NEED FOR SPEED

So last night, like many other car fans and NFS franchise fans, I saw the Need for Speed movie, and quite frankly, I did not find it to be as bad as everyone else on the internet said it was going to be. The script and the story were just as cheesy and predictable as any of the Fast & Furious movies or that awful Redline movie from a few years back. I did like how they used very few visual effects and apparently NO CGI whatsoever. I heard that and spent a great deal of the movie looking for some kind of CGI, but I couldn't. I was very impressed by that. I also loved that the car sounds weren't dubbed with better sounding cars, but rather Magnaflow made custom exhausts for every single car in the movie, making them sound perfect, especially the Gran Torino, Camaro, and GTO in the first race scene. There are some things that bothered me though. The jump scene in the Mustang...it was quite obvious it was a stunt modified Mustang. Obviously it needed to be because the Mustangs used in the chase scenes would've been to screwed up to reuse if they didn't put a rally style suspension and narrower, bigger tires that would've survived the jump enough to make it look legitimate. They just did a terrible job at hiding what they did. Also, I understand they did this for entertainment value and because they had a $66 million check from Dreamworks burning a hole in their pockets, but I'm not sure it was completely necessary to destroy six multi-million dollar cars. Lets make a list of the cars that they destroyed and their costs.

Bugatti Veyron SS: $2.2 million
Lamborghini Sesto Elemento: $2.5 million
Koenigsegg Agera R (one destroyed and one severely cosmetically damaged): $1.6 million each
Saleen S7 TT: $1 million to the right customer (I've seen them go for more or less)
GTA Spano: $800,000
Mclaren P1: $1.15 million

Total cost: $9.25 million in damages

I enjoy gratuitous destruction of expensive things, it just seems kind of risky to put this much into a movie that already had bad critique before it was released. Also, the product placement was fairly tasteful. It was clear Ford put a lot into this movie, even giving them a 15 Mustang for the final scene, but it wasn't nearly as bad as a Michael Bay movie or a Marvel movie where it is constantly in your face. For the NFS movie, it was there, but you could easily ignore it. My final thought on this movie is that besides Rush, this was the best racing movie I've seen in a while. Made more sense then a Fast & Furious movie, the videography was excellent, and the cars were some of the best I've scene on the big screen. I'm hoping that the mix of The Run and Hot Pursuit reignites peoples' love for the game franchise because I've been playing them since I can remember and I'd really hate to see them gone.

Now, I just wanted to talk about the car the grabbed my attention most in the movie and the one I found to be the breakout automotive star, the GTA Spano. Its been around since 2010 and I've seen it around the web, but I've really not paid much attention to it and I also don't know anything about it other then it was made in Spain. I decided to do some research and learn about it.

Its made of a carbon fiber, titanium, and Kevlar mixture, has a "Central rear lonitudinally-mounted supercharged V10". So rear engined, rear wheel drive and fast with 840 HP running on bio-ethanol. I think its a beautiful car and I feel ashamed that I never paid enough attention to it in the four years that its already been available.

I also wanted to give a brief history of the NFS franchise in the hopes in will reignite someone's love for the series. This year actually marks the 20th anniversary of the NFS franchise with The Need for Speed being released in 1994 for PC and PS1 and featured 8 licensed cars ranging from a Toyota Supra to the Ferrari 512 and a secret ninth non-licensed vehicle called The Warrior. There were some sequels that added some fundamental developments in the series with the pursuits and driving engines. In 2000, Porsche Unleashed was released and this started the long-lasting relationship with Porsche. Starting in 2010, EA had exclusive rights to use Porsche's name in video games, leaving other franchises to use RUF as an alternative without paying Porsche and EA a hefty sum. In 2004, Underground 2 came out which opened up the franchise to a whole new demographic of car lover that enjoys customizing non-super cars for street racing, although their were no cops which many always found disappointing, though that was fixed in 2005 when the most popular game in the franchise was released, Most Wanted and then the follow-up the next year with Carbon and in 2008, the final game in that storyline, Undercover, which was never really popular. The Shift titles were EA's attempt and competing with Forza and Gran Turismo which didn't work as they'd planned, and thus began the decline in popularity of the the NFS series. With a rebooted Hot Pursuit in 2010 that barely sold and a rebuilt Most Wanted title in 2012 that got terrible reviews all around, my hopes for the continuation of Need for Speed died. While The Run in 2011 sold fairly well and did well with critics, it didn't make up for the failures the years before and after. In 2013, the world got Rivals, a whole new concept in Need for Speed, pitting cops against racers and racers against cops as more then just soldiers fighting against the lines separating right and wrong, but as two organizations fighting in a personal vendetta to destroy the other one. This plus the online open world where you jump in and meet other racers from around the world right away made for a great game, and it gave me hopes that with Rivals and the movie, the franchise will live to see another generation of car fan.

THE BEST 80s CARS

I love the 80s. Everything about it. The music. The movies. The crazy ideas people of this era had of the future, i.e. Back to the Future II. The pioneering feats in technology with the advancements in mobile communication and home video game consoles. But more then anything, I love the cars. I know a lot of my posts have been lists, but I feel some of these lists are obligatory for a car blog, so this is going to be my favourite 80s cars in no particular order for the most part.

Porsche 959

I've made my love for this car quite clear. This looks almost like any Porsche, which for the most part, I'm indifferent too. They're like the Camry or Accord of sports cars. But every once in a while, Porsche will make something just over the top amazing. The 959, Carrera GT, the new 918, they're all just a 911, but prettier and faster. A lot of people, with me included, have a hard time seeing any Porsche as more then a 911, but the Porsche purists will fight to the death that these cars are nothing like a 911. I agree with them, but only about the 959. The first "mass-produced" supercar unless you actually consider the Audi Sport Quattro to be a super car, it had some amazing technology and outran the Ferrari F40, the ever popular superstar supercar of the 80s. 

Ferrari 288 GTO

The 288 GTO was just a beautified 308 GTB, with the same basic mechanic setup but with coachwork done by Pininfarina. The 308 may be remembered as the Magnum PI car. There was also at 288 Evoluzione which was a race-ified version of the 288 with slightly more power. This car was the car that inspired the visuals on the F40.

Nissan 300ZX

Produced from 83 to 89, this model Z was made by Nissan to combat the Corvette, as you can tell by the styling, and had the muscle to back up the looks, coming with a range of 6 cylinder motors, the base of which was a turbo straight 6 and the best was a twin turbo 3.0L V6. Whichever model you went for, you were in for a good time. Nissan also jumped on the t-top bandwagon with this model, make it an obvious staple of 80s automotive culture. You'll be hard pressed to find this model, or any other model Z in stock condition these days, which is sad because I think it's looks are stunning. 

Mitsubishi Starion

Produced from 82-89 and sold as the Dodge/Plymouth Conquest in certain markets, this not so popular, turbo 4 powered RWD sports car is another one of those cars that screams 80s. With looks supposedly inspired by both the Camaro and the Porsche 928, Mitsubishi was definitely going for a look here, and while often looked over on most 80s top 10 lists, I think its rightfully deserving of a spot somewhere on mine. 

Lamborghini Countach

Okay, I know that a third of its life was lived through the dark years of the 70s, but this generation's Lambo got so much better through the 80s. It saw the addition of the crazy big spoiler and the metallic paint opposed to the pastels of the 70s and even the addition of a US road legal model that required the addition of a tacky plastic bumper. Even that was great though and I still believe that this will remain my second favourite production bull car forever. 

Aston Martin Lagonda

Fast forward from the 80s, through the 90s and the 00s, and into early 2010. Aston Martin launches the Rapide and everyone is mortified at the idea of a four door Aston. Now remind again to 1974 when this little number was launched and produced from 74-90, the same production years as the Countach. The first version was based off the Aston V8 but didn't live long due to everyones' hatred toward, but somehow this redesign was more accepted and lived from 76 right through the 80s. Engine was a 5.3L V8 making 280 HP, but more then the power, which wasn't that great, were the amenities this car offered. Digital LED displays and touch pad controls and steering wheel mounting audio controls, basically things that you can get now on a $12,000 Kia Rio. Toward the end of the production, their were shooting brake/estate versions made by a third party and a two door LWB model called the Rapide, which didn't do well. 

1989 Taurus SHO

Robocop's car!! Thats all that needs to be said. End of article.

No, but really, this car was pretty impressive in its day. And while I know I'm really pushing it here with this barely being an 80s car, I don't care, it belongs here. It had 3.0L, Yamaha built, V6 that could reach 143 MPH, which I find impressive for an FWD car from the late LATE 80s. While today you'll be lucky to find one with less then 150K on the clock and any less then 6 dents, the fact that these are still around in large numbers impresses the hell out of me. I see more of these earlier Taurus SHOs then I do base model Taurus. During my web research, I've also found many SHO owners clubs around America, so like the Fiero, this nerdy little 80s car has its cult following. 

Volvo 780 Bertone Coupe

This is just another one of those overlooked 80s sports cars, overshadowed by the big boys and rarely looked back upon with anything more then indifferent thoughts. Produced from 86-90, and made in Italy by coachwork builder Bertone, famous for many other cars more popular than this, this was Sweden's answer to the Nissan Z and the American muscle of the era, because while not being quite as powerful (most popularly equipped with a 2.0L turbo 4), it had the technology to compete with the best, with a boost control system and anti roll system. 

Saab 900 Turbo

I don't like Saab, however, I must give credit where credit is due. Front engined and FWD, and looking the way it does, one might never suspect the crazy amount of power and fun that came from this "Executive Compact" (Saab's words). It came in many variations including 2 and 4 door sedan, 3 and 5 door hatchback and even a convertible. The double wishbone suspension gave it amazing handling while adding a turbo and an intercooler made for great power with a whopping 175 HP. Not impressive by today's FWD standards, but shocking for back then. 

So as always, I've saved the best for last. People say certain things scream 80s to them the most, and for most car enthusiasts, its probably the Delorean or the Firebird or the Bronco, but for me its the Pontiac Fiero. 

PONTIAC FIERO

I have been getting into this car a lot lately because my friend out in California acquired one recently and since then, I've been doing a lot of research into the "Poor Man's Ferrari". First being sold in August 83 as a 1984 model, the first Fieros had a small 4 cylinder that wasn't that impressive, although GM had a few 2.5L models testing around Detroit at the time which were turned into pace cars for the Indy 500. For the 85 year, it got the high output Chevy V6 with 140 HP and the GT model was finally introduced to the public after hiding out as pace cars the year before. In 86 we got the fastback design shown above and in 87, a special package to turn your Fiero into a Ferrari 308 doppleganger was made available at many Pontiac dealer and turned the Fiero into something called the Pontiac Mera. 

In 1988, after GM was sued by Ferrari for the Mera, production stopped. Even though GM denies this is the reason for ceased production, its widely believed to be the cause. A 1990 prototype was developed, but it never turned into a production model and on September 1, 1988, the final Fiero rolled out of the factory and an amazing automotive era was brought to an end. Its also said that the 90 prototype was what led to the design of the next gen Camaro/Firebird starting from 93, but this was never confirmed. Look at the picture below and be the judge for yourself. 

I like to think the spirit of the Fiero lives on in every 4th generation Camaro/Firebird still around today.

TOP 10 RACING/DRIVING GAMES

I have three loves. In order they are my beautiful fiancee Valerie, my beautiful 2009 Volvo C30 that I have named Eva, and video games. I have done quite a few articles on cars because thats what this is about, but when I'm not working or hanging out with my fiancee or other friends, or writing this blog, I'm playing video games. This is something I've done for my whole life, so I decided to compile a list of my top 10 favourite racing/driving games of all time.

1. NFS Most Wanted (2005)

I felt as though a intro picture of the game was unnecessary because I feel like everyone knows this game. I first got this game for Nintendo Gamecube, but since then I have had it for PC, Xbox, Xbox 360, PS2, and even the PSP version. I have beat it at least three times now (would've been more but systems come and go), and I never get tired of it. My friends and I have bonded over this game and even my fiancee loves this game. Its one of her favorites and apparently it has been since before I knew her. The acting may be terrible, the green screen CGI or whatever in the cutscenes is awful, but the cheesiness of it all and the pursuits!!! OH MAN THE PURSUITS!!! No NFS game has really lived up to the standards set by this game. Even though it only has 34 cars and no online anymore, it will live on in my collection forever. 

2. Forza Horizon - Xbox 360

This game is very popular right now, as have all the Forza titles. This one was different. Open world driving while having complete customization availability (for the most part). Its definitely fun. It gives people that can't have their dream car in real life a chance to drive it off the track, at least virtually. It des have fewer cars then prior Forzas, but maybe thats not a terrible thing, because racing simulators have too many cars today. Gran Turismo 5 had dozens of versions of the Miata. This toned down open world simulator is exactly what I like in a racing game. The only thing I don't like is having to pay if you want the rest of the game, but I suppose game companies have to make money somehow.

3. 007: Everything or Nothing - Nintendo Gamecube

I get shit from my gamer friends all the time for liking this 007 game. It wasn't the best of the series and it was a ridiculous story with ridiculous gameplay blahblahblah, but the driving. Driving a Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Aston Martin Vanquish with missiles, a rally car race and the level with the motorbike on the bridge in Louisiana, it was all epic. I loved it. Every second of it. Not just the driving, but especially the driving.

4. Volvo: Drive for Life - Xbox

I'll be the first to say that this game was kind of stupid. Using virtual driving to show benefits of safety features that don't have as noticeable effects in real life is crazy. However, I'm a huge Volvo guy. When I played this in the Volvo of Lisle showroom many years back, I was hooked. I took only minutes to beat but I never get tired of it. I searched the internet pretty hard to find it and its another game that will never leave my collection. Oh, and it can be played on the 360, because of all the games they decided to make reverse compatible, it definitely should've been this one. 

5 and 6. Motorstorm Apocalypse and Split/Second

I grouped these two together to save on time and space, and because they are basically the same thing. In Motorstorm Apocalypse you are a racer taking part in events as the worlds falling apart and in Split Second, you are taking part in a racing TV show where you make planes crash and buildings fall to disable opponents and win. These both have Burnout style elements where destroying opponents is key and the dynamic environments where you make the chaos and mayhem, which I love. Plus, Split Second is made by Disney, which I find kind of cool given that Disney's main demographic for their games is more towards the younger side.

7. Hot Wheels Turbo Racing - N64

This EA title (NFS) was out for N64 and PS1 back when I was still playing with Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars, but this game brought playing with them to a whole new level. Bringing classics and the newer models of the mid 90s to your home screen in chaotic races, where it was more about surviving then winning, but winning was nice too. Also, having to find mystery cars scattered throughout the tracks was a lot more fun then just buying them through a DLC like todays games. 

8. NFS The Run - PS3

Now I know I just said how no NFS game as lived up to the standards set by Most Wanted, and I stand by that statement, but since then, this has probably been the best one. The story is amazing, it makes sense except that I got across America in 3 hours and 25 minutes, and the car list is phenomenal. Its not an open world but I don't mind redoing it because there are different "challenges" if you choose different cars. And theres no customization, which is a lot of peoples' beef with this game, but the main protagonist is racing across America as fast as he can. He has no time to install a spoiler or new rims or paint the car. The pre-customized cars are good enough for me, especially since they're all done in the crazy, NFS, "lets put a body-kit on a pagani huayra" style. 

9. GTA Vice City Stories - PSP

Of course I'd be crazy if I didn't put a GTA title in here. I love GTA 5 which is everyone's favorite despite the problems with the online servers, but mine is Vice City Stories. I love Vice City back in 2003, and I love returning there in 2007. Everything was little more refined, the story was better, it felt smoother, plus, I love the 80s. The cars, the music, its the decade I wish I lived through. And having it on the PSP was great because that means I could play it 24/7, which I did until I lost my PSP a couple of years ago. 

10. Crazy Taxi Catch A Ride - GBA

I'm a fan of the classics, and thats exactly what Crazy Taxi is, so naturally when I got my first GBA in 2001, this was the first game I bought, and the only game I had for a while. I never got tired of it. I had my routine of the customers and always worked to just improve that time, but I never got tired of it and even to this day, I still have the cartridge. Different GBA, but same cartridge.

LESS IS MORE

Anyone can take any car, be it a Golf or Camaro or a Ferrari and lighten it, put a roll cage and 6-point harness in it, and call it a track day car....or, you can get one of these purpose built track cars that are being made now under the "less is more" mentality. These track ready versions of everyday sports cars like the M3 or C63 have all the useful, non race stuff taken out, and are sold for what can be up to twice as much. So today, a long with a couple examples of this tom foolery, I'm also going to talk about some of the more hardcore, specially built track day race cars that don't have radios or power heated leather seats, because they were never meant to. While a lot of these are hard to find in America, they are out there, and they are fun.

We all know Lotus already makes some pretty light, grippy, quick cars, but a few years ago they made one of the lightest, grippiest of them all. The Lotus 2-Eleven was a chopped, lightened Exige S with the same supercharged 2ZZ-GE motor, but all the road car equipment is taken out, even being sold base as a track-legal only model, although an extra $1900 or so will make it road legal as well. The only differences are that the race version is a little longer and a little lighter. Below is the track version followed by the road version.

The Ariel Atom is one of the more popular track day cars although, judging by production numbers, its surprising that even I've seen one of the US spec models driving around. Here in America, production started with the Atom 2 that was powered by the same engine that the Saturn Ion Red Line and Chevy Cobalt SS had. The first US company stopped making them in January and without hesitation, another company picked up the rights and they are now being produced at a facility at the Virginia International Raceway. There was also an all electric version of the Atom made by a US company called Wrightspeed and it was called the X1. Below is the 500 V8 version of the Atom which I'm not totally sure we ever got in the states.

As far as track day cars go, they're usually narrow and short and lack the body panel structure of a normal, everyday car, making it seem even more impractical then it already is to drive one on the street even if you have a road legal version. With the KTM X-Bow however, you get a wider stance and a more aggressive look that says that it can be driven on the road without feeling like a fool. In fact, the street legal versions even come with the same kind of adjustable suspension you get on a Lamborghini Aventador so it can be easily driven over speed bumps. This car has become a favorite of track day fans, not to tune mechanically, but cosmetically. There are companies that make body kits that make the car look even wider and like a normal car and there were even companies that would make roofs for them, which have become obsolete because the 2014 GT model comes with a roof optional and doors standard. Oh, and windows. But now I'm going to contradict myself a bit, because while the KTM is the track day car I would choose, it seems kind of stupid to get one with doors and windows and a windscreen and an optional roof, becuase you could just get a Mazda MX5 and get a trunk and a radio as well. Purpose built, track day cars should stay purpose built, track day cars. Below is the original model and the newest 2014, road spec model. Not bad for the Austrian bike company's first car.

 Now lets get to these lightened versions of already good enough cars. We've got the BMW M3 GTS and the Jaguar XKR-S, and I know there's more but I'm just going to focus on these two because they're my favourite. The BMW M3 GTS is not only lightened, having the back seats, radio, big leather recliners and anything else practical taken out, but also gets an extra 30 HP thanks to the 4.4L V8 based of the normal M3's 4.0L V8. But does the extra HP make up for the lack of equipment and the price tag thats about 3 times as much as a normal M3? No, I don't believe so. This is the more ridiculous of this spectrum. Now, on the other hand, the Jaguar XKR-S doesn't shed tons of unnecessary weight, but with 542 HP and a 186 MPH top speed thanks to new...well...everything (brakes, suspension, active sports exhaust) and still come with what they call carbon fibre effect leather upholstery thats heated and powered, and a radio, its definitely worth the extra $35K. It even comes as a convertible for an extra $6K.

And, finally, I don't think I've encouraged this enough, but please comment on these posts. Tell me what you think. Tell me if I got something wrong because I know I'm not perfect and I don't know everything. I made this to get my opinions out there because I was tired of just telling everyone else what I thought and being ignored or called stupid. But I would love some feedback. As long as its not about my grammar mistakes, tell me what you think.

PRETTY CARS

This post is going to be about, as the title says, pretty cars. Everyone always talks about the newest supercar with however much horsepower and a something point something 0-60 time, and then adds, "and it doesn't even look bad either". So tonight, I put mechanic specifications aside for the most part and decided to talk purely about what I think are the best looking supercars of all time, in no particular order.

First is the Bugatti EB110 SS.

With Gandini scissor doors and a carbon fibre body sculpted to what appears to be aerodynamic perfection, this car was the definition of functional beauty. Only 139 were made during the four year production that started on my birthday...sort of, September 15, 1991. Although, having a quad turbo V12 and a 213 MPH top speed, I'm not totally sure the people that bought a EB110, including Michael Schumacher, bought it for its looks, and unfortunately in 1995, with Bugatti's bankruptcy and liquidation, the EB110 was no more. Of the small amount that were produced, even fewer remain due to them constantly being wrecked, even though a company named Dauer still produces replacement parts after purchasing the cars rights from Bugatti through said liquidation. And in case anyone wonders what a 1992 Bugatti EB110 "Veyron" SS would look like, I made a "rendering" thanks to my favourite game, Forza Horizon.

Next is a car that I found a little while ago and its based off of a Dodge Viper ACR-X using the same 8.4 Liter V10. It is the Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale Zagato. Besides having the usual Italian name, it is beautiful, as are most Italian cars. While quite obviously being based off a Viper, given away by the wheelbase and wheel diameter, not to mention engine noise and the looks to a certain point, this limited production (9 to be exact) model was originally based off the Alfa TZ3 Corsa built as a one off to celebrate its 100th anniversary. That was based off the 8C though and all 9 Zagatos and the Corsa are spoken for, given to specific people by Alfa's execs and are not allowed for resale and are also not located in the US.

The Lexus LFA, a car that I've always been in love with since concept designs back in 2006, had to make the list. Putting aside the cars performance and how much detail and effort went into this car's electronics, Toyota still took their sweet time making this car perfect, scrapping the whole original production when one, seemingly small thing was considered unacceptable. Taking a loss on every single one they sold, and taking into account that I can still find 2011 and 2012 models still being sold as NEW from dealers that can't get rid of them, I think this has been a very underrated car.  500 cars built with the 4.8L V10 that made that beautiful rumbling hum that I can't get enough of, and one roadster concept that never made it anywhere because Toyota just thought that was too much. The body was made out of a new, specially designed carbon fibre reinforced material thats cured by Toyota, for Toyota, and is not currently being used in any production models. Below, you can see the first and second concept models as well as the final Nurburgring Edition of the LFA produced until December 2012 when it went out of production, but like I said, you can still find newish un-owned versions still sitting in Lexus showrooms around the world. I found a 2011 white LFA claimed as "new" with only 16 miles on it, so you can still get one if you have $350,000.

This next company has made many beautiful cars through the years, but I am really concentrating on the Lamborghini Countach, Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, and the Lamborghini Miura Concept from 2006. Now there is no easy way to describe why I think I car is beautiful. I'm not good with words. If I was, I'd be writing books or magazine articles instead of this blog, but its more then just beauty for me, its when a company takes the time with the car to make it perfect or when its made to commemorate a special occasion, like putting on a tie for your graduation or wedding. But the Countach was produced for 16 years with little change except for federal bumpers being added to the US Spec 5000QV and the engine becoming more powerful through different versions. Designed by Gandini (also responsible for the Bugatti doors) when he was with Bertone, who have been responsible for making beautiful special editions out of everything from a Volvo 760 to the Corvette which they turned into the Mantide. The fastest of the production Countachs was able to reach 205 MPH, just in case anyone was wondering about performance.

The 2006 Miura Concept was a one off to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the original Miura's production in 1966. Being a Murcielago, but with a custom modern interpretation of the Miura, it had astounding performance figures compared to the original, but according to Lamborghini execs, it was more about the looks and the Miura would not come back because "Lamborghini is about the future; retro design is not the future" said CEO Stefan Winkelmann. The real shame is that it was never even road or track tested, but it'll be on display in the Lamborghini museum for us to stare at for the rest of time.

The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento is a limited run (20 track only) race built, carbon fibre Gallaro, all of which were built in 2011 but not sold until the middle of last year. There is no paint on this car, but rather the red speckles are actually from the lightweight metals combined with the carbon fibre in certain paneling on the car. Despite the 570 HP V10 and AWD and even a semi auto paddle shift gearbox, it weighs only about as much as a Mini Cooper thanks to practically everything being made out of the sixth element (sesto elemento) carbon....fibre.

Finally, and I kind of saved the best for last, is the Ferrari 250. Every car lover has seen this car in one form or another. Be it the California from Ferris Bueller's Day Off, or the Testa Rossa or the GTO, it doesn't matter. They are all very beautiful and very, VERY expensive. There are over 22 versions and I spent a while today searching through pictures of all of them to decide which one I thought looked the best. It was hard. But I had to go with the 250 GT Berlinetta SWB (short wheel base). This car also had some different versions, being made with either a aluminum or steel body in both road and race models. They are still found racing today, often in charity rallies, but this car seems more of a show piece. A car you build a whole new wing in you garage for. I would buy it, I would keep it, I would get a comfy leather chair to sit in while I look at it and a bulk supply of high end microfiber diapers to wipe it with every hour, but would I drive it? I guess if I ever get $8 million, I'd have to strongly consider it for a while.

BOSOZOKU

BOSOZOKU

This week, I am going to be talking about the Japanese customization style called Bosozoku, which as I learned during my research, literally translates to "reckless tribe". Now, in case you are completely clueless as to what this is, here are some examples. 

For the most part, its everything I usually hate in a custom car. Its gaudy, flashy, more show then go, and usually involves taking an already brilliant automobile, like the red Skyline above, and "destroying" it. But for some reason, its extremely appealing to me. Of course, I've tried to find the more tastefully done examples, which wasn't that easy. The "reckless tribe" responsible for starting this, started out with illegally modifying motorbikes with flashy ornaments, paint schemes and christmas lights (literally in some circumstances) and taking off the muffler or otherwise modifying exhaust systems, to make them even noisier. (See below)

The car modifications with the wide, overly exaggerated body kit, wheels that are too small and a wildly exposed, or even attached to the outside, intercooler, was meant to replicate the stylings of the 4th gen group 5 special production racers that ran from 76 to 82, like this Lancia Beta racer shown below

And as you can see

 It really got 

Kind of ridiculous

Now I'm not really sure why this appeals to me. Maybe its because we don't have anything this crazy here in the US. Maybe its because it looks like a fun project. Or maybe its just the thought of everyone staring at me like I'm crazy, but this looks like an amazing style that I would one day love to do something with.