Makes

Going to take a quick break from the CSCS Beach Burnout coverage and light up the main stage for June Jitter Bug, a local Volkswagen show that takes place every year at Fireman's Park in Niagara Falls. Like Vanfest June Jitterbug is one of those shows I've wanted attend for a few years but can't swing due to other events or personal commitments. I have however run guest coverage from it before and this years comes from Mark Armstrong a long time reader and local enthusiast.

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of lowriders and the lowriding culture and one of the people who documented that best is Jae Bueno. Based in LA Jae had access to the best of the best when it came to lowriding (and everything else automotive) and his work was showcased online via Fatlace, and his own site, and a couple times he even appeared over on The Chronicles.

After being unable to make the Nine-O-Five Rides Tuner and Truck Expo in 2012 I was glad the event organizers reached out with an invitation to attend and sponsor this years event. Leading up to the show the forecast was fairly bleek and in most cases a 90% chance of thunder showers would be the kiss of death for an event.

Remember the Ramey Built , F20 powered, Geo Tracker I posted shortly before Christmas in 2012? Well I've found the first vehicle I would like to see it go up against down the quarter mile: this immaculate 86 Suzuki Samurai powered by a Chevy 305. Aside from the obviously borrowed power plant the 'trucklet' (sellers words) appears to be mostly stock. I say mostly because inside the factory seats have been ditched, along with the center console, but aside from that it's factory Suzuki.

On Sunday I managed to make my way over to Brimell Scion for their fourth annual "Super Tuner" event. Initially I assumed I would have to sit this event out due to the after effects of a bachelor party the previous night but to my surprise my body seemed relatively unaffected by a night of debauchery so I rolled out. Dealership shows are always kind of hit or miss so I didn't really know what to expect on the way to Super Tuner 4.

The last 'Girls With Hot Rides' (Lady Driven from here on out) Theme Tuesday was in 2010 and to be honest that's entirely too long. The days of women rolling around in pink Civics and outrageous Sunfires are largely over and there are a number of ladies doing things just as good (if not sometimes better) than the guys and it's a damn shame I don't post them more often.

As mentioned in part one of 2013 CSCS season opener coverage Cayuga was packed last Sunday which meant the show and shine was overwhelmingly full. Let me tell you I was pretty glad to not be a judge at that event because as it must have taken ages to get through the show and shine field never mind try and arrange them in some sort of logical order.

Lowriding is one part of the enthusiast lifestyle that is often incredibly misunderstood. To many, even other enthusiasts, painting intricate designs with copious amounts of flake on the frame and underside of an American classic is as silly as... well, building a car that can hop up and down at the carefully timed flip of a switch. But if you think about it building a show quality lowrider is not unlike building a show quality drift car. Both are meant to be used in a ways a normal car never would and both might as well look damn good while doing it.

We read his words and see the pictures he puts up every day and it's not hard to figure out that Dave Thomas has a keen eye for what looks good when it comes to cars and trucks. After all, that's what keeps readers coming back to Stance Is Everything. What we don't often see is Dave's personal car. Not because it's not worth showing, but because there simply isn't enough room for self-indulgence with the ever-growing list of cool cars he can't wait to show us.

The mantra of the devout non purist enthusiast is that the right motor for the job is the one that is the most reliable, cost effective, and powerful one available regardless of the make. More often than not GM's LSX ends up being the motor that fits those requirements, and as such the go to power plant for the non purist. It doesn't hurt that they came in a variety of different vehicles making them readily available, and have robust after market support.

For the past four years Dave and the ever growing Stretch & Poke! operating team have been providing Toronto's aggressive fitment community with quality events for enthusiasts, by enthusiasts. Last years season opening event clocked in record attendance and, not a group to rest on their laurels, the Stretch & Poke team strived to top their previous success with an even bigger 2013 event at an all new venue.

It's been said anything worth doing is worth doing in style and clearly that was the approach used when this Rolls Royce Silver Shadow was conceived and built. After finishing it's first (and only) Baja race in 1984 the RR sat for 17 years before retried (and reported late) stunt man Chuck Strange scooped it up.