Hiro-spec street racer running the streets of Los Angeles

So-called “zoku-sha” or “gang style” cars are not so common in Japan anymore; many people probably miss them. However, this uniquely Japanese modification culture and the old car boom have attracted attention overseas and become very popular. Inspired by this Japanese modification culture, Javier Bandera, a resident of Los Angeles in the United States, owns a Toyota Cressida. We asked him to introduce us to this highly finished car, which has been thoroughly pursued to look as it did in its day.

The unique Japanese modification culture “Zokusha” is attracting attention from overseas

The “Hi-So Car,” a Showa style representative of the 1980s, is currently in vogue because of its appealing appearance and presence.

These specifications that were popular at the time were noticed by custom-loving Americans as part of the Amazing Japan culture, and now the cars are super cool!　The number of custom freaks who seek the same specifications as in Japan and actively enjoy modifying their cars is rapidly increasing on the other side of the ocean.

The unique Japanese modification culture of “biker gang style,” “Yan cars,” and “zoku cars,” or specially modified machines, has spread around the world through social networking sites in recent years. The number of “yan-sha” style biker gangs in Japan has been drastically decreasing, but they have gained a reputation for being cool overseas!　It has now become a genre that has caught the attention of the entire United States.

This time, we found such a modified car freak in Los Angeles. Even among the commonly known JDM specifications, they are even more special and unique!　We visited these young Americans who enjoy this Japanese modification culture.

What is the Cressida, the overseas-specification car of the three Mark II brothers?

Having learned about biker gangs and street racers from watching YouTube videos, Javier Bandera, a resident of Los Angeles, U.S.A., says that he became absorbed in learning about them and wanted to drive his car in this style.

“The level of customization in Japan is extremely high, and it’s super cool to see the ingenuity that goes into making each one unique. For me, the street racer Hi-So style is what I aspire to!”

His favorite car was a Toyota MX73 series “Cressida.

This car, the Cressida, can be considered a common vehicle with the so-called “Mark II Three Brothers” in Japan: the Mark II, the Cresta, and the Chaser. Although the front face is Cresta-like, the Mark II is the real base car, and the North American version has more luxurious equipment than the Japanese version. Heated mirrors, leather seats, and automatic seatbelts are standard equipment, and later models are equipped with a super monitor that can tell the driver a clock, calendar, average speed, fuel consumption, and when to change the engine oil. There is also a nifty melody function that activates on birthdays and plays a birthday song.

translated by DeepL