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Nagoya Streets

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Not too long ago in my, Ten Trends of 2013 post I said the following:

“I still hold hopeful that the intensified media eye on Japan will help expose their thriving lowrider, minitruck, and hot rod scenes.”

I’m not pretentious enough to call myself a prophet, but less than a month after I said that Alex Rosen this great video of a Tuesday night cruise with the Strongers Kar Klub in Japan.

There’s so much awesome American metal in this video that it could be easily mistaken for a boulevard in California.

I find it relevant to admit that I am whole heartedly in love with the bodied blue 62 Impala built by Cholo Kustoms known as the “Next Movie”.

Really hope to see more of it this year, perhaps one of you could put me in touch with the owner…

WTF Friday: Metro Sexual

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With a three cylinder motor that puts out less than 90 horsepower the Geo 1995 Metro isn’t exactly anyone’s first choice for an off road vehicle, so when Andy Miller told me he was going to turn said hum drum commuter into one I was both curious and skeptical.

However Andy held true to his word and over the course of about a year managed to turn his previously red throw away car into a fairly capable off road run about.

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Besides the motor the biggest thing hindering a Geo Metro from being any sort of capable off roading vehicle is the ride height so to address this Andy gave the car a 2″ lift up front buy cutting the lower spring perch off, putting a metal spacer in, and welding it back together.

In the rear he kept things remarkably simple by just throwing a rubber spacer in between the coils and cutting the body to fit the 29″ tires.

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Since the front end of the car required a small  (read: significant) amount of modification for the 29″ wheels to turn in every direction Andy rationalized that an exo frame would restore some rigidity to his Geo  so he had fellow Ratsun member Blackmarkit to weld one up for him.

The frame combined with the camouflage paint, aggressive off road wheels, tow package, and custom snorkel really help the Metro look the part.

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On the inside anything deemed unnecessary has been binned while anything deemed vital has been water proofed as best possible.

The surprisingly heavy stock seats have also been replaced with a set of aftermarket ones to keep the occupants from sliding into each other too much.

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A skid pan borrowed from a Jeep keeps in vital fluids while a stripped down gauge cluster keeps tabs of what the hamsters are up to under the hood. While the motor did stay fairly stock –save for the exhaust which runs through the body and terminates with a sport bike muffler– Andy assures me that the car does actually perform quite well off road.

He’s used it to go through mud holes, climb hills, rally cross and even taken it off some pretty sweet jumps.

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As much fun as this car is Andy now has two proper off road vehicles and needs to offload this one so if  anyone interested in carrying on it’s legacy you can shoot him a message at [email protected].

Winter Wednesdays: Winternational

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Simply put I do not get to see enough of Rob’s awesome International. I saw it at Scrape (By The Lake) in 2010, and with the help of Steve Wharton (of Equals:22 Photography) I did a feature on it in 2011, but since then any event he’s brought the truck to I have not been able to attend and vice versa.

In the time that has passed since I saw it last it’s had two doors added, the engine bay cleaned up, and been featured in Minitruckin’ magazine.

…and I still have not seen it, I’m doing something wrong.

Here’s a picture of it pushing snow and one of it in sunnier times for good measure.

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Here’s hoping I get my act together and point a lens at it this year.

Theme Tuesdays: Pullin’ A Trailer

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This week’s Theme Tuesday was suggested by a reader and though I must admit I can’t exactly remember who suggested it (sorry) I do remember agreeing that it was a great idea when they did.

Last year I did a theme very similar to this (Lowered Trucks Pullin’ Stuff) but this one is a little different in the fact that it is not exclusively limited to vehicles with beds.

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It suddenly occurs to me that I have in fact never travelled in style
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Grabbed this combo from the Los Boulverdos forums
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Wonder what they do with the car in case of rain?
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Judging by the vehicles in the foreground and the one in the back I would very much enjoy whatever event this was taken at
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The hood on this ford is pretty cool, as is the IFS conversion

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Further proof lowered trucks are still plenty useful
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It actually never occured to me that there was another angle of this famous John Jackson shot
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This is the first time I’ve seen a trailer made of a truck bed without the actual be… pretty rad actually. Great photo by Paul as well.
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The Ford on the back is actually not a trailer queen in the least. The owner just can’t drive two cars to a show at once so he trailers the lighter of the two

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It’s a shame I rarely see these old Legacies because they are nice cars
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Drag week seems like pretty much the best time ever
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A quick search reveals that this might be the only Hiace I’ve posted on the site
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I reckon it is safe to assume this is the same vehicle as above in a different state of completion
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I really wouldn’t mind either of these
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The exhaust set-up on this truck is wildly intriguing
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Speaking of interesting exhausts..

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Perfect coordination here, low truck, low trailer, matching paint, matching whites. Perfect

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The Most Interesting Car At The 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon

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When TAS2014 coverage started to hit the web one car immediately stood out among the over fenders, race inspired livery, FT86/BRZ/FR-S, outrageous exotics, and over the top VIP cars.

This awesome hot rod influenced Mazda Miata.

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Styled unlike any Miata I’ve every seen I not so patiently  waited for more photos of the car to surface after the initial Instagram post by Ryo of USDMFREAX.

At first photos of the car came quite slowly  –as did information– but now that the show is well in the books a bit more information has become available.

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As it turns out the car was built by engineering students at the WIZ International Institute of Technology. Not sure exactly what the assignment was but they saw fit to cut off everything forward of the firewall and replace it with a frame of their own design.

The suspension, dampers, grill, and such are all custom units while the motor is (so far as I can tell) mostly stock save for the individual throttle bodies and one off  header.

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While there are a few things on the car I would change myself (the wheels being one, I like Seeker  DX wheels but not here) I admire the cars ability to stand out among a very competitive field.

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The video below documents a little bit of the build and while I don’t understand single word said there does appear that they have built a VW Beetle. I’ll have to look out for that…

As always I am welcome to more info should anyone have some.

Photo Credit: SpeedHunters, The Chronicles, Motorshow.carreivew.jp, 7tune

WTF Friday: The Sound of 1000 Purists Screaming

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If you listen very carefully you can just about make out the sound of thousands of purists screaming over the image of a classic Mustang turned into a proper mud runner.

Yes, the clapped out classic on a truck frame isn’t exactly a new concept (heck I’ve posted a bunch previously), but something about this one being properly thrashed –on numerous occasions– screamed out “Post me”.

Presumably this car was in rough shape prior to this conversion but part of me wonders if it wasn’t and the owner did it anyway….

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Sadly I’ve got no real info on the truck/car/whatever but I can say that it was present at both the 2013 Vermonster 4×4 Snow Bog February of 2013 and the The Barnyard All Terrain Mud Bash in October.

It looks to be built to take a beating so it’s probably still around which means I have to ask…. build thread anyone?

Theme Tuesdays: Frames

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While catching up on a few of my favourite build threads over the weekend it hit me like a ton of bricks that Theme Tuesdays very rarely touch on fabrication. That sucks.

So wasting no time this weeks post is dedicated to frame/chassis fabrication and I’m sure I am not the only one who will be left thinking that it’s almost a shame to cover these up with a body when everything is said and done.

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Buick GS built submitted by JP of Stripping Technologies
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Another from JP, a bit of a before an after in one shot
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Updated photo of the Chevy Luv build from the ‘Who Said Playing With Chalk Is For Kids?‘ post
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Mr. Wybrow’s ‘Rotbox turned tire roaster‘ build is progressing nicely
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Really like the cross member with the link bar pockets is super cool..
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Jeff Watson’s Tiki truck
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Fittingly equipped with bamboo link bars
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Chris Grantham’s Project Dool-Eh…
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Which you may have seen floating around Facebook lately
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Crazy build I found on “The Independent Rear Suspension Forum
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Not quite sure what it is intended to go under
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Bringing things back down a notch here’s a Model T chassis that shows just how simple they really are. The full set of photos on this build can be found here
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Super wild Nissan Titan
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Feature on this truck is available here, I believe the frame is actually from an Armada.. or parts of it at least
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This was the best photo I could find of the Chilango 64’s frame prior to build up

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Awesome Chevy Master Sedan build that is going on over on Stance Works
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Interesting Toyota Hilux build spotted on Mini Truckin’
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Relaxed Atmosphere build captured by FCVDO
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Dually build that was at SEMA in 2011 I believe… not sure if this ever got finished
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Another build that I wasn’t able to figure out whether or not it got finished…
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Jonathan Juarez’s S10 dubbed ‘Pure Hatred’. Another Mini Truckin’ Web feature
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This Grant Fabrication Frame actually goes underneath a Pathfinder….
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69 Boss Mustang frame from Schroeders Speed
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This jungle jim goes underneath the Silver Shadow
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I couldn’t find just a photo of the frame of this Nova built by The Roadster Shop but I also couldn’t not include it. So crazy
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Pro Street ’32. More photos are right here
This frame had to be in this post. Matt did an insane job on it…

Can’t wait to see where Gary goes with this
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If you are wondering the answer is yes I will post this in as many Theme Tuesdays as possible

Should this Theme Tuesday see multiple editions? Let me know in the comments.

The Recipe

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While I was gathering photos for the Chevy Belair Theme Tuesday I came across this Impala wagon that just about steered the entire post towards wagons.

It’s got a great stance, impeccable paint, and a set of wheels that, despite their simplicity, really pull the car together.

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If anyone has more info on this car I’d welcome it.

Photo Credit: Jonathan Chow

Event Coverage: Battle At The Bridge

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In July of the 2013 the Canadian Chapter of the SunSet truck club hosted the aptly named “Battle At The Bridge” car and truck show in Lethbridge Alberta.

Headed up by Steve Woodward, and supported by a number of volunteers, the show brought out publications like Minitruckin’ Magazine, and Performance Auto And Sound, in addition to big name sponsors such as Accuair and AirTEKK.

Like all great Western Canadian events contributing photographer Mike McConnell was on hand snapping away (his coverage also appears in the March 2014 issue of Mini Truckin’ Magazine), and based on what both he and Gabe of French Canadian Video have told me Battle At The Bridge is exactly the kind of event I would enjoy thoroughly. Great cars, great trucks, great people, and nothing but good times.

Perhaps one of these days I’ll be able to make a trip out to Calgary and check it out myself!

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Start things off with this VIP Lexus that is no stranger to Mike’s lens
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The Poor Form LS430 is also a familiar car here on SIE
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Also showing with Poor Form was this gorgeous Datsun
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From the looks of things this car is absolutely spotless throughout
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It’s crazy how much forward movement gets introduced in VW suspension when you bag them
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Jetta with tons of character

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If you can get someone to bring an Esdel to  your event you are doing something right!
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Whatever is going on with the door of this Monarch interests me
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Continental kitted
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I can’t recall the last time I saw an 88 Accord on the road…
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This ’53 Chevy looks to be off to a great start sitting low with what looks to be a Vortec motor between the rails
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Hard to beat a great looking Impala Wagon like this
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Magnum Tint from Red Deer Alberta laid out
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This just might be the only Buick Century I’ve ever seen modified
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Looks great too…
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Late 90s Rams are also another vehicle I don’t see on the ground all that often
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Rounding out the not so often seen on the ground is this F150

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Hats off to whoever sprayed this truck! Looks phenomenal in the sun
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Absolutely grounded.
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Perfect for the streets of Cali, or the grass of Alberta
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Super nice I.C.E. and management setup in the back of the car too
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Not super crazy about the wheels on this personally but I do love seeing turbo hot rods
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A little bit of rat styling goes a long way

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Not sure why but this is one of my favourite photos of the set…
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Another simple yet awesome shot

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I would love to see the looks on peoples faces as this car drives by well under their windows
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It would probably look a little like this actually…

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Hell of a long reach up to this shift knob
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One of the better graffiti covered vehicles I’ve seen
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I’ve always had a bit of a thing for up-sized Iroc wheels
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The Ghost flames are a great addition to this GMC
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As I type this caption about this GMC Scottsdale I’m watching the Barrett Jackson auction which takes place in Scottsdale Arizona… weird
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Flipped Colorado lights and ‘Cali combo’ completely change the rear of this s10

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This bear a striking resemblance to the Air Assisted Ford
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The world needs more low duallys

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I’m sure you all agree
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Simply incredible c10, love the sleds
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Awesome switch box choice too
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Speaking of things are awesome this trophy is certainly one

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Great looking bagged v8 powered Path Finder

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Lady driven 78 or so Mazda
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This truck was recently in an issue of Minitruckin magazine…
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…It also happens to belong to Steve Woodward one of the main organizers of Battle At The Bridge
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If you want to see more of this truck check out Mike’s full set of photos here

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Going to close things out with this truck which I just love…
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…of course I’ve always been a sucker for white walls, purple, and pinstriping

Event organizer Steve Woodward and myself have already been in talks about the 2014 Battle At The Bridge and I am looking forward to sending out some product to help support an awesome show!

For those of you looking for more coverage check out Mike’s full set of 523 Battle At The Bridge photos here on flickr.

Winter Wednesdays: Red Toboggan

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This week mother nature has pleasantly gifted those of us in Ontario with temperatures in and around +/- 2 degrees, but it is still winter which means there’s weeks of complaining on my part yet to come.

Chris however just keeps it moving with his Miata that somehow manages to still look good under all that salt and road brine.

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Photo Credit: Chris Johnston