PDA

View Full Version : VIP car article explains its history


UPTOWN
10-25-2006, 03:48 PM
History:
The VIP car style had its beginnings, oddly enough, in the poorer sections of Japan about 15 years ago. Originally, VIP cars were the creation of a group of enthusiasts called Black Cockroach in Wakayama Prefecture of Japan. The Black Cockroach team consisted of a black Cima (Infiniti Q45), Cedric (currently Infiniti M45), Celsior (Lexus LS) and Crown (no US equivalent), which were uniquely styled and exemplified the owner's personalities. Many of the VIP cars had deep ties to the Japanese underground group, better known as the Yakuza, or Japanese mafia. Keeping with the mystic and underground origins of the scene, most of the cars were colored black. In the years afterwards, a team named VIP Company was established by Takahiro Taketomi, the eventual owner of Junction Produce, a leader in VIP styling in Japan.

In the early years of the VIP movement, there was a Japanese magazine called Young Auto, which exhibited modified cars predominantly owned by Japanese motorcycle gang members. The magazine editors selected these cars to attract readers and exemplify this type of automotive modification. Before the naming of VIP cars, the cars modified in this style were called a Haiso car (high society saloon cars). As time went on, the name VIP CLUB became synonymous with the remodeling of high end luxury cars. This was the birth of the phrase VIP. VIP CLUB eventually became the very popular Japanese magazine, VIP Car Magazine. VIP Car Magazine demonstrated the artistry and quality of luxury cars modified in the VIP style and was instrumental in bringing this style of automotive customization to the public. With the help of Young Auto magazine and VIP Car Magazine, the popularity of VIP cars soon spread from Osaka, to Sendai city in Miyagi prefecture, and eventually across all of Japan.

Traditional Definition:
Tradition VIP car definition is very simple. Usually pronounced V-I-P (vee-eye-pee) and meaning Very Important Person, the true pronunciation is VIP, or bippu, where it's pronounced like a word.

Cars that fit into the VIP category are predominantly rear wheel drive Japanese luxury platforms such as the Celsior, CIMA, Cedric/Gloria, and Crown, just to name a few. These cars are usually the more expensive models and are usually purchased by the more affluent car owners. It's not a VIP Car unless it starts with one of these platforms. Many VIP purists will not consider any other platforms as VIP, even though other cars can take the styling cues from the larger VIP sedans. This is commonly known as VIP Styling which will be covered later.

VIP Characteristics:
VIP cars can loosely be translated to “Low and Wide”. Some general characteristics of traditional VIP Style (but not limited to) are:

• Large/wide multi-piece wheels (with large lips and low offsets) that are flush to the fender • Stretched tires in order to tuck the wheels under the fenders • Low stance via adjustable suspension or air ride • Substantial body kits to achieve the “Wide” look • Custom body work to accentuate the “Wide” look • Custom video and audio components and installations • Wood grain interiors with additional trays and extensions on the dash • Custom seats and mats • Additional and upgraded internal and external lighting • Louder exhausts with larger tips • Engine/performance work (though not as popular)

VIP Culture:
When VIP car enthusiasts in Japan build their car, they immerse themselves in the culture of VIP Car. Accessories like Noburi Flags, clothing, lighters, teddy bears, fans, and every accessory that a company makes are purchased and proudly displayed. Some items normally only found in wealthy homes are found, right at home, inside their cars. Many automotive events and gatherings in Japan are steeped in the tradition of the VIP culture. Simple gatherings of enthusiasts can turn into major events. As usual in the Japanese culture, the cars are the stars, but socializing and even food are main attractions. VIP Car has a sense of pride within the Japanese community on its luxury vehicles. It all follows the fascination for those who uphold the code of living in the lap of luxury.

VIP Styling
VIP styling is taking the aspects that was started in Japan with the VIP Cars and merging them onto cars that aren't really considered VIP car platforms. Some platforms that are gaining popularity are the K-cars (Vitz, Scion, and other econo-box cars), vans (Odyssey and Previas) and many other vehicles (G35, IS300, 300Zs) that have been heavily influenced by the VIP Style. That also has trickled into our US domestic market with the larger cars like the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum.

Where does this all fit into the US market? If you ask a VIP purist, it starts with the platform. A Lexus GS, LS or an Infiniti M or Q will always be considered VIP platforms. Unfortunately, many of the VIP platforms in Japan have not made it to the US market. Traditional VIP platforms like the Crown, Cedric, and President, never made it to our shores. As a result, the market has been narrowed which is why the VIP style has been applied to US spec cars like the G35, IS3, 350Z, as well as European marques too.

For Mr.Yuen of Junction Produce's article.... read here.
http://hincity.com/news/article.asp?...SBLU2P32KG6QNY

Wei240
10-25-2006, 05:57 PM
i like VIP steez,

just need to actually get a VIP type car...

A Spec Products
10-25-2006, 06:05 PM
i dont care what people say

i will always call it "vee-eye-pee"

not bippu or anything

its like when you tell someone the word "niche"

if you dont say it "nitch" no one will know what the hell you are saying, even tho its the wrong pronounciation

FaLKoN240
10-25-2006, 08:27 PM
VIP is tight, I think hella people are getting on that, I see it being a short lived trend, then yuppy upper middle class people will start buying up RWD Lux sedans, and trying to be VIP.

Example: SUVs with "Dubs"

Wei240
10-25-2006, 10:12 PM
'VIP' stateside = domestic and euro cars..., bling blanged out 300c's, cadillacs, bimmers, benz...

Kn1ves
10-25-2006, 10:54 PM
'VIP' stateside = domestic and euro cars..., bling blanged out 300c's, cadillacs, bimmers, benz...


i believe the corrrect term is baller

A Spec Products
10-25-2006, 11:44 PM
VIP won't happen properly stateside on a major level (i.e mainstream) because the American consumer generally buys cheap, and probably wouldn't see the point of putting in that much money (that it takes to make a VIP done right).

They would much rather spend the same amount and have a Bimmer 3 series. Or maybe that's just Socal. I don't think they would take a cheaper car and then make it look like a fancy car.

The closest thing I've seen to VIP in the urban movie scene was Forest Whittaker in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai. Who remembers his GS400 rimmed up with the HIDs? Sicky for back in the day.

If anything, VIP will be bigger in 3-5 years, but not right now.

theicecreamdan
10-26-2006, 12:37 AM
VIP will be the focus of the next Fast and furious#4 the fast and the luxurious

SimpleS14
10-26-2006, 12:58 AM
cliff notes to that first post?


I can see VIP being a trend that is short lived...only because it requires $$$. But then again....don't we already have that sort of style here stateside with celebs and their decked out rides?

woodchuck
10-26-2006, 10:26 AM
'VIP' stateside = domestic and euro cars..., bling blanged out 300c's, cadillacs, bimmers, benz...

'VIP' stateside = :barf: :barf: :barf:

I'm too much of a purist when it comes to this subject matter.


good find UPTOWN :wavey:

drift freaq
10-26-2006, 10:36 AM
I must admit even my rich Japanese friends over here wind up going upstream on the cars. I don't see them going VIP with Japanese cars. I do see them sporting body kits and nice rims on Benzs, BMW's and Audi's though. Most of them wind up going German car.

TheSquidd
10-26-2006, 11:16 AM
The closest thing I've seen to VIP in the urban movie scene was Forest Whittaker in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai. Who remembers his GS400 rimmed up with the HIDs? Sicky for back in the day.



Hell yeah. I wanted a GS400 ever since I saw that. And I wanted to drive around with silk gloves and be a samurai too.

UPTOWN
10-26-2006, 02:27 PM
actually EXC has been an ever growing popular trend amongst many. The styling will spread and hopefully with more attention and education it will grow correctly. I mean c'mon.... its not like the US population can't afford to VIP style a car. w/ the amount of ICE and modifications people are putting into their car to make it an extreme tuner or show car.... that fraction could be put into a VIP car and be bangin.

Complete Aero - 4k
Wheels - 3k
Air Ride - 4k
Minor engine modifications - 3k
Total - 14k

vs. EXC
AERO- 4k
Wheels - 3k
Suspension - 2k
Minor engine modifications - 3k
Total - 12k

definitely not cheap but c'mon... plenty of people put wayyy more money into their hotrods, civics, bmw's, IS300's etc etc..... I dont know about 240 owners but hahhahaa hey, I'm sure there's a few of us.

Wei240
10-26-2006, 03:58 PM
problem is most people who buy VIP jdm executive cars are people who don't care much for VIP styling...
it's a niche market, a very small one at that, that's too bad...
most go german

now i'm gonna go read a VIPCar mag at my desk... drool...

woodchuck
10-26-2006, 06:05 PM
now i'm gonna go read a VIPCar mag at my desk... drool...

Drool? You mean more like this :wackit:
Man...not at work, I gave you that mag and i know its full of JDM girls with knockers. i guess you think its da balm.

Back on topic - people here aren't just into it. I've seen alot of older model aristo's done upnicely stateside, but nothing really balla like a m35 or m45 :drool: all vip steez.

its a shame.

JtWo
10-26-2006, 07:20 PM
In the bay we call them Scrapers. LOL

myzislow
10-26-2006, 08:47 PM
In the bay we call them Scrapers. LOL


the term SCRAPER is reffering to skyscraper, meaning big rims 22"+ and slighty raised cars. scrapers are not low, and not japanese.

just clarifying for people in other parts of the country that may have heard the term but dont know what it means.

:gives: the bay going 18 dummy

UPTOWN
10-26-2006, 09:59 PM
click on the link on that page
http://www.hincity.com/news/article.asp?id=6716244R9SBLU2P32KG6QNY

on the bottom you'll see some nicely done up mild VIP cars. msot of them are commonly seen more of as EXC.