Style or Imitation? Both?

[SikNLow]

Ok so this isn't the proverbial overbeaten VIP or Not thread. My question and need for clarification stems from wondering... Where and at what point does VIPstyling fall short of its mark and end up being nothing more than Imitation? I mean we know that the bandwagoners will be jumping on as of now on the style and we know they will try to cheese their way through it with knock offs and inferior quality wheels and such, but what about those "jumpers" who shell out like miniature portions of real cash to get VIP accent accessories and still do knock offs or poor quality parts? I know I might get some backlash for asking this and I have no qualms with it just wondering and really wanted the O.G.'s to chime in!

[Caoboy]

Aren't WE imitating them? Most people here didn't buy their car, then decide to fix it up. Most people probably saw the style, then decided they wanted to style their car like that.


That will be the bandwagoner's take on it.

That said, there are a few 'OG's here who probably did it in the same way.

I bought my first LS400 that way, saw the style, then bought a car that I could afford at the time and unluckily got 'removed' from the scene.

BUT, I hopped right back into it after I realized that it's the ultimate style, so i guess I was a bandwagoner at first, but then came back because I enjoy seeing low, wide, black, banging, cars that make girls pee pee.

[SikNLow]

hahahaha nice answer, I actually did buy my car first! Quick background, I have always been in the "modding for speed/ function over form" camp and then merged into the unique and exclusive side of it, always looking for that rare item no one has that was either an option or a foreign feature. Of course this was with my 1st gen CR-X and my Datsun 510, but then I decided to get a daily driver and decided on a G35. My business partner was into the style but I always poked fun at him for having a car that looked fast but didn't move hahahaha well when I was looking for wheels for my DD he turned me on to the CL forum to look for wheels and also told me to check here..... I bought my first set of wheels for the G fro CL but kept coming back to this site to look at all the crazy and sik rides.... and one day literally I woke up and said I was going to build my G to VIPstyle status no matter what just to see how it would look.... and that my friend is history! LOL

Now I do understand your point about US imitating THEM, (U.S. following Japan) but that's all within the style I believe, my concern or question rather is those who will not even attempt to at least keep it within sedans and try it with real sports cars!

[mdenoga]

I had my minivan for a while since I first got my license. Then I saw pictures of the Topline and Kenstyle Estimas which brought me into this style. But the John Liwanag's JP Lexus GS was what brought me into it. Thanks John 'VIPStyleCars' for bringing me into this "expensive sport." :thumbsup: haha

[firelizard]

Somewhere between style and imitation.
But it started with admiration.

Then I figured, hey, I could make a mini-vip car and that would be a step forward in a new direction for Proteges. But it's hard for me to draw from just one source - I couldn't imitate a style even if I tried, I just don't want to, it would be wholly unsatisfying to copy something else.

This is why my style ideas come from not only Vip, but American "JDM", euro, Dub (as in VW), and American lowriders.

You can tell who imitates and who has style, because those who have their own style are the ones keeping it fresh.

[SikNLow]

well said firelizard, and for this purpose is why I wanted the OG's to be the ones to answer, this in my opinion puts things in perpective for people who like ourselves may not have chosen or may not have been able to start with a platform vehicle but "admired" the style enough to let it shine on our rides, definatetly gives me and people like me hope for our rides!

[RobSoVip]

its all about following the same over-all trends while adapting it to fully fit your style. Wide, low, and classy is the over-riding theme the rest is up to you. I always though that wheel choice, aero choice, interior themes, colors, etc are what individualized a VIPcar. I know alot of people hated on the Celsior I posted with red wheels, but I liked the way that the owner utilized failry common parts in the VIP world but changed them to make a drastic difference.

For what its worth, I always thought that the Van and Wagon crowd had a much better grasp on modding to achieve individuality than the VIP crowd did.

[zion_97]

I think in order to pull of certain styles immitation is neccessarry..not to the T. I mean if you see a super sick badd ass VIP car slammed with picture perfect fitment and tires...and you are trying to pull of that certain style then you must immitate or your fitment will be different..I think deep down inside we all immitate it is in our nature to do so..He who sais they don't I find it hard to believe. whether you share many styles in you car all thoughs are immitations from the styles we like....
I have modded many cars and I learned from my very first car that sometimes in order to "GET THE LOOK" one must immitate the look..

Back in 1991 when I got my first car fattys where in...15x10, 15x12 reversed and the were using little tires that were streched...well my father went and took me to get some used wheels locally and I got 15x8 or 9 with a bigger tire..I allways wished he would have gotten me the smaller tire with the stretch because it never looked like the cars I liked look..it was more conservative..as I got older and started paying for my own gear I realized that most of the cars that looked PIMP where the one that the fellas had the money to it more aggressive and maintaine that stle..next was lifted trucks with 15x14,15x16 and eve15x18..with super stretched tires..made the trucks look like Remote control trucks. I allways liked the streched tire look so anyways to make a long story short


While I am immitating a Style in Japan my car unique in a way that I have added custom
personall touches inside and out...


Immitation is neccessary Personlization is KEy...

[SikNLow]

While I am immitating a Style in Japan my car unique in a way that I have added custom
personall touches inside and out...


Immitation is neccessary Personlization is KEy...

Once again I thank all of you , zion and all for the informative comments, and I agree wholeheartedly. Yet let's take it a step further now in the discussion for a bit... what about those people who won't bother "imitating" the style correctly from the source, but choose to just add what they see into their vehicles, for instance Garson coming over the pond finally and because the DUB guys see us rocking curtains and such, they decide to rock them not knowing or even caring for the style and it's history and significance?

[zion_97]

Once again I thank all of you , zion and all for the informative comments, and I agree wholeheartedly. Yet let's take it a step further now in the discussion for a bit... what about those people who won't bother "imitating" the style correctly from the source, but choose to just add what they see into their vehicles, for instance Garson coming over the pond finally and because the DUB guys see us rocking curtains and such, they decide to rock them not knowing or even caring for the style and it's history and significance?

Well they cant be blammed if they dont know..plain and simple..I think We all want True JDM VIP to stay VIP and in order to do so its inportant that all us here modding are cars do it very very well..not half ass but to the point were we get respect from Japanese folks..ITs very imortant to start now and educate as many people as possible and guide them in the right direction.

I have seen many cars out of VIP mags that totally represent the US dub scene to a T and I really find it hard not to compare it to DUB style..then there are the VIP we all seem to love with deep lips and flat faces...but I think either we are behind the growth in Japan or we just like this style more..if we are behind in Japanese Vip scene then the Dubers will be closer to VIP than we realize..So if they buy curtains they see at the swapmeets or car shows and they buy tables visors winkers etc....without doing any research then really are they to blame and will there call immitate the newer VIP style in Japan or is Japan excepting and immitaing the US DUB scene?

In the end its all about Business and Marketing..we out just little people with really no power to change things that Garson, Jp and other JP manufactures do..

[SikNLow]

You know you raise a very very good point here in the respects about us imitating the Japanese style and then the reverse effect happening in Japan where they are imitating the U.S. style (like DUB, Lowrider, Hot Rod), they almost idolize the U.S. subcultures as much as we do theirs and the funny part is VIPstyle may be headed down that road unfortunately as you mentioned, with the advent of DUBstyle in the U.S. and all the bling bling that goes with it, more and more Japanese modders are aiming their sights on that look for their vehicles and we are left holding the proverbial VIP bag on the original VIPstyle.

[firelizard]

So far, North American Vip styling is still very different from Japanese Vip styling.
We sort of picked up on it during the coming of mild EXE styling, or so it seems because I haven't seen any really wild American Vip cars. Sure, nice ones, but nothing like the creations from overseas.

I guess that's an example of imitating but still having your own style...you can usually tell which Vip-styled cars came from US and which came from Japan - to me there have been few American ones that resemble the classic Japanese style.

All the same, it appears the paths are crossing because now the Japanese scene is toning down and starting to look more like the cars Americans were building. It's like Freaky Friday :D

[SikNLow]

It's like Freaky Friday :D

hahahahaha so true! I agree the cars have decreased in wild mods but the number tv's have increased hahahahahaha

[jtanoyo1]

I've always had an idea of how to build any of my cars. For example, with the old Aristo, I knew it'd turn out exactly looking like how I wanted it (the fact that it turned out to be called VIP styling was almost purely accidental, I just thought it looked perfect the way it did with the custom bodykit, suede interior, door caps, forged 20" wheels and airrunner).

My old E39 528i Bimmer was also built a certain way. I found out much later that it was called the German DTM look with its Hamann competition bodykit, 330mm big brake kit, black wheels with polished lip and quad exhaust. Er, okay, I guess that was a "cool" look to the Bimmer crowd.

My current sti has a USDM 2.5L block with reverse manifold and rotated HKS turbo, gutted interior, no sound system and methanol injection. It's pushing around 400awhp/400tq on race gas and 1.7 bar. People refer to it as a "drag car", but all I really need is to buy a kit that locks up the AWD system, convert my sti to rear wheel drive, and voila! it's now a "drift car".

Now my Honda Fit is about to be repainted in midnight maroon, fitted with Noblesse bodykit and dumped low with air suspension but only on 15" white Advan wheels and titanium exhaust. I can bet you my last week's underwear that someone somewhere some time down the road is gonna see the pics and say "oh, that's VIP RACING/SPORT style." (whatever that means....)

My point is this, it's tough to say what copies what or who started what, especially with regards to VIP styling. I firmly believe (until today) that VIP style is a copy of EURO styling with some addition of Japanese flair to it. I know for a fact that Japanese culture is heavily imbued with western impressions and I firmly believe that VIP styling first started because people who wanted a Euro'd European cars (S-class, 7 series, whatever) couldn't really afford it, so they "Euro'd" the next best thing, their own domestic production (Cefiro, crown vics, etc). And since Japan has the tendency to over-do things (No poke is not enough, you gotta stretch it put -100 offset and -100 camber and add 100cm of flares to make it all fit), VIP is born....

[SikNLow]

I firmly believe that VIP styling first started because people who wanted a Euro'd European cars (S-class, 7 series, whatever) couldn't really afford it, so they "Euro'd" the next best thing, their own domestic production (Cefiro, crown vics, etc). And since Japan has the tendency to over-do things (No poke is not enough, you gotta stretch it put -100 offset and -100 camber and add 100cm of flares to make it all fit), VIP is born....

As hotly debated as this point is I also believe it to be the true root of VIP and it just came together when one guy, who along with his friends, had euro styled domestic cars, had the business inspiration to mass produce the parts they had custom made for their rides and sell them, and in the process designate what platforms were exceptable (because that's the cars they owned number one, and number two if you focus your attention to a smaller array of vehicles then you can gain more from specializing) to make it more structurized and profitable. that's my PERSONAL THEORY people don't get hurt in the bum over it!

[jtanoyo1]

I agree with you bro. That does sound right. After all, what's the point of doing anything these days unless there's money to be made.....?

[SikNLow]

truer words have never been spoken, Taketomi-san and his crew rule a kingdom they created in order to rule it! Genius, sheer genius. I truly admire the business saavy to do this.

[VIPStyleCars]

My thoughts on this is obviously biased. When I first picked up my GS in 2000, the intent was to have a daily driver on a clean set of wheels. I went out and picked up a Hyper Rev book, knowing NOTHING about VIP cars whatsoever. One car stuck out to me, and it was the Junction Produce car. Then I started to take a closer look at VIP magazines, EXE mags, and what not. So I called a good friend in the industry who at the time was attempting to bring in JP here. Some point between my putting the order in and JP receiving it, something was miscommunicated. 7 months later, instead of Scara's showing up on my doorstep, a full kit instead. I was pissed at first, but then realized I guess I better figure out something. I set out then to just go ahead and attempt to build a VIP car and just do a complete JP theme build. Trying to purchase rims from JP, I did buy them and then was asked to help out in their first SEMA booth. The rest is history.

I can boldly say that I did imitate the JP Aristo. Everything on the car that JP made at the time (I wont buy the LED lights) for my car is on my personal GS. Everything down to the floormats and baby seat. I even got the fenders and side winkers, pinstripes, chrome windshield washers, and every type of spoiler they made (hood, moonroof, roof, and whatever). Whether if I was building it as a demo car for JP at the time, or just for myself, I built it to be the US counterpart of a vehicle I admired in Japan.

My thoughts now a days, people should do what they want. I won't hold it to anyone that they have to build it a certain way or what car they use. I personally prefer a VIP car platform. All I want to see is that people take the time to learn about the VIP car culture the way that we see it here on the website. I don't want us to be elitist about it but we gotta also take the opportunity to educate people who want to learn about it.

Imitate or style, do what you like, and in the end. enjoy what you are doing. We are VERY fortunate to be able to do what we do. To spend the money, build the cars, and enjoy this community with each other is something not a lot of people have the priviledge to do.

[Oyabun]

"You can tell who imitates and who has style, because those who have their own style are the ones keeping it fresh." "Firelizard"
"well said firelizard, and for this purpose is why I wanted the OG's to be the ones to answer, this in my opinion puts things in perpective for people who like ourselves may not have chosen or may not have been able to start with a platform vehicle but "admired" the style enough to let it shine on our rides, definatetly gives me and people like me hope for our rides!" "SikNLow" Well said!!! I too don't have a Platform car but I "Love the Style".

[J Stuff]

domestics to lexus GS400 (mom had a lex) then found clublexus.com then found vipstylecars.com

basically yea im a bandwagoner i jumped on the VIP train like pretty much everyone else. I didnt know what it was at all i just loved the way the cars looked. I like the lifestyle and all aspects of vip if you will. I saw images of my car vip styled and i prefered this style over DUB and sporty styles. I chose which direction i wanted to go and thats what i do now.

[Kohinoor]

ive been interested in the vip scene since about 2003. i had an es300 and tried my best to emulate the style, albeit it was fwd and i had very little money lol. i have an sc300 now.. which isnt a vip platform either, but thats not gonna stop me from vip styling it

[SikNLow]

ive been interested in the vip scene since about 2003. i had an es300 and tried my best to emulate the style, albeit it was fwd and i had very little money lol. i have an sc300 now.. which isnt a vip platform either, but thats not gonna stop me from vip styling it

And I agree it shouldn't, as long as you execute it correctly and don't just throw some curtains and a cupholder and front like you VEE EYE PEE, which is what I'm afraid will begin happening with the DUB guys and all the rappers!

"Rolling down the street in my lamborghini,
trey zero wheels and window Curtains cuz i'm VEE EYE PEE"

great ..... just great.....

[Caoboy]

i really think that the whole 'vip life style' doesn't really apply to the car. the main aspect of vip style as i have come to know through this site, is STANCE. wheels, and suspension.

i know they make accessories, like bracelets, necklaces, cups etc..but for one to go out and stock your wardrobe with all the slippers, jackets and jewelry it's getting a little excessive....

how many pictures do you see with the owners sporting fabulous gear or junction produce? besides the company owners? and that's at shows representing in their company booths. even then, some don't even wear the company logos, just a suit styled to match their cars, I.E. black.

take it as you may, but i'm here for the cars, and don't feel the need to sport everything a company has to offer.

The only thing that should matter is putting what you think will look good on your car. That way, nobody can truly imitate another's style, even if somebody has the same kit as you, you may have a different paint scheme, or you may have different rims/suspension.

You shouldn't worry about imitation either, because in the end, your car will always be unique, as long as you don't purposely build a car exactly like someone else's.

If you can build your car, then that's your style, without imitating anybody.

[gato]

Ok so this isn't the proverbial overbeaten VIP or Not thread. My question and need for clarification stems from wondering... Where and at what point does VIPstyling fall short of its mark and end up being nothing more than Imitation? I mean we know that the bandwagoners will be jumping on as of now on the style and we know they will try to cheese their way through it with knock offs and inferior quality wheels and such, but what about those "jumpers" who shell out like miniature portions of real cash to get VIP accent accessories and still do knock offs or poor quality parts? I know I might get some backlash for asking this and I have no qualms with it just wondering and really wanted the O.G.'s to chime in!

I think we're all imitadors because we didnt invent the sport......but nothing wrong with that.

I like to think of myself as an emulator because I'm in pursuite of excelling or at least imitading the true masters of the game..

as far as "jumpers" well, there are just some people that just dont get it! the eye of a jumper is untrained and has no style or concept of.
unfortunatley, their out there. and while they think that car modding is their sport.....its not, and their probably better at something we have no desire for.