Quote Originally Posted by PANCAKES! View Post
IMO it comes down to $$$ and the cost of labor
What you have to understand and know is that, in Japan & thailand and all those other parts is that full custom body work is dirt cheap compared to what would cost us here in the states a fortune!
In the US we have to deal w/ custom, shipping charges and crazy paint cost VS in Japan the price of kits and paint is virtually nothing. Also, alot of the cars you see out there, the owners own or are a part of a shop/paint shop where they can do all or most of the work them selves.

As far as platforming goes, though, I think if enough thought, planning & money is put into it, you can pull off almost any non-traditional platform cars......ALMOST!



***Also wanted to add that it's not uncommon to see multiple people (friends/clubs/family) contribute to a build VS I think here in the states it's usually all on the owner to fund the builds
yeah. parts are cheap in japan...however labor is not by any means. trust me, thats why i did all my own shit over there. just to repair a bumper was like 400 bucks. without paint. compare that to back home in SC at a resto shop it was 150 bucks primered.

cost of parts and awareness of the style is the main thing. it is just not known in america at all