Larry Chen’s Garage: Inside the Iconic ‘Japanese Hot Rod’ Collection

Automotive videographer Larry Chen has pulled back the curtain on his personal garage, revealing a fleet that serves as both a tool for his content creation and a testament to his deep ties with global car culture. The reveal comes via a partnership with the Petersen Automotive Museum, offering a rare look at vehicles that have shaped his career.

At the heart of the collection is a red Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R, Chen’s first Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) build. Though it retains the visual cues of a stock RB26 engine, the internals tell a different story: a 2.8-liter HKS stroker kit paired with HKS turbos. Chen affectionately labels this California-registered import his “Japanese Hot Rod,” bridging American muscle aesthetics with JDM engineering.

For daily operations, Chen relies on a purpose-built Toyota Mark V Supra. This isn’t just a performance machine; it’s a mobile studio. The interior features a custom mount for video equipment, allowing him to capture high-speed chase footage directly from behind the wheel. Tuned to run on E60 fuel, the Supra produces over 500 horsepower, ensuring he can keep pace with the subjects he films.

Chen’s racing pedigree is represented by a 1984 BMW E30 Spec Race Car, instantly recognizable by its 7-Eleven livery. He credits the convenience store giant as a major supporter of car culture, noting their working relationship. Built to BMW Spec series rules, the car uses an M20 engine pushed to its legal limit. Quirky details include real 7-Eleven cups used as catch cans and an antenna designed like a Big Gulp cup.

Another standout is the Toyota Mark II JZX100, dubbed the “JDM Taxi.” Featured at SEMA last year, the car maintains a subtle sleeper aesthetic despite significant mechanical upgrades. A Greddy turbocharger is bolted onto a 1JZ-VVT-i engine, creating a drift-capable street car that doesn’t shout about its potential. The interior even features lace covers, a nod to traditional JDM styling.

The emotional anchor of the garage is a Datsun 240Z, chassis number 2,868. Purchased for $3,000 when Chen was 21, it was his first sports car. Decades of slow restoration led to its display at the prestigious Quail Car Show this year. Today, it runs on a turbocharged Nissan SR20 engine salvaged from a former drift car, marking a full-circle moment for the vehicle that defined his early passion.

While heavily focused on JDM, the collection includes two European icons. The Porsche 996 Turbo, owned for 12 years, was Chen’s first European car. He describes it as the last true 911 amenable to DIY work, aiming to transform it into a GT2-inspired all-wheel-drive beast. The other is the legendary Bayside Blue Nissan GT-R R34, fully restored by Garage Yoshida in Nara before being imported to the U.S. Chen calls it his ultimate dream car.

Newer additions show Chen’s ongoing collaboration with manufacturers. A 2026 Toyota GR Corolla sits in the lineup, the result of his involvement in the model’s pre-launch marketing. As a special member of the launch team, Chen traveled to Toyota Manufacturing in the U.K. to witness his specific unit being built. He jokes it is the most fuel-efficient car in his garage, but its significance lies in that insider history.

Projects remain active, notably a 1996 Honda Accord SIR recently imported from Japan. It houses a revered H22A engine and a 5-speed manual, identified as unit number 89. Chen views it as the best Accord ever made and plans to turn it into another “JDM Hot Rod,” targeting 400-500 horsepower through engine rebuilds.

Beyond the main garage, utility and fun take precedence. A supercharged 2018 Toyota Tundra, modified to 500 hp, reflects his vision of a “Raptor Tundra.” A 2007 FJ Cruiser with a supercharger handles trail duties. But the crown jewel for sheer enjoyment is a Nissan 350Z drift car, now equipped with a Nitrous Express system. For Chen, nothing beats the control required to keep the Z sideways.