Let's go Topless
Published:Sunday | August 1, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Laranzo Dacres, Gleaner Writer
IT WAS all the rage back then, but 15 summers ago a group of seven guys modified their pickup trucks and became known as the Topless Crew.
"We saw the style in Miami. We liked it and we decided that we were gonna do it," said businessman D. Escoffery. "So we bought some old pickups, had them cut, customised, then we imported them here."
The pickups were a mixture of Mazdas, Nissans and Toyotas ranging from the years 1987 to 1991.
The roofing of these pickups were completely removed (cut), leaving the vehicle topless. The van's roof was carried in the back of the vehicle in the event shelter was needed.
"The reaction we got from persons who saw us rolling in the streets, we never anticipated it at all," said Escoffery with a reminiscent smile.
In addition to the 'chopped-off' roof, the vans boasted intriguing body kits, boosted sound systems, superb paint jobs with graffiti and impressive rims.
"People were actually the one that gave us the name Topless Crew. I guess it was because of the way our vans were," the businessman said.
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Escoffery said he and his friend, Al, who drove a Mazda and Nissan, respectively, were the only two who had a hydraulic system installed. This would power a vertical rotation of the open-back rear cargo area of the vehicle.
The total cost of the job according to Escoffery was approximately US$10,000, which was inclusive of the cost of the truck, kit and labour.
"Those times we partied hard man, and when we rolled through the parties, the amount a attention that we got," he said. " We gained a lot of popularity at that time and used it to do a lot of charities."
He went on further saying that the vans were used to do a motorcade entrance for the premiere of the dancehall movie Clash.
And, while these vehicles are now etched in dancehall history and are all out of commission, the fond memories still linger.
"We just had a different vibe and energy and the Jamaica people liked the vibe," Escoffery said.