The import scene works in cycles. It starts with the factory look, then you get the tasteful lip kits, and the simple looking aftermarket bumpers, and it just keeps getting more and more extreme with “louder” and “louder” parts until it gets to what people refer to as rice. Well, we are always a few years behind Japan as far as trends go (what we are rocking today is what they were rocking 2-3 years ago) and once we start buying up the ricey parts, they go back to square one with the clean look. It’s all a cycle.

Here are some pictures from the Tokyo Auto Salon 2009 show which is where the standards are set for each year. Look at them and tell me what you think. I think that “rice” or whatever you want to call it, is in full bloom in Japan. It’s the same concepts as before, just a different approach. Also, everything is done cleanly so I’m not using “rice” to describe ill-fitting/non-painted body kits, just the style of the parts (crazy bumpers, altezza lights, lambo doors, etc).

My opinion is that show cars will always be crazy looking. As good as a lowered Acura Integra with wheels looks, it won’t catch anyone’s attention at a car show.

Did these cars catch my attention? You bet. Mission accomplished for them.