What Are The Best VIP Style Project Cars

TL;DR — 3 Key Takeaways

1. VIP style project cars are about refined aggression — presence, stance, and luxury over raw performance.

2. The movement blends Japan’s Bippu roots with modern Euro and US influences.

3. Choosing the right base car, perfect stance, and high-quality details is key to pulling off the look.

Setting the Scene

The crowd parts as it rolls in. The paint is so deep you could fall into it, the wheels glint under the car park lights, and the stance is impossibly low yet perfectly level. It doesn’t shout; it doesn’t need to. This is a VIP style project car, and it knows exactly what it’s about.

Unlike high-revving track builds or wild widebody show cars, VIP style plays a quieter game — but one with just as much impact. It’s a style rooted in Japanese luxury culture, born from the streets of Osaka and Tokyo, yet it has spread across the globe, influencing everything from classic JDM sedans to modern European fastbacks.

Where It All Began

To understand the best VIP style cars, you need to know the philosophy. The term “VIP” (pronounced “bippu” in Japan) started as a way to describe big-bodied, luxury sedans lowered on wide, deep-lipped wheels, often with subtle yet expensive bodywork. Back in the late ’80s and early ’90s, this was the preferred look for certain high-ranking figures in Japan’s underworld — understated power on four wheels.

Over the years, the aesthetic evolved into a legitimate tuning culture. Builders obsessed over details: millimetre-perfect fitment, mirror-polished lips, immaculate interiors. It became about craftsmanship and presence, not lap times or dyno numbers.

Choosing the Perfect Base Car

The starting point for any VIP build is crucial. In Japan, the classics still reign: Toyota Celsior, Crown Majesta, Nissan Fuga, and President. These were cars designed from the factory to glide down highways in total comfort — the perfect blank canvases for a low, commanding stance.

Outside Japan, enthusiasts have adapted the formula to suit what’s available locally. The US VIP scene loves Infiniti Q50s and even reimagined Chrysler 300Cs. Europe brings in Mercedes CLS, Audi A7, and Volkswagen Arteon builds that mix Japanese elegance with German precision.

One of the most surprising examples in our own coverage is the 2016 Honda Accord EX-L — proof that even a mid-sized family sedan can carry VIP swagger with the right execution.

Stance: The Foundation of the Look

In VIP style, the stance isn’t just part of the build — it is the build. The goal is to get the car sitting so low and level that the wheels and body look like they were designed together from day one. Achieving this takes more than just lowering springs; it’s about precision.

Static coilovers appeal to purists who want a fixed, uncompromising ride height. Air suspension offers the flexibility to drop the car onto the tarmac at shows and raise it for daily driving. Either way, the difference between “good” and “perfect” stance is often just a few millimetres of adjustment.

Wheels: Deep-Dish Royalty

If the stance is the foundation, the wheels are the crown. VIP cars demand multi-piece wheels with aggressive fitment and polished lips that catch the light. In Japan, Work, SSR, and Weds Kranze dominate the scene. Euro-influenced builds might choose BBS, Rotiform, or Vossen.

Size and offset are critical — a set that looks flawless on one car might look awkward on another. And while tyre stretch is common in VIP culture to achieve that flush arch-to-lip look, it’s always done with a careful eye on proportion.

Subtle but Significant Bodywork

One of the most misunderstood aspects of VIP style is bodywork. Unlike show builds with wide kits and huge wings, VIP modifications are often understated — a front lip, extended skirts, smoothed panels, and just the right amount of chrome delete.

Lighting upgrades are popular too, from smoked taillights to intricate LED headlight conversions. The key is that nothing feels out of place; every change should enhance the car’s original lines, not fight against them.

The Interior: Where VIP Really Lives

Step inside a true VIP build and the world outside fades away. The cabin is a sanctuary — rich leather or suede seats, deep-pile floor mats, custom wood or carbon-fibre trim, and details like starlight headliners or rear passenger tables.

Some builders go even further, adding executive features like chilled drinks compartments or premium audio systems tuned for concert-hall clarity. It’s about creating a space that feels as indulgent as the car looks from the outside.

Standout Builds from Our Features

Over the years, we’ve showcased some of the finest VIP-inspired projects in the scene:

• Japan’s Bippu builds — the source of it all.

• 2016 Honda Accord EX-L — unexpected platform, flawless execution.

• 2023 Volkswagen Arteon SEL — Euro meets Japan.

• Custom 2019 Infiniti Q50 — a performance twist on luxury stance.

• 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG — brute force wrapped in elegance.

Why VIP Style Works for Project Cars

A good VIP build is timeless. Trends in wings, vents, and flares come and go, but a perfectly proportioned luxury sedan will never look dated. It’s a style that works whether you’re pulling into a showground or gliding down the motorway at night.

For many, the appeal lies in its dual personality — part rolling art piece, part daily driver. And while it’s not the cheapest style to pull off, the results are often worth every late night in the garage and every carefully chosen part.

VIP Style Project Cars – Common Questions Answered

Is VIP style just for Japanese cars?

Not at all. While VIP style originated in Japan’s bippu culture, it has since become a global styling movement. In Japan, you’ll often see Toyota Celsiors, Crown Majestas, and Nissan Presidents slammed on deep-dish wheels. But internationally, the style has been adapted to platforms like the Volkswagen Arteon, Mercedes-Benz CLS, and even American sedans like the Chrysler 300C. The core principles — low stance, luxury presence, and meticulous detail — apply to any car with the right base design.

What makes a car “VIP style”?

A VIP style car typically features:

• Ultra-low ride height (air or coilovers)

• Deep-lip, multi-piece wheels with aggressive fitment

• Luxury-focused interiors with premium materials

• Subtle but high-quality exterior modifications
  The aim is to create a refined but intimidating street presence, not a track-ready racer.

How much does a VIP build cost?

The cost depends heavily on your base car and how far you want to go.

• Entry-level VIP builds (wheels, suspension, light styling) can start around £5,000–£8,000.

• Full show builds with custom interiors, bodywork, and rare wheels can run into £25,000–£50,000+.

Keep in mind that in VIP culture, cheap shortcuts are frowned upon — quality and precision always come first.

Is VIP style practical for daily driving?

It can be, but with some compromises. Air suspension offers the flexibility to raise the car for speed bumps and lower it for shows. Static coilovers give a more purist appeal but can make rough roads a challenge. Tyre choice, alignment, and wheel width also affect daily drivability. Most VIP owners accept that style comes before comfort.

What are the best cars to start a VIP project with?

• Japanese luxury sedans: Toyota Celsior/Lexus LS, Nissan Fuga, Toyota Crown

• Modern Euro platforms: Mercedes CLS, Audi A7, Volkswagen Arteon

• Performance sedans: Infiniti Q50, Lexus GS, BMW 7 Series
  The best starting point is a car that already has presence — clean, sleek lines and a strong luxury base.

Can VIP styling mix with performance mods?

Absolutely — but it’s a balancing act. Some builders, like Eric Santillan with his custom Infiniti Q50 VIP build, have successfully merged VIP stance and luxury with engine performance upgrades. Just remember, VIP’s focus is visual authority, so any performance mods should be discreet and not compromise the car’s clean aesthetic.

Why do VIP cars use stretched tyres?

Stretched tyres allow for aggressive wheel fitment without rubbing on the fenders. They also help tuck the wheels neatly under the arches, which is essential for the flush, slammed stance VIP cars are known for. While some stretch is purely aesthetic, extreme tyre stretch can affect handling and ride quality — so moderation is key.

How do I make my interior “VIP”?

Focus on materials and atmosphere:

• Premium leather or suede retrims

• Custom wood or carbon-fibre trim

• Starlight headliner lighting

• Executive-style accessories like fold-out tables or crystal glasses
  The goal is to make the cabin feel like a rolling VIP lounge, not just a modified car interior.

Why This Matters for Car Culture

VIP style is one of the few tuning approaches that’s equally at home at a street meet, concours event, or luxury car show. It’s a discipline where restraint, detail, and craftsmanship matter as much as creativity. And as more platforms adopt the look, the boundaries between JDM, Euro luxury, and modern performance sedans continue to blur — a testament to VIP’s timeless appeal.

More VIP Articles To Read

• What Are The Best VIP Style Project Cars 

• The Complete Guide to Bippu VIP Car Culture

• Top 10 Best Wheels for VIP Style Builds

• How to Choose the Perfect Air Suspension for Your VIP Car

• Euro vs JDM VIP Builds: What’s the Difference

• Inside a Show-Winning VIP Car Build

Call to Action

Do you have a build story like this one? Got a build on a budget? We want to see it. Submit your story to Stance Auto Magazine, and you could be the next featured owner showing the world how to do it right—without breaking the bank.

And hey, don’t forget to tag us on socials. Use #stanceautomag on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook so we can see (and maybe feature) your ride.

Order Your Car Magazines From Our Amazon Book Store

Get Noticed Use our Hashtags - #stanceauto #stanceautomag #stanceautomagazine #modifiedcarmagazine

UKTM no: UK00003572459