Unleashed 1100HP of American Muscle in Tokyo: Rocket Bunny Corvette & Camaro | Capturing Car Culture

Larry Chen and his friend, Jun Hardcore, bless the streets of Tokyo with 1100HP of pure American Muscle and discuss the evolution and current scene of American Muscle cars in Japan. These two cars, the Rocket Bunny Racing Corvette and Camaro are unique builds in their own respects and are much different than most JDM-style builds you see overseas. Tune in to find out why!
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[@LarryChenPhoto]

If you want to follow Jun on his adventures check out his Instagrams: @JunHardcoreTokyo @HardcoreTokyo

[@RaiderX948]

Jun would love my '70 Camaro & '65 Fastback Mustang, SCCA cars are also my favorite style. Love Jun's work.

[@thomashalley7258]

Not used to big blocks I take it. They sound different to small blocks.

[@TommyBlazeHD]

You are such a great presenter! You're not loud and annoying like a lot of younger "influencers", and you take amazing photos! Keep up the great work my man.

[@Jesusprayerwarriorbw]

Those rides are SOOOOOO clean! Hes a Hardcore MF for sure! with that 50k paint job!

[@AbandonedRaven]

The front bumper on the Corvette is so clean.

[@damienlee1165]

Gives me big De Tomaso Pantera vibes. I dig it.

[@Aztech23]

Kind of reminds me of a rx7/400z…

[@kw2519]

@@damienlee1165 yaaaa! That’s what it’s reminding me of! It looks so good

[@kylemack8864]

That bumper is so clean making corvettes good enough to want one! (I'm an s15 groupie).

[@vernonvouga5869]

The gods have kissed it

[@mikey_gc8]

Jun handeled that discontinued wiper blade like a true American

[@probablyhiding]

that part had me in tears. had to pause the video lmao

[@LOGEZZZZZBRO]

Never heard of Jun but he’s now one of my favorite people in the car scene. What a rad dude.

[@HARDCORETOKYO]

thank u

[@imSchwaggy]

One thing I like about Japan is they don't care what you're into (as long as you're not hurting anyone). They just say you should do it to the best of your abilities. If you collect stamps, set out to be the best stamp collector.

[@damienlee1165]

Yeah they really chilled out after the 1930s-1950s.

[@Jay-jb2vr]

I guess you were never told that as a kid..

[@giraffesushi8112]

@@Jay-jb2vr I wasn't, when I was 7 I was told I was worthless then I got hit and had a cigarette put out on me.

[@richsan4923]

That's because in the modern age individualism is king and nothing means anything.

[@420people]

@@damienlee1165 Then they went on to build some of the most iconic cars of my generation. Whilst the USA's auto industry went bankrupt.

[@misterfini6662]

That JDM style American muscle is one of the coolest things in the car community.

[@ChuckThree]

We need more JDM American Muscle crossover mashups. Would love to see what they’d do with a Foxbody… 🤔

[@berniejo5307]

@@ChuckThree that foxbody would be dope, hope they added some big b o x f e n d e r s

[@DreamDosage]

Yep, just the right amount of flava’ added.

[@DEVOTED2YaHUaH144k]

Yes it's so cool, hope it only gets more popular

[@chrisdooley1184]

That front bumper on the Vette is just so delicious. It gives me 288 GTO vibes a bit.

[@2K8Si]

Absolutely. The C5 already had some FD RX-7 elements to it's design, so I always liked that about it, but this car changes it up again... That front bumper just looks so damn good. I love the subtle square-ness to the areas around the lighting. Like you said... reminded me of 80's Ferrari designs. So NICE.

[@felipefernandes9053]

Reminds me DeTomaso Pantera

[@k00lkidz4]

@@felipefernandes9053 I was just going to comment that; Panteras are so damn good looking

[@ohedd]

It gives me extreme Ferrari P80/C vibes

[@mitchmax101]

I think the front looks like an old Stingray, @12:06 and @17:19 how the center of the bumper comes to a slight point.

[@SOLOIIguru]

Really love that he loves American culture so much thay he did a majority of his interview in English. I bet many others could, as well, but most choose their native tongue

[@anasevi9456]

it's not because they are snubbing using English in the same way you will get with older French people.. With Japanese people who are adverse to speaking english is they feel not fully competent enough to speak clearly to english speakers no accustomed to strong accents. Out of all the language's I've studied: both Japanese and Russian were the ones I encountered that were ALOT harder to speak competently enough for native speakers to understand you, than for you to understand them.

[@MrMduchesne23]

Its kind of insulting that they put subtitles when he spoke....dudes english is on point. I'm listening with headphones the first time....came back to see the cars and noticed the subtitles.

[@anydaynow01]

Yep, guy is even rocking a Donut Media decal!

[@anydaynow01]

@@MrMduchesne23 Same, I had it on in the background when playing a game and noticed the subtitles after a while, didn't need them at all.

[@mikedrop4421]

We gotta get him a t-shirt that says SUPER!

[@mattcook3801]

I can’t explain now much I want to have a beer or 20 with Jun. What a character.

[@feidry]

Totally agreed. If he ever needs an American couch to crash on, mine's open most nights.

[@iixxu]

I see 20 mustangs on my way to work where I live, but man I can definitely appreciate seeing one in Japan. Amazing builds, his passion really gives me new perspective on our rides out here.

[@Corxed]

Live in the south I presume?

[@southpineshooligan]

I love Jun's attitude! "You payed WHAT?!" Jun - *Laughs it off* He had a vision and he went for it!

[@0o0ification]

That C5 Corvette is such a fantastic poster car! All of these intricate and thoughtful details of the JDM-style applied to those slabs of American muscle turned out legendary, three times over

[@Pete_Finch]

Honestly, I usually don't like builds that change the look of the entire car but that C5 had my jaw on the floor (and I used to own two of them). I can't believe how good looking it is

[@davidc750]

That Watanabe 8 spokes on Camaro looks strikingly similar to those wheels on late 60s- early 70s SCCA Trans-am race cars. Someone can probably clarify who started it first, but I have seen wheels similar to those on Camaro, Mustang, Challenger, Cuda and even on AMC Javelin of the era. They do look really good and natural to the car.

[@MrStacy1974]

The Trans-am cars used Superlite wheels from Europe and I believe Watnabe wheels were developed in the same time period mimicking that style like a lot of other brands. Much like every American wheel company had a 5 spoke or sprintcar style wheel similar to the torqe thrust and Halibrand were released.

[@davidc750]

@@MrStacy1974 Thank you for the insight!

[@grahamtaylor422]

The British started the trend first with Minilites, copied from the Mini works race wheels. Then came Superlites, Watanabes, Panasports, then eventually Rota and Japan Racing who all make slight variations of the same design. Watanabe still use their original 30 year old cast to make these wheels today.

[@BossAS-1970]

@@MrStacy1974 Actually the Trans Am race cars ran Minilite wheels from Britain.

[@chadwickawsumann5410]

Apparently Larry Chen has never seen a '69-70 Boss 302, Z28, or Javelin Trans Am race car. They all used Minilites which is what the Watanabe wheel is a copy of. So now he proclaims the SCCA Trans Am style of cars is a "New JDM Style" for American cars, even though the Jun the builder specifically states his Camaro is done in "Trans Am" style🙄

[@ConemantheBarbarian]

The Camaro looks like it came off the TransAm circuit right out of the 1970 season. The mini light replica wheels and flares look so good on it.

[@umakemerandy3669]

Yeah it was great

[@thatonegamer642]

"Support violent driving" I love it 😂

[@ELJefeReviews]

Jun is a car guy's car guy! Building dope rides for the love of building dope rides.

[@brianricketts4320]

The front of the Corvette looks so good. Love seeing the American muscle cars with a Japanese style. They look amazing.

[@exedracs4029]

I visited Tokyo last month and the amount of American muscle cars that I saw definitely shocked me. Corvettes, Mustangs, Hellcats, you name it. And I loved every second of it.

[@b3dazzl3]

Every time I've seen this corvette my jaw literally drops, its like seeing it for the first time. Absolutely love it!

[@mchristr]

As an old-school American hot-rodder I can say without hesitation that Jun has got it going on.

[@pabo8080]

That Camaro looks sick.

[@IDv8I]

He really did make the Vet and Mustang look better from the lights, body lines and interiors. So Cool! Thanks for sharing the story, bud. Love the Donut sticker lol

[@gordonstroup882]

That Mustangs lower front valance kinda does have a Dodge look to it. No wonder someone asked him if it was a Dodge.

[@lalaplaninar2845]

Japanese cars are literally indestructible. Their attention to details when it comes to building the engines is remarkable, and it's difficult not to love anything that has 4 wheels and comes from Japan. But American muscle cars are something really special, despite the reliability.

[@cj41079]

LS reliability 👍

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

Indestructable ?? Give it to a GenZ or Younger Millennial and watch them destroy it.

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

American muscle built by lazy Americans, no wonder their reliability is sub-par.

[@JohnFromAccounting]

I also love that the Japanese took the B58 from BMW, made some tuning changes, and embraced it as the powerplant of one of their best sports cars on sale. Japan takes elements from everywhere, gives it the Japanese flair, and makes something unique.

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

@@JohnFromAccounting people are so gullible and naive 🤣

[@BCFB007]

I was stationed in Japan from 2018-2020 and where I was at, I've seen a quite a few American cars there. I've seen a 90s Dodge Ram Cummins Dually, a few Chevy Suburbans, and a Hummer H2. When our base hosted a car show, there was a few Japanese locals that showed up in late model Chevy Camaros, Ford Mustangs, and two Ford Excursions!

[@angeloah]

You two are the epitome of why I still love and hold out hope for the car building community at large. I really dig this one and his style is so dope for so many reasons. Most of which might be missed in the passerby but it’s stuck on my psyche.

[@akafxde7245]

Pandom absolutely should do a whole line for Old American Muscles. C3 Corvette, 80s Camaro, SN95 Mustang, New Edge Mustang, Fox Body, 70’ Mustang, Nova, Chevelle, Crown Vic/Town Car/Marauder. There’s so many to list that I think could absolutely fit the Japanese style and we have so many people building cars now that it would be nice to see different things, especially things that nobody thought would ever happen; like Japan x American Muscle.

[@johnherbold6539]

I just know a JDM Foxbody would kick ass. It’s been done before but done by actual Japanese would be even cooler

[@jdmmike7225]

Jun is a bad ass!!! If I ever get back to Japan I'd love to meet this dude. He just seems super chill. And he builds killer cars, I've never seen many Corvette's that I liked, other than the Greenwood GTO, not to mention their mid-life crisis owners but that C5 is just killer. So clean its filthy 🤙

[@RoxanneCassidy-ub6ff]

The next time Another fast and the furious movie comes out they need to commission him to build the cars. Seriously those are bad ass. Jun You are a true artist.❤

[@UncleManuel]

It's always the same around the world: we are longing for things that we don't have. Simple as that. 😉✌️ Btw: I really like these "japanized" muscle cars. They are wild but not overly comic-like. Especially this blue Corvette is done very well! 😎

[@christenn32]

Yeah, I'm digging the style on all 3. Most of the charm is its simplicity. So many widebody kits here in the US have such ridiculous styling.

[@mikaelTaurus]

Smmmfh.... I don't they look ok. But try to get a Rice Tuner and try and make it look something else other then Rice Tuner then watch how the Ric3rs get mad

[@dougshaw2944]

Wantanabe's are like old minilites, or Panasport's, that were very common on early 70's Trans Am cars (from which, this hero said he took inspiration). Didn't the Drift-Cuda (Fishtail?) run a set of these or similar? As always, rad vid & thank you sir!

[@keewatin427]

Yeah, I was a little perplexed when he said he’s never seen an American muscle car with Watanabe’s when they’re just exact rip offs of the Minilite magnesium wheels they used in Trans Am. Glad someone mentioned this

[@carsaregood911]

Love the vibe of this dude, thank you Larry and Hagerty!

[@fawaazimam2314]

that is corvette one of the most beautiful cars I have ever seen

[@ImCodyReyna]

Love that they enjoy our culture in similar ways that we enjoy theirs! I'm American and grew up on JDM and muscle cars. This video was a real treat, and fan freaking tastic work boys! Your cars are so amazing!

[@karelhoogendoorn]

That Camaro is so badass... everything looks perfect. And what a great profile docs you make Larry Chen. Thnx!

[@tracewaybos]

Best looking C5 build I've ever laid eyes on - Simply breathtaking.

[@MrHereWeGoYo]

The Camaro and Corvette look INCREDIBLE. Wow. Cool dude also. Keep building these incredible machines.

[@Veldkamp88]

Wow! Those muscle cars look so damn beautiful! That rocket bunny kit on the Corvette is astonishing. The front bumper looks like a Pantera. Also a fan of the Camaros rims.

[@staLkerhu]

The way they play with the COLORS is also top of the game chef's kiss!!! 😳🔥

[@online247365]

Jun seems like a super chill dude with great taste. Thank you for featuring him and his awesome builds! As always, excellent content Mr. Chen!

[@upsetuloss]

JunHardcore is dope, the world needs more people like him in it. Merica💪

[@kev7383]

Hi Larry everytime I hear your voice I know its going to be a good learning experience. Thank you on behalf of all of us for staying passionate and sharing your journey. ❤

[@wonderbubble3980]

"Support Violent Driving" is, fittingly, one of the most hardcore phrases I've seen in the car scene in a long time. Absolutely love that, definitely going to have to pick up some of that merch.

[@2HRenovation]

C5 prices gonna “Rocket” after this!😊

[@nicholastrvn69]

I absolutely love this! Especially when you give a Japanese style to a American muscle car

[@expeditionjay]

Some of the coolest muscle car builds I've seen in a long time.

[@chadibaytamouni3503]

Best content from Larry Chen, always bringing unique & special builds around the world and always very insightful... Keep it up!

[@rahimwilson5425]

Love, love the 1970 Camaro, with that split bumper, easily the most under appreciated in terms of looks. I love this Japanese interpretation of this classic.

[@vicswanby454]

Some people are artists this man definitely is! Super visionary to bring a new twist on the coolest cars when they are rare to begin with in Japan. Even better is the fact that he does drive them violently! Awesome video!

[@MdAli-qf9go]

Today I was searching lbwk dodge and hagerty full filled my day.

[@darkchild130]

What a dude Jun is!

[@-Just_Justin-]

I was just wondering about if Japanese people had any affection for US domestic cars. This answers my question and I'm in love. Just wow really knocked out of the park. Also I love Jun's personality.

[@curtiszzzchicago]

I've been one hundred percent addicted to 70 Camaros for years... But that body work and color on that Corvette are just totally stunning. Wow. ❤

[@_chavid_]

Man I loved this. So cool seeing our stuff, especially the classics, get some jdm flair to them and appreciated. Also, Larry Chen is awesome

[@cmtphysiques]

It's funny - living in Tokyo for 15 years and having left my car culture back in the US (BMWs), I ponder what to buy here if I do again own a car. I see a few American muscle cars around but I can't imagine going through what Jun does to acquire parts, etc. The idea of having a *very* cool Japanese car that is cheap to own, run, and can be fixed by anyone is very tempting.

[@uumuu]

The sound of that engine is incredible

[@JoseRamos-ql1gv]

That Camaro looks amazing 😍 my father had one when I was a kid living in Puerto Rico. I would love to visit Japan just to experience the car culture. 🇯🇵🇵🇷

[@ericmess8261987]

Larry your killing it with the content lately TY!

[@davidbarone1614]

Corvettes front is amazing beautiful ❤

[@spike6385]

WOW that corvette looks amazing!

[@spike6385]

Seriously, the front end of that corvette makes it look SO much better it's insane.

[@stansbruv3169]

Such beauty. The lines. The rubber. The potential energy! I love it.

[@richardcarr6493]

l LOVE WHAT HE S DONE HERE the Camaro is my favorite and his redesign of C5 vette front end looks great !! l can t to see these go drifting !!

[@YTRINX]

15:48 we love Japan too, thank you for the kind words!

[@2350J]

as an american who’s been really into jdm style, this actually makes me want to build an american car again

[@georgeanddaddecker7563]

I love this guy's work! Truly talented.

[@richarda.2680]

Love the idea of blending American muscle with JDM style. I think it came out great!

[@BigDsRc517]

The love for American muscle in Japan is very much respected....excellent job and sick cars!

[@edwardralston1517]

Those cars are so sick This was amazing. Watching you guys together being so enthusiastic and having so much fun....perfect✌️. Thanks for the great content

[@PETERNESS]

By far the best guest you have ever had,Big hello to Jun from Australia

[@ChuckThree]

5 lug Watanabes! Dare I say look even better than TA Superlites on that Camaro. Edit: probably ordering gold Watanabe F8’s for my F100 unibody 😅

[@MrStacy1974]

They already make them in a fitment for Dojibans that may work on your project , but good luck getting a set out of Japan.

[@MrChevelle83]

There's nothing more satisfying than the sound of BIG block engines!! Ford chevy and crysler big block engines all have their unique sounds and they all sound great! especially built with high compression and performance cam!!! Me and some friends are in progress of installing a built 468 chevy with afr heads into a 71 c10 I cant wait to hear it on my test stand with open headders!!

[@darylzero3139]

That Trans Am looks great! Those wheels are amazing! Look just perfect on that car

[@WiryOak]

Top 5 best KZbin videos I’ve watched. The video work, characters, & cars are perfection!

[@marcust510]

This is so dope! I freaking love Japan and the people 🔥

[@michaelmartin4366]

Speechless here....live in California...seen a lot of beautiful Vettes, but this guy took it to the next level. That's a Master Piece....and he's Michael Angelo.....

[@ultrablue2]

Please, get this man a split bumper for the ‘maro.

[@woopyass]

This is heart warming. Long live hot rodding.

[@nvrndingsmmr]

That Camaro is so well styled! I feel like an American customizer would've thrown on some modern, hideous 19 inch wheels without hesitation and ruined the car, but here we have an appropriate, respectful and badass wheel choice. The fitment is perfect. Bravo!

[@ducatipaso1386]

No 19" for Gen 2 Camaro. /50R15 is the biggest diameter tires that fit under the car without a narrowed axle/ladder bars/coilovers and tubs.

[@nvrndingsmmr]

@Ducati Paso I believe you, I'm just tired of seeing 70s muscle cars with big modern wheels and skinny tires. Looks awful.

[@mrchazburger750]

@@nvrndingsmmr They aren't done for appearance. Shorter sidewall = better handling, which means it needs a larger wheel diameter to keep the tire circumference large enough. It also needs room for larger, modern brakes. People don't just slap big wheels on their build without purpose. These cars are meant to drive good, not look good. The people who build them for aesthetics and don't care about the performance are called posers. Form follows function.

[@nvrndingsmmr]

@MrChazBurger Yeah yeah yeah I know all about restomodding and that the bigger wheels are done to fit bigger brakes and modern tires. I didn't say I don't understand it, I just said it looks terrible and that remains true lol. You can try to make a 70's car look and perform like a modern one, or you can just respect the fact that it's a 70's car and let it be its perfect 70's self. Don't put big wheels on old cars. It looks awful.

[@mrchazburger750]

@@nvrndingsmmr But its not perfect if it's a safety issue because you have poor handling and braking and less traction. Not everyone cares so much about aesthetics that they'd compromise safety and performance to "look 70s" That's what you don't get. I'm saying people who understand that and don't care because they'd rather look cool than drive well are posers or snobs. Vintage racing helmets looked cool too but how many people do you see running 1960s helmets instead of modern, safe ones?

[@HueBFuture]

This is a masterpiece. So happy to have seen this.

[@klasseact6663]

Love the nose on the C5💯

[@staLkerhu]

5:56 that Mustang is so happy!

[@waskus]

Damn. I Love the Japanese car culture and now I just love it any more..

[@sieve5]

I have a soft spot in my heart for the corvette and that is one of the most beautiful corvettes I've ever seen.

[@chetwinkles5051]

Awesome cars. I'd love to see what Jun would do with an early to mid 60s Chevy truck. It'd be totally badass.

[@michaelabrams1244]

I've been a Corvette guy my whole life and own an '02 C5 in Electron Blue. I've never seen a kit or mod that made me say "Finally! That's it!" until now. That front end reminds me of the Mako Shark Stingray AND it's modern and so clean. Jun, where are you?! Come to Texas brother!!!

[@chrisecker9341]

The Camoro looks cooler than most US built pro tourer.

[@EpicWarDog]

This is so awesome. What amazing cars. Great designs.

[@linkwpc]

This is what I like to see! This is very interesting! You should do American car clubs in Japan!

[@mrmoss149]

Never really cared for a C5.... Until now. THAT- speaks EVERY language. Wow. Thanks, Larry

[@JohnFromAccounting]

Jun is like Kenichi Smith but real. Awesome guy.

[@geemanbmw]

The man Jun is simply badass 👊🏼 ❤ the 70' camaro

[@felipefernandes9053]

In US any petrolhead want a JDM... In Japan any petrolhead want a Muscle Car... The law of supply and demand.

[@robert23497]

I love this guy. Support violent driving. I do. The front of the corvette reminds me of the front end of the ferrari 288 gto for some reason. Clearly, the finished product is perfect. Same for the other cars. Great video Larry. Thanks for bringing the best content around!

[@ISpinUWin]

Awesome - love the Camaro and the Vette. They look so awesome. He needs to offer the vette front end for sale. What would he do with a ‘69 charger?

[@NissanSkyline901]

The Pandem body kit is available for sale, but they aren't cheap at $5,600 before taxes and shipping. I'm also pretty sure you have to buy the full kit and can't buy the pieces individually. I do think the front bumper would still look good even without the widebody flares, though.

[@takumifujiwara13954]

Jun-san looks like a load of fun to hang out with!

[@K6GSXRider]

I never thought a C5 corvette would become my deam car until now

[@crusiethmaximuss]

This is the coolest builder I have ever seen... I love this approach.

[@berniejo5307]

that second gen with the wats looks dope, would love to see if more trans am influenced builds use them

[@californiacanyonsandbackro2109]

That Camaro looks incredible. Love seeing stuff like this!

[@LujinCustom]

That R33 actually looks like an 80s mustang, modified 🤣

[@Chilipotamus]

Low key I'd love to see this dude tune a Fox body mustang