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Guest Blog: Pleasurism

By
DaveT
-
7

Back in February I stumbled across a Japan-born video on YouTube that features four impressive, VIP-styled JDM Honda Odysseys. Craving more, I did a bit of digging, and soon found myself flipping through a photo gallery belonging to Hoda — the owner of the red Odyssey in the video. Armed with the video and photo gallery, I made a tip that soon after popped up right here on SIE for your viewing pleasure.

Along with Hoda’s photo gallery there is one more thing I found: His Twitter account. I followed him. We started talking. And when I made plans to visit Japan to see family, I wasted no time asking Hoda if he was interested to meet in person, he nearly instantly responded “yes”.

Thursday, November 10 was the big day. Hoda met me and my girlfriend in front of the Kyoto train station and by foot we went to grab some lunch. You always hear about how nice Japanese people are and Hoda is no exception; he drove over an hour to meet me, was unbelievably friendly, and paid for the delicious, expensive sushi we had for lunch.

After lunch we hit the subway (and he also paid for my subway ticket) to head to the closest lot that he was able to drive his Odyssey into.

He has to park this far out because he can not clear the block out back

JDM Odyssey at last! I was only equipped with your average point-and-shoot camera, so my photos will never do justice, but believe me when I say it’s a jaw-dropper.

Oh, and this is his first car. FIRST CAR.

Hoda's lip is as deep as the I Like Em Dropped sticker is tall!

I walked around his car. Looked top to bottom. Couldn’t find any real flaws except for a few stone chips on the front. We hung out talking in the parking lot for a while and even after fifteen minutes I was still laughing at how ridiculously clean this Odyssey is.

Once I finally got to ride inside the car the ride quality was surprisingly good. Whenever the Odyssey tackled a few bad patches of road that resulted in some nasty sounds I’d look over to Hoda and he’d just give me a “that’s just how it is” shrug and a smile.

I had to catch a Tokyo-bound bullet train and was limited on time so we ended up pulling over on the street to take some photos.

Driving around The Odyssey gets a lot of looks. We had the windows down and at a red light a few ladies complimented the ride. I would have suggested picking them up — as it is a van after all — but he said he doesn’t ride with more than two passengers to spare the rear end the pain of bottoming out.

Hoda is a regular SIE reader and was excited to get some stickers.

The meet went great and I caught my train back to Tokyo on time despite bad traffic. Special thanks to Hoda for showing a stranger from Canada a good time. Next time I visit Japan hopefully I’ll make it out to Hoda’s hometown.

Until then…

Text and photos by: Josh Shohei

WTF Friday: Canutuck?

By
DaveT
-
5

It has been a long time since I’ve thought about ‘the worlds lowest blazer’ (at least five years) but for whatever reason it popped into my head while pulling together last weeks WTF Friday post.

This truck is a great example of the extreme measures people were (and still are) willing to take to get their ‘perfect stance’.

I remember a lot of things about this truck (the extreme body drop, the fender humps, and the Fiero wheels) but a couple of the other details completely slipped my mind.

For example I forgot the owner had to build a tube frame for the truck because he drug the previous frame to smithereens, and most surprisingly I somehow forgot that the whole rear clip of a Fiero was thrown out back making it a mid/rear engine truck.

It’s a good thing the hilariously dated 2004 tripod page detailing the build is still live and while the pics I pulled from it are postage stamp sized you get the jist:

Makes more sense to get in through the roof than the doors
Tubular A-Arms, fuel cell, flip forward front
Fiero rear clip, wedged between a slightly widened Blazer rear
Fiero rear clip, wedged between a slightly widened Blazer rear
No need for a roll man when you have no bumper
Tucking almost every lug up front
Tucking... every single lug out back
The proportions look quite odd with that much of the bottom missing

I have no idea if this truck was ever finished, or if the Fiero motor ever moved it so to the older minitruck guys reading this if you know what happened to this truck or have pictures please share.

Site Updates

Lots of user submissions again this week, going to sort through them on the weekend and figure out how to incorporate them all.

Hopefully something cool from Japan next week as well in addition to another upcoming feature that will probably close out the year for features.

Finally as it’s Black Friday today followed by Cyber Monday I’ve added a discount code of ‘BIGDEAL‘ to the store which will get you 30% off anything currently in stock, good enough for you Mathew?

Flashback Friday

Since I am talking about trucks anyway here are some JDM Minitrucks.

Still sick

I should go hunting for these again.

Oh if anyone is hitting the Rally Of Tall Pines this weekend with an SLR shoot me an email. Not sure I will be able to make it out.

From Russia With Low

By
DaveT
-
1

It’s been a great week for videos, first the Level One video popped up, then Aidan’s IS300 video was dropped, and now I’ve got this great video of a low MKV GTI to share all the way from Russia.

Both the car and the video are simple and to the point, and while dimaekimov didn’t attach much info about the car he did include a few static shots of it from the video.

Take a look.

Spy cam angle
How long do you think it took to find a building with poles that matched the wheels?
White on pepto works pretty well actually

Digging the global submissions lately, I would really love to see some low cars from Jamaica…

Be sure to head over to dimaekimov‘s vimeo channel for a few more flicks.

Featured Ride: Phil’s Cobra

By
DaveT
-
14

Not everyone’s got the balls to go up against the modification ‘norms’ of their platform because doing so invites the opinions of naysayers and know-it-alls.

But what if the end product is a combination of function and form comprised of parts only from reputable manufacturers, then what?

Well then you have a car like today’s Mustang, one that provokes conversation and stands out amongst its peers.

Open 1024px version in a new window

Open 1024px version in a new window

Phil started this build right where the Ford factory left off by installing a group of go fast modifications to the already supercharged Cobra from manufacturers such as: BilletFlow , JLT, Bassani, Steeda, LFP  and Innovative.

Now the car now puts down a healthy 480 or so horsepower which means that the same people quick to share their dislike for this car on other blogs and forums secretly wish they could run with it on the highway.

Open 1024px version in a new window

Open 1024px version in a new window

Suspension wise the home built, no corners cut, Accuair/Ride-tech air install is sure to not only satisfy the ‘moar lows’ crowd but also please those who live by the phrase built not bought.

This suspension, which is the most recent modification done to the car, was carefully researched before hand to ensure that it both looked and performed better than the Cobra coupe suspension that preceded it.

Open 1024px version in a new window

Open 1024px version in a new window

Finally the aptly named CCW Classic wheels are sure to keep the wheel aficionados at bay because the timeless design of these high polished wheels suit the car perfectly, and the 275/295 tires that wrap these18x9 and 18×11 inch wheels are a direct nod to this Cobras performance roots.

Open 1024px version in a new window

Open 1024px version in a new window

If this car were described only by it’s stand out features, the CCWS, air ride, and boost would a Mustang be the image most conjured up? Probably not.

Does that make this car any less impressive? Definitely not.

Open 1024px version in a new window

Open 1024px version in a new window

Phil’s desire to head somewhat off the beaten path while still creating a car that is very much functional is exactly the type of thing that keeps this hobby interesting and I for one welcome more people willing to challenge the norm.

I would like to thank Phil for not only giving me the opportunity to feature his car, but also for being a long time reader, and putting me in touch with talented photographer Jeremy Alan Glover who handled the lens work for this feature.

Modification List

Interior/Exterior

  • GG&G “F*ckin’ Fast” shift knob
  • Innovate G3 Air/Fuel ratio gauge
  • Paint-matched CDC lightbar
  • Bullitt Mustang side scoops
  • Cobra grille emblem
  • Black vinyl bumper letter inserts

Suspension/Wheels

  • Accuair e-level air suspension kit with touchpad
  • 5 gallon tank
  • Dual chromed Viair 400C compressors
  • RideTech CoolRide bags and plates
  • Maximum Motorsports front Strut Tower Brace
  • Kenny Brown Performance Extreme Matrix Subframe System
  • CCW Classic 18×9.5 front with 275/35R18 Nitto INVO (post shoot)
  • CCW Classic 18×11 rear with 295/35R18 Nitto INVO

Motor

  • JLT Carbon Fiber CAI
  • Stock TB and plenum ported by Stiegemeier
  • 2.76″ BilletFlow blower pulley and 100mm idler
  • Bassani stainless steel catted X-pipe
  • Steeda stainless steel catback
  • LFP Dual Pass Heat Exchanger
  • LFP Supertank intercooler reservoir
  • Innovate LC-1 wideband O2 sensor
  • SCT XCalibrator2 with custom tune
  • MGW short shifter

Aidan’s Year End Video

By
DaveT
-
4

Watching Aidan’s car progress over the past two years has been quite a treat and the work he has done certainly didn’t go unnoticed in 2011.

His season started off great with a high profile feature, and ended even better with the opportunity to showcase his car alongside Liberty VIP in the lobby at Importfest.

Between working on his car, helping out behind the scenes at events, and bringing steak to grill on my BBQ Aidan also managed to squeeze in some time to do the following video with local videographer Misha Frolov.

If you have seen this car in person you know that photos don’t really do it justice so seeing it get shine time like this is awesome.

Like a lot of us Aidan has a few plans up his sleeve for 2012 but I am not about to spoil them (unless he gives me the green light).

As for the man behind the lens Misha is gearing up to do more video work and judging by this and his last video I can only assume he will be busy next year.

You can get in touch with him via his vimeo page: vimeo.com/mishafrolov or mishafrolov.com.

Theme Tuesdays: Women And Cars Part 2

By
DaveT
-
8

Time again to do a pretty straight forward Theme Tuesday post, the kind you could find on any other blog.

Sorry this is not as creative as some of the previous ones. I’m not even sure you guys will like it….

/sarcasm

Warning: Potentially NSFW unless maybe you work at the Brass Rail or just DGAF.

Lucky guy owns an e30 m3 and has company like this
I think Rotiform had a full set of photos just like this one
She is not stoked
I recently read that Camels humps are in fact not filled with water (filled with fat)
Why so serious
Drop two letters from the sign in the background
Art form indeed
Add this to the list of reasons to own a GTR
I'd like to see her try and get out of that car dressed like this
Party wagon
Impala needs to be lower, nothing bad to say about the person in front of it
...
A little something from the folk at seriouswheels.com
The power of Mopar?

Bonus women and Bikes!

ATGATT
Women and Bikes Theme Tuesday some day?

Off the top of my head the various blogs and forums that I used for this post were: Motor Models, Stance|Works and JDMRides assume all of these direct links to be NSFW as well.

Fat and Flush: S-TI-fighter

By
DaveT
-
5

From what I have seen Subaru owners that want to run low and wide might have the most uphill battle amongst their peers.

A lot of the ‘traditional’ Subaru owners seem to think that Subarus (specifically STIs) should always be ready for rally conditions that could suddenly pop up in the middle of the highway.

The reality is you don’t need 4×4 ground clearance to enjoy all wheel drive, but people hate reality.

This car is still very much functional and happens to look damn good the way it sits.

This is one of those cars that looks perfect as it sits and I hope never changes
No gap, no tuck, perfect rake.
Unrelated but I could have used one of those Pumpkins this year
18x9.5 255/40

Spotted on S|W

Photo Credit: nateshrum

WTF Friday: Are you for serious?

By
DaveT
-
11

I’ve seen and (and normally posted) quite a few crazy builds so I am getting pretty a custom to bizarre combinations of car and motor but this particular one caught me wayyyy off guard.

Fabrication aside the owner/builder deserves a round of applause for just getting through the amount of hate that comes along with telling people you are going to dress a 97 Mustang Cobra in 94 Acura clothes.

Admittedly I skimmed the 46 page build thread pretty quickly last night (I went back this morning to read in greater detail and I am currently on page 22)  but not fast enough to the point where I didn’t see the owner field every question and negative criticism with a level head. More people need to take criticism on the internet as well as this guy.

Surprisingly the wheel base of the Cobra and the wheelbase of an Integra are not all that far apart so his plan of attack was fairly straight forward, he cut off the ‘Stang from about the rockers up and did the same to the Integra.  With a little bit of American voodoo, a welder, some determination (and no doubt a BFH) he made it all work.

A few interesting build photos and the first run video below:

The car right before it's cover photo shoot
The car pre swap sitting on Mustang wheels which I didn't know fit on 5 lug swapped Integras
Acura parts put on the mustang to get a general idea of how things will line up
Mustang bottom half made ready
Point of no return
The Integra 'shell' was braced for the swap
Just might be onto something...
The moment of truth
Like I said in the intro very similar wheel base sizes
About midway through the thread the owner dropped this photo of the car in a way earlier state with a rare Zeal bumper
Motor looks right at home... or frame looks right at home? I don't even know
Finished at a show (widebody fenders made it to the front)
The Integra interior is the one that ended up in there
The front track looks pretty normal but the rear gives things away a tad.

Thanks to JDMRides I was alreted to this video

If you want to see how the entire thing went down you have two options, one the thread I found it in or the cars facebook page.

Site Updates

Made a few tweaks to the over all layout until I figure out what I want to do in terms of design for the site last weekend, or I might just make my way through the mountain of photos from readers that have been sent in 🙂

Thanks for all the contributions.

Also got confirmation on incoming info regarding a feature I’ve been waiting on.

Flashback Friday

Someone on the fan page mentioned that yesterdays 911 didn’t have much to do with stance. Long time readers will note that I’ve always been pretty loose with the stance definition though as is evident by the fact I posted this in 09.

Seen a couple more pictures of this car but this is still my favorite.

awesomecarswithmodifiedsuspension.com was just way to long of a url 😛

I’m going to see if I can find some time today to finish that acurastang build thread…

RW Who?

By
DaveT
-
4

Before I get ripped to pieces by all of the internet over the title let me just say one thing: I like Rauh Welt Begriff cars.

It is just lately I’ve been bombard at all angles by the same three cars that I needed a little break from them before I end up a drooling twitching mess on the floor chanting RWB for life.

That’s where this ’73 911 comes in, its glossy bright white finish is about as far from RWB as you can get.

Starting as factory original this car was expertly resto modded into he beauty you see today by DP Motorsport with a focus on function and light weight but an obvious eye for form as well.

Highlights of the build included an all CF widebody, tuned 3.6L boxer motor, and an beautiful interior that is a blend of Alcantara and CF.

Compared to it's original weight this 911 is now a glider at 1,918lbs
Zero corners cut what so ever putting this car together, even the ac cover is CF
Perfect stance for the way this Porsche is modified
The 3.6-litre motor has 50-mm PMO carbs and makes 310hp
Form meets function with this interior
That CF dash looks stunning
Fuchs 15x9/13 wheels with 225/50R15 and 345/35R15 tires make up the shoe sizes
Hats off to DP Motorsports and the photographer damn

Nakai-san and RWB are awesome but lets not forget about the other Porsche tuners out there.

Thanks to Supermade for bringing this beautiful beast to my attention, more info on this car can be found here at the DP Motorsport site.

Photo Credit: German Car Scene

Sweden Stays Down

By
DaveT
-
1

Since posting Richard’s ride Monday my mailbox has been buzzing more fine cars from Sweden, but before I get to those I have to spin it back a bit to a car that I actually saw for the first time in August.

Somehow the car ended up getting lost in the shuffle of event coverage until I was reminded of it yesterday.

Looking at the car once again I think I should be smacked for letting it slip because the owner Alexander has done quite a bit to this car to get it looking as nice as it does now.

Like a lot of us the first thing Alexander did was slap on some lowering springs and call it a day.

Of course a few months later 40mm lower than stock on stock wheels seemed a little mundane so Ta-Technix coils cranked all the way down found their way under the car along with 14×9 O offset steel wheels that were shortly replaced with the current Schmidt TH Lines.

A few dozen cosmetic modifications on the inside and outside later (outlined below) Richards got a car that has taken best stance and best VW awards at shows in Sweden.


Thanks for sending your car in and Swedish stance fans more of your country folk is coming soon.

Alexander would also like to let fellow Swedes know that the Oijoij Society is the local forum for Swedish stance fans who want to keep track of events and swap ideas and parts.

Mods List

Wheels/Suspension

  • 15″x8″ Schmidt th-line Et12 165/45-15
  • 15×9.5″ Schmidt th-line Et18 195/45-15
  • Ta-Technix coilovers

Interior

  • Recaro Edition One (Complete with door panels)
  • Luisi steering wheel (year 1987)
  • Black interior part (grey original)

Exterior

  • Mk1 Cl-spoiler
  • Hella tinted taillights
  • Shaved front-bumper
  • Shaved tailgate
  • Handles replaced with rear handles without the locks
  • Strip without keybutton (on tailgate)
  • Gti-wing (On tailgate)
  • Gti-widener
  • Badgdeless grill
  • “Original” front lights with cross
  • Eyelid
  • Red side indicators
  • Single wiper

More Canadian content soon too.

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