Releasing on June 22, 2016, is the film that mainstreamed the aftermarket car scene. The Fast And The Furious will be revving into theaters to let all re-live the Bomex and Veilside body kits and wild graphics that marked a pivotal point in the import car arena.

As promoted in this ” target=”_blank”>YouTube trailer, the film will be celebrating its 15th anniversary. Those who may have missed the movie that started it all or were too young to see it when it first came out way back then will now have the chance. Simply nostalgia, the first film is drastically different from the recent sequels. We don’t want to spoil it for those who haven’t seen it, but if you want to compare what a modded car was then and now, this is a great way to see it in a big way.

It’s been a long line of films for this successful franchise from Universal Studios, so with this release, it could simply be a shot of relief while the crew works on the next film, which is set to release sometime next year. The series has seen its ups and downs, but has recently gained more praise for its plot direction and premise. It may not be so much about the cars anymore, but the earlier iterations focused on the cars and less on character development.

From the Toyota Supra to the constant presence of the GT-R, the Fast and Furious franchise has developed its own identity through the years, cultivating a global audience that some still resonate with today. Treat it like pop culture; things become trendy and popular, only to fall off the face of the Earth when they become irrelevant. No longer are we exposed to underglow neon fixtures and hydraulics on Toyotas — the norm is air suspension kits, and rim lips kissing fenders.

If this may spark the ricer versus tuner debate again, we’ll save that for another time. Body kits have also got a bit more exotic and dreamy, with companies such as Rocket Bunny, Liberty Walk, and Rauh Welt, who have each pushed the body modification standard up a few notches from what was “over the top” in 2001.

Whether you are about function over form or vice versa, The Fast And The Furious was a groundbreaking Hollywood spectacle that made every kid with a learner’s permit want a flashy, modded import. Sure, there was Dom’s coveted Dodge Charger, but the focus of the film was the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) for sure.

From “naahs” and outlandish spoilers to the simple stance that is now trendy, the import aftermarket scene has made huge strides in just over a decade. Even a cameo appearance from famed tuner RJ DeVera playing Gran Turismo on PlayStation One may look ancient now. It may simply make us feel spoiled now for all that is available at our disposal.

My, have the times changed, but it is a period in time much like when hip hop was about big rims and chrome everything. Will you be heading out to enjoy the high octane races and action? It don’t matter if you win by an inch or a mile; winning is winning.