vip – Royal Origin

Karuma Vs Lowballers Round III | Event Coverage

Feels like I’ve been here before, a Friday morning meet up to cruise to Vegas for a car meet, but this time with different faces. It’s been two years since I have given any effort to get back into the car scene and after a depression phase I really want to get back out there and hang with friends that I haven’t seen. The Karuma x Lowballers meet seemed like the perfect event for it and cruising with the homies to Vegas just brought back some nostalgia.

Like I always do, try to get some nice rollers of my friend’s cars. This is Kekoa’s xB rolling slammed on the 15. @alowha_kekoa

We stopped at a McDonalds to wait for Kekoa and ended up seeing a bunch of cool cars.

We asked where they were going and they were also going to Vegas for the Karuma x Lowballers meet.

We ended up going to In-N-Out to fix Kekoa’s air problem. Cuong’s E30, Kekoa’s xB, my GR86 and David’s FJ Cruiser. Oh yeah I bought a GR86.

@seldoondrol clean E30.

After being saved by AJ we were back on the road for more rollers and this time accompanied by AJ’s T-Demand Camry. @ayeeejayyy.

The day of the meet, everyone met up at the Airbnb to cruise together to the meet. Miguel’s Minty Porsche. @mintcoimports

Vince built his LS430 just in time for the meet! @vince_neil

Someone we haven’t seen in a long time, Neel’s LS400 on Work Schwert SC4. @implayaz9

The Lowballers boss, Andrew’s LS400 on TE-37s. @sohigaragedru

Karuma always making the coolest trophies for their meets.

The meet didn’t even start yet and we got people here early for merch.

Jay did a suicide trip in his NSX for the meet! @jaycraaay

Nimo accompanied him on the way to Vegas in his IS300. @findingnimo

Fast and Furious but make it cute.

Shout out to this girl for cosplaying in 100 degree weather.

First time trying Guam food and damn it was so good!

When Taylor gets on top of a car at a meet, bitches go crazy.

Thanks for the good times ridahs!

-NGUMINH

August 15, 2022

Pro-Stance Presented by T-Demand | Event Coverage

It’s been a while since the last time we went to a car meet, but we felt like the Pro-Stance car show would be a great time to come out and see what’s new in the car scene. Pro-Stance is a car show brought to you by the guys over at Central Pine. They have a good relationship with T-Demand Japan and got the guys over from Japan to judge a VIP car show. Shavi and I went at different times, so our photos will be a little bit different. Make sure you check the watermark to be sure who took the photo!

Caught Rilber rolling up in his wide body Audi.

U.S. VIP brought to you by Jay and his LS400.

Clean GS parked in front of the show.

More of Jay’s LS400…

Jay’s LS400 is bagged with some serious T-Demand suspension to get that negative camber with the Emitz.

Anything with T-Demand parts, you should expect some crazy camber.

The head boss at Central Pine, Sam’s Q45.

Taylor’s LS400 on Rotiform ROC.

Karuma in full force, a clothing brand by our good buddies.

Taylor and Paul holding it down at the booth. Peep that IS250 rear end tee..

Two Sick IS’s from Pure Lex.

Black is VIP.

Hot S14 with crazy camber from PURE VIP.

The father of EURO VIP, Johnne Sou’s Job Design E60.

A wild Cressida with a Chaser front end conversion looking like it came straight from Japan.

A car that literally came straight from Japan is this Toyota Crown with that ridic camber on SSR TF1.

Mike Vo’s more crazy than ever LS with that new vinyl wrap and Black Pearl kit.

Sick T-Demand parts to get that extra low and camber.

This GS is probably my favorite from the T-Demand line up.

Wild E46 from Violent Clique.

Shout out to Central Pine and T-Demand for throwing a sick car show!

After the show, Ky, John and I decided to go to the Oyster Bar at the Artic.

Their ‘House Special’ Clam Chowder and Pan Roast. Bomb!

Later on went to A La Minute for some nitrogen ice cream!

What a life.

Photos by @nguminh and @shaviw

-NGUMINH

June 23, 2017

Vegas for a Day | Road Trips

Did a suicide trip with Shavi to Vegas, so I could surprise the wife. Thanks Shavi for being the real MVP.

The road to Vegas from Orange County.

Met up with Nick and Jeremy for Baby Stacks.

How Shavi looks after driving 4 hours. Check out that bokeh in the back.

Adobo Fried Rice.

Got back to Shavi’s house and checked out what Shavi’s working on for the M30.

Amazing that it can move at this height.

Vertex and camber forever.

-NGUMINH

July 19, 2016

Nemo’s Garage | Grand Opening

It’s that time of the year in Southern California, where the blistering heat and car meets align. This weekend took us to the Nemo’s Garage grand opening in Ontario, California. And as you will see they are new, but veterans of experience and knowledge in the automotive realm; big with the Honda platforms.

Thanks.

Shavi Wijegunaratne
Instagram: shaviw
shavi@royal-origin.com

June 18, 2016

Wekfest LB 2016 | Video Highlight

Just another Wekfest at Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA, however, this time around this is the last one at this location. Nonetheless, they put together Southern California’s finest automotive builds together once again. Here is a video highlight from some clips Nimo capture, and I decided to quick edit together. Enjoy.

Shavi Wijegunaratne
Instagram: shaviw
shavi@royal-origin.com

June 10, 2016

Tokyo Auto Salon 2016 | Event Coverage

Tokyo Auto Salon is a world famous international auto show by Nippon Auto Parts Aftermarket Committee. It is held at Makuhari Messe convention in Chiba, Japan, where they display the latest and greatest in Japanese performance and dress-up display. We started the year off by attending this world famous event, and we were definitely more than impressed. It is quite similar to our famous auto trade event, SEMA, in Las Vegas, Nevada; however, just imagine seeing the awesome Japanese styling just consistently throughout the entire event.

One of about 11 halls filling up fast with media, attendees, and those involved in the Japanese automotive industry.

Over at Rush Motorsports we spotted a familiar face, Sara Choi.

Nissan GT-R R35 on Mikado Hayabusa wheels.

Rush Motorsports Nissan Skyline GT-R R33 on Mikado Hayabusa wheels.

Forgiato x Liberty Walk Audi R8.

Over at the Toyota Gazoo Racing booth you have school kids taking notes, and learning a thing or two about the history of Toyota Gazoo Racing.

Liberty Walk Mini Cooper R56.

Liberty Walk Audi R8.

Liberty Walk Nissan Fairlady Z S30.

Bunch of Liberty Walk merchandise everywhere.

The Subaru BRZ STi.

Liberty Walk Maserati.

WALD displaying the latest wheel and brake products.

Defi showing off the latest for the newest Mazda 2 Demio.

The latest from Vossen x Work.

This VW has a mixture of USDM and JDM styling.

The AIMGAIN ND Miata. One of the nicest ND builds of Tokyo Auto Salon.

Really love the rear end appearance of the whole AIMGAIN GT kit

The AIMGAIN X STANCENATION Toyota FRS. As you can see this version of the kit includes no rivets at all.

One of a few simulators around TAS.

326POWER suspension essentials.

Crazy 326POWER Toyota Prius.

Vertex was in the house. Quality steering wheels.

Kenda Nissan S15.

These two Nissan GT-R showcasing truly beautiful hand-crafted paint work.

The Kuhl Racing ND Miata.

Y33 Cima tucking ridiculously all around with butterfly doors.

Pandem Rocket Bunny E36 M3.

Microvans and K-cars were amazing. Something you definitely do not see in the US.

Probably our favorite build of Tokyo Auto Salon was this red Spirit Rei 180sx.

The fitment and everything was on point.

Garage RiseUP FD3S RX-7 bringing an update to the whole FD front end.

Car Modify Wonder; loved them all.

Greddy Rocket Bunny ND Miata. Another over fender build.

Got Aero?

BN SPORTS kitted Toyota 86.

COCKPIT TATEBAYASHI Nissan Skyline GT-R.

We highly recommend anyone that is able to head out to Japan to give Tokyo Auto Salon a look, because you surely will be impressed by nearly every car. And if you do, be sure to bring a long a good amount of money, because there are ridiculous deals on car parts for cheapy cheaps.

More photos in the gallery below.

Photos by @shaviw and @nguminh. Please check watermark to give credit to the correct photographer.

January 25, 2016

Southern Worthersee Part Four | Throw Back

Throwing it back to one of the most memorable events/trips to enjoy different automotive culture than what I am used to in Southern California. Also, took me awhile to edit through the pictures as I rarely do take pictures, however, I recently picked up a Sony A7II with the kit lens, and it has motivated me to shoot more pictures as well as video of course.

DAY ONE: We arrived in Helen, Georgia very early in the morning, and already got greeted by familiar faces, and a lot of different quality ones.

A lost SoCal tribesmen came to greet us as well.

Through my network over at Mazda Fitment, I recognized Nate’s Miata parked in a random parking lot. Definitely as lovely in person as on the internet.

The new finish on the OZ Turbos was a nice touch to the new vinyl wrap theme.

On this trip, I told Ryo he had to come out to an East Coast event before he went back to Japan. Definitely glad he took my word for it, cause he was blown away. Ryo you will be missed!

This VW stood out amongst the rest. Liked it a lot.

Alex Goldstein’s E92 M3 On BBS RS2 wheels. Got the pleasure of shooting this car, which you can see later on in this post.

Another Mazda that I recognize through my network at Mazda Fitment. Also, got to meet the owner, was pretty cool.

Absolute love the direction Chris has had with this car of recent. Always well done through nearly all the stages of this car.

The south has some amazingly smooth roads and awesome twists. Really wanted a proper car to take it on a nice spirited drive here.

Southern beauty. Found this random pond/lake. Definitely not the nature we are used to in Southern California.

This E46 M3 had an excellent blend of style with the Weds Kranze LXZs.

One of a decent number of Miatas at SOWO. This one on AME made Fatlace FZERO1.

Another euro that blended a different style to the mundane usual stuff you would see on a euro.

This is a husband and wife pair right here. Both into some rad vintage euros; the bug and the bus.

Something I am more used to seeing back home.

Loved the fender to lip of the wheel fitment. On point fife.

DAY TWO: We stayed at Chris’s cabin about a few miles out of Helen, and came back the next day to continue exploring Helen.

Behind that door was bad things.
www.shop.royal-origin.com

I have seen a few pictures of this in the past floating around from Southern Fresh. Finally get to meet Justin and his LS400.

Kyle’s 326power’d out GS300. Got to shoot both of these later on as well.

The Risky Devil yacht. AJ bought this down from Arizona to Chicago to Georgia.

Found an awesome spot to shoot the cars. Here is Alex’s E92 M3.

Loving the southern back drop. A nice different scenery that we are usually used to in SoCal.

Horse friends.

Kyle’s GS300 enjoying that southern air.

It’s Fun To Do Bad Things.
www.shop.royal-origin.com

Love the rear end of this one with all those lines and details. Kyle just needs to insert the tips ;]

Justin’s LS400. Custom wide body.

Love the aggressive boss presence this has.

Those fender cuts. Love it.

Got to enjoy another East Coast trip with Ryan and his WRX. This time around the car has changed quite a lot since then.

Always a pleasure to enjoy Ryan’s southern hospitality.

DAY THREE: On the last day in Helen we were back in town seeing what was left. Still a good number of cars and quality stuff laying around. This Miata was on point with the BBS RFs.

The iconic Walking Dead location. Atlanta, Georgia.

Atlanta, Georgia from the sky.

And back home to SoCal we went. Definitely loved this trip and event. The vibe and feel is different than H2Oi, and is definitely an experience I will continue to try to repeat.

June 11, 2015

More Preparations | Enjoy Sin

A very important thing to check before a long road trip is your alignment and tire wear. Thankfully, we have the good guys over at 714 Tires to help us prepare our cars for the long trip to Las Vegas. They are one of the few shops in Southern California that work on slammed cars.

Kevin’s S2000 getting his tires flipped.

Derek getting his GS an alignment.

Kevin’s Avant Garde A1 wheels are for sale by the way. Email us at royalorigin@royal-origin.com for a price. One of a kind wheels.

DPE wheels getting some tires dismounted. 714 Tires handles a lot of expensive wheels, so they know how to work on your wheels without damaging it.

Lee one of the owners of 714 Tires putting in work.

Rotiform CSW.

Vinh helping out David, the other owner of 714 Tires with dismounting tires.

Beautiful.

Tires for days.

It was a Royal Origin type of morning for 714 Tires.

How Derek’s face is after an alignment. Stunned, happy, mad, sad not really sure.

I changed my ride height, so the toe was a bit off. Thanks to 714 Tires everything was in spec and ready for Vegas.

Afterwards, we took Kevin’s S2000 and his new hardtop back to Robros Customs to get it wrapped.

Liberty Walk GTR coming soon..

Out of no where a wild Kato appears.

Kato from Liberty Walk came by to check on the Robros Customs GTR.

This guy is really fun to talk to and thank you to Anna for translating.

Checking out Kevin’s wrap job.

Robros sandwich.

After that meeting, me and Vinh had to go to City of Industry to pick up a hood from Seibon and while we were in the area, we decided to see if VR wheels had anything cool going on.

Wheel heaven.

They always have some fire in their ware house. Wish I had the money for some BBS LMs.

When we got back Jason had finished wrapping Kevin’s hardtop.

Check out that precision even making it two tone with the gloss black.

Kevin’s car has come a long way since his motor blew way back then. Glad to see the progression on this thing!

Next post… OMWTFYB…

March 4, 2015

Vegas Prep | Enjoy Sin

It’s insane how much sleep you lose when preparing your car for an event, whether it’s a track day or just a car meet. Making your car up to your expectations takes quite a bit of time and effort. Most of the crew had to get their car ready for our annual Royal Origin meet in Las Vegas. Not only did they have to get the car ready to floss, but they had to get it ready for a four hour trek into the desert.

Ryo, one of the crazier guys in our group had to get his fenders pulled and space our his rear wheels, so it doesn’t rub against the frame anymore.

Crazy, how he’s planning to drive this car to Vegas.

Meanwhile, I was just playing around putting my Work CR-Kai’s on my SC. Doesn’t look that bad in my opinion.

Air master Vinh was trying to put together his air suspension for his STI.

The pieces to a very complicated puzzle.

Vinh’s garage buddy, Bryan’s M5 on DPE wheels.

Since the SC got some wheels now, I decided to put the Meisters back on my IS for the meet.

Damn, I miss driving around like a boss.

Speaking of bosses, Kevin from Boss Company came by to hang out with his LS400.

Sadly, this car will be sold soon..

More of Ryo’s Q45.

Dem camber specs tho..

The master teaching the student.

Decided to practice light painting again and well it didn’t come out that great. It was most likely because it wasn’t dark enough and the amber lights didn’t help either.