SP Rides: The Bippu Style
By Michael Kitchens
Owner: Jessie Calaro
Occupation: Fork lift mechanic, Owner of T & J’s Sounds Production
Hobbies: Spending time with Family, cars and taking care of business
Vehicle: 2002 Lexus GS300
Color: Toyota Bronze
Engine: Injen Intake, TRD oil cap, TRD radiator cap, Toyota Genuine oil filter, TRD exhaust
Exterior: JDM Vertex full Body Kit, UGO roof spoiler, Rod Millen 3pc wing, JDM yellow fog lamps, JDM chrome trunk bar, JDM Toyota chrome grille, JDM Toyota wind visor, JDM 8 pc. Aristo carbon fiber pillar, JDM Toyota emblems, JDM aristo emblem, custom shaved side markers, HID kit, custom LED in door handles
Interior: Junction Produce FUSA, Junction Produce Kitsuna, Recaro baby seat
I.C.E.: Kenwood double din mounted within an Aristo double din frame, 6½ Kenwood coaxials front & rear, 2 10” Memphis CF subwoofers, 2 XO Vision custom head rest screen. 2 custom painted Lightning audio amplifiers, custom amp rack
Suspension: Tein Super Street coil-over w/ EDFC plus Air Ride big red valves, 2 400cc Viar compressors, 2 Air Ride 5 gal tanks, Pressure switch, Gauges, Heavy duty compression fittings, 10 switch box
Wheels, Tires: 19X9.5 19×10.5 AME SHALLEN CX wheels stretched on General tires, Gorilla lug nuts, Power stop cross drilled rotors, rolled fenders
Although Jessie Calaro was born and raised in the lowrider lifestyle, he’s currently rocking the JDM VIP Style aka “Bippu”. For him, it was a natural progression from lowrider bikes to Impalas and eventually to the modern luxury sedans commonly used in this Japanese born automotive culture.
The bippu style originates from the organized crime syndicates known popularly as the “Yakuza” and later by Japanese street racers in an effort to avoid attracting unwanted attention from the police. The style has continuously evolved from traditionally understated luxury looks to the more current and flashy VIP renderings popular in Japan. Originally known as the Toyota Aristo, Jessie currently rides in this 2002 Lexus GS300.
Jessie follows the traditional route first by rolling “low and wide” with a full JDM Vertex body kit that modifies the OEM look to luxury standards. Although it’s had several different paint schemes, the current look is soaked in New Toyota Bronze. JDM yellow fog lamps are tucked away while the front fascia has been modified with a JDM Toyota Aristo front grill and logo. The Aristo theme is carried throughout the car and includes an Aristo carbon fiber pillar as well as custom shaved side markers. An HID kit provides some shine to light up the night along with custom LED in-door handles.
Although the ride is still fitted with a custom Air Ride suspension system featuring Viair components, it currently cruises on Tein Super Street coil=overs fitted with the awesome EDFC system. This system allows the driver to adjust damper settings at the push of a button…something that is sorely needed with the current road conditions on Oahu. The fenders are rolled and tucked beneath them are 19X9.5 and 19×10.5 AME SHALLEN CX wheels stretched on General Tires. Power Stop cross-drilled rotors can be seen behind the polished shine.
The VIP style continues interior-wise with several Junction Produce components including the ever-popular FUSA knot, a JP Kitsuna, and other amenities. Jessie is a full-on family man, and his baby girl rides in style with a cushy Recaro baby seat. The I.C.E. is in full but understated effect with a Kenwood double-din receiver mated with two custom painted Lightning amplifiers housed in a custom amp rack with two 10″ Memphis subs housed in custom trunk enclosure. The kids are kept entertained thanks to two more X) Vision custom head rest monitors.
Although not usually a priority, this VIP ride has been fitted with some performance enhancements to the 3.0 L Inline 6 with an Injen intake and dual tipped TRD Exhaust. Some dress up items complete the engine bay with a TRD oil and radiator cap as well as a TRD filter.
Jessie plans on keeping this VIP Style in the family for years to come. His 7 year old son is next on the owner’s list, and because of that, Jessie intends to keep it clean and luxurious for a long time. Jessie believes that “Once you plan something, you should stick with it…when you go to sleep; your dreams should be what you shoot for.”
