As a final bit of luxury material for this month, here's a car that combines the traditional Japanese luxury flagship with some of the kustom style that I showcased yesterday. I never knew the Toyota Century would look so natural in flat black slammed (with hydraulics) on some white walls with sidepipes. Who said VIP cars need wheels poking out

Here's another bit of printed treasure that I picked up during my recent stay in Japan, and another magazine title that fits well with this month's theme - Style Wagon. Since I bought my own van earlier this spring, I've been keeping an extra close eye on this magazine along with some of the other wagon and van publications available in

Right now we are hard at work on preparing features for next month, but there's still a few last bits of luxury and exotic material that I'd like to post. As a way if looking back at the roots of luxury customization, I've put together a gallery of vintage kustoms that could be considered luxury cars. Sure they might not have really been

Since it's luxury and exotic month (for another day or two at least), I thought it'd be a good time to take a look at one of the top magazines covering the VIP scene in Japan - VIP Style . Unlike here in the USA where the internet is where most automotive trends are born, print is still very influential Japan. After seeing so many US magazines

Want to take "the road less traveled" when doing a VIP car? Try a Cadillac Seville. I've actually seen a few later model VIP Caddys in Japan, including an especially nice one that was on the cover of VIP Style magazine earlier this year. The body seems to lend itself it well to the VIP treatment, no? Photo found on VIPStylecars.com -Mike

So...are Porsches considered exotics? How about RAUH Welt-tuned Porches? On Monday I'm heading back to Japan for a couple weeks and the Idlers Club race at Tsukuba is one of the things on my to-do list - exotic or not. I can't wait! -Mike Garrett