Why Cut Up A $100,000 Car?
The $100K Question

It’s a question worth asking, and one that serial SoCal-based Lexus builder Gordon Ting can answer with his latest creation.

Many people (Dino included) were disappointed that the Toyota Supra did not make an appearance at the Tokyo Motor Show last week, but if you wanted a taste of what that sports car could be, this Lexus project, as debuted at the SEMA Show yesterday, may give you a few ideas. Though, talking to Gordon, he really didn’t approach this build to create or recreate the FT-1. His goal was build a better LC 500; one that handles, looks good, and is comfortable to drive anywhere he wants to go. Instead of making a tasteless and over-the-top show car, he’s created something that a sensible adult would enjoy driving.

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The stance is set by a KW Suspensions V3 coilover package with the added functionality of KW’s Hydraulic Lift System (HLS). Lift systems were originally designed for DTM race cars as a solution to balance aerodynamics; cars would be raised so that they could get through track sections that required additional height, and then drop down again for high speed sections. On Gordon’s car, KW’s HLS is used as a solution for speed bumps, driveways, and getting the Lexus on and off trailers.

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The brakes are Brembo GT fare featuring 6-piston calipers with 405mm Type 3 rotors up front, and 4-piston calipers with 380mm Type 3 rotors out the back. These are just barely covered by 22-inch RAYS Volk Racing G25 forged wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Nero GT tires.

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The engine hasn’t been touched, but since Lexus’s factory fitment was a 471hp 5.0-liter V8, it’s not short on power. A GReddy Supreme SP exhaust system does make it sound better than stock while possibly picking up a few more horsepower. The 10-speed transmission has also not been modified, but with so many choices in gear selection for the ECU, it really doesn’t need any additional work.

Inside, Sparco SPX carbon fiber adjustable race seats replace the factory units but keep with the theme of a performance street car that the LC 500 is supposed to be.

Body Built
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Underneath the Avery Denison Supreme Satin Carmine Red wrap laid down by Daily Visual are custom fenders from Evasive Motorsports, and finishing things off is an Artisan Spirits five-piece carbon fiber lip kit with a Voltex Racing custom carbon GT wing added out back.

While the body doesn’t show it, there are bolts holding those fenders on – they are just strategically placed to hide them from view. On a car like the Toyota 86, Gordon admits exposed rivets and bolts can look good with a wide-body conversion, however, the prestige and expense involved with the LC 500 dictates that a cleaner, more refined look was required, which is why he and his Beyond Marketing team chose to go this route.

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While this car is an evolution of the LC 500 that he debuted at SEMA last year, it’s not getting pushed into the realm of track car. Or at least Gordon doesn’t have any plans to go that far with the build at this moment; it’s doing just fine as a daily driver.

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So why would someone do this to a $100,000 Lexus LC 500? Because they can, but this one has class. It’s a low, wide, yet comfortable high performance luxury coupe that can be street driven – even over speed bumps. The exterior parts selected and created are all refined and classy enough to not distract too much from the original lines; the satin red gives a sporty look without looking too out of place. Gordon Ting has created a wide-body car that most adults would be willing to be seen in rather than the wild and crazy creations we normally see here at the SEMA Show.

As SEMA ages past its 50-year mark, I wonder if we’ll start to see more ‘adult’ tuner car builds like this at future shows…

Words by Justin Banner
Instagram: jb27tt
Facebook: racerbanner
Twitter: RacerBanner

Photos by Larry Chen
Instagram: larry_chen_foto
larry@speedhunters.com

Cutting Room Floor
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Comments



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28 comments

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1

Because money is meaningless.

2

This kind of "no fucks given" butchery is simpy a very effective way to promote your business. It's so effective that I wouldn't be surprised if you could present a business plan to a bank and actually borrow money to do a project like this!

Even negative press gets people talking about your business. Chopping up expensive/holy grail cars and realizing a vision must also be very fun and challenging for the bodyshops in question. Its a win-win really!

3

haha so true. Why cut up a $100,000 car? Because clickbait and ad revenue!!!

4

I want to like how this car looks. Some part of me feels I should but, the added unnecessary lines just make it ugly. The car was so beautiful because it was one clean curvy design. This kit looks like it was designed by several different people that had different concepts in mind.

-Alex

5

I concur. Although I don't mind the front fenders at all, like you said those extra lines, especially in the rear take away from the elegance. More subtle molding of the rears to match the original would look perfect in my humble opinion. I still like the car overall.

6
Nolan Christian Lohmann Bjorn

Definitely an interesting take on styling. I like it though.

7

Overall I like the body kit except the front of the rear fenders.

8

Too many new lines right? The integration is very average.

9

Holy.

Shit.

I'll be in my bunk.

10

I can't help but wonder if the much-rumored (and much-denied) Lexus LC F will look a bit like this build. I guess we'll see...

11

The real question is why WOULDN'T you? This thing looks mean as hell! It could use a pair of turbos though ;)

12

People cut up Ferrari & Lamborghini anyways.

But I would definitely buy a Lexus LC500 & put on this Artisan Spirit kit, because it's gorgeous! Who care if the car doesn't perform like European or American cars, it looks gorgeous!

13

Looks cheap. In stock form it's far too close to perfect to attempt to "improve" with tack-on body mods.

14

Looks alright. It deosn't strike the 10/10 that a Ferrari SuperFast would have, but looks cool. Stick a Toyota badge on it, drop in a BMW straight (in-line) 6 motor, and call it a Supra

15

I just can't get over the design language of the Lexus' front ends. Makes it very hard to look past.

16

It took a while to decide whether I like it or not. The rear fenders are potentially the only contentious piece on this car. I think I'd grow to like them. I also think the added width treads a fine line between being aggressive and subtle.

17

"he’s created something that a sensible adult would enjoy driving"

Without proper tires? Any sensibly driven GT car needs Michelin rubber.

18

"Sensible adult"? Sorry, I'm not familiar with that term. It looks good though. Sometimes you don't need exposed hardware. Sometimes you might also need to pacify the wife or the HOA, so a refined look is necessary.

19

The color is very off-putting for me

20

Has a tacked on look to it. If non-seam widening of the fenders were made, I think the character of the original form would be retained. That Gunther Werks 400R looks amazing in how that body is made and put together. I'd say it looks more modern while this looks kinda old already.

21

At least it is not cut by Nakai-san, it's less painful and more detailed

22

Looking at all these negatives comments, I think I'm definitely not seeing the same thing as the others. Must have some picture-changing hocus-pocus going on or something. I agree to some extent that the rear side panel could have been done in a more fitting way, but really, this thing just looks like something that could actually come out of an official Lexus factory. The wider panels, especially when looking at the rear, just fit the car so well. It's as if a well-designed version of the Lexus LFA Nürbergring edition was finally created. Except it's an LC 500. Sadly enough though, it's overfenders we're talking about here. Get up close, and let the vomit flow. With that being said, a full body version would just be gorgeous, and it's also one of the few kind of cars that can wear wide wheels elegantly, so what's more to ask? It gives a very sporty look, that just blends so well with that matte red screaming racing, along with those carbon fiber bits. I don't know what mare one would want. That being said, there's still an issue there: it's only being street driven? Tssssk. Take that fucking thing to the track right away, 471hp aren't there to buy clothes, but to rip them apart.

23
Rich E Wavy Kariuki

Well...the interior's nice :-|

24

It has quality, the lines were much cleaner than bolt-on over-fenders.
The rear spoiler also add points for making it a much sporty feel.
I like it.

25

Boy oh boy do I wish I had enough money to buy that thing.... another level of cool

26
Robin Weichenthal

I'm not that familiar with the design of the lc500, and I actually wasn't sure if this car is modified or not at the beginning of this feature, that is some proper work, lovin' it!

27
Davis Cahuatijo

For me. It has many design supra´s details!

28

I want to love it but its so fucking slow for the money.

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