VIP cars copies of euro cars? THEORY? LONG

[Shawnhonolulu]

OK please read before going off and flaming etc. There IS logic to this I promise and refferences too! Also this is just a THEORY :police: :)

Warning Opininated THEORY ahead:

In the mid to late 80s I know cars from Japan were not excatly as feature filled or luxurious as european cars from BMW and Mercedes. I think Honda had the accord and toyota the camry. No lexus or Inifiniti brands yet. I think Acura MAY have been starting out. I do remember the legend but I think that was the 90s.

No superstar or gangster or underlord/yakuza rode in a Accord in Japan most if not all had Benz's (black ones preferably) With wings, rims and AMG body kits. (some had black rims also) If any of you are old enough you may have remembered the movie BLACK RAIN with Michael Douglas & Andy Garcia, one of the main characters a Yakuza by the name of SATO drove such a all black with dark black tint car. As well as the other Yakuza members. (there is an famous scene of all the black benz's following each other driving up to a old japanese farm with dust flying from thier rims.)

Now since these cars from europe (benz, BMW) in the 80s and 90s where so much more expensive and "exclusive" compared to what Japan was putting out/had to offer do you think the VIP cars started then? With people with not enough cash to afford a benz decided that wanted the Yakuza/gangster style (wannabes) without the price of a benz and started modding thier glorias, and other 4 door sedans to emulate the Benzs the Yakuzas drove? I see lots of similairity in how they try to make the cars look almost like a Benz from the black rims to the kits and even lights and grill. Even today you see some of that similairty between cars. They try to take a home grown car and make it look like the more expensive one. but now since Lexus and Infiniti has stepped up to the europeans they are on equal footing.

To help with my theory here are a few excepts from MSN and Mainichi Daily news:

"Yakuza dons have ditched their penchant for the pricey Mercedes Benz with pure gold badges that were once a symbol of organized crime in this country in favor of equally functional but considerably cheaper Japanese cars, according to Shukan Taishu (5/10-17)." "Past Yamaguchi-gumi oyabun have been known for their flash cars, like the Cadillac favored by Kazuo Taoka and the Mercedes Benz limousine used by Masahisa Takenaka.

Posh cars have long been regarded as a yakuza status symbol and by far the most popular set of wheels among mobsters has been the Mercedes Benz, especially the S600 limousine models.

Yamaguchi-gumi gang bosses started displaying their liking for the German-made cars in the mid-'70s, taking over from the American-made vehicles that had been the rage until that time.

"Mercedes Benz has the reputation for being reliable and functional. They're the type of cars people expect doctors to drive, but yakuza moved with the changing times and started choosing them too, if more for safety reasons than because of the way they looked," the gang insider says.

Mercedes remained the preferred choice of Japan's pinky-less for decades, despite being briefly usurped by the likes of Rolls Royce and Bentley during the heady days of the bubble economy. Even when the economy soured, the Mercedes myth continued in the underworld."

http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/waiwai/archive/news/2004/05/20040501p2g00m0dm999000c.html (http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/waiwai/archive/news/2004/05/20040501p2g00m0dm999000c.html)

Here is one from inside line:
"Luckily, my first encounter with the lads was in a specially prepared interview session to inquire why they employ left-hand-drive Mercedes-Benz S-Class limos (usually black or white) in Japan's right-hand-drive car culture. Questions like that, a Japanese scribe wouldn't dare ask in a million years. That's just not done. But interestingly, one Yakuza boss agreed because, as I read it, he was intrigued with the foreign media. As expected, the replies centered on Mercedes' strong build quality and high status levels.

But in Japan, there's an unwritten law: When you see big black or white limos, normally Mercedes S-Class or Lexus LS models, pushing their way through the traffic, just let them pass. Mr. Average doesn't want to cross paths with who might be inside. I let them pass, too. I like life too much."

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Columns/articleId=109688

Again its just a THEORY and I wanted to know what you thought.

[J Stuff]

long read but interesting

[JN.FYC]

well.
If you were a Mobbster.
What would you drive in?
a Nice car obviously.
i think their going to far with this Yakuza Gang banging stuff.
Just
LET VIP BE VIP.

So, Where did Jdm come from?
All the Gangsters wanted fast cars so can Chase Rival gangs. So they bought Jdm parts for their Hondas and Integras.
& the WAnnabe Gangsters.Wanted to be like them, but their taste was a bit different, so they were Ricers?
:D

**BTW
i think this should be moved to debate.
It has nothing to do with "Exterior"

[Shawnhonolulu]

Hi Boosty
JDM = Japan Domestic Market. So basically they are making cars in America look like cars from Japan. This JDM thing happens only outside of Japan as all cars in Japan are technically JDM. (they do not have JDM in Japan) Taking off he acura symbols and putting on Honda ones (since before there was no Aucra in Japan), bringing over only avaliable in Japan parts etc. JDM is totally different and has nothing to do with VIP and or gangsters.




well.
If you were a Mobbster.
What would you drive in?
a Nice car obviously.
i think their going to far with this Yakuza Gang banging stuff.
Just
LET VIP BE VIP.

So, Where did Jdm come from?
All the Gangsters wanted fast cars so can Chase Rival gangs. So they bought Jdm parts for their Hondas and Integras.
& the WAnnabe Gangsters.Wanted to be like them, but their taste was a bit different, so they were Ricers?
:D

**BTW
i think this should be moved to debate.
It has nothing to do with "Exterior"

[Xotic sC]

erm...nah...

I don't understand why this is even relevant here...?

[Dominik]

Yes this should be in debate. I will leave it for V8 Aristo to move it.

Your theory is partly correct, but some of the details arent. Japan had ultra luxury cars way back to the 70s as well you know. Its just that they stayed in the JDM and were not exported. However there was always the view that European cars were more sophisticated, classier etc. You can see from the earliest modded vip cars, they simply applied Euro tuning trends to Japanese cars to say "Hey its japanese, but it is just as good as the european cars, i can even mod it the same way"

Furthermore, they did NOT mod their Legends. They modded the ORIGINAL Japanese luxury cars: Cedric, Cima, Gloria, Crown, Century, president Etc etc. All RWD and all having luxury features that European cars are only JUST starting to get (some of the features these cars had was mindboggling)

So there is merit to your argument, but not quite right

[Brandicus]

that was an interesting read but i doubt it will be received well, nobody wants to hear that theyve been copying someone else the entire time. I agree with some points and disagree with others, but overall it was well writen :)

[TransformCelsior]

I've had a mild vip style acura and now have a vip platform y33. Threre is NO DOUBT that the style and look stems from european dress up style such as carlsson, brabus, AME, etc.

and there is NO DOUBT that VIP car-style is a direct emulation of european luxury style dress up.

VIP is all about taking a proper japanese luxury car and modifying it to emulate european dress up style, so what do u get when you take a luxury japanese sedan and fix it up to european style? you get a genre called VIP.

the beauty of VIP style is how effective, flattering, and stunning a japanese luxury car looks when fixed up VIP. It's very unique, different and original here in the U.S.A.

You can be the typcal joe blow and get the typical 3-5 series bmw, C E benz, audi. It's a no brainer, anyone can do it. There is NO thought involved. What does the typical joe blow do when they want the status quo cliche "european car" ? they go out and get a 3-5 series bmw or C E class benz. Am I right ? I mean just take at look at southern california freeways.

"Wow look at me now with a 3 series bmw, wow I'm so original and so refined."

It's is so part of the norm and just too easy and thoughtless to do. Any dull, boring, un-creative, un-imaginative guy can do it and IS doiing it.

but VIP, it takes more.

[TransformCelsior]

and this is why you have people constantly asking "is this vip?" , "will this look good vip?" , "is this considered vip?" , "can this be vip? , "will my moped look good vip? , "can a golf car be considered vip?" on and on and on and on


I've had a mild vip style acura and now have a vip platform y33. Threre is NO DOUBT that the style and look stems from european dress up style such as carlsson, brabus, AME, etc.

and there is NO DOUBT that VIP car-style is a direct emulation of european luxury style dress up.

VIP is all about taking a proper japanese luxury car and modifying it to emulate european dress up style, so what do u get when you take a luxury japanese sedan and fix it up to european style? you get a genre called VIP.

the beauty of VIP style is how effective, flattering, and stunning a japanese luxury car looks when fixed up VIP. It's very unique, different and original here in the U.S.A.

You can be the typcal joe blow and get the typical 3-5 series bmw, C E benz, audi. It's a no brainer, anyone can do it. There is NO thought involved. What does the typical joe blow do when they want the status quo cliche "european car" ? they go out and get a 3-5 series bmw or C E class benz. Am I right ? I mean just take at look at southern california freeways.

"Wow look at me now with a 3 series bmw, wow I'm so original and so refined."

It's is so part of the norm and just too easy and thoughtless to do. Any dull, boring, un-creative, un-imaginative guy can do it and IS doiing it.

but VIP, it takes more.

[Oyabun]

Back in the 80's yes Honda/Acura had the Legend(86 was the first year). As for what the Yakuza Rode in were some Mercedes but when I visited my cousin's in Japan. Most Yakuza Oyabun Rode in BIG Luxurious American Cars!! ie... Caddilac's and Lincoln's. But that's just what I saw and rode in.

[V8_Aristo]

Back in the 90's I didn't see the same styling as what it is now. Back then it was all about big whale tails, wide flares and crazy conversions. It's only these past few year you see the similarities of Euro and VIP tuning. So is it correct to say that the origins of VIPstyle is a direct influence of European design? I think it's up to the individual person to make that decision.

And yes, I agree with Dom about Japanese car manufacturers having their own luxury cars in the 80's and 90's. The Toyota Century and Nissan President had as much "luxury" in it as their European counter parts.

[ebruce2]

I've had a mild vip style acura and now have a vip platform y33. Threre is NO DOUBT that the style and look stems from european dress up style such as carlsson, brabus, AME, etc.

and there is NO DOUBT that VIP car-style is a direct emulation of european luxury style dress up.

VIP is all about taking a proper japanese luxury car and modifying it to emulate european dress up style, so what do u get when you take a luxury japanese sedan and fix it up to european style? you get a genre called VIP.

the beauty of VIP style is how effective, flattering, and stunning a japanese luxury car looks when fixed up VIP. It's very unique, different and original here in the U.S.A.

You can be the typcal joe blow and get the typical 3-5 series bmw, C E benz, audi. It's a no brainer, anyone can do it. There is NO thought involved. What does the typical joe blow do when they want the status quo cliche "european car" ? they go out and get a 3-5 series bmw or C E class benz. Am I right ? I mean just take at look at southern california freeways.

"Wow look at me now with a 3 series bmw, wow I'm so original and so refined."

It's is so part of the norm and just too easy and thoughtless to do. Any dull, boring, un-creative, un-imaginative guy can do it and IS doiing it.

but VIP, it takes more.

Game, set, match. Not much more to be said.

Except for the fact that some of you young guys probably dont realize the fact that the vehicle aftermarket back in the 80's was extremely limited and just getting started.

I'm not real sure about for the JDM market back then, but the only big aftermarket companies that were even around back then were euro factory tuner companies like AMG, Dinan, Gemballa, etc which were exclusive to euros.

Something as simple as a body kit was extremely rare for even an Acura Legend back then. Thus the reason you see so many new and different looks these days. Go back and look at the older styles of Japanese customization on Japanase cars, and you will see the majority were home-grown projects.

[Jae_Spec]

I've said this many times before, and I'll say it again. The Japanese have a very over exagurated view on cultures and customs from other countries. If you ever watch anime, play video games, or listen/watch Japanese music videos you will understand this. Did the Japanese take their styling for VIPs from european cars? Sure, I think so. But they did more than just take the style from european sedans. they made it their own. AMGs had deep dish rims, so the Japanese put even deeper dish rims on their cars. Bentley and BMW had classy, chrome, twin tipped dual exhaust on their cars, well the Japanese took it to the next level with over the top dual exhaust. And of course, the German cars had their infamous Autobahn stance, well the Japanese one-up'd on that with crazy low cars with crazy negative camber. In my opinion, this has always been the main focus of VIP. To create a luxury Japanese sedan in the manor of European styling, and I don't see a problem with that.

[Jonny G.]

Did the Japanese take their styling for VIPs from european cars? Sure, I think so. But they did more than just take the style from european sedans. they made it their own.

my thoughts exactly, they may have initially been influenced by the European style but once it's applied to a Japanese luxury sedan VIP is practically a seperate style.

[bippu]

The roots of the styling may have originated from European styling, but the bippu style of today is thoroughly Japanese. They have definitely taken it to another level.

[allstar]

lol

[psychedelicbeats]

check out the new Vip trend. it's all geared towards euro sport (a la mercedes e-series). no joke either check out the fender gills, aeros, wheels, whatever. aero companies who have been sporting the euro sport look are ahead of the game, like

wald, aimgain, blow design, job design
here is a prime example
http://www.wald.co.jp/ownersgallery/08/no0060_3.jpg

you will see these companies stay as they continously roll out goods for new cars

[boost_me]

So from what I've read in this thread apparently VIP is a Japanese luxury car with european styling?? Only a couple of months ago someone posted a picture of an sl600 with 'VIP' styling, and it got flamed pretty bad.........What I'm saying is that we can style 'Japanese car's with euro styling' but when people try to style a eurocar (Merc,BMW...etc) with it's own euro styling it's 'Not VIP'??????? What the hell??? I don't understand, it's really getting a bit to rediculous, I think exactly what someone said ages ago........" If you have to ask then it's not VIP" There are literaly 1000's of pic's of VIP car's on the net, go and have a look at the style's they have made and go with somthing like that.......

[no-othr]

interesting read.... i will never rock a JP fusa and kitsuna in my audi a4. the victoria's secret lace one works just fine... PANTY FUSA LIVES!!!!

nuff said.

http://www.eight08speed.com/gallery/albums/hinhi06/06hinhi80.jpg

[ebruce2]

check out the new Vip trend. it's all geared towards euro sport (a la mercedes e-series). no joke either check out the fender gills, aeros, wheels, whatever. aero companies who have been sporting the euro sport look are ahead of the game, like

wald, aimgain, blow design, job design
here is a prime example
http://www.wald.co.jp/ownersgallery/08/no0060_3.jpg

you will see these companies stay as they continously roll out goods for new cars

1st off this style is hardly new...these kits have been around for years. Prussian Blue is another example of a kit with fender gills...hotness!

Secondly, you may see euro style, but I see EXE in this pic.

[Gseventhree]

check out the new Vip trend. it's all geared towards euro sport (a la mercedes e-series). no joke either check out the fender gills, aeros, wheels, whatever. aero companies who have been sporting the euro sport look are ahead of the game, like

wald, aimgain, blow design, job design
here is a prime example
http://www.wald.co.jp/ownersgallery/08/no0060_3.jpg

you will see these companies stay as they continously roll out goods for new cars

Agreed .. You can call that EXE or VIP or FOB but pick up the latest issue of VIPSTYLE cars or VIPCAR and there are a lot of this type of Bodykit. . Im not really liking Newer style VIP cars . .(last couple of issues) LOTS of new companies have a "Euro Style" line.. with very cleaner, subtle-not very low bumpers, and an inward tuck look to the bottom of the car. .rather than the outward flare of older style kits. (making the car smoother, rather than trying to make the car square and super low) I guess it goes with the whole new era of VIP cars. . Pretty much all of the older bodystyles are phased out now and with all new bodies to work with ... why not all new style. .

BUT the fuckin vented fender trend.. wow. . like enough is enough. . with lights and chickenwire etc. . They want EVERYTHING to look like an SLR fuck. ..and the holes and slits in kits with chickenwire. . (these are mostly on the older cars trying to look updated i guess) To me It reminds me of the cheap kits that come from taiwan. . like 5 years ago. .

Yeah I agree that the Vipstyle has DEEP roots in Eurocar styling, trends, and outward influences in general. .ever REALLY look at a Y32 CIMA and a Jag side by side. . Same sloping trunk and hoodline. . same low beltline. . lots of similarities. . Look at a 15 Majesta. .and a Cadillac Deville/Seville (i dont know Caddy's very well) But they have the same flying butress rear window/trunk. . SAME vertical taillights. . etc.. .Kinda copied. . but with their own flair. .

There is no denying that the Japs do it up with their individualistic style though. . they take those cars and do their own thing man .. like no other. .But take the craziest of euro style and the craziest of japanese style (cars) and i'd bet money that there wont be too many differences as far as craziness. .

G.