It's Illegal To Be A Car Enthusiast: Hong Kong's Underground Car Scene | Capturing Car Culture

[@rockyyung4268]

Larry, One of the main reasons why Eugene and I invited you to HK and arranged all these meets is not to show off the cars, but to let the world know just how tough it is to drive a JDM out on the road in HK. It’s utterly ridiculous that even stock JDM get harassed. The other point is to let the world know just how well behaved the meets are. As you said there’re no burnouts, no revving and no misbehaving. All we wanna do is to chill, take some photos, share some car culture. And yet, we are treated like criminals when they stop us to check our cars. To be surrounded by more than 10 cops when your car is stock is a very unpleasant experience. I mean, is it really necessary to suppress car culture to this extent ? Wouldn’t it be better to use the resources and man-power to directly stop illegal street racing ? What’s the point of discouraging people meeting in a parking lot in an orderly fashion without disturbing anyone at all ? I’m glad that through the meets I’ve arranged this time round, you have first hand experience of what HK JDM / modified car owners go through. Anyway, thanks for this. I hope the HK Govt / police will see this video in a positive light and stop the suppression, which is obviously way overboard. P.S. My IG is @rcollezione in case anyone is interested in more HK car culture. P.S.S. We shall not yield. Rocky Yung

[@thomascorneliomusic]

Hey Rocky, what happens after the car is impounded? What's the process like for owners to get their cars back, how long does this take?

[@bluetitan20]

It was great to see what the JDM car culture is like in HK. Some of the cars were just unreal, you should be all so proud, that despite what the authorities are doing, you can still have some of the best JDM cars around. Its just a massive sickener to see how so many of you are being treated. We have some stupid laws and things in my country (Ireland), but nothing like what you all have to put up with. Has it always been like that, or have things just gotten a lot worse, since China has really started taking over and running things in HK? Oh, and I've just followed you on Instagram, look forward to seeing a lot more of your car culture on there 👍😎

[@rockyyung4268]

Hi ! After a car is impounded, it gets checked by the ‘officials’ at the pound. And for every fault/mod that they deem inappropriate, we will get fined. We then get the car back in a few days and we are given the chance to reverse the mods. A date would be set for the next inspection. If we pass, we just pay the fine. If we don’t pass, then the car will be illegal to be driven on the road until we pass, which means there’ll be no insurance coverage and further fines if we are caught driving an ‘illegal’ car on the road. As you can imagine, it’s a real pain in terms of time spent and money to be spent reversing the mods. But as I said, we are prepared for this and live with this. However, what frustrates us is the following: 1) the frequency that this happens in HK, especially in the ‘New Territories’ part. 2) the way we are treated, during when we are initially stopped by the police. The sheer number of police and their attitude make you feel like a criminal. 3) the petty little things that the police love to pick on, e.g. the font of the license plate being too close together or in the wrong font or the plate being too small. They would deem this as being dangerous and not road worthy along with other basic modifications such as changing the rims, or lowering the car. 4) their dislike for car meets in general.

[@rockyyung4268]

@@bluetitan20it’s gotten worse over the past 10 years. Extremely sad….

[@tedtheturbot]

Why?

[@jordanwebster5077]

"The authorities really don't like it, but the car culture pushes on." Absolutely love it, this is the spirit we all need.

[@canto_v12]

Same here in California. It's not as difficult as in Hong Kong because we still have a lot more open space than they do, but compared to the rest of the US, CA is pretty crazy about emissions.

[@rockyyung4268]

Thanks for the support guys 🙌🏻

[@druegnor1703]

just put a ccp logo on your car problem solve.

[@maxidaho]

@@canto_v12 ...and that whole "not communist's" thing.

[@canto_v12]

@@maxidaho I spend a lot of time in Hong Kong. The level of capitalism there would make ‘Murica blush. And I don’t mean that as a good thing.

[@Zerobar78.]

"No, I have no idea who they are", and that's the beauty of being an enthusiast!! We all know each other without knowing each other!! Great video Larry!!

[@NovaResource]

Amen!!! All I need to know about you is that you enjoy cars and that’s enough. Car enthusiasts … the best club (and family) in the world.

[@NovaResource]

@@robertshelton3796 Hey man, sorry someone pissed in your Cheerios this morning. Hope the rest of your day goes better. Happy Motoring!

[@robertshelton3796]

@@NovaResourceHuh?

[@WizardSoon]

Singaporean car enthusiast here. I just want to give a big hug to our fellow Hong Kong bros who is doing their best to keep their hobby and dreams alive!!

[@rockyyung4268]

Thanks ! 😁

[@alexioflexio8818]

i was just in sinagpore.. you guys don't seem to have it much better. nowhere to drive except airport road and super high taxation on cars. am i correct?

[@WizardSoon]

@@alexioflexio8818 high taxation yes. We need to purchase a "permit" to allow us to own a car for 10 years. Prices currently is 80K SGD for smaller car below 1.6L & 130BHP or about 100K SGD for bigger cars. For me, I can't afford them, I can't handle the depreciation of these cars, until I was introduced a limited road use scheme called "Classic cars". I am a happy owner of a VW Beetle Cabriolet. For road wise, yes. Thus it make sense and more fun to drive a slow car fast. We are still fortunate that we are connected to Malaysia where there are more roads for us to explore. Just did a road trip last December on my beetle for 2000km to and fro in Malaysia.

[@WizardSoon]

@@rockyyung4268 looking forward for Episode 2 and 3. And a HONDA BEAT is featured. Lovely ❤️ And I didn't realize Hong Kong have vanity plate! 😁

[@ahhacar]

Damn I wana hug you so bad, living in Singapore is so hard to have your dream car. I saw a lot of teens hang out in arcades playing racing games to nuture their hobbies

[@Kevwa51]

You gotta admire those enthusiasts accepting that as a gate of entry into car culture and taking it in stride. I mean it’s completely ridiculous but their positivity and unwillingness to give up is inspiring. Your videos are next level Larry keep it up.

[@ricky4673]

They are just trust fund babies, risking their daddies money.

[@derrekjohnson777]

Thanks for responding and informing me. I appreciate that

[@Kevwa51]

Yeah that makes a lot of sense actually.

[@vantablack1300]

Videos like this really put into perspective how good us car enthusiasts have it here in the USA.

[@heinztang2376]

I don't know how easy it is to be a car enthusiast in the us of a, but in Hong Kong we really have a saying, being a car enthusiast is harder than doing a bank robbery

[@heh2k]

California wants to stop it. They tried to ban torque wrenches and working on your car in your own garage with the door closed.

[@darthnosam3313]

Where I live in the US I can do what ever I want to my car as long as it has a muffler, and I pass emissions

[@lukedanielgalon1596]

i wouldn't say everyone is good in the US especially the UK

[@vantablack1300]

99% of car enthusiasts in the USA have it good lol. In the Southern USA and Midwest, most states have no emissions laws. You can run catless headers and straight pipe exhaust without any consequences. Even in lame ass California with all the smog laws, people still run their cars unrestricted. People get crazy with their builds I can't speak for the UK cause I have never lived there, but generally speaking the USA is a safe haven for car enthusiasts. @@lukedanielgalon1596

[@DeolTheBeast]

If the police tried this behaviour in the UK - many enthusiasts would rebel and simply refuse to co-operate. It's crazy the lengths these HK enthusiasts are going to to enjoy their cars - I respect them massively.

[@hungryalien]

HK police are scary these days. they got so much power and they know when to flex that power.

[@IiKeiI]

That’s why many people in HK moved to the UK

[@rockyyung4268]

Thanks for the encouragement !

[@kramer26]

@@IiKeiI not that the UK is any better in terms of it being a police state that's anti-car...

[@Mac10Daddy]

@@dennis8223that’s communism for you

[@AliasHSW]

The two light wand photo of the R and especially of the Celica is pure perfection and art.

[@tomasvdb]

the light is what makes HK so magical from dusk to dawn… those are indeed great photos

[@AliasHSW]

@@tomasvdb - if I could I would be at the overlook all night

[@durianx]

That was my friend and me in the Aston Martin Vantage when you were driving the 86 🤣. Glad to have met you the following day and thanks for coming to our little corner of the world to show everyone how Hong Kong does it!

[@canto_v12]

Keep on throwin' it down hard. I don't have the bankroll to play with cars in HK but I do what I can from where I'm living and working, in California. Cheers mate and keep those HK roads colourful.

[@chi_kin997]

If you look at the history of Hong Kong, generally back in the 80’s and 90’s Gangsters In Hong Kong drove Japanese sports cars. And that along with the uncontrollable street racing scene back in the 90’s put a great negative impact in Hong Kong towards JDMs. Even to this day, if you are driving a Championship White Type R you are automatically labeled as a troublemaker

[@philiptong4978]

if it has to do with traumatized mindset and now local officials are unable to walk out of it then the place is finished, get a life elsewhere It's like 15:24 that is evil 16:11 that (or the driver/owner of it) must be cuddly

[@canto_v12]

Even back when in the 90s before the handover, our elders always called JDM cars 飛仔車 and JDM modded cars always got harassed and impounded. This has nothing to do with China and everything to do with Hong Kongers' culture of complaining. The cops investigate because somebody complained. You can see in the video that a car got impounded because the wheels were not OEM size. These laws were not written by China.

[@Stilo95]

Innocent until proven guilty flipped to guilty until proven innocent.

[@JarvisDevonDariel-nv3io]

@@Stilo95 lmAO, this video already features some violation already, and yet claim to be innocent.

[@michaeltsui3435]

@@canto_v12 I don't care they are 飛仔車 or not, a tesla with a modified screw should be impounded as well In fact I'd even outlaw owning a car, everyone should go to work by public transport, CE or LKS inclusive. If you cannot there should be laws disqualifying them from their properties real quick

[@TheUrbanEpicure]

I'm as big a car enthusiast as they come - but during my years living in Hong Kong, working for an OEM, I did not have a car. It just wasn't feasible. It didn't make sense. Living downtown, there is no parking. Zero. You have to drive at least an hour away from the city center to find an open road. Speed cameras. Speed bumps. Ridiculously tough cops. Much better to hop on the ferry and race karts on Macau's world championship certified track.

[@tylerfitzgerald266]

Hong Kong looks awesome aesthetically but everything I have heard and seen otherwise makes it sound, to put it bluntly, like it really sucks there

[@TheUrbanEpicure]

@@tylerfitzgerald266 It was awesome in the 90s and 00s and okay until maybe 2010, but since then China has really put it into a chokehold, no freedom of press or speech anymore, and of course extremely high cost of living, poor air quality, high humidity in the summer, lots of old gross buildings, not a lot to do outdoor as everything is either built up or hilly forest. Pay a visit when you're touring Asia, but not worth a trip for it alone anymore.

[@apt62]

Owning a car in HK is 💀

[@apophisstr6719]

@@tylerfitzgerald266 Well, if you could own and still had that much spare money to customize your car in HK, then you're one of those riches who are so privileged that the bad and inconvenient stuff of this city won't really affect you that much.

[@canto_v12]

@@tylerfitzgerald266 Hong Kong is basically late-stage capitalism, where big business has the government by the neck, including control of the housing market. Exactly the opposite of what the "Communism" fearmongers would imagine. So it's great for the abjectly poor because of the good healthcare and public housing, and good for a handful of super-affluent. The rest are stuck in a rat race towards never owning a home.

[@xamsun887e]

Hongkonger here. Thank you so much for this episode, showed how beautiful and sad this one place can be at the same time ; and how we continue to keep our spirits. This is a lovely video.

[@rockyyung4268]

👍🏼🍻

[@norcalpacific]

how does Hong Kong compare to China when it comes to their strict rules on modified cars? does China also crack down on people with modified cars the same way Hong Kong does? now that the CCP basically controls HK?

[@wandr3r180]

Car culture is like music, it tends to unite people from any background, any geography. Love to see it.

[@w_k773]

Authority and ccp doesn't like it when people unite together

[@Dixon_Yamada1]

That '70s Corolla has my heart. Absolutely stunning! 😍

[@rudiruttger]

It's hard enough owning certain books in that municipality, and these fine gentlemen have gone for something as immediately high profile as pure performance automobiles. The absolute mad men.

[@rrrmoney-f6i]

Just civilized & classy people showing their works of art. No ego, no arguments, no over-the-top behavior. Unheard of in the USA or almost anywhere else, that's why I rarely attend car meets anymore, but this... It looks like a dream, I'm jealous. Gathering their cars to meets even with knowledge of the high risk is just beautiful and shows the true movement behind it all.

[@rockyyung4268]

Kind words. Thanks heaps !

[@rideepicdriveepic]

Never. Stop. Driving.

[@justmechanicthings]

unless your a traffic cop

[@sqlevolicious]

some of you don't deserve to have a drivers license, or a car

[@keijiazum9282]

not in residential area

[@madogmadog3009]

'Never. Stop. Driving' But follow the local traffic rules. Otherwise, it's illegal even if you are a car ethusiast. Car ethusiasts do not have special privilages. Capeesh?

[@rideepicdriveepic]

@@madogmadog3009 lower your cringe bro. Never stop driving is Hagerty's motto.

[@garageamsterdam]

About 15 years ago I used to have a bunch of car friends who were Chinese immigrants from Hong-Kong. They always showed proudly how vivid and alive the HK car scene was with pictures from meets and cars on the streets, videos of racing on the backroads in HK and car magazines. Back then it seemed like a 2nd Japan when it came to car culture. A car culture paradise where everything was possible. Sad to see the state it is in now and respect to the car guys who still take the risk with continuing their passion!

[@RealAnthonyJones]

I think it was always like that over there, in Jackie chans thunderbolt the movie pretty much starts with cars being impounded.

[@canto_v12]

@@RealAnthonyJones ^ this is my impression too. Car culture in Hong Kong has always been a knife-edge hobby.

[@cpcxgsr]

@@canto_v12 It is hard to believe that HK is like this now... Hong kong was the place where the most exotic cars live.. Lambos, Ferraris, Porsches, and etc... Majority of them are "stock" from factory... But after seeing this video, You're telling the police is impounding "stock" exotic cars? Simply because it "looks" illegal?!?! WHAT?!

[@canto_v12]

@@cpcxgsr maybe my prior comment wasn’t well-worded. Someone in the video said their stock car was stopped for an original factory wing. I have no further information or evidence of what car it was, or whether the wing was actually original. The exotic car scene tends to get by a little looser because they are perceived as less of a nuisance and less of a street racing risk. Hong Kong’s sports and exotic car scene is pretty much as it was in the 90s. Just as many rolling around these days. I’m not of the Hong Kong doom and gloom crowd that seems to be making the rounds on social media these days. I’m cautiously optimistic.

[@marc-andrehogue114]

'' racing on the backroads in HK'' that's why it went that way

[@LarryChenPhoto]

I noticed a lot of comments asking about what happens to the cars once they get taken. Well they are not allowed to be driven on the road until they become legal and get returned back to stock. If you can't do that then you have to export them out of country. Or it just sits in Hong Kong rotting away.

[@tomasb5936]

And a lot of those cars can’t go back to stock! Yikes! That 993 was so beautiful! You’re killing it Larry, thank you!

[@randyterpstra1239]

Wow! That's uber serious. Amazing the risks these guys take. Great work, Larry. Your magazine work I had been familiar with for years, though I first took notice of your YT presence with the Hoonigans segments. Keep up the great work.

[@ngduck25]

Welcome to HK car scene and thank you for showing the rest of the world how ridiculous the situation is (and it goes worse bits by bits)

[@JarvisDevonDariel-nv3io]

What is ridiculous about it? This video features serval violation of law, speeding and putting the body outside the car more and more. And yet you guys claim to be good citizen and complain being targeted? Really LMAO

[@sy7028789]

A pond fish will never be freed, so is a man. Some people only follow rule blindly without thinking

[@canto_v12]

@@JarvisDevonDariel-nv3io It's all about finding a balance. Hong Kong is not a car-friendly environment and the vast majority don't own cars. So it's pretty natural that car enthusiasts have a narrower and stricter environment to play with. It's not a place where you can just "find an empty road or lot somewhere that doesn't disturb anyone." I've lived in both California and HK and it seems like HK has about 5% of what SF Bay Area residents do in terms of fun, lightly used driving roads.

[@ahmedbz6490]

In a densly populated city like hong kong, cars can ve very noisy. So I think its good.

[@LunaMapping_KR]

Massive respect to the community, no revs, donuts, racing, just pure appreciation for cars

[@thefastlane1]

"it just blows me away what great lengths these people go through just to enjoy cars." How lucky we are here in the US compared to these guys, yet many here take it for granted

[@reformedartist8528]

You say that as california impounds cars for exhausts even ones that are stock like the elantra N and such

[@thefastlane1]

@@reformedartist8528 I've heard about that! But still, we have it way better than these Asian countries. You won't see any street takeovers or idiots drifting around causing harm to others in those places. It's all because of how much more strict the law and regulations are there for anything car related and the enforcement of them.

[@sussei]

the US is one of the best place for car enthusiasts. big open roads, generally cheaper fuel prices, and no additional bs like displacement taxes added to already insane car prices like in some parts of the world. forget 25yr old rule, some of us arent even allowed to import used cars at all. and for new cars? expect to pay 300% over its msrp. its normal to pay near $2M for a new Phantom here. what car can you get for the same price in the US? lmao

[@ChelseaBoost]

The US may have it better, but we should continue to take it for granted and prevent it/ always fight to keep it this way or else it will get taken away

[@wtbhotia]

I left HK nearly 2 years now, what i miss the most is the VIEWS omg there is no other city that has such sexy views from any side. adding these sexy cars make its system overload 😍

[@canto_v12]

I go back to HK all the time but I know that I probably would not be able to afford to play with sports cars if I moved back there.

[@lewisgeyer1440]

These cars represent an individual’s freedom, which is now verboten. A beautiful production of amazing people and their cars. Thank you.

[@wrapman_8852]

I have NEVER sat through a video over 10 minutes without skipping to find the good parts until now. I'm just in absolute awe with all of the beautiful cars I just saw. Honestly I'm speechless and I've never felt like this after watching a video. My heart is with the tuner car culture here in the United States and I'm happy to see it thriving over seas thanks to those who love it as much as I do despite what they have to go through.

[@norcalpacific]

Larry Chen's video vibes are so relaxing and fun to watch.

[@markusjentesart]

Hong Kong is by far one of my favorite cities to see in Asia. The energy is crazy and the skyline is spectacular! And to have such nice rides all together just makes this much more special.

[@canto_v12]

Dense cities are generally hostile to car culture (lack of good driving roads, lack of gathering spots that don't raise the ire of the cops), but the folks in Hong Kong know how to roll hard despite all the challenges.

[@cpcxgsr]

@@canto_v12 what happened to all the tuning shops in Kowloon and New Territories? Are they still in operation?

[@canto_v12]

@@cpcxgsr I’m sure many of them are still there. I would caution that trends and markets change over time. I’m sure there have been many changes, mostly due to changing economic environments and consumer tastes. Also the pandemic probably killed a few of them.

[@cpcxgsr]

@@canto_v12 Glad that the HK government didn't force the shops to close. And they are still in operation.

[@mjdoesathing]

I recently moved to Hong Kong, and there are some fascinating cars here. No idea where to start to find a group of car minded people to hang out with though, so its nice to see this video

[@redundantrobert]

This is one of the best videos I’ve seen from you, Larry. Well done to you and the team.

[@LarryChenPhoto]

Thanks, we put quite a bit of effort into it, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@NovaResource]

Agreed!! 💯👍🏻

[@rockyyung4268]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@tooflesstesla]

At 17:13, Larry being diplomatic and evasive 😂 I appreciate the time, effort and money spent by car enthusiasts on their passion. So long as there is no risks (ie, illegal racing, danger to other road users), I'm all for people spending on their passion. Great video 😎

[@alexriofrio5754]

Cars represent freedom and individualism while giving a sense of community.

[@alexriofrio5754]

@bennytdi this video is probably already banned in China.

[@bennytdi]

True sadly. Well this entire website is banned@@alexriofrio5754

[@hihellothere9569]

Wrong! But nice metaphor tho.

[@cheukfungwu7944]

@@alexriofrio5754 coz telling the truth is already illegal right now 😏

[@canto_v12]

@@bennytdiFunny how car culture is rapidly taking off in mainland China... so many channels doing car content in China now. Hong Kong is just too small and the road network not friendly to privately owned cars. Never was.

[@danielcheuk1044]

Larry, it's really a game of cat and mouse, since we can't change the law, we can only play around it. When a car get impounded, they will write up a ticket with the "illegal" items to be rectified and of course a fine for each of the item. Then you bring the car back for a second inspection, once you pass, you can reinstall those modified parts.

[@drewpierce2273]

Hong Kong is so restrictive. It's surprising they can even get the cars tagged for the road.

[@clarenee]

Cars in HK can be registered and licenced for road use once they pass tests conducted by the testing centre operated by the govt transport department. The law in HK states that any mods have to be certified (any means sth down to rims or tints) by the transport dept. The certification papers for each individual mods have to be carried in the car at all times. For cars that are over 6 yrs old there's annual inspection upon annual licence renewal, so quite frequently modded cars without certification go back to stock just for the inspection. Now, the police, as a deterrent, have the power to impound cars even if such certification exist. It's just a deterrent to discourage indiscriminately car meets & car mods, whatever its intentions, due to the existence of rare but persistent illegal street racing since the 1970's. JDMs were targeted more due to the illegal racing scene back in the 90's & 00's involving JDMs, it's a mindset ingrained in the police that everyone driving a JDM will race it once in a while. In fact there's a joke that any CF Honda Accord, EF/EG/EK Civic or any Integras, stock or otherwise, will be towed without delay.

[@drewpierce2273]

@clarenee Thank you and others for the responses on the HK car scene. And Thanks to Larry Chen and Hagerty for the awesome video. 👌

[@projectkod]

it has became a ccp state and as restrictive as ever.

[@CoolHandJoe88]

@@projectkodHave you been Hong Kong?

[@projectkod]

@CoolHandJoe88 yes. Born and raised there. Now I live somewhere else.

[@pitch_black_rt]

5:18 That shot of the R34 is something else wow! Absolutely beautiful

[@ryanmckay6471]

That red nsx 😍 that's what dreams are made of. What a beautiful car.

[@gymusen]

Sadly, it's probably a nightmare the owner has to suffer with to enjoy

[@SupraSav]

@@gymusen True.. Yet, their passion is admirable.

[@bigsmoke5814]

Not the price 😂

[@ryanmckay6471]

@@SupraSav exactly! These guys are extremely passionate. It's refreshing, too bad they need to fight to enjoy cars..

[@wongafet]

What's not talked about is the cars after the impound, they get mandated for inspection and many of them end up walking out with no fines other than hassles because there's nothing to inspect about these cars. What also needs to be mentioned is the cost of ownership for cars in HK, parking space can cost upwards of 1000USD a month depending on location. Fuel is probably one of the highest prices here at 3USD/L and yearly licensing fees depending on engine displacement - so all these RBs 2Jz and 13Bs cost 1200USD per year just on licensing alone. It's an upper income hobby here and government departments do use these as cash grabs. People might think this is due to Hong Kong being "China", but it really isn't. HK laws were derived from UK laws and alot of those Bylaws have stuck around post 1997, we're one of the only places left who still do tailpipe emissions tests but those limits are set to modern limits regardless of what year car you drive. It's just a lack of awareness for a niche part of society by the HK government.

[@canto_v12]

Yup. Disappointed at all the "China" scaremongering in the comments, although I shouldn't be surprised. China couldn't give two sh@ts about how Hong Kong deals with car enthusiasts. It's not even a political activity.

[@andipajeroking]

The tailpipe test are the same in Eastern Europe, and i forgot to ask the inspector based on what number are they doing the checks?

[@NitroColaSSC]

As someone from Hong Kong who only discovered car culture after moving abroad, thank you for this.

[@canto_v12]

Hong Kong gave me my car enthusiast genes. It has always been an amazing place to spot exotic cars. I'm lucky that I can realise those car fantasies where I live and work now (California), because I probably couldn't afford to keep fun cars in HK with my line of work. Props to all the peeps in HK throwing it down hard.

[@FrancisBandera]

Love this video. Great work as usual! TIL that owning a JDM car in HK can be a pain in the ass. The hoops enthusiasts have to go through just to enjoy driving around their pride & joy, oh man. I hope things change for the better. Much respect 🫡

[@crackerede]

nowhere in the world people meet like this with such high-value enthusiast cars in close-knit community, beautiful and congrats.

[@woofam9008]

The cars, the pictures, the colors - beautiful.

[@pavelangelov9044]

Larry, your videos stand out from all others precisely because of your unique emphasis on car culture. Your content is refreshing and extremely interesting. Thank you and keep doing what you do.

[@2Rand]

I honestly thought in South Africa, Cape Town it's tough, because our cars can't be too low yet we are allowed to modify our cars to extreme measures, but this is next level. Much respect to them for pushing the boundaries.

[@MrCioco-hp4dc]

It's very sad when the governments don't allow people to enjoy the things they acquired with their hard work,here in Romania and Europe in general it's hard to mod a car to the full extent,like engine swaps and such, everything is locked up behind a pay wall (individual homologation in our case) and even that doesn't guarantee that you can do it since you could pay for that individual homologation but still get denied since your car is not deemed "safe" even though you can't do anything yourself in that case since a criteria for homologation is to have a "approved" shop perform the mods for you,I get that it's for the "safety" of the motorist but this is plain ridiculous,the regulations are outdated and the organisations that are supposed to help us are either classic car purists that deem everything that is not original an abomination or corrupt individuals who only seek personal gains from us and still not help. I hate the idea that I have to leave my home one day to enjoy my biggest hobby and the people around me call me crazy or even a "traitor" in some cases for it but I see it as a necessity. Also if you know any countries that have similar car modding law as the USA please let me know :))))

[@chm1ata]

I live in Denmark and would like to do more stuff with my miata, but it’s not really economically possible. I can’t change anything on the intake, brakes have to be certified for the car. I would love a turbo on it, but to even have a chance of getting it registered, would cost as much as what I bought it for.

[@Dr1ftop1a]

As a neighbour (Hungary), it's much the same. But we don't care. Hell, a lot of others around Europe are the same. Do whatever you want and sneak by the reflective stickered germans! :D

[@bradbeilby]

@@chm1ata I spend a lot of time in Denmark and the prices with taxes you guys pay for cars is crazy! I'm not surprised it's difficult. Miatas there is a wealth of knowledge and expertise from over the years if you did the work yourself does it change anything?

[@chm1ata]

@@bradbeilby cars a crazy expensive here. My 240.000 km miata cost 10.000 dollars. But I can do most of the work by myself, but as we have by yearly car inspections, it’s hard to modify “illegaly”. But if you get 20% more power than factory, you have to pay a new tax for your car, which is about half the cars value. And you can’t chip your car as well

[@MrCioco-hp4dc]

@@Dr1ftop1a I do have a straight pipe tdi (that's how I bought the car and couldn't be bothered to buy a new cat) and I can say I dodged them pretty efficiently since the car goes under the radar,but I'm still scared of a roadside inspection,Idk if you guys got them but they are the work of Satan himself

[@Atodaso-pg9kq]

I’d imagine the aspect of it being illegal is appealing to some s it gives them a sense of being an outlaw in a way. Yea I’m sure they’d rather not have to deal with the law but it probably adds a bit of excitement to things.

[@canto_v12]

@@Atodaso-pg9kq this is a very good point! And absolutely true in Asian car culture.

[@EnjoytheMoments]

The world is changing fast... Enjoy the moments while you can

[@Resist_Oppression]

That's if you allow it.

[@mikerr8462]

And I thought Switzerland was hard on tuned cars. Big props to the guys keeping car culture up in these conditions!

[@ContasYT]

In Portugal the situation is similar, police have orders to impound your car or remove it from the road for even different coloured OEM suspension. A couple months ago a Golf with yellow shocks equivalent to OEM (as OEM is not manufactured anymore) got removed from the road, the reason, they were yellow and not black like OEM. Another Golf got the same treatment for a different Radio than OEM, which once again is not manufactured anymore. Car laws around the world need to be revised, they have been forgotten for way too long.

[@andipajeroking]

That is illegal. You need to provide an alternative before applying restrictions.

[@DuvJones]

You know, things in Hong Kong seem to be slowly getting worse and Car Culture lives on the fringes, it's one of the spots in society that something of a warning sign. The enthusiasts will survive as they always do, but it's sad that it is so much of a struggle.

[@AliasHSW]

@LarryChen and his crew is living their best lives. Wishing them well and enjoy it in good health.

[@ransomgarage]

Great video. I've been going to HK for 30 years and the car culture is amazing.

[@PeakTorque]

One of the best episodes of yours along side the WRC one. HK was my home for 7 years and although not driving while i was there (for convenience) I always followed the culture. Victoria peak and Brides Pool rd at 4am you see some special things...and no cops often. Ahem triads. Such a cool scene and watching this has inspired me to go back.

[@canto_v12]

Yeah it's definitely time to go back! I gotta head back there too.

[@cubano8358]

Man, this just gives me so much to appreciate how it is like in the US when it comes to car culture. I know very few states have strict laws about modifying your cars, but nowhere have I've seen cops be so pressed about it. Also, almost all the cars in HK are very well and tastefully modded.

[@XtianMG]

Hey Larry! come here to the Philippines, we have a huge car culture here! You will definitely love our car culture. ❤

[@georgevarteniuc5525]

Much love and respect all the way from the UK... ENJOY CARS!!!!!

[@PaulSchofield-p6b]

For work I spend time in HK regularly and the cars are amazing. The spit / polish and money that goes into them, has to be admired in many cases as art. As a petrol head back in the UK, none of my classic cars look like this, but on the other extreme I get to drive them to within an inch of their lives on back country roads. The car culture in HK is a Tech/Art culture and should be respected as such.

[@canto_v12]

Hong Kong is just not driver-friendly to begin with. I'm in Hong Kong a lot too, and car modding was never looked upon kindly by the cops.

[@MastaT_150]

So what happens once they are impounded? Do they just hold them for a certain length of time and give you a bunch of fines and costs and eventually get them back or are they gone for good?

[@ted7x]

incredible video, thank you so much this series has been, by far, the best content I have seen in many many years. Probably even decades. I have grown up fortunate enough to experience a few car clubs myself, seeing the culture from all over the world has been just incredible

[@HeartBrains]

Massive respect for these guys thriving so hard to living their lifestyle hobby up, in total fear!

[@mrd.808]

Awesome coverage. Bruce Lee was a car guy too. So cool to do this on the year of the dragon ❤

[@theredscourge]

These guys should start their own towing companies, and buy tow trucks so that they can tow them EVERYWHERE. The cops would be pissed to come across a convoy of 400 tow trucks towing JDM cars that they can't do a thing about.

[@canto_v12]

That would be hilarious. Sometimes we just gotta let our inner child out and flex that legal, fun way to stick it to 'em. The cops didn't write the laws that they enforce, but we could all use some slack these days.

[@hhaste]

Then they would make it very difficult to own and operate tow trucks.

[@canto_v12]

@@hhaste won’t happen anytime soon, given Hong Kong’s pace of legislation 🤣

[@theredscourge]

@@hhasteCould they though? If businesses have any rights in Hong Kong, or if other people who use tow trucks protest an artificial increase in costs to hire them, they would get a great deal of pushback.

[@DailyOwnSupercars]

It goes to show the freedom that some car enthusiasts have & some don’t depending where you live, great video.

[@Rickie-37]

So nice to finally hear about HK's car culture. I spent my early childhood there and remember hearing on the news every week that the cops did another mass impound, sometimes they would even crush the cars. I've been told it's more expensive to own any car in HK than to raise a child since land and luxury tax is so expensive. No one could ever give me a good answer as to why the cops are so hard on modified cars. It's one of the reasons I love living here in Canada. I'm in my early 30's and own 6 cars and 2 motorcycles. I have a habit of doubling the power on all my cars and spending way too much on suspension for track use. I've had my fair share of trouble with the cops for excessive speeding and other stuff I've done but never due purely because of my vehicle's modifications. And every time I get impounded, I know I can just pay to get my car back after the duration and dispute the case in court. The streets are our playground here oh and thanks for making me starve... lol

[@canto_v12]

More than cars, complaining to the government and the cops is a recurring part of Hong Kong's culture. Basically, the cops are hard on the cars because they get so many noise and nuisance complaints. The easiest way to placate those complaints is to get rid of the gatherings, at least from areas where people are likely to complain. This is probably the closest to an explanation I can come up with, as someone who spends a lot of time there. Hope it helps.

[@Rickie-37]

wow those people need to get a life... HK is the busiest, most noisy, and most overwhelming city I've ever been to. It's a city that never sleeps. Plus, I would be thankful if modified vehicles is considered a huge issue in my part of the country... It is so far down the list that people protest and rebel to tell the cops to actually do their job rather than wasting time pulling people over. @@canto_v12

[@solocamo3654]

That Devil Z... perfection

[@HeathRS]

I just love Larry Chen. His enthusiasm is the thing I live for in car culture.

[@rogerdodgerxd]

Dang I didn't know this. I was in Hong Kong this summer and I saw my very first RX-7 FD and other modified / super cars. Very amazing sight to see and listen to but this is sad to see that less sightings of this will occur in the future. :(

[@canto_v12]

They've been chugging along for decades now, arguing with the cops all along, so I'm sure they'll still be there for your next visit ;)

[@sgbuses]

There's a similar problem in Singapore - especially for public transport enthusiast, where you get questioned even for taking photos or filming trains.

[@chrishenniker5944]

In some countries, it’s seen as spying. You could be seen as monitoring troop movements.

[@maqywhaq]

Hong Kong is in a weird place where it used to be strict, but legally consistent(largely, as modifications were always illegal for internal/drivetrain modifications, but the other stuff would largely be ignored as trivialities as long as they did no create road hazards), where now nationalist(mostly against JDMs, but recent recruits to the force has spread the attitude towards USDMs) sentiment and discrimination can pass as grounds for suspicion...

[@maqywhaq]

Generally speaking as to why there are crackdowns on car gatherings, it's likely an overreaction towards the protests and clamping down on those who A, can arrange/organize these meets(and quite likely also have enough connections to wriggle their way out should they get caught, provided nothing untoward has happened at these gatherings), and B, they see interest in Japanese culture as antithesis to their way of thinking(party lines and all). In a round about way, these enthusiasts are being clamped down on as a way to flex that the authorities can do as they like, so you better stay in line or they'll come down really hard(the threat is more important than the act, as acting out on it can trigger a pushback, so they mostly keep it at a harassment level, impound you for a while, etc.).

[@daveshongkongchinachannel]

香港公安!

[@canto_v12]

The problem is a lot more local than many imagine it to be. My non-car enthusiast relatives in Hong Kong have always dismissed JDM cars as "gangster boy cars" (approximate translation). Hong Kong has a huge complaining culture, so these enforcement actions are the result of noise or nuisance complaints coming from local Karens. Unfortunately, in addition to stopping a few bad apples, they've also frustrated a lot of enthusiasts who just want to gather and socialise with perfectly legal cars. Hong Kongers are not known for letting others be. We are always up in each other's business.

[@chrishenniker5944]

@@canto_v12What if you had a ‘32 Ford with a Hemi in Hong Kong, or a Karmann Ghia with a Porsche four cam up its arse?

[@canto_v12]

@@chrishenniker5944 The oldest registered car in Hong Kong is a mostly original Model A Ford. I don’t think anyone has tried an engine swap in anything that old, but 30+ year old cars are exempt from modern emissions standards.

[@tubo8826]

Same thing happening here in Shanghai. Props to fellow HK enthusiasts keeping our dreams alive.

[@canto_v12]

From what I can tell on KZbin, the car scene is getting stronger and stronger in China though. Lots of people can afford to play with cars now.

[@a9503128]

China has stamped its mark on HK, I lived there Quarry Bay many years ago. But wow all those cameras and I reckon Adrian is now in an education camp.

[@canto_v12]

Cops impounding JDM cars in Hong Kong is a tale as old as time. China couldn't give two farts about how Hong Kong deals with JDM cars.

[@timotheusvanesch3959]

@@canto_v12 Yup. China only cares about non-Chinese culture clampdowns. And seems to me that JDM car culture, which apparently always was a target for being "different" is now something China is keeping a keen eye on. Don't forget: This is a country where, while driving through Tibet, I saw a CCTV camera the size of a football hanging from a pole in a settlement of max. 12 houses. Right at the T of the 2 streets it had. And yes, all 'obedient' people. Watching the news and what China is doing to Hong Kong, I see a lot of similarities. In the west we call it "assimilation". In Xinjiang the Chinese call it "re-education camps".

[@canto_v12]

@@timotheusvanesch3959 I have never been to Xinjiang so I can’t comment on that in good faith. I’m not sure why you are tying it to Hong Kong though, where JDM cars have been drawn the wrath of cops since well before the return to China.

[@timotheusvanesch3959]

@@canto_v12 Reason why: China is running a clamp-down in Hong Kong, similar to what they did in Xinjiang & Tibet. Less severe, but the same in essence: Make it impossible for local culture to flourish, inject Han-Chinese and turn it into a vassal of the regime. And JDM is a very visible culture, so expect it to be cracked down.

[@MsGundbear]

Still remember those times in searched for an air-conditioned space for my car and met in Clear Water Bay...before I moved to US...Thanks Chen

[@WWG1WGA24-7]

Beautiful Documentary

[@DipDuckFantasy]

We have pretty much the same story across the border in mainland China. Same hate towards mod cars from authority, same risk of being impounded by police, but we still come out and meet. I know it sounds ridiculous, but the mainland authority generally have more toleration in car meets. I knew moded JDM machines have quite the visibility on HK street, but I didn't know they were driven at such a high risk. HK registered cars are now permitted to enter mainland with much lower restrictions, and we see quite a lot of moded JDM machines from HK these days. Good thing the authority won't stop HK cars easily. Wish there are more communication between car enthusiasts from HK and mainland.

[@WES-GR4PES]

this is next level anxiety, and i thought driving my time attack car on the weekends was stressful haha

[@willyhwang1059]

Never been to HK but I’m proud of people’s achievement there in building up that city it’s amazing

[@Chimera015]

This is amazing! Thank you for bringing this content to us! 🙏🏻

[@k1rb0i]

this is really astonishing to see such a vivid car culture still bloom, even as authorities would and still try to crackdown. seeing them put heart and soul into these machines and be driven and seen for the world of social media to witness. keep up your hard work and dedication, do what you love !!

[@rockyyung4268]

Appreciating the encouragement 🙏🏻

[@SirThisWayPlz]

Thanks for speaking the sad truth for Hong Kong, among the other, a fading city

[@Noukz37]

For someone who visited HK once a month for almost five years, I must say I really enjoyed this video. You really captured that unique HK vibe which has it's the good's, the bad's and the ugly's. But the mentality of the locals is really admirable, which one could see during the protests. Thanks to you Larry, I also learnt a lot about the car culture there and now I understand why were there so few cool cars around. When I would see a cool car, it would always be really cool, rare and in great condition (I'm pretty sure I saw the 968CS a couple of times).

[@canto_v12]

My most unique spotting in Hong Kong were an Alfa Romeo SZ and a Morris Minor. There's a LOT of good metal running around in Hong Kong, despite the somewhat bleak messaging from this video.

[@Noukz37]

Yeah, they don't hassle the non JDM owners so much. @@canto_v12

[@Ralph2]

The quality of the cars is off the charts. I can't believe the oppression and persecution that these guys endure, TBH it's obscene. My deepest respect to you all, ❤

[@rockyyung4268]

Thanks Ralph ! Lots more cool stuff in the next two HK episodes. Stay tuned (though I dunno when they’ll be released).

[@acquire8658]

These are the best videos, just amazing how different places enjoy car culture. Brings this world together ❤

[@christhe812]

Those spots are absolutely mental! 🤤 What a shame that some countries are this tough on car guys.. I live in Denmark, and a ton of mods are illegal here, but It's mostly just power mods and not cosmetic.

[@chm1ata]

Det er helt åndsvagt de regler der er her i Danmark. Hvor i landet kommer du fra?

[@apophisstr6719]

There was a joke back in the days: *Having a decal on your windshield is considered illegal customization in HK*

[@hhaste]

Now that joke is a reality. Many old jokes about the USA have also become true, it's sad to see.

[@apophisstr6719]

@@hhaste What a shame, when there're countlessly more dire issues going on that needs to be immediately tackle by the governments, they instead picked on the least problematic stuff.

[@Opie..]

The cameras are top-notch. Amazing quality pictures AND videos.

[@jef922002]

Amazing documentary on how real this is, coming from a local. Driving a jdm or any powerful sport cars around is asking for trouble But this is how we play by the book, after all it’s just cost vs enjoyment and just how the game is played here in Hong Kong sadly.

[@canto_v12]

So it goes all around the world, sadly.

[@MrCopCam]

As a car lover and a car enthusiast Hong Kong's car scene is amazing love from the UK

[@RealMakarov]

Mainland China also has incredibly strict laws against car mods. so I guess they bring that to Hk aswell

[@RSCB]

at least the mainland allows you to tint the windows

[@RealMakarov]

@@RSCB that really depends on how heavy the tint is. you cant paint your car in certain colors and some cosmetic parts or those that d disturb the public or modify the cars performance & behavior in anyway (such as aero kits, straight pipes or aem engine parts) are banned or else your car might be towed, unable to pass the annual mandatory check or even be crushed

[@canto_v12]

@@RealMakarov mainland China is very different. Some things are looser and others are stricter.

[@isunamitch]

This is very similar to car culture in Quebec, Canada. Many cars get impounded and hefty fines are distributed every time there is a car event.

[@marwangaming4708]

What a waste of resources to harass these car lovers instead of focusing on things that are actually real problems.

[@sarachan8932]

The trio and my hometown HK

[@LxftRxght]

This cinematography is like a car enthusiast wet dream. Larry, take the W. Just take that dubbbbbbb.

[@ClamHammer-rn3rg]

Man, that is wild. These people have some serious heart. Beautiful cars. It truly makes me sad to think just to go cruise and enjoy/unwind has to come with the anxiety of knowing your car could be impounded.

[@owenoconnor2700]

Thanks for opening our eyes for us Larry, all credit to the enthusiasts in HK, the rest of us should be more grateful for what we have

[@D0wNhiLL]

I’m convinced that Need for Speed Underground 2 was inspired by Hong Kong after watching this video.

[@Johnassu]

I can't understand english very well but these footages are just perfect, making me keep watching

[@AnotherMotorist]

diu chai lo. so ridiculous. Those times I been to HK in the 90s and early 2000s use to see cars and bikes blasting at night in the sai kung touge. Well as a tourist visiting family those manual turbo diesel busses get you around very efficiently.

[@pervertt]

Diu chai por as well. The city has lost its free wheeling spirit. No wonder talent and money is leaving HK.

[@bronxtaskforce01]

It's freaking awesome just to cruise around and not racing in the city. just chilling out and be a true car enthusiast

[@canto_v12]

It's pretty much all you can do in Hong Kong because speed cameras are everywhere. But seeing a parade of cars come down the clean AF highway in the city, is an amazing sight.

[@GordonTamf35]

Thanks everyone for bringing awareness of this. I know it sounds hopeless to "enlighten" the gov officials and the police but every small step counts. Giving the public a more positive side of car culture will hopefully lower the number of complaints and less chance to prompt the police to set up the road blocks. I am sure the revenue from these fines would be overcome by the tax received for importing JDM by a large margin.

[@canto_v12]

Yeah it's all about staying on the good side of the public. The bad apples will ruin it for everybody. After all, the police's job is, to put it simply, to react to complaints or problems.

[@corntaI]

As a Hong Konger and Canadian and someone who enjoys car culture, I personally dislike it when people think being disruptive to the general public (loud groups on the road at 3am) and slightly dangerous (ie. being reckless and driving distracted) should not be restricted and moderated. Of course this isn’t everyone, but that’s the reputation car enthusiasts here have built for themselves. If you aren’t from here, stop mocking the police for doing their job.

[@canto_v12]

@@corntaI THIS. We hurl all the abuse in the world at the cops and expect them to treat us like royalty. Guess what, car guys are a vanishingly small proportion of the population in HK and the cops WILL respond to complaints of car meets. It’s not the car meet itself. It’s the fact that the average HKers living nearby don’t like your meet and called the cops.

[@Bensupra]

I can tell Richard has experience dealing with cops XD !

[@LarryChenPhoto]

😂

[@canto_v12]

Hahaha he slick

[@heartmodjo]

This reminds me of the movie "Thunderbolt". Jackie Chan worked as a tow truck driver for the police.