We’ll be the first to admit it, we haven’t featured enough of the VIP styled sedans that is slowly becoming a prominent player in our scene. Some print magazines have shined the spotlight on them briefly, but there hasn’t been a continuous focus on these cars. And to be honest, we’re not really sure why! Customized sedans out in Japan are a huge craze and hopefully it’ll become even a larger craze here on the stateside. What is always nice to see is a builder’s personal touch in customizing their luxury sedan, blending in performance and menacing looks into one package. This car isn’t exactly full blown VIP as we know it, but it isn’t full blown tuner either!
Tony Nguyen started with his GS300 with a couple things in mind: to make a presence at the shows and prowl the streets in style that few can imitate. The exterior of his GS300 has been completely revamped making his GS300 a true one of a kind. A Revolution Modified style front bumper and rear bumper along with VIS Racing side skirts starts the customizing portion of the exterior on his wicked sedan. Then came the fun with all the carbon fiber goods and thus the nickname Nguyen has given his car: CarbonGS. VIS’ carbon fiber DV vented hood along with a Junction Produce replica spoiler that’s been carbon wrapped in the center are the first things to catch our eyes. A UEGO roof spoiler has been wrapped with carbon fiber and installed along with carbon fiber b-pillars and a carbon fiber grille. Nguyen also overhauled all the lighting parts on his GS300 starting with CCFL daytime Demon Eyes, painted black headlight housings and clear turn signals. HIDs were installed along with IS300 fog lamps that were retrofitted for his GS300.
Under the hood Nguyen’s GS300 teamed up with parts manufacturer Swift Racing Technologies for some go-fast goods to back up the menacing good looks. Nguyen bolted on Swift Racing Technologies’ cold air intake, heat shield and ECU upgrade to start. A custom Remus style exhaust can be seen in the rear connected to a Paul’s custom exhaust piping from the header back. Engine bay décor include a polished 2JZ-GE intake manifold, Helix radiator hose, Pro Lex Performance exhaust manifold heat shield and Aristo cam gear cover.
Looking good on the exterior with engine performance upgrades means nothing if your suspension, brakes, wheels and tires combination doesn’t fit the bill. Nguyen knew that and paid careful attention to detail when choosing his suspension and brakes to start. Up front are Supra brake calipers combined with SP Cross drilled and slotted rotors. Axxis brake pads provide the stopping power all around. To give Nguyen the stance he needs a set of K-Sport coilovers were installed on all four corners, getting rid of the stock, mushy springs and shocks. Tightening up the chassis is a TC Sportline upper strut bar. Filling the wheel wells are massive 20-inch EXE Konvex wheels in a staggered setup. Up front are 20×9-inch with a +37 offset while the rears sport a wider 20×10 and a +35 offset. Wrapped with Dunlop Sport Maxx tires in a 245/35/20 and 285/30/20 combination, this GS300 has plenty of rubber to pound the pavement with.
Last but not least, the interior has received its fair share of goods so that Nguyen can enjoy the car himself. The rear seats have been converted to black along with more carbon fiber goods. Hayame carbon fiber pedals accent the custom carbon fiber wrapped trim and Pilot carbon weave shift boot and knob. This GS packs quite a punch in the in car electronics department as well with a Pioneer AVIC-D3 head unit, Power Acoustics amplifier and a 12-inch Kicker L7 subwoofer.
We can only hope that we are able to feature more cars of this style. But for now, the least we can do is continue spreading the word and inspire others to do the same!
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