What started simply as a vision, Wataru Kato opened his own shop in Japan back in 1993 by the name of Liberty Walk. Fast forward 23 years, and his garage is still thriving, full of exotics and classic Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) automobiles.

Posted on Vimeo, this film dives into Kato’s aspirations and expectations with Liberty Walk, a shop he opened when he was just 26 years old. “I started this company because I wanted to change the image people have of car workshops,” said Kato. “I also wanted to try and introduce cars to the younger generation.”

A closer look at a Liberty Walk-certified build, which tucks an otherwise wide wheel with its sizable over-fender.

His first car was a Kenmeri Skyline, which he purchased for $1,000 when he was 18 years old. This marked the beginning of his beloved relationship with cars. He ended up going all out with some of his builds, creating his own style in the process. “Anything is fine, it’s just important to have fun,” Kato said. Diving in further, he mentioned his similarity to shakotan-style cars in Japan that feature big rear wings and over-fenders, explaining that the style has been in Japan for years, but he wanted to take a different angle on it.

From front to back, these Liberty Walk builds are other-worldly with their aggressive stance and wheel fitment.

Designing body kits for exotics, Kato also dabbled in designing a kit for the Chrysler 300C and even Suzuki work trucks. He even went as far as creating the , a bite size Lamborghini. “Come play with our cars and experience some real exotics,” he said.

Dipping into the American automotive market, Kato even designed a kit for the Chrysler 300C that looks awesome.

Working almost exclusively with exotic cars, Liberty Walk has grown into a formidable company in the automotive aftermarket scene. With a deep passion for cars and holding no bias towards any specific manufacturer, Kato in turn became a master at his craft.

Operating essentially against the grain, he took exotics such as Ferraris and Lamborghinis and put his own spin on them. From adding more wheelbase to airing out the fronts and rear with huge valances, Kato thought outside of the box, blending racing and tuning into a single entity.

When asked what his favorite car was, Kato had a thoughtful response. “The only way I can explain it is like when you’re a child and you have your favorite toy cars,” he said. “I have about ten cars I keep as personal treasures.”

With Liberty Walk being a force to be reckoned with, Kato and his company have made it all the way to the grand stage that is SEMA in Las Vegas, Nevada, an annual tradeshow that showcases the latest and greatest in the automotive aftermarket. What simply began as a small idea has ballooned into a style of its own.

Others may try to replicate it, but Liberty Walk only messes with the best, nothing less. What are your thoughts about Liberty Walk and its style? Feel free to share your opinion below.