SP Rides: Super Supra
By Michael Kitchens
OWNER: Dennis Batangan
AGE: 37
HOBBIES: Sports, cars
ENGINE: 7MGTE 3.0L Inline 6, Lexus V8 AFM, 550xx RC Injectors, HKS intake, MSD ignition wires, Dual Core Racing Radiator, Carbon Fiber Cooling Plate, 3-inch downpipe with open dump tube, 3-inch Apexi N1 Exhaust, SARD AFPR, Walbro Fuel Pump, TRD oil and radiator cap, ACT clutch
INTERIOR: Grant Steering wheel with TRD horn button, TRD shift knob, TRD heel plate, Addzest CD player, Apexi SAFCII, White face gauges, Custom Bride center console
EXTERIOR: JDM blinker covers/Rear Window visor/Rain guards, Custom Fender Flares, Do-Luck style front bumper, Bomex sides and rear skirts, Custom Rear Diffuser, Carbon Fiber Hood with matte black overlay
SUSPENSION: Trust Uppe strut tower bar, Eibach Springs pro kit with KYB shocks
WHEELS AND TIRES: 18×9.5 +12 Varrstoen ES1 w/245/40/18 Federal tires, 20mm spacers up front, 32mm spacers in the rear, cross drilled and vented rotors with ceramic brake pads, SS brake lines
Dennis Batangan’s introduction to the car modification world came during high school and involved painting his father’s van. His dad’s first thoughts — “Are you sure you know how to paint?” — were anything but comforting to the then teenager, but Dennis wound up doing such an admirable job that he captured first place in a DECA competition. Since then he’s owned an impressive list of imports, including an Eagle Talon TSi, a Lexus, as well as a heavily modified 2003 Evolution.
His military service has allowed him to travel the globe and experience massive amounts of automotive culture locales. Of particular note, he’s actually been down the strip in Sendai Hi-Land, Japan in his hopped up Toyota Levin.
In a remarkable twist, I briefly met Dennis more than 11 years ago while visiting the emergency room at RAF Lakenheath in the U.K. At that time, he was rocking this 1989 Toyota Supra. It’s amazing to me that we find ourselves here conducting a photo shoot and interview over this truly classic import. Although the car has spent six years in storage because of his military assignments, he’s continued to steadily modify the Supra.
His stay in Japan opened him up to some real opportunities for modification. His car features some straight JDM additions purchased from the famed Autobacs stores. First was the installation of the classic A’PEXi N1 Catback Exhaust and yummy under-the-hood items such as the TRD oil and radiator caps. The car features the turbo’d 7MGTE 3.0L Inline 6, 550cc RC injectors, an HKS intake as well as upgraded MSD ignition wires and a dual core racing radiator. An old school SARD AFPR works in line with the Walbro Fuel pump that has been fitted for a future turbo upgrade.
At almost 25 years old, the body of this MKIII is in fantastic shape. Its clean lines have been enhanced by custom fender flares adapted from a Datsun. Combined with the Bomex side and rear skirts is a Do- Luck style front bumper, which offers an aggressive look. A custom rear diffuser and carbon fiber hood with matte black overlay breaks up the lines for a pleasing look. The interior upholstery has been intentionally kept stock, but is absolutely immaculate and features an A’PEXi SAFCII with upgraded white face gauges for the dash. A Grant steering wheel provides better grip with a TRD shift knob, heel plate and horn button for added visual flair.
The suspension has been kept streetable but enhanced with the installation of Eibach springs with KYB shocks. A Trust upper strut tower bar adds some rigidity while the 18-inch Varrstoen ES1 wheels have been spaced with 20mm spacers up grand with 32mm in the rear. Rolling stock consists of Federal Tires matched with a full cross drilled and vented rotor upgrade featuring ceramic brake pads and stainless steel lines.
This Supra is fairly well modified and fantastic to look at, but the real joy comes from simply owning it. “I love this car. It’s been with me since ’99. It’s something you just have to keep,” he says.
