Street Racing Illustrated | “For the Love”

For the Love

A generationally owned MK3 Supra that is more than just eye – candy

Story | Phillip Pratt

Photos | Phillip Pratt / Gerald Burke

 

 

Getting bit by the “car bug” as a young adult is a hallowed time. A fresh license and a newfound sense of freedom. Nothing like it. Still, there is something to be said by having it ingrained into your upbringing. It’s more than just an adopted culture or learned habit. It’s a lifestyle. It’s your breath, your every thought and only real concern. Nowadays with social media feeding us new ideas and inspirations every minute of the day, video games, and cinema; it’s even more encompassing. It allows perspective tuners to immerse themselves in the lifestyle while they are still deciding whether they want to reach the pedals or see over the steering wheel while playing in their parent’s parked car. Daryl Seepersad is such a person and his 1JZ – swapped MKIII Supra is all the better for it.

 

 

The 1989 base model Toyota in question originally belonged to his father, the proprietor of Lincoln Auto Body Creations (also known as ‘LAB Creations’). The family – owned operation helped incubate Daryl’s passion, while dreams of driving the Supra and making it his own, lit his imagination aflame. Growing up in what many would incorrectly consider being the “millennial age”, Daryl, like most of us, embraced simulator games such as “Need for Speed” as well as movies, namely the “The Fast and the Furious” franchise. While some may scoff at such a thing, don’t be so short – sighted.

 

 

Being able to constantly reconfigure hyper-realistic digital models helped do what many of us couldn’t; avoid the pitfalls of ‘trial and error’. It was on these games that Daryl, with the help of the good people at LAB Creations, created and laid on thick coats of custom paint he named “Japanese Sunrise” on his Toyota. If you came to the conclusion that the spicy orange he painted the Supra originated from his exposure to the original ‘Fast and Furious’ movie, you’d be right. Daryl has a deep admiration and appreciation of what the movie series did for the tuner culture, especially Paul Walker

“[he] was my idol…” Daryl remembers. “I wanted to be just like him.”

 

 

His journey from dreamer to owner wasn’t without its difficulties, however. He junked his first car (a PT Cruiser) while boosting 24psi. It was at that point where he probably chose to take things a bit more seriously. After acquiring the not – to – stock MKIII from his father, he decided on the now vaunted 2500cc 1JZ VVTi motor. Seeing as the engine was only native to Japan and Australia at the time of sourcing, there was little to no aftermarket or even OEM support stateside. Thanks to some custom manufacturing and ordering some key parts from Japan, by way of Texas, Daryl and his mechanic Andrew Gibbs, were able to give the Supra a second life.

 

 

The fully built ARP block is stuffed with CP 9:1 compression pistons among other pieces. The head sports a set of Brian Crower titanium springs and retainers. The ports are gasket matched on both the intake and exhaust sides and hold a custom made exhaust manifold. A Borgwarner S366 turbo makes the power for the Supra, as a Tial wastegate and BOV expel excess pressure from the system keeping it safe and under control. Fuel is adequately delivered the 1JZ with a Sard fuel rail and Injector Dynamics ID1300cc stainless injectors and controlled with an Aeromotive regulator.

 

Engine management is taken care of by a Professional EFI Systems Pro128 unit that offers everything from ignition timing to two-step launch control. Making sure all the power finds its way to the floor is a R1 54 tranny built by drivetrain experts, Marlin Crawler, while a Competition Stage – 5 clutch, Weir differential and aluminum flywheel with ARP fasteners, help with the transfer of power.

 

 

Daryl’s Supra sits on a classic set of staggered 18” Volk GTC wheels, w rapped in Achilles ATR Sport 2 tires. For racing duty, Daryl switches the rubber to MT Slicks. Tucked behind those legendary rims are Brembo brakes, which reliably accept the vehicles’ stopping duties. With the rolling stock taken care of, Daryl chose a se t of Megan Trak Pro coilovers to keep his MKIII securely floating over the pavement, while a combination of ST and Cusco braces sure – up the chassis. Adding that extra bit of strength and security to the suspension are Battle Version cambers and toe arms.

 

 

Getting back to that “Japanese Sunrise” paint we spoke of earlier, I believe it’s safe to say these photos don’t do it any justice. From afar the paint can appear to be red, especially out of direct light. It’s not until you get a bit closer is it obvious that the Supra sports that fantastic pearlescent orange. Underneath the oceans of color is a custom made hood and handcrafted, metal, wide – body that gives the Toyota a much beefier look than you would find in its stock form. Again, all done in-house by LAB Creations.

 

 

From the dreams of a video game playing, movie watching, kid, to the envy of any who see it, this vision of an MKIII Toyota Supra is more than a project to Daryl. It is a hallmark of creativity, ingenuity and a reminder of how far he and his family have come. Like he acquired it from his father, Daryl plans to pass the Supra down to his son or daughter in kind, but don’t worry, he’s not rushing things “Until that happens I plan to enjoy it!”

 

 

Instagram: @disisntdaryl