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WTF Friday: …is that a Sunfire?

By
DaveT
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2

Building a hot rod can be done many ways. Of late putting an old body on a new chassis has become quite popular.

Usually the chassis chosen are rear wheel drive cars prior to the popularity of unibodies. Usually.

There are of course exceptions to the rule. People have been known to put anything they have sitting around on top of well, anything else they have sitting around.

Like say a 1937 Ford body on top of a Pontiac Grand Prix chassis.

From the jump the proportion of this car are, creative, to say the least. It looks like the front end has been extended significantly and maybe even the door.

The roof also looks to have been brought down some but that could just be the long front end playing trucks on me.

The rear, is devoid of any rear bumper and has tail lights from somewhere. A plate recess would have done wonders here.

The front is, put nicely, busy. Very busy. Including the Pontiac nostrils was an interesting choice, but the push bar is straight out of left field. It makes me wonder if it was added after the fact to make the car legal.

Inside is pure Pontiac and I don’t know why but looking at it I can smell cigarette smoke. This just might be because most of the Pontiacs I’ve been in have belonged to smokers…. but I digress.

It’s currently for sale, best offer takes it home.

Built Not Bought: The Arrogant Man’s Mantra

By
DaveT
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2

There has always been a divide between those that build their cars and those that don’t. This divide has been discussed, debated and argued about hundreds of times over.

Many words have been written about the topic, and admittedly we may not need more. However after becoming quite familiar with the Ridler competition this year I was compelled –some might say triggered– to share a few thoughts.

With an extreme focus on engineering, creativity, and workmanship the Ridler is one of the hardest best of show awards to win.

People may debate each of the Great 8 finalists aesthetic merit but from a craftsmanship view-point they are all remarkable.

After immersing myself in the selection process, and writing a few articles on the cars, I noticed that there is some level of contempt around the competition. One of the most prevalent criticisms is that it has become a cheque writing exercise.

Some enthusiasts turn their nose at the entire competition because it doesn’t lend itself to the back yard builder, despite the fact that there are no rules against their entry.

Detractors state that it is easy to build a car to Ridler standards when money is no object.

But it’s not. Just ask any of the builders involved if it was ‘easy’ to put together a car of Ridler caliber.

Pundits also claim that those who have someone else build their car are a lesser form of enthusiast.

But they’re not. Talk to any of the vehicle owners and try not to hear the passion in their voice as they talk about what is now their car.

The notion that a build is any less remarkable because of the money that went into it doesn’t really make much sense. Owning and modifying a vehicle is not a great numbers game. Often it is cheaper to buy a car than it is to build one. Furthermore purchasable options are also usually easier to maintain, better performing and an overall better investment.

But in a hobby where individualization is an integral part, buying something that anyone else can fails to impress.

Creating a custom vehicle takes much more than money, it takes vision and execution. More often than not it also takes a combined effort from a number of individuals.

Devaluing a build because it was paid for by someone with the means to do so unfairly takes away from the people who put in the work. Those individuals had the talent, the client just provided the medium and often the idea.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of capable builders out there whose work goes virtually unnoticed because the right project never comes along.

That might be fine for some but there are many who both want and deserve for their work to be seen. It’s unjust to dismiss the efforts of these builders simply because they were hired by someone who could afford to pay for their talent.

Similarly dismissing everyone who commissions their builds as a lesser enthusiast is an arrogant and narrow-minded perspective. Yes, there are some who write a cheque at the beginning and only reappear at the end. But, there are also many who can’t/won’t/don’t spin a wrench but stay involved throughout the entire process.

These enthusiasts have sketched the car of their dreams out on napkin several times over, but have opted to have it built instead of building it themselves. Many race car drivers do not built their cars, are they not enthusiasts?

The reasons for outsourcing a build are plentiful but the most common is skill. Not everyone is capable of building something themselves. The analytical thinking, attention to detail, and motor skills required to safely build a vehicle is not a common trait among all people. Is it better to try, and potentially put yourself and others in danger or know when you are in over your head and call in the pros?

This question is rhetorical, and one I am constantly battling with on my project.

I am, at least historically, more a car assembler than a builder and there plenty of things outside my wheelhouse. Some of those things I have a desire to learn, or improve my skills at, and others I have little interest in and thus problem with outsourcing.

Time is money and sometimes its more worth my time to pay the money.

Most who chant built not bought are in the same boat but too afraid to admit it. I’m sure there are plenty of cars with built not bought stickers on them sitting incomplete in garages around the world. The owners of these cars would no doubt love to have them out sooner if they could but a few extra dollars towards enlisting some help to lift them past the next hurdle.

There’s really no shame in that either because time is the second most relevant reason to call in the cavalry.

Life doesn’t want anyone to build a car. There’s only 24 hours in a day to figure out a problem, and most of those 24 hours are dedicated to things other than the build.

Days become months, months become years, and timelines are easily blown out as priorities change. Paying a shop, a good shop, means that a build will be done by an established date.

If you’re the type who enjoys the drive more than the build then paying makes perfect sense. For those that enjoy the build over the drive paying someone else for the fun part doesn’t make sense.

But really it’s just two different sides of the same enthusiast coin, and often the ones who take the time to build things correctly don’t criticize those who pay to have things built.

Usually the reason for this is because they are the one’s being paid to do the building.

The die hard do it yourself crowd may not realize it, but the pay someone to do it crowd is an important part of the enthusiast community and industry.

Many of the best back yard builders are given the opportunity to do what they live for a living simply because people are willing to pay them for it.

If you’ve gotten this far I’m sure you are wondering how I feel about people who buy completed cars that were modified by their previous owner.

Honestly, those people just might be the smartest of all. Cars are, typically, horrible at holding their value and there are tons of great deals to be had if you know where to look.

If you’re comfortable with buying a finished or unfinished project then by all means give it a go. I’m surely not one to talk or judge, the chassis going under Project Why Wait is one I bought and didn’t build.

Finally, contrary to what those who live by built not bought mantra might think, paying for a build is not easy. It requires resources, and usually these resources come from hard work. Hard work in a different way perhaps, but hard work all the same.

One person’s talents might lie in creating a frame from scratch and another’s might lie in working the stock market, or renovating a house for profit. It’s all relative and one skill is no less valuable than another if it contributes to a car build.

The choice to build or buy is rarely ever a simple binary decision, and instead of drawing lines in the sand it’s much easier to let people do what they are comfortable with while you do the same.

Built not bought, bought not built ultimately doesn’t matter if at the end of the day it puts a smile one your face.

Theme Tuesdays: Recently Viewed – March 2017

By
DaveT
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1

Another month down and another Recently viewed post to celebrate. My YouTube video consumption actually slowed down a bit in March in favor of Netflix and Iron Fist.

However my interest in that series seems to be waning, so I might be back to Youtube videos while I edit photos.

This month’s picks start out local at Motorama, then go to the North Face Rally Stunt driving charge fiasco.

After that it’s a bit of a trip around the internet, with a few stops off in the past, and a couple at Hoonigan, before concluding with Project Binky, an AWD Mini build that looks stellar.













WTF Friday: Civic Unrest

By
DaveT
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7

It’s been quite some time since a Civic has rolled through WTF Friday, but this one is pretty deserving. Submitted by vr6 s14 owner Trevor, without much info, I sat on this EF for a few weeks hoping I’d find out a little bit more about it.

Sadly more info has not shown up in any of my usual haunts so I am left posting it with only what I can glean from the photos.

Once a standard hatchback the rear has been lopped of and in it’s place sits some sort of trans-axle based v8 motor. At first glance the intake, and support structure make the car look as though it is carrying a BBQ and some construction levels at all times.

The motor was more than likely lifted from a non desirable fwd American car, and judging by the paint marker on the rear bumper, it is fairly safe to assume said motor came from a junk yard.

Is it faster than stock? Maybe. Is it safer than stock? Questionable. Is it WTF Friday worthy? Most certainly!

If anyone has anymore info on this curious car I’d love to hear about it.

Theme Tuesdays: Supremes and Whites

By
DaveT
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3

The Astro Supreme wheel is a staple of car customization. It is right up there with the strikingly similar American Racing Torque Thrust wheel, and the omnipresent BBS mesh well.

The design may be simplistic, but it is still iconic, and due to it’s simplicity it is highly unlikely that it will ever go out of style. Pair the wheel with white wall tires, and you’re left with one of the most timeless combinations of all time.

Why it took me so long to pay homage, I am not sure, but it’s time.

This picture is really old, I’d say Circa 2010 but since Supremes are timeless so is the car
I can’t be the only one who would appreciate more dune buggys in the world can I?
Beetles are not the only aircooled Volkswagens to wear Supremes elegantly
Withheld this one from the Corvette Theme Tuesday just for this post
Supreme wheels + a faked roof… perfect
I’m a thin white guy myself but several vehicles in this post, like this C10 make a hell of an argument for thick whites
I feel like if we ever met Speedhunters Mike Garret and myself would get along
This drawing almost looks like it could have inspired the truck above, it came from myrideisme.com
Astro Supreme wheels are the only wheel fitting of any version “The Bloody Mary”
Simple, Los Boulevardos style will always win me over
I don’t think I have ever seen one of these in person. It is a 62 Chrysler if you’re wondering
This truck sold, sadly with the wheels, had I known Dick was selling it I would have scooped them up
Astros, candy paint, and lake side pipes? Awesome.
Fat whites once more on this dope Ford
Lots of details in this truck I wouldn’t mind working into my own..
I just love paint jobs like this
Going to close things out with this truck, not sure where it is these days but it was a mighty fine looker

Some of you might be wondering if I like these wheels so darn much why don’t I get a set for Project Why Wait? Well, considering their price and the price of steelies there’s a chance I just might get both! Time will tell.

Event Coverage: Spring Fever 2017

By
DaveT
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0

Last year when Spring Fever debuted at Motorama it did so to a largely positive reception, which in a city as critical as Toronto, is no easy task and a large indicator that the organizers know what they are doing.

The same organizational crew returned for 2017 and managed to grow the show in size in the process. There may have been more vehicles this year but the show didn’t feel overly crowded, which is something that not all indoor shows are able to achieve once they expand.

Knowing when to say when is important however because some cars really deserve to be viewed at all angles.

More important than layout however is car quality, and the organizers managed to deliver on that regard as well keeping the quality of vehicles up through a rigorous screen process.

I have to give credit to the initiated folks that applied and got accepted (especially those with daily drivers) considering most of us are still dragging our heels for the 2017 season.

In all honestly I couldn’t believe how much some cars I thought were “done” changed in the off-season. One such example is Lugi (@thesqueeg) Genesis .

This car was pretty impressive last year, really impressive in fact, and while I thought it look good wrapped, it looks great painted.

Interestingly enough this paint is over a removable primer that can be peeled off similar to plasti dip or vinyl.

The truck you see above is known, affectionately and appropriately, as Big Booty Judy and certainly lives up to its name.

Shine up the paint, put it on bags, Alcoas, add a healthy amount of fabrication work, refresh the interior and bam you’re left with a great looking cruiser.

Parked close by Judy was the latest creation to roll out of Ground’d Kustoms, a Rat Rod International truck.

It and the 2016 Dodge beside it left a few people scratching their heads about the creative back half designs.

I did a bit of a double take when I learned that the widebody Ford Fiesta below was built by Tucci Hot Rods, the same people who built the low slung model A from the 2017 Motorama Custom Car and Motorsports Expo coverage. Bolt on flare critics need not avert their eyes, because this car is all molded.

Jay (@simplyspeed3) has been steadily plucking away at his Speed3 since he got it and last year it was already one of the more heavily modified in the local show scene.

This year he switched his wheels out for fairly aggressive (9.5 et 15 if I recall correctly) BBS wheels. There is of course a bit of fiddling left to do to get the car to sit exactly how he wants but that’s how it always goes right?

On the topic of wheel changes the widebody EM2 above got a nice new set since I saw it last. I was never able to determine if they were authentic Speedline wheels, but they look great regardless.

The car also got some clean up in the engine bay from Switches And Thangs who can apparently work on darn near anything and do a great a job of it.

In general The Honda/Acura community really brought their a game to this year’s Spring Fever. There were show cars, track cars and everything in between.

To say what I just did about quality and follow it with the car above probably seems contradictory, but consider that I’ve been seeing this car at shows for over a decade. That is a long, LONG time for a car to kick around the show scene.

Practically a time capsule at this point it’s a pretty epic throwback to what things were like in the early 2000s, and I feel the owner deserves some credit for keeping the car presentable versus letting it rot away under a bunch of junk in a garage somewhere.

When was the last time you saw a car with this many screens? The I.C.E. set up in this car is ridiculous, and the owner embraces the period correct look of the car by only ever giving show goers the option of playing 16 and 32 bit games.

On the more contemporary side of things Brian always comes correct with his Civic. Parked in the same spot as last year noticing the changes between 2016 and 2017 was a little game of spot the differences.

The one I noticed first was the plate above the radiator which is new and emblazoned with the Elevated Status logo.

Parked behind Brian was this incredibly well-built father son Civic project. A full rotisserie ground up rebuild this car is far more deserving of a feature than it is a few flattering words in an event coverage post.

The two photos above are a small sampling of the work done to the car, and plenty more examples can be found on the builder Rob’s new Facebook page that documents several of the modifications. This car took home a well deserved best of show.

This mini was pretty gnarly, the sign in front really tells the story here, can you imagine what an all wheel drive K20 powered mini would be like to drive?

The installation was incredibly well done too, and if it wasn’t for the sheer amount of space the K20 took up in the engine bay one might assume it was stock.

Fairly unassuming, outside of the vtech sticker, I wonder how many people will be surprised by this little mini this summer.

I’m pretty sure I have taken an engine bay photo of this car every year since it first debuted. As far as I know it isn’t running yet but is apparently the closest it has ever been to doing so thanks to a recent visit to Cyrious Garageworks.

I have taken a few photos of this trunk set up over the years too but I feel like Rob Anzit did it proper justice with this series of photos.

The interior on this car is also all quilted leather and took home the best interior award, though I’ll have to get a picture of that at another event.

With two years now officially under their belt and no chinks in the armor I’m looking froward to seeing how Spring Fever continues to improve next year.

Of course there’s also a whole seasons worth of events I’m also looking forward to between now and then so no rush guys.

The Pantera Reborn By Filip Malbaša

By
DaveT
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2

I hinted at it in yesterday’s Theme Tuesday, but here is the final result of Filip Malbaša’s take on the DeTomaso Pantera.

Filip Malbaša if you recall is quite the digital artist and his take on iconic platforms is always interesting and creative.

I’ll let Filip describe his work here as he’s completely got the car planned out in his head right down to the rear view camera.

‘The DeTo as I like to call it is still powered by a Ford V8, but instead of the carbureted version, it’s a modern twin-turbo unit, giving it both power and reliability. The long tail rear end is home to a huge carbon diffuser from the latest 911RSR, while the intake is a hint to the “finned” modern LM racers. For the suspension, KW provided a fully adjustable set at all 4 corners and for the braking, a carbon ceramic compound is used, making traction with the 6 pot calipers all round. Gearbox is a 7 speed sequential, operated using paddle shifts, and being a rear engine, rear drive car, it’s a trans-axle, meaning the electronically controlled diff is in the same housing as the gears.

There are no rear view mirrors, since the rear fin is also host to a camera, which projects an image to the on-board display, which is also used for giving the driver much needed info on the car(fuel, various temps, rpm, speed). Steering is done from the full carbon bucket seat, which is snugly mounted in the 6 point cage equipped race trim interior and turning the three spoke deep dish SPARCO steering wheel with some buttons and switches mounted on it.

Traction issues are solved using TC(can be switched off or regulated) and super sticky slick tires measuring 18×9 in the front and 20×11 in the back with 02turbo tire lettering. Wheels aren’t center locks as you’d expect, rather, they are regular 5 bolt, making it easier to find ones that look good, since this would be used for the street as well(yes, it’s street legal).’

Thanks Filip for induldging me in giving a Pantera a go. Check out more of Filip’s work here on 02turbodesign.

Theme Tuesdays: DeTomaso Panteras – 2

By
DaveT
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0

DeTomaso Panteras are one of my favorite cars, at least visually and conceptually. I have never driven one, or been in one for that matter, and I don’t see them all that often but despite all that they remain in my top five.

In fact I like them so much that when Filip Malbaša asked what car, off all the possibilities in the world, I wanted him to render a Pantera was my first response, and the rendering he did was actually the sole reason for today’s Theme Tuesday.

I will be posting said rendering tomorrow as it deserves a post of its own, but today we will take a look at cars the exist in the real world.

This car comes via Madwhips.com and is one of several up skirt Pantera shots to appear today
I found this car on wildpantera.com which is a site you should visit if you are into Panteras to any degree
Turns out the car is 100% real and –cliché I know– spectacular
This one I spotted on Seventh Wing it is a restored model with GR4 flares it sold for 78.9k a few years back
The engine bay of the car above is mighty tidy
This beautiful red Pantera sits on Foregline center lock wheels, this car and the car above really emphasize the wedge shape of Panteras which I think is a big, big reason why I like them so darn much
Big booty girls put every guy in debt -picked this one via reddit.
What is not to like about the rear end of these cars? Honestly. – via Rallyways.com
I’m including the Gas Monkey Pantera just so you don’t think I forgot it. Visually I’m actually not a huge fan of this car, the engine cover is imposing IMO and the wheels too sunk.
I had issues with this car the first time I saw it too as it smoothed out a lot of what I like about the Panteras admittedly dated design
Looking at it now, and in comparision to the Gas Monkey car, I’d say it works as a modern interpretation of the Pantera
Pinterest coughed up this image, remember when this was the go to style for all car posters?
Keeping the low resoloutiion pinterest time machine going here’s a Pepto colored car with a very happy model
….just wheels and a drop
This is actually the first Pantera I’ve seen on more pro street looking wheels. I actually don’t mind it but the rear looks a hair high
*heart eyes emojii* – via The Escape Road
Pantera alternative to a Ferrari that Miami vice vibe via roosterteeth.com
I honestly had no idea Group C Panteras existed before this car.
This was apparently the last one ever build and bringatrailer.com has a lot of information about the car on their site
It is actually impossible for me to do any Pantera post and NOT mention Team Pantera of Japan
Funny enough WordPress glitched when I uploaded these photos originally and dated them February 8th 2036 which means until 2036 permanently affixing them to the top of my uploads list
Team Pantera of Japan consistently delivers some of the best looking Panteras ever

Along with some of the wildest…

Event Coverage: The 2017 Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo

By
DaveT
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4

Any show occupying Mississauga’s International Center has big shoes to fill, but even in its first year it was evident that the Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo was up to the challenge of filling said shoes.

Now, three events deep, the Motorama staff have focused their efforts in all of the right places, and never spread themselves too thin in an attempt to grow too quickly. The result is a show that continues to be enjoyable for both spectators and competitors.

Vehicle wise Motorama has consistently delivered, yes it is predominantly a classic show, but it isn’t exclusively so, and for the second year in an import was placed in the prestigious front hall.

Recognizing that a well built car is a well built car, regardless of genre, is a significant hat tip to the import community and I’m really interested to see if the trend continues next year.

As a turbo B series, rear wheel drive converted, race ready machine, this Rukus Motorsports Accord isn’t your run of the mill Honda.

For those of you who might be skeptical of the project, the car does run and drive, so I imagine it will be seen at Cayuga once or twice this year.

Will it hit the six seconds it is certified for? Only time will tell.

Just as imports are somewhat new to the front hall so are lowriders, looking back through my coverage I think only one other lowrider has been there before.

Known as the Sun King this ’51 Bel Air came out of Quebec via the Luxurious Car Club, and the classic Chevy was detailed top to bottom and front to rear.

Engraving, paint, chrome, everything was thrown at this car at literally every angle.

One might assume, based on the lack of brake pads and chrome rotors, that this car isn’t driven but I have it on good authority that those rotors come off, new pads go on, and this car cruises like a true lowrider should.

1936 Copperhead owner Mike Livia debuted his Taylor’d Customs built ’59 Chevrolet at Motorama and the eagle eyed among you have probably noticed that this is the same truck from a shop visit to Taylor’d earlier in the summer.

Looking for a vehicle he could feel comfortable driving more often than his show winning Ford Mike’s goals for “Lowmater” were a presentable, reliable, driver.

The exterior has been left alone, and the frame has a Mustang II front end conversion and custom back half. The interior was also repaired and re-trimmed, and under the hood is an LS permanently on loan from a Corvette.

Boot Hill Automotive Resurrection is no stranger to Motorama, or the front hall, and this one stop restoration shop debuted their 1960 Corvette build at the 2017 show.

Now an LS powered car, and on a Roadster shop chassis, I imagine this C2 is going to be a riot to drive on the somewhat secluded streets in Erin Ontario where Boot Hill is located.

One never has to look too far for traditional hot rods at Motorama and Slade Customs had one of the standouts in 2017. A five-year build this Y-block powered car is known as the Blue Baller Hauler.

I feel like there’s a really good possibility that this car will be at the Jalopy Jam Up in August where it would fit right in.

Speaking of the Jalopy Jam Up it was great to see this Ford pickup at Motorama after I saw it complete for the first time at last year’s ‘Jam Up.

Debuting a few years ago –as a work in progress— the builder, Dylan, started the truck at the age of 15 when many kids are still building model cars.

To have a car in the front hall at such a young age is incredibly impressive and that feat is further impressive when you consider that the truck was built in a style that few Dylan’s age set out to emulate.

However, when your dad is one of the key members of the Lead Kings I guess style doesn’t fall far from the tree.

The Lead Kings actually had a pretty cool display in the center hall of the show.

They pulled a few campers in and created an impromptu type of camp ground where they could be found hanging out all weekend long.

It was a pretty unique idea for a display, and really suits this club’s style because ultimately I don’t think taking things too serious is what they are all about.

The Lead Kings recently dropped some new merchandise, that I somehow managed to completely forget to buy at the show, so hopefully I see them later this year to grab some swag.

Circling back to the front hall this ’23 T bucket was from Quebec as well, and I’m not sure what’s in the paint guns out that way but they really take things to the next level.

While not particularly my style, it was impossible to not appreciate the amount of work put into this car and it was totally deserving of its spot literally right near the main entrance.

Fit and finish wise the Ford above was one of the best in the venue. The emerald-green hued paint looked great under the lights as did the fresh interior.

The Grand Champion award at Motorama went to Enzo Covello and his 1936, 427 big block Chevy powered three window coupe above. Dangerous in Red the car has the stance, the chrome, and the attention to detail of a proper street rod.

Blair brought his Dodge, fresh off its lowest car in at Autorama Extreme, to Motorama and the car proved a winner two shows in a row taking home the best rat rod award for 2017.

Now to set up that photo shoot in the summer with a little tire smoke…

The Tucci Hot Rods Model A below has received quite a bit of exposure since it was completed in 2015, but this is my first time seeing the car in the metal.

The car is chopped five and a half inches and has a small block Chevy under hood. It also has quite a few pretty slick details hidden all over it including an extremely different windshield trim you see in the photo above.

If there’s one car I regret not elbowing my way to the front of the pack to take more pictures of it is this Alinson Designs Chevrolet Chevelle project. It was far from complete, but had a heck of a lot of cool details lurking throughout.

A car that did steal an almost disproportionate amount of my attention at this year’s show was the ’68 Camaro built by Pro Comp Custom. Similar to their Charger Solo (below) the Camaro known as My Kind Of Crazy was not for the faint of heart.

My Kind Of Crazy was actually built first, and according to the owner’s upsets purists somewhat less as Chevrolet owners are apparently quite a bit more easy-going than Mopar owners.

Still, the car is a drastic departure from your average Camaro and has proportions very similar to a Jada “Dub Series” toy or something of that ilk so I imagine there are a few Camaro owners who are up in arms over this build.

I however loved the car and couldn’t resist coming back several times to shoot photos of it. There’s a number of under construction photos at Pro Comp Custom website if you’re interested in just how much has been done to get the car to look as it does.

Another show and another advanced design truck draws my attention, you’d think I were building one or something (updates soon I promise).

The bridge, extending into the wheel tubs was a nice look and tying the candy red frame, into the wheels and also the interior really brought it all together quite nicely.

The East London Timing Association was the feature club of this year’s event which, not only did they deserve but, I’m sure helped lift the club’s spirits after the passing of brother.

It was great of the E.L.T.A. to bring out Dennis Wilson’s car (above) after his passing and continue his tradition of putting as many kids in it as possible. Local hot rod clubs also gathered later in the show to commemorate Dennis’ life which just goes to show how much heart is really left in hot rodding.

Hats off to the Motorama team for another great event and I look forward to attending again next year. Might be a bit too early to call it but hopefully I can drag, or more preferably drive, my truck out to next year’s show but lets not put too many carts before horses.

Spring Fever coverage will be hitting the site later this week!

WTF Friday: Steam Punk Rat Bike

By
DaveT
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0

The Motorama Custom Car Show was last weekend and while I was sorting through the coverage I knew I had a good bike to showcase for this week’s WTF Friday.

When I saw the bike sitting on the ground my initial reaction was indeed WTF, followed by wow there’s been a lot of thought and creativity put into this build.

Built in a short four months by Toronto based Motorcycle Enhancements this Steam Punk themed bike is powered by a Yamaha Roadstar 1600cc motor mounted into a truss style frame.

You’ve probably already noticed that this bike sits on the ground thanks to air suspension front and rear.

The air set up itself is pretty trick; the compressor is a from a BMW and it fills that green oxygen tank.

The entire thing is plumbed with copper hard-lines –as is the electrical system– and the owner was doing demonstrations of the suspension going up and down all day thanks to a charger hooked up to the bikes battery.

The battery resides in the green ammunition box if you were wondering.

Interesting details are literally all over every inch of this bike. By now I assume you’ve already noticed that Chevy valve covers make up the gas tank but did you also notice the ratchet handled, chain driven, jockey shifter?

No? how about the quick release tractor seat?

The gauges on the truck reside in a custom-made copper “dash” and the tiny Canadian Club whiskey bottles you see on either side of the fork make up the bikes turn signals.

The springer fork uses wrenches as rockers and hides an air bag between the legs. The chain-drive in the rear is supported by a series of tensioners which help keep the chain in alignment throughout the suspensions articulation.

Fittingly an oil can serves as the bikes oil pan, and for foot controls I am sure you’ve noticed the 50mm bullets.

Unsurprisingly the bike drew a lot of attention at Motorama including the attention of Vegas Rat Rods’s Steve Darnell who awarded it prestigious the RatRod award.

The builder/owner isn’t quite done with the bike as he plans to add a steam-powered horn as well. I am not sure if plans are to ride the bike, sell it, or just keep displaying it but it is darn wild any way you look at it.

Look for more coverage from Motorama to start Monday!

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