Kyle Harty - 1999 Lexus GS 400
Story by PAS Staff
Photography by Chhun Media (@chhunmedia)
Kyle Harty’s connection to Lexus sedans traces back to the early days of the online VIP scene. After owning an ES 300 in the early 2000s, he spent countless hours browsing builds on ClubLexus, the long-running online forum dedicated to Lexus enthusiasts. There he watched owners transform brand-new GS models with rare parts and meticulous craftsmanship. When a clean 1999 GS 400 appeared locally in 2008, Harty didn’t hesitate. What began with wheels and suspension quickly became a long-term project that continues to evolve more than fifteen years later.
Like many builds that grow over time, the GS 400 didn’t change overnight. Early upgrades focused on stance and audio, but as Harty became more involved in the car scene, the build steadily matured. Much of the work was completed by Harty himself, and each revision brought new details and improved craftsmanship. Over the years, the car developed into a carefully refined interpretation of VIP styling — subtle at first glance, but deeply detailed up close.
Under the hood, Lexus’ 1UZ V8 has been modified with a ported Eaton M112 supercharger mounted to a modified Bullet Cars manifold. A 3.2-inch Smoothflow pulley is joined by 330cc injectors, a 1000cc ninth injector, Split Second enricher module and injector controller, and AEM wideband and boost gauges. XAT Racing aluminum pulleys, a Powerhouse Racing radiator, and B&M transmission cooler are also part of the setup. The combination produces approximately 325–340 horsepower at the wheels.
The suspension setup uses Air Lift 3H air management with UAS air bags mounted to Megan LP coilovers, dual VIAIR 444C compressors, and dual 2.5-gallon air tanks. Serial9 front upper control arms and toe arms, Megan Racing sway bars, a TRD front lower chassis brace, and Sport Design steering ECU complete the listed chassis upgrades. Rotora four-piston calipers are paired with 355mm front and 330mm rear rotors.
Visually, the GS embraces VIP styling through a combination of rare components and extensive bodywork. The centerpiece is a set of Luxury Abstract x Junction Produce Scara wheels, with Harty’s set numbered six of the 25 produced. Measuring 19x11 -3 up front and 19x12 +7 in the rear, the wheels are paired with Falken Azenis FK510 tires and sit beneath one-off widened metal fenders. An Aimgain Premium front bumper with a one-off aluminum insert reshapes the front of the GS.
At the rear, a fourth-generation GS OEM rear bumper has been merged into the body. Additional exterior components include JDM side skirts, a Junction Produce grille, roof spoiler and rear spoiler, along with JDM Toyota chrome door handles, chrome trunk bar, and window visors. The lighting includes LED side mirrors, dancing LED taillights, and a custom LED third brake light. Up front, the custom headlight retrofit combines LS460 projectors, STI-R lenses, and Morimoto Mini H1 projectors.
Up front, a black interior swap from a 2001–2005 GS provides the foundation, with black Alcantara covering the headliner and pillars. Custom leather and Alcantara upholstery extends across the seats and door cards, while a wood steering wheel, SC430 wood shift knob, black burlwood hydrographics, and a custom Air Lift controller mount add further detail. Custom fabricated door panels incorporate infinity mirrors into the cabin.
In the rear, the VIP treatment continues with handmade tray tables and a custom rear console, joined by Junction Produce curtains, custom floor mats, and a rear humidor. The custom leather and Alcantara upholstery carries into the rear seating area, while the same attention to detail continues into the upholstered rear deck and trunk.
The audio system combines a Kenwood DDX-719 head unit with US Amps Xterminator 400x and Merlin MD3D amplifiers. CDT Audio HD642 three-way components and coaxial speakers are joined by a RE Audio XXX 12-inch subwoofer, Kinetik HC-1800 battery, and Stinger HPM wiring and terminals.
After more than fifteen years of ownership, Harty’s GS 400 is still evolving. With new upholstery updates already planned, the car remains a work in progress and continues the long-term project that began when Harty brought the Lexus home in 2008.
ESSENTIALS
VEHICLE:
1999 Lexus GS 400
OWNER:
Kyle Harty
LOCATION:
Kenyon, Minnesota
HORSEPOWER:
Approximately 325–340 whp
CLUB:
Drive Cartel
SOCIAL:
IG: @kylehartygs400
ENGINE:
Ported Eaton M112 supercharger + Smoothflow Pulleys 3.2-inch pulley + Modified Bullet Cars manifold + 330cc injectors + 1000cc ninth injector + Split Second enricher module + Split Second injector controller + AEM wideband and boost gauges + XAT Racing aluminum pulleys + Powerhouse Racing radiator + B&M transmission cooler
EXHAUST:
Magnaflow mufflers
DRIVETRAIN:
3.92 rear differential
WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES:
Luxury Abstract x Junction Produce Scara wheels (set #6 of 25 produced) – 19x11 -3 (f), 19x12 +7 (r) + Falken Azenis FK510 tires – 245/35R19 (f), 275/30R19 (r) + Rotora 4-piston calipers with 355mm rotors (f) and 330mm rotors (r)
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION:
Air Lift 3H air management + Dual VIAIR 444C compressors + Dual 2.5-gallon air tanks + UAS air bags on Megan LP coilovers + Serial9 front upper control arms and toe arms + Megan Racing sway bars + TRD front lower chassis brace + Sport Design steering ECU
EXTERIOR:
One-off metal widened fenders + Aimgain Premium front bumper + One-off aluminum bumper insert + JDM side skirts + Fourth-generation GS OEM rear bumper merge + Junction Produce (grille, roof spoiler, and rear spoiler) + JDM Toyota chrome door handles, chrome trunk bar, and window visors + LED side mirrors + Custom headlight retrofit (LS460 projectors, STI-R lenses, and Morimoto Mini H1 projectors) + Dancing LED taillights + Custom LED third brake light
INTERIOR:
2001–2005 GS black interior swap + Black Alcantara headliner and pillars + Custom leather and Alcantara upholstery (seats, door cards, trunk, and rear deck) + Custom door panels with infinity mirrors + Handmade tray tables and rear console + Wood steering wheel and ashtray + SC430 wood shift knob + Custom Air Lift controller mount + Black burlwood hydrographics + Junction Produce curtains + Custom floor mats + Rear humidor
AUDIO / MOBILE ELECTRONICS:
Kenwood DDX-719 head unit + US Amps (Xterminator 400x amplifier and Merlin MD3D amplifier) + CDT Audio (HD642 3-way components and coaxials) + RE Audio XXX 12-inch subwoofer + Kinetik HC-1800 battery + Stinger HPM wiring and terminals
SHOPS / INSTALLERS:
JWP Automotive + Metal in Motion Bodyworks + Coyer Custom Hydrographics + Randy’s Paint & Collision
PHOTO CREDIT:
Photography by Chhun Media — @chhunmedia
GALLERY
