In a recent interview, Shine, the proud owner of a standout Toyota GT86 that mirrors the look of a Taiwanese taxi, shared the backstory of his eye-catching vehicle that has piqued interest across Los Angeles. His car, brilliantly painted bright yellow, features a classic taxi roof light and showcases the logo along with the iconic “55688” taxi number from Taiwan. Shine’s striking modifications have caught the eye of local Taiwanese communities and sparked engaging discussions online.
Shine’s car photos have taken social media by storm, generating an overwhelming response with comments and shares flooding in. Many users have praised the design, especially the license plate reading “DaLanPa,” which humorously references a Taiwanese slang term for male anatomy, leaving Taiwanese viewers in stitches. “I wanted something unique,” Shine explained. “While a lot of GT86 owners lean towards designs inspired by the car in ‘Initial D,’ I was hoping for something that stood out more.”
About two years ago, he started transforming his vehicle, swapping its original white finish for the classic yellow reminiscent of Taiwanese taxis. Shine even brought back the taxi roof light from Taiwan, joking that it accounted for about a third of his luggage during his trip. After completing the changes, he shared the car’s design concepts with some of his colleagues, taking the opportunity to explain the cultural significance behind Taiwan’s “little yellow” taxis. Although his colleagues weren’t familiar with the Taiwanese taxi scene, they were impressed by the vibrant yellow color and unique design, even teasing him about potentially working as a taxi driver in Los Angeles. Shine humorously clarified that his modifications were merely for enjoyment, not for starting a taxi business. He even recounted a funny moment when his mother visited and briefly thought he was driving a taxi part-time.
As for the playful license plate “DaLanPa,” Shine revealed it was a product of a whimsical moment after a night out with friends. While casually browsing the California DMV website tipsy, he struck upon the idea of applying for the funny plate. “It was a spontaneous decision for a laugh, and when it got approved, it became a defining feature of my GT86,” he said. “This plate hits home particularly well with Taiwanese folks, adding an interesting layer to the car’s personality, even if it was an accidental choice.”
Looking to the future, Shine expressed his desire to share more stories about his car on social media and is considering incorporating additional Taiwanese elements, like symbols of the deity San Tai Zi. “For me, these modifications are purely for fun; they don’t carry any profound significance,” he noted. He stressed that age shouldn’t dictate one’s interests. “No matter what car you drive or how you choose to live your life, what truly matters is your happiness and making choices that resonate with you, as long as they’re legal.”
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