celsior
UCF30/31
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/30celsior.z/img/30celsior.jpg
UCF20/21
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/20celsior/img/celsior.jpg
UCF10/11
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/10celsior/img/celsior.jpg
Crown Majesta or Athlete
JZS181
http://www.jp-boutique.jp/images/0408_crown_front.jpg
JZS171
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/17crown/img/12-a.jpg
JZS151
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/15crown/img/crown.m.jpg
JZS141
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/14crown/img/14.z.m.jpg
JZS131
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/toyota/13crown/img/13.m.jpg
Nissan:
Cima
F50
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/nissan/f50cima/img/50.m.jpg
Y33
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/nissan/y33cima/img/33.m.jpg
Y32
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/nissan/y32cima/img/32.m.jpg
Y31
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/nissan/y31%82%83ima/img/31.m.jpg
Q45 *note- first gen Q45 was sold as Q45 in Japan also
HG50
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/002premiums/infinitiq45/img/50m.jpg
Cedric/Gloria
Y34
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/nissan/y34cedric_gloria/img/s.m.jpg
Y33
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/nissan/y33cedric_gloria_gb_k/img/001.jpg
Y32
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/nissan/y32cedric_gloria/img/11.jpg
Y31
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/nissan/y31cedric_gloria/img/31.m.jpg
Fuga-(new M45) *The jury is still out on this car, similar to the current gen Aristo (UZS190)... Some companies have begun producing products for these cars, and I would expect them to start making a showing in the VIPcar club scene soon, but not much news is out on them at the moment
President
JHG50
http://www.junction-produce.co.jp/001line_up/001aeroparts/nissan/president/img/president.z.m.jpg
Mazda:
Sentia (929)
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/11041929.jpg
Note- Junction Produce does not currently produce aero for the Sentia, so I had to use a picture from my personal collection...
-Which brings me to another point. Look at the JP cars, then look at the Sentia, they are all VIPcars with VIP tuning, but they are so different! This is what makes VIPcar tuning a very unique hobby. There are countless ways to modify the VIPcar, as long as there is an over-riding theme of Low, Wide, and Classy.
Wide:
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/032.jpg
The cars attempt to created a wider profile with the use of extremely wide wheels, aggressive low offsets, streched tires, negative camber, and fender work. The cars can sport stock aero, or extreme widebody aero (and all styles inbeteen)...
Low:
http://www.j-complete.com/top-photo.jpg
*Do note that the Jag above is not a VIPcar, but a VIPstyled car for sure- there are seperate clubs for VIPstyle Euros.
Most VIPcars run an air suspension, but coilovers will also work, as long as the car can be dumped. There is a bit of a debate in the VIPcar world as to how the tires should sit on a VIPcar;
-Some believe that the wheel and tire should tuck in the fender well:
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/501/medium/11041aristo41.jpg
-Others believe that the car should sit just above or even with the wheel:
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/hotVIP.jpg
Both styles are currently accepted.
Classy:
http://insurance-group.net/products/bluege/bl_table/bl_table_image.jpg
Small modifications are made to the car to make it more enjoyable to ride in. After all, a VIP does not drive himself (well actually they do, but they modify it to appear that it is for being driven in rather than driving.)
-Tint-
Be sure to note the curtaints in rear of this car and the green tint.
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/medium/sessionsY32.jpg
All black tint gives a VIPcar a very menacing look.
http://kta.cc/image/okaji2.jpg
The front windows often have a very light green or blue tint, while the rear windows are often times tinted as dark as possible. However, there are many other tinting styles and options. It is not rare to see a car with full black tint all the way around (windshield included) or light green tint all the way around. Curtains are often-times installed in the rear side windows and rear window. Pillows are placed in the rear to make the ride more enjoyable for the "very important passenger," and there will sometimes be ammenities like Screens, computer's, and small refrigerators in the back. Its all about class and comfort.
*This does not mean that there aren't VIPcars with "go-fast" modifications... Its not unheard of to see blowers on engines, custom turbo set ups, etc.
If you would like more info on VIPcars, I suggest that you find some copies of VIPcar magazine. This magazine exclusivly covers shows, clubs, and VIPcars in Japan. Its all Japanese, but even if you cant read Japanese, the pictures are worth it.
http://img.7andy.jp/bks/images/i7/M0001687.jpg
END of VIPcar write up, VIPstyle write up coming soon: