I’ve penned well over 100 feature articles in my career, and this is easily the most complete, refined, and otherwise badass VIP ride I’ve ever come across, let alone had the privilege of introducing to all of you. And from what Houston-area photographer Chris Reno told us about the day he met up with the creators of this beast, their “Refined Elegance” crew is pretty much chock-full of luxo rides built to a similar caliber. But this one stands out—for more reasons than any one car should.
We’re sure that by now you’re all aware of the VIP backstory, and how the Japanese Yakuza initiated the trend (also called Bippu) by modifying expensive, RWD, large-body Japanese sedans to offer all the luxuries demanded by their most very important persons, while maintaining the ability to blend in with thousands of customized Japanese limousines on the country’s roadways. It was a trick that helped them avoid the eyes of zealous cops, and provide the intimidated ones with a degree of deniability in looking the other way. By the book, sports cars like the Nissan Silvia, Mazda RX-7, or anything by Honda, for example, could never be considered proper VIP, no matter how much in the tradition we see some modified today. Put literally, VIP is and always was a game for the big boys.
Enter the Lexus LS, or Toyota Celsior, as it’s known in Japan. When it launched in the late ’80s, its aim was to “surpass rival American and European flagship sedans in specific target areas, including aerodynamics, cabin quietness, overall top speed, and fuel efficiency,” (from Chester Dawson’s Lexus: The Relentless Pursuit, 2004). V-8 power should also be added to that list. Needless to say, the world’s elite ate it up, and LSs driven on behalf of Japan’s most successful illicit businessmen were immediately made lower, darker, more plush inside, and more aggressive outside.
Popping the hood of this ’01 LS430, you’ll notice something peculiar for a VIP ride: performance mods. The aforementioned Japanese elite may not have been the type to run from their associates, but Stateside enthusiasts like those of Refined Elegance are exactly the type to give the occasional modified sports car a run for its money on Texas’ sprawling freeways. This Lex flexes over 400 horses at a conservative 10 psi of boost from its custom Garrett GT40/T4 turbocharger, part of a complete system built and tuned by Houston-area induction/fabrication specialists Secret Services Auto (SSA). And yes, it’s all centered around the original 3UZ-FE V-8 engine of the Lexus LS—not the increasingly popular GM replacement. But it’s the presentation that’s sure to get a nod of approval from any high roller. Chrome City, in nearby Humble, takes the chrome/copper-plated cake (as seen by their work on the turbo and HKS 100mm velocity stack), and Dip Tech’s treatment of the stock engine plastics—hydrographically covering them in carbon-fiber transfer—is too cool for words. YouTube that big one if you’re unfamiliar with it.
If ultra-rarities are what grab your attention, this LS is captivating. See that exhaust poking out beneath the rear portion of that full Admiration kit? It’s an authentic Seiryusho cat-back, one of only six ever made. And those Weds Kranze wheels filling the custom-radius sheetmetal fenders are nearly as rare; they’re called “Elaborar”, and as of press time are the only set known to have made it to the U.S.—these having been infused with custom Swarovski Topaz Crystal rivets and valve stem caps. Houston’s JC Auto Body Repair not only fabricated those fenders in the JDM VIP tradition, but applied the full kit, shaved the emblems and washer nozzles, installed all the exterior goodies in the spec box, tubbed the wheelwells in preparation for the hybrid airover suspension, and coated everything in a custom variation of Lexus’ Premium Brown Effect paint.