Words and Photos by Kendra Aceto

There is a difference between building a car, and building a car for yourself. Matt Griffin likes to build cars for himself. Is that not obvious? He can’t go anywhere without turning heads – whether he’s at a stance show, a drift event, import meet, or just driving to the local Hooters for his weekly “Orange Office” meetings.. And here’s why: he builds his cars the way he likes them, not the way that everyone else does. Nothing is to be expected, and that’s the way it should be. But it’s not. Not to step on any toes but when I see a GTI, I’ve come to expect it to be sitting on BBSs or Rotiforms. When I hear that Matt has something brewing in his garage, I can’t expect anything.

The only downside to any of this is that he gets a lot of hate. Everyone has their own opinion, but respect is getting to be a rare commodity. Remember those long nights spent in the garage working on your build? You’re not the only one. Just because you don’t like someone else’s car doesn’t mean they didn’t put just as much, or even more, time and effort into it. And if they’re going against what everyone else in the car scene is doing, then they’ve certainly got more balls than you do. But none of that is to say that Matt gets butt-hurt when people hate on his cars. It’s expected, and welcomed.

Now, on to the cars. Remember hearing about that guy who got his domestic into import-only shows? Yep, that was him. If you’re reading this, I’m sure you’ve at least heard of his SRT-4 – it’s been featured online and even in S3 Magazine (see the 2010 JustStance feature). But now, he’s got a new build for all of his “haters”.

His 1989 Cressida takes on full ‘80s nostalgia with black glitter vinyl covering its boxy exterior. Under the hood you’ll find a 1jz fitted in a teal engine bay with an R154 transmission, begging you to take it sideways. In true Griffin fashion, the headliner and pillars are wrapped in plaid… However, don’t expect all the same comforts his SRT offers. The interior is gutted and painted silver, the back seats of this 4-door are AWOL, air conditioning is nonexistent (had to fit the motor and gauges somewhere!), and the shifter is the handle of a Craftsman screwdriver.

That being said… He knows his way around all different makes and models and is always willing to lend a hand; his garage is always open, but it’s usually BYOB. So go ahead. Ask him for some help or advice with your build, or just tell him how much his cars suck – but if you do the latter, at least try do it with as much creativity as he put into his cars.

For those who are interested in the EXACT specs of Matt’s rides:

1989 Toyota Cressida MX83

1jzgte motor swap from JZX90 Chaser
R154 trans from MA70 supra
Driftmotion pulley kit
DNA adjustable cam gears
2j water pump
eBay downpipe
eBay FMIC
short route intercooler piping welded by Cape Customs
Xcessive Manufacturing motor mounts and engine brackets
Tial Q bov
JDM 2J MAP sesnsor
MK4 440cc injectors
Wally 255 pump
CNC’d factory bov block off plate
MK3 Supra clutch pedal
Celica gts cutch master
SC400 throttle cable

Plaid wrapped headliner and pillars
AEM wideband
Autometer boost gauge
Bride lo max glitter back seats
Crowe 5 point harnesses
No name harness bar
Gutted interior with sound deadening removed and painted silver
Craftsman screwdriver handle shift knob
PBM hryo e-brake (not installed yet)
Griffin Performance battery relocation in trunk
Hella battery kill switch

BC Racing BR series coilovers w/ extreme low kit
Xcessive Manufacturing rear arms suspension arms
Xcessive Manufacturing one piece drive shaft and diff bushings
Panik welded rear diff
Sernialnine subframe bushings
MB Battle wheels 18×9.5+15 w/ 225/40 all around

Serialnine full aero
Black glitter vinyl wrapped exterior
Wheels powder coated by Cape Customs

And of course his infamous 2005 Dodge SRT-4

AGP Delta 44-s turbo kit
Boomba fuel rail
Mopar 682cc injectors
Griffin Performance race ported head
Brian Crower 264 cams and valve springs
DCR 3 layer head gasket
ARP head studs
Griffin Performance extrude and honed intake mani
62mm throttle body
AGP intercooler piping
Greddy type-s bov
JMB Fab 4″ intake
Griffin Performance 4″ exhaust
CCA FMIC
Griffin performance custom fuel return line
Fuelab adjustable FPR
Apex-i SAFC-2
AEM wideband gauge
Hallman Pro boost controller
405hp/476tq @23psi

BBS RS wheels
17×9+19 w/ 205/40 front
17×10.5+19 w/ 215/40 rear
BC Racing BR series coilovers w/ shorter coil bodies and springs for more low
BC Racing camber plates all around
Mini tubbed front inner fenders
Rolled and pulled fenders all around
Nardi woodgrain wheel
NRG slim hub and 2.0 quick release
Griffin Performance battery relocation in trunk
Plaid wrapped headliner and pillars
Woodgrain vinyl on hood, roof and trunk
Did have a garage door lip…. got ripped off before the shoot