Imports

[-Fred-]

I got a press kit for Acura's then-upcoming 2002 model year. Note the 18" BBS wheels (with 225mm tires!) and Integra Type R interior & Brembos that the American market was originally supposed to get in the RSX

That was actually a SEMA car that made it into the Acura press releases for some reason that is still unexplained.

 

[CyborgGT]

Was it an aftermarket company that put the car together at Acura's request, or what? That's interesting, especially since they list some of those parts in the press release's text.

 

[-Fred-]

I believe it was a pre-production model that Acura had built up with plans to actually offer those parts to the general public, then turned it into a pacecar for the now deceased CART series and exhibited it at SEMA. If you look closely you can faintly see the blue seats inside. And it's got the same wheels.

 

[homeforsummer]

 

[Clark]

Not sure how I feel about the swap but it's tasteful at least.

 

[SVX]

Not sure how I feel about the swap but it's tasteful at least. View attachment 644115View attachment 644116View attachment 644117

An F series swap Escort is an absolutely fantastic idea.

 

[homeforsummer]

Japanese car show today. Small selection (if the hotlinking works...)

I reckon the Suzuki Swift (second from last pic is a 2nd-gen) has become the new Civic, to a degree. Okay, they don't have the same performance, but all the generations are cheap (the Ignis was also known as a Swift in Japan), they seem fairly easy to modify and personalise, they're lightweight, and they look pretty good with a few mods too. And even the latest Swifts have remained pretty small, rather than grown like the Civic has.

 

[INEEDNAWZZZ]

I'm so tempted by a 2nd gen Swift.

 

[Katiegan]

Japanese car show today. Small selection (if the hotlinking works...)

I reckon the Suzuki Swift (second from last pic is a 2nd-gen) has become the new Civic, to a degree. Okay, they don't have the same performance, but all the generations are cheap (the Ignis was also known as a Swift in Japan), they seem fairly easy to modify and personalise, they're lightweight, and they look pretty good with a few mods too. And even the latest Swifts have remained pretty small, rather than grown like the Civic has.

You didn't happen to see another blue 2nd gen Swift with a number plate saying 'Shaun', did you? I'm friends with the owner of 'Shaun the Swift' and I know she went with the owner of that blue Swift you posted.

 

[homeforsummer]

You didn't happen to see another blue 2nd gen Swift with a number plate saying 'Shaun', did you? I'm friends with the owner of 'Shaun the Swift' and I know she went with the owner of that blue Swift you posted.

Think I saw it, but don't appear to have any photos. There was a neat Cultus GTi next to this one, and I think the other was on the other side. Only had a few mods, but they actually look pretty cool just with wheels, a drop and a few other bits and pieces.

I'll post a few more pics as I upload them to Instagram.

 

[VXR]

How good does that Prelude look. 'JDM' tuning works well when it's tasteful.

 

[homeforsummer]

How good does that Prelude look. 'JDM' tuning works well when it's tasteful.

Wheels a little too large, a little too much tyre stretch and a little too much poke for my own tastes, but I'd still agree that it's fairly tasteful. Sadly there were several 5th-gen models there that weren't so well done.

One thing that struck me from the show is the number of people who seemingly carry out modifications either because they're cheap, or simply because they can. There's a lot of real crap out there that would be better if people exercised a little more patience and bought quality parts, rather than slapping on the first thing they come across.

Few more shots. Interior of the Pao, and engine bay of the Civic:

 

[SVX]

One thing that struck me from the show is the number of people who seemingly carry out modifications either because they're cheap, or simply because they can. There's a lot of real crap out there that would be better if people exercised a little more patience and bought quality parts, rather than slapping on the first thing they come across.

So much this. I've noticed recently that people treat builds as a 'to-do' list and just want an outcome as soon as possible. I don't understand it, because it just makes the build have no passion in it, just a baseline outcome.

Personally with builds, I think the enjoyment is in with having an open mind and not knowing what you'll have. Scouting auction sites and classifieds to find rad stuff that you could never expect to get - personally that's far more fun than getting cheap coilovers and common Rotas.

 

[Turbo]

\

 

[homeforsummer]

Personally with builds, I think the enjoyment is in with having an open mind and not knowing what you'll have. Scouting auction sites and classifieds to find rad stuff that you could never expect to get - personally that's far more fun than getting cheap coilovers and common Rotas.

If only it were as simple as cheap coilovers and some Rotas. You can at least make something fairly tasteful with that pairing - I'm thinking more of the people who'll half-heartedly colour-code random bits of their car, or carry out a backyard paintjob without adequate prep, or go for wheels or coilovers so they've got a car on flash wheels up on stilts or a car on junky standard wheels that's scraping the ground, or they've thrown on a bodykit but not taken the time to make sure it fits properly, or they've thrown every bit of clichéd crap at their interior (flower necklaces, wristbands, dildo gearknob, alloy pedals, boost gauge etc) without thinking how it might look.

I know everyone has individual tastes and some might be going for a certain look, but there's definitely a lot of, "I've got a car and I'm going to modify it any way I can", rather than expending a bit of time, effort and taste to create something better.

 

[SVX]

If only it were as simple as cheap coilovers and some Rotas. You can at least make something fairly tasteful with that pairing - I'm thinking more of the people who'll half-heartedly colour-code random bits of their car, or carry out a backyard paintjob without adequate prep, or go for wheels or coilovers so they've got a car on flash wheels up on stilts or a car on junky standard wheels that's scraping the ground, or they've thrown on a bodykit but not taken the time to make sure it fits properly, or they've thrown every bit of clichéd crap at their interior (flower necklaces, wristbands, dildo gearknob, alloy pedals, boost gauge etc) without thinking how it might look.

I know everyone has individual tastes and some might be going for a certain look, but there's definitely a lot of, "I've got a car and I'm going to modify it any way I can", rather than expending a bit of time, effort and taste to create something better.

That is true too. I just feel like while Rotas can look every just as tasteful as their genuine equivalent, they're often put on a way as it is a necessity rather than something they want. A lot of the time, what I see are Shakotan train handles, random rising suns, tinted taillights, etc. It's kind of like they're going for a particular style, but not really understanding how the style works. I mean, I'm definitely not saying going for a style equals copying it down to a textbook, but it's more like it's trying to follow it and failing, which is far worse than originality.

Don't get me started on those people who import their stock R32 GT-Rs in America, and immediately throw out their light forged stock wheels for XXRs...

 

[7up747]

 

[VXR]

It wouldn't be so bad if JDM modifying hadn't become so generic. I'd rather see one Grachan style build than 100 different takes on wings, wheels and addenda with no real history.

I respect the guys who go after genuine Japanese market parts, because they're so much more special than items appropriating the look. The thing I want most for my Swift is the JDM cupholder that sits under the driver's side air vent. Simply because it's genuine and not some Rotas and lowered effort.

 

[homeforsummer]

Few more from the show, before I run out of patience for posting them on Instagram!

 

[Clark]

 

[Katiegan]

If only it were as simple as cheap coilovers and some Rotas. You can at least make something fairly tasteful with that pairing - I'm thinking more of the people who'll half-heartedly colour-code random bits of their car, or carry out a backyard paintjob without adequate prep, or go for wheels or coilovers so they've got a car on flash wheels up on stilts or a car on junky standard wheels that's scraping the ground, or they've thrown on a bodykit but not taken the time to make sure it fits properly, or they've thrown every bit of clichéd crap at their interior (flower necklaces, wristbands, dildo gearknob, alloy pedals, boost gauge etc) without thinking how it might look.

I know everyone has individual tastes and some might be going for a certain look, but there's definitely a lot of, "I've got a car and I'm going to modify it any way I can", rather than expending a bit of time, effort and taste to create something better.

Reminds me of someone at my college. He recently bought a 66 plate Skoda Fabia 1.2 on lease for 3 years. So far he's put 18" RS6 replica alloys on it (you can imagine how that looks, standard suspension with 225/40/R18 wheels on a little Fabia), had a huge oval-tip exhaust fitted, and just recently spent £400 on bucket seats for it. What's the point in putting bucket seats in a 1.2 Fabia? It looks awful. No thought or design has been put into it, he's just bought parts and put them on for the sake of having a 'modified' car. That, and I'm sure he's broken the lease fitting all those bits to it anyway. But, he thinks it looks 'sick' and it's obviously the fastest 66 plate Fabia in the world.

 

[TexRex]

This.

 

[7up747]

 

[homeforsummer]

And something a little different:

 

[Razor440]

That reminds me of a Lamborghini Diablo that was made by Matchbox in the 90's. Would totally rock that paintwork on a Testrossa of my own, if I were ever to own one.

 

[CyborgGT]

^ Haha, totally! So many of mine that I played with a bit too hard had chipped up paint like that, if they didn't already come with a funky splatter-style paint job.

Story, more photos: https://stickydiljoe.com/2017/04/23/saturday-night-special-from-the-sneeky-kids-clan-part-2/

 

[CyborgGT]

Oh, and this:

https://stickydiljoe.com/2017/04/10/the-marvelous-tune-k-nsx-build-an-introduction/

 

[-Fred-]

I'm usually a big fan of what Amir does in general, but this one has me doubting. No doubt the K-Series is a much more potent engine than the aging C series, but it still feels a bit sacrilegious.

 

[CyborgGT]

Honestly, I don't like that he chose a K (or a four-cylinder at all, even if it does end up with 500 hp or more) over a J, but the fact that he's swapping such an iconic car to begin with is just cool to me. I have a very purist mentality towards the Type Rs, but anything else I feel is fair game.

 

[Heldenzeit]

I love his 911. He drives the wheels off it too. Great driving instructor from what I've heard.