https://www.buildsandbanter.com/blogginbanter daily 0.75 2025-08-19 https://www.buildsandbanter.com/blogginbanter/restomods1 monthly 0.5 2025-08-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/7efa94d1-0097-45aa-a4a7-ee68b985987d/IMG_9023.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Restomods Will Hand Over The Keys To Your Dream Car—And Seeing Is Believing  When I caught wind about their most recent Cars and Coffee on June 1st, it immediately struck me as admirable that RestoMods was taking an in-person approach to community outreach. This wasn’t just a genuine way to connect with the local car scene—it also made the prospect of winning a car feel tangible. On display was their 30th giveaway build: a 1970 Dodge Charger built by Head Mechanic Chris Esparza and the RestoMods team in-house. As of this writing, the winner of the RM30 ’70 Charger, Derrick Jones from Texas, had been announced. Flown to San Diego, he was presented with a tough, unprecedented choice: drive home with the car and fifty grand, or walk away with $150,000 in cash. After some deliberation, Derrick—overflowing with gratitude and enthusiasm—chose to go home with $150k. His lifelong dream of owning a home will now become a reality. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1755119229339-GITNRWLD38SB472UW72U/IMG_7971.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Restomods Will Hand Over The Keys To Your Dream Car—And Seeing Is Believing  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1755119245334-1OP0IEVC3YPDYVL6JMEE/IMG_8004.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Restomods Will Hand Over The Keys To Your Dream Car—And Seeing Is Believing  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1755119256958-0V4HRAL3GREDAH3K6T9Z/IMG_9020.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Restomods Will Hand Over The Keys To Your Dream Car—And Seeing Is Believing  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1755119270838-BLAZ5RASGUMU2UA9QLWB/IMG_7992.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Restomods Will Hand Over The Keys To Your Dream Car—And Seeing Is Believing  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/e09be49d-ccda-4646-b67c-0fbc7d5de96b/IMG_7978.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Restomods Will Hand Over The Keys To Your Dream Car—And Seeing Is Believing  While many past cars like the ‘70 Charger from RestoMod’s RM30 giveaway are built from the ground up completely in-house, others have received frame-off restorations prior to showing up at the garage. Each car to leave the garage provides a blank canvas for the future winner to personalize, so if you prefer ghost flames or bowtie shaped exhaust tips, more power to you. The company’s founder Chris Hedgecock says, “we’re not really like the owners of these cars, we're the caretaker for the next guy down the road.” In any case, each car is meticulously brought up to RestoMod’s strict standards, and their next RM31 sweepstakes, ending October 24th, which features a supercharged 1967 Camaro built by Smithy’s Customs, is no exception. This ’67 Camaro, given a few subtle yet impactful aesthetic changes by RestoMods, is like a finely crafted suit waiting to be tailored—made even more fitting by its new coat of Tuxedo Black paint. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/caac2bef-75e3-4646-bbbd-a663ffcdcb9e/IMG_7995.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Restomods Will Hand Over The Keys To Your Dream Car—And Seeing Is Believing  Do you want a shot at winning this supercharged ‘67 Camaro, or entries to win future giveaways? Simply pick up some gear on RestoMod’s online store or join the Restomods Car Club by registering for a paid monthly subscription that includes giveaway entries. At first, a monthly subscription might sound iffy if you’re doomscrolling endlessly and stumble across an enthusiastic sponsored ad—until you visit Restomod’s website and see they offer multiple membership tiers, each packed with tremendous value, even if you already own a restomod or classic. Plus, I’d argue very few classic car owners would say two is too many. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/d43f6930-2191-4b14-b5bc-9dd896455bea/IMG_7989.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Restomods Will Hand Over The Keys To Your Dream Car—And Seeing Is Believing  This isn’t your Grandpa’s ‘67 Camaro, but that doesn’t mean he can’t win it! A Whipple Supercharged Wegner LSX controlled by Holley Terminor X max puts 730 horsepower through a Tremec Magnum 6-Speed with Centerforce clutch, carbon fiber driveshaft, and Fab9 rear end. Chassis Works front subframe, subframe connectors, and rear 4 link allow this Camaro to perform just as flawlessly in the twisties as you’d expect on the drag strip. Boze forged Synchro wheels and Toyo Proxes R888R tires keep it connected to the road, while Willwood disc brakes and Hydroboost brake assist ensure it stays on the pavement. Houndstooth Recaro seats and Sparco seatbelts provide support and keep you firmly planted while you glance at the Holley LCD cluster, grip the MOMO Prototipo Black Edition steering wheel, and tackle corners with confidence in the comfort of Vintage Air. https://www.buildsandbanter.com/blogginbanter/vipergts monthly 0.5 2025-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/0f5ff474-7aba-430d-856a-94156dc03efc/KTMR2566-Edit.jpg Builds n' Blogs - From Poster to Pavement: Steve Wright’s Viper Dream Realized Long before he could drive, Steve was already terrorizing automotive publication editors with a steady stream of indiscernible crayon-drawn Vipers. His earliest memories as an automotive enthusiast were centered entirely around his love for the Dodge Viper, and he recalls witnessing it dominate multiple racing series, driven by teams like Zakspeed in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. It could be said that it was love at first sight, and his infatuation has since snowballed into a 25-year obsession, which ultimately became the driving force in both his personal and professional life. Owning and racing a Viper became Steve’s lifelong goal, and years before purchasing one, he joined numerous Viper enthusiast groups and began asking questions, tracking the market, and taking baby steps towards making his dream a reality. To sharpen his driving skills and prepare for the Viper’s fury, he bought a 2008 Mustang GT, which he dubbed “The Baby Viper,” much to the amusement of his friends who can’t say the nickname without smirking. Everyone knew the real Viper could eat that pony for breakfast, but Steve was all in on faking the venom until he earned the stripes. In September 2024, Steve’s ultimate Viper came up for sale: a Steel Grey 2000 GTS. It was located out of state, and he bought it immediately, sight unseen. That was something he had always sworn he would never do, but by then, he had a few months of hands-on experience with the Mamba, along with years of research to back him up. But let's be honest, Steve was head over heels, so even if it arrived puking oil and held together by zip ties, I’d bet he’d welcome it with open arms. By the time Steve fired off the wire transfer, he felt the GTS was accurately represented, but he wasn’t exactly expecting the car to show up at his doorstep in showroom condition either. Besides, his plan all along was to grab a dremel and a drill and turn it into a racecar, not park it on the red carpet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/5551ff58-3046-425d-b753-c328c4e58e9c/KTMR2659-Enhanced-RD-Edit-Edit.jpg Builds n' Blogs - From Poster to Pavement: Steve Wright’s Viper Dream Realized When you finally park your dream car in the garage, something shifts. Whether that car was once a poster on your wall, a toy in your hand, or just a fleeting glimpse on the highway, it imprinted itself into the part of your brain where ambition and identity collide. It may not be your wisest purchase on paper, but it feels undeniably right in your soul. The moment it becomes yours, it stops being a transaction, and becomes a decision made with your heart instead of your wallet. That’s why the most beloved cars are often the least sensible: because in the end, they give you something no investment ever could—fulfillment. Steve Wright manifested a lifelong dream in May 2024 when he bought his childhood dream car, a Dodge Viper SRT10 Mamba edition—1 of just 200 built for the 2004 model year. Looking back, he’s certain it was the best decision he’s ever made, and unlike many dream cars, it might actually prove to be a wise investment too. He quickly fell in love with his third-generation SRT10 Mamba, but just 6 months later fate delivered his ultimate bucket-list Viper—the mythical beast he always dreamed of, a second generation Viper GTS. Steve has decided to keep both, and maybe one day he’ll part with the SRT10 and cash in on its rarity. As for the GTS, he couldn’t care less about its market value because he has long term plans for it, and the feeling of getting behind the wheel is priceless to him. “People say don’t meet your heroes, but that hasn’t been the case with the Vipers” Steve says. His GTS has already become a constantly evolving passion project, an invaluable learning experience, and most importantly, a car that’s exceeded even his wildest dreams. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/ba7557dc-37b1-4a31-8d6a-60d08fa917d7/KTMR5554-Enhanced-RD-Edit.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - From Poster to Pavement: Steve Wright’s Viper Dream Realized Forget inboxes and timelines—for Steve, the GTS is his logout button. It's a visceral escape from digital noise, where every downshift drowns out distraction with a deep, resonant growl. “When you learn how to drive the GTS, it becomes a musical instrument,” he says. Steve fondly recounted a handful of quirks that capture the spirit of the GTS and make each drive perfectly immersive, likening it to a hand-built kit car where you’d expect the absence of nannies like ABS or a nagging seatbelt chime. It lacks refinement compared to his Gen 3 Mamba edition according to Steve, but he prefers the more raw characteristics of the GTS. Steve’s words painted a vivid picture, but to really get it, I needed seat time. So I buckled into the newly installed 5-point harnesses and took Steve’s Viper GTS for a drive to see what all the fuss was about. If I took advice from every forum philosopher typing warnings between bites of Hot Pockets, I would have expected the Viper to be a fire-breathing death trap just waiting to whip around and bite its driver mid corner. In fairness, the extremely light accelerator pedal and hair-trigger throttle response could definitely get an egotistical showoff in trouble peeling out of Cars and Coffee, but in reality, the GTS knows how to behave on pavement. The combination of extra-long gearing and generous low-end torque gives the Viper surprisingly manageable road manners, making stop-and-go driving far less demanding than you would expect from what could be described as a street legal race car. Once I escaped the concrete jungle, where the risk of mowing down a rogue toddler or a half-blind Buick driver backing out was only a quarter throttle away, I finally let it rip. The intoxicating sound and instant surge of power stretched a grin across my face, and I knew the GTS had enough bite to get me in trouble—but I never felt like I was white knuckling it. The GTS sure felt powerful, but not as if it had a mind of its own. In the turns, the combination of a lean body, fat tires, and stiffened suspension made it feel eager to hold momentum—but on corner exit, the sheer force under my right foot was a humbling reminder to stay disciplined. By the end of the drive, I felt like I could use the GTS to win Pikes Peak or to fetch groceries, just not without racking up a few speeding tickets on the way to the store. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/538c7648-e3ad-480f-8909-d88905b5e63c/KTMR9595-Enhanced-RD-Edit.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - From Poster to Pavement: Steve Wright’s Viper Dream Realized Instead of whipping up a glossy spec sheet to ramble on about at car shows, Steve jumped straight into the driver’s seat and got busy exploring ways to push the Viper GTS even further. Since cracking the throttle is enough to catapult you into the neighboring county right out of the box, Steve figured it was probably a good idea to make it stop before the next ZIP code by fitting six-piston Brembos to all four corners. Additionally, the aging tires the GTS arrived with could be considered a safety hazard, so really, the pricey new wheel and tire setup Steve opted for isn’t a splurge. If anything, you could argue it’s a life-saving investment, especially if your less-than-thrilled partner starts giving you the side eye. Steve considers the Gen 2 GTS to be the best looking Viper of all time, but admits that its muscular body deserves a more aggressive, track-focused stance. While installing the upgraded brakes and custom staggered wheel setup, Steve also swapped out the stock struts for adjustable coilovers and completed additional suspension work to achieve a proper alignment and menacing stance. One of the Viper’s biggest draws for Steve has always been its raw, analog character, so his intention is to enhance the capability and appearance of the GTS without sacrificing the perfectly bare bones nature of it. He has a multitude of ideas to create aftermarket parts for the Viper community, using his very own GTS as the test subject. Considering how much knowledge he has gained in just a few months from constantly driving and working on it, I can’t wait to see which ideas he brings to life. The tools will come back out before long, but until then, his free time is dedicated to the open road, where he receives the kind of therapy that echoes off canyon walls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/cc8e6494-7cec-410c-8848-aa15192874f6/KTMR5593-Enhanced-RD-Edit.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - From Poster to Pavement: Steve Wright’s Viper Dream Realized There’s something deeply satisfying about meeting your childhood hero and becoming close friends with them as an adult. That is the relationship Steve has with his 2000 Dodge Viper GTS, and thankfully for him, his hero turned out to be even better in person. The GTS is not a frivolous purchase, it marks a personal milestone for Steve, who decided to chase his dream instead of letting it sit in the rearview. Steve didn’t wait this long to buy his dream car just to stash it away for some future auction; he bought it to wring it out, to learn from it, and to build memories. That’s the difference between ownership and passion: one ends at the title transfer, the other never does. https://www.buildsandbanter.com/blogginbanter/pink-motel monthly 0.5 2025-06-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/86c420b5-4347-4c02-8d3c-6a7f9f363042/IMG_8812.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Los Angeles Nights: The Pink Motel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1c9ff964-2945-4c3e-a8b5-312d232f6f84/IMG_8859.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Los Angeles Nights: The Pink Motel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/d02eb998-34eb-4d3b-a851-a6a6b6204a2c/IMG_8877.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Los Angeles Nights: The Pink Motel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/a2345209-131a-4238-b4bd-73305ae66498/IMG_8760.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Los Angeles Nights: The Pink Motel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/06110be6-3a0d-4076-8306-7c63154202bf/IMG_8789.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Los Angeles Nights: The Pink Motel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/a6011244-391d-45aa-b07c-fd687b18311a/IMG_8761.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Los Angeles Nights: The Pink Motel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1316d134-0ba4-434b-a9f0-7f7970fdb1a6/IMG_8708.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Los Angeles Nights: The Pink Motel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/8fc3b4e0-7e6f-4e0c-9947-fdeca000fa9c/IMG_8889.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Los Angeles Nights: The Pink Motel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/bb3f66c2-7194-4757-9906-ca175b5a508e/IMG_8777.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Los Angeles Nights: The Pink Motel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/0eb734eb-b379-472a-b7d6-a7bf9a1775e7/IMG_8792.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Los Angeles Nights: The Pink Motel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/e058953e-2abf-46d5-8668-09f370d54ff6/IMG_8736.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Los Angeles Nights: The Pink Motel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/9afa70c2-a800-460b-a23c-9364eba2fb9b/IMG_8850.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Los Angeles Nights: The Pink Motel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/d435dea7-1e4b-4856-8e6f-970693afa23a/IMG_8725.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Los Angeles Nights: The Pink Motel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/b7d7850a-c685-4550-9c84-a5b15c99cba6/IMG_8882.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Los Angeles Nights: The Pink Motel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/7535b530-9cab-40c0-889d-e2163fbdcaab/IMG_8821.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Los Angeles Nights: The Pink Motel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/b587b4eb-cea3-4b15-a25c-d28ab5216805/IMG_8872.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Los Angeles Nights: The Pink Motel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/dc5662f9-1505-497b-b18d-b56f4364a10d/IMG_6869.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Los Angeles Nights: The Pink Motel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/04e094dc-5c45-48fc-8e51-e1cec9da9753/IMG_8734.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Los Angeles Nights: The Pink Motel https://www.buildsandbanter.com/blogginbanter/thevector monthly 0.5 2025-06-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/28474a06-f892-44a3-bcda-1b4d8eb89514/IMG_3313.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - The Vector Wheel: A Love Letter to the Wedge Era That Still Speaks to the Future In a space increasingly saturated with short-lived trends, viral posts, and mass-produced sameness, Lawson’s work is a reminder that car culture still has a heartbeat outside the algorithms. It’s not about who approves. It’s about who connects. Sometimes, the most impactful ideas are born in garages, sketched in notebooks, and shaped by people who didn’t take the traditional path. Lawson didn’t just want to design cars—he wanted to challenge the systems that shape them, while paying homage to historic icons. Whether or not you’d put a Vector wheel on your own car is beside the point—the real story is about a team that found a way to bring their dream to life, without asking for permission. That’s the kind of authenticity the car world needs more of. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/9355e7ea-6317-4528-bf0e-963dc2d6f3aa/IMG_3317.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - The Vector Wheel: A Love Letter to the Wedge Era That Still Speaks to the Future Like many kids who are destined to be car enthusiasts but don’t know it yet, Lawson collected Hot Wheels from an early age. Some of his early memories include attending NHRA drag races, where he remembers feeling the raw, thunderous roar of top fuel dragsters as they blasted down the track. The Goodyear blimp was a familiar sight, and often flew over his childhood home, just down the road from Fontana Speedway, during NASCAR races. Lawson is well-acquainted with backyard barbecues and NASCAR playing on the television, but the first car to truly catch his eye was a neighbor’s Mulberry Red 1991 Accord wagon—nearly a twin to his father’s, yet heavily modified. After drawing cars for years and having the desire to design them from an early age, Lawson trained to become a mechanic before attending design school. Most mechanics have a love-hate relationship with engineers and designers—and there’s definitely room for a few jokes there. But that background gave Lawson an edge, helping him see beyond his design school peers who mostly spoke in automotive buzzwords. Around this time, Lawson couldn’t drive due to personal circumstances, forcing him to take an unconventional route toward his automotive dreams. But in the case of Concept Car Studio, those challenges ended up laying the foundation for a tight-knit team of equally driven car enthusiasts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/4896db80-6dfc-46d8-a73b-aaf63e6f093f/IMG_3320.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - The Vector Wheel: A Love Letter to the Wedge Era That Still Speaks to the Future The Vector wheel: it might split opinions harder than a group chat on pineapple pizza, but you can’t tell me it doesn’t belong on a Radwood-era car like it was born there. Those who admire the Isuzu Impulse echo this sentiment, many saying they thought it was the OEM wheel for the Impulse, before circling the car and discovering the 14 inch “waffle” wheel staring back at them. In my conversation with Lawson and Zhang on The Car Exchange Podcast, we explored a wide range of potential applications for The Vector—Lawson even pointed out several modern cars where it would look right at home. That's when it hit me! If The Vector was upsized and fitted to a Hyundai Ioniq 5, it would perfectly complete the cyberpunk vibe of the Ioniq’s exterior design language! Like The Vector wheel, the Ioniq 5 is polarizing, but those who love it would sign a blank check. All things considered, you could say The Vector has the potential to be timeless, and for those who don’t get it, that’s perfectly fine. After all, The Vector name is borrowed from the Iconic ‘80s supercar, the Vector W8—the poster child for wedge-shaped vintage glory. Much like The Vector wheel, the story behind the Vector car company stirs up some controversy, but if you’re lucky enough to spot one on the road today, good luck finding an ‘80s car enthusiast who doesn’t think it’s cool as hell. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/30e46609-e338-4aaf-befc-4ef463e8dc79/IMG_3314.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - The Vector Wheel: A Love Letter to the Wedge Era That Still Speaks to the Future If you are an honor student at a design school, you might get hired by an OEM or design a 5 spoke that gets likes on Tik Tok, but if your E90 M3 has a Jiffy Lube sticker in the windshield, your wheel concept is probably more of a redesign than an original creation. I'm not certain what Concept Car Studio founder Brent Lawson's report card looked like, but his journey with the company is a compelling story of individuality, artistry, and true passion for automotive history. Since 2016, Lawson has used Concept Car Studio to build a network of artists and enthusiasts on the fringes of car culture, and focused on creating products that are intentionally niche, rather than garnering mass appeal. Over the years, Lawson has brought life to a number of beautifully original designs, some for big names in the automotive industry, others simply to showcase what he wants to see in the world. “The beauty of being an artist is it allows you to manage your own politics,” says Lawson. He has always defied convention, and treated his challenges as a source of inspiration. His goal is to dissect a car for each of its parts, go back to the drawing board, and create bespoke concepts which represent himself and others who are underrepresented in car culture. “The Vector” wheel, unveiled at Analog and Grit on a 1984 Isuzu Impulse is a manifestation of this idea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/2fd7a23b-612a-419d-98b2-a552f11c6b32/IMG_3319.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - The Vector Wheel: A Love Letter to the Wedge Era That Still Speaks to the Future Before I go much further, allow me to introduce Rico Zhang. He’s an engineer… well, when Lawson wants to design a wheel that probably can’t be balanced. In all seriousness, “engineer” is more of a half sarcastic appeal to authority, because Zhang is so much more than that. Actor? Check. Car builder and drifter? Check. It's fair to say Zhang is a jack of many trades, but as someone with experience building custom wheels, his role is to tell Lawson NO when his brilliant imagination doesn’t directly translate to a well rounded design—no pun intended. “In this context, no is just the beginning of a conversation,” says Lawson, who works with Zhang to turn his vision into reality without taking half measures. “If someone tells me I can’t do something, I need to learn why it isn’t possible,” he says, so his artistic process and Zhang’s manufacturing experience push and pull against each other, creating a dynamic tension that ultimately brings their concepts to life. Concept Car studio is a passion project for Lawson and Zhang, and together, they represent enthusiasts, not industry interests. https://www.buildsandbanter.com/blogginbanter/milano monthly 0.5 2025-05-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/f9ba02d6-0663-4f03-adb3-d86e5d2b38ab/DSC_0550.jpg Builds n' Blogs - From Goodfellas to Good Handling: A Milano Through the Years Between getting more involved with the car community, developing a greater understanding of the Milano’s traits, and being bit by the nostalgia bug, Victor’s appreciation for the Milano grew stronger, even after years of putting it on the back burner. That might come as a surprise to those who don’t have this Italian sedan on their radar, but after learning more about the Milano, I’m convinced that it has been overlooked, and is severely underrated. It might not have been a top seller compared to the BMW E30 and Mercedes-Benz 190e when new, but it effortlessly outperformed them both. The sharp driving characteristics are courtesy of a rear mounted transaxle—something you'd expect to find in a Porsche 944, not a compact sedan. Stare through the rear spokes and you won’t see a rotor and caliper until you look deeper and discover inboard rotors, which reduce the rotating mass of the wheel hub assembly. Quirky? Definitely. While it may seem unconventional, this blend of engineering choices results in a finely tuned balance, allowing the Milano to handle with the agility and precision of a sports coupe, far spicier and more engaging than your average family friendly sedan. The cherry on top of this legendary configuration is the 2.5 liter Busso V6, which many enthusiasts consider to be the best sounding V6 engine ever produced. Remember when I said Italian cars are all about emotion? Well the Busso V6 is a prime example, and was engineered to produce a grin inducing growl, instead of the raspy tone associated with most V6 engines. Even though the Milano was tailored for American car buyers, it shamelessly showcases Italian tradition in a number of ways which stretch much further than the drivetrain alone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/e8ee02a0-2ecd-4966-a996-3e9756b11082/DSC_0577.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - From Goodfellas to Good Handling: A Milano Through the Years Interestingly, the “Milano” nameplate was originally exclusive to the U.S. Europe only recently received a car called the “Milano Veloce,” but Alfa was forced to change its name because it wasn’t built in Italy—an unacceptable offense in the eyes of proud Italians. Just like they refuse to call something pizza unless it uses mozzarella di Bufala, Italian pride in tradition is unwavering. The front fascia features Alfa Romeo’s signature “Trilobo” grill, which makes the Milano instantly recognisable as an Alfa, even if you saw one and aren’t familiar with the model. The exterior features a rubber-clad belt line which stretches around the entire length of the body. The geometric C pillars and quarter panels give it 1980s mass appeal, while maintaining a wedge-shaped silhouette typical of 1980s Italian design. Its rubber trunk spoiler and short rear overhang remind me of an Audi Quattro, but make no mistake, the Milano is far from a copycat, I just can’t help but find similarities where they exist. The Italian flair extends to the interior, which has some unique design elements, and features enough creature comforts for Americans without any unnecessary nonsense. Overlapping the center console is a parking brake handle as stylistic as it is ergonomic, and looks like a thrust lever—or for Americans, the handle of an Igloo beer cooler. Despite being built for the American market, it doesn't have cup holders—because only Chrysler would encourage their customers to cart a Big Gulp to their call center job in ‘87. What it does have is a cigarette lighter, prominently placed and marked with a four-leaf clover. It saw heavy use in Victor’s dad’s Milano in the early '90s, and now serves as a nostalgic centerpiece in the Milano Victor recently bought to recapture a piece of his childhood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/b84e37f2-d8c6-4d28-9c44-4bfdd365bb9c/DSC_0551.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - From Goodfellas to Good Handling: A Milano Through the Years You know that one car from your childhood that your family sold before you could even drive it? For Victor Troia, it was an Alfa Romeo Milano—an offbeat Italian sedan that his dad loved like it was a Ferrari. Years later, after moving to San Diego, Victor finally tracked down another Milano. Sure, it showed up with a busted radio, reeking of fuel, and stocked with dollar liquor shooters, but to Victor, that just added to the flavor. His enduring appreciation for it never faded over the years, but resurfaced strongly when nostalgia began to hit. His recent purchase is more than a car; it’s a time machine to Victor’s Brooklyn childhood, complete with traffic-dodging, back-seat exile, and an unshakeable sense of identity… Minus the secondhand smoke. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1747629044930-AZ2MXM89JKD7L8CITN99/C5C60E0E-BA45-4487-BA9A-77B30D05D56D.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - From Goodfellas to Good Handling: A Milano Through the Years https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1747629337859-ZMHYGBJDYOGQ49I4N03H/DSC_0566.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - From Goodfellas to Good Handling: A Milano Through the Years https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1747629370474-K3PSWHLLAF03W45TCT9X/DSC_0593.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - From Goodfellas to Good Handling: A Milano Through the Years https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1747629386636-REFS0PMVO3QY9GFW3Y36/DSC_0575.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - From Goodfellas to Good Handling: A Milano Through the Years https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1747630173188-IQHGACNXK40T40ZNZU63/DSC_0552.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - From Goodfellas to Good Handling: A Milano Through the Years https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1747630188119-8G0JEXJ717SYD2HOSR3X/DSC_0561.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - From Goodfellas to Good Handling: A Milano Through the Years https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1747630206604-GPQTKA2KN52Z2TXZ5QLD/DSC_0555.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - From Goodfellas to Good Handling: A Milano Through the Years https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1747630223304-DFVB9PZGSIPBLCQAI4F4/DSC_0568.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - From Goodfellas to Good Handling: A Milano Through the Years https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1747630241539-B4AKXNU1AC5XCR9AHCSW/DSC_0572.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - From Goodfellas to Good Handling: A Milano Through the Years https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1747630257231-M6T7DQOUNVVR8LZ1COMQ/DSC_0586.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - From Goodfellas to Good Handling: A Milano Through the Years https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1747630265908-RMOGHY3SYTDOKHMKTARW/DSC_0590.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - From Goodfellas to Good Handling: A Milano Through the Years https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1747630274175-TFU86R1YD87DJ1M1YVW4/DSC_0598.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - From Goodfellas to Good Handling: A Milano Through the Years https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/029687ef-0dac-4a56-af95-6df4a47dc8c3/DSC_0559.jpg Builds n' Blogs - From Goodfellas to Good Handling: A Milano Through the Years Victor always thought the Milano was cool, until he was shoved into the back seat every time his dad wanted to cheat traffic over the Verrazano bridge. Though mildly rebellious in his adolescence like most of us, he always acknowledged that the Milano represented a personal milestone for his father, not to mention the ultimate Italian-dad flex in ’90s Brooklyn, when everyone thought they were in Goodfellas. His father took great pride in anything Italian. From athletes winning at the Olympics to regional Italian music, his dad showed him anything tied to his Italian roots; even if Victor rolled his eyes. However, the Milano had an Italian charm that resonated with Victor, who hoped it would become his first set of wheels. Years later as Victor entered high school, the Milano was too old to be cool, and too new to be vintage—at least in the eyes of other high schoolers who didn’t know what they were looking at when Victor got dropped off. Still, Victor didn’t mind. Like the Milano, which stood out among the sea of compact sedans, he embraced his individuality and had no interest in chasing whatever was popular at the moment. While the hype was all about Jordans, he deliberately picked the Gary Paytons, unbothered by opinions and quick to defend his choice. People tend to fall into routines, and when they break from the norm without a clear purpose, it can come off as forced or cliché. But in the case of both Victor and the Alfa Romeo, their eccentricities are intentional, with real thought behind their differences. Around the time Victor was gearing up to take his license exam, his dad made the tough call to sell the Milano. It had been with him for a decade, and the regret hit almost as soon as the keys left his hand. Victor, who was looking forward to driving it, was also upset, but it wasn’t until moving to San Diego nearly two decades later that he set out to find another one. https://www.buildsandbanter.com/blogginbanter/grtizilla monthly 0.5 2025-05-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/e88a2d75-62c4-45ba-9a33-51263633f682/IMG_2569+%281%29.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Skylines and Six-Packs: Gritzilla Beer Release Placed on the top of the United States Boost Service R32 parked front and center was a snazzy looking 6 pack. Gritzilla—a limited-edition Japanese rice lager—was brewed and canned by Mike Hess Brewing in collaboration with Analog and Grit. The can, designed by Builds and Banter’s very own Nico Randolph, features cherry blossoms, mountains, and most importantly an R32 and R34 Nissan Skyline. Do you understand the name of the beer now? Best enjoyed responsibly, it pairs perfectly with live music, rumbling engines, and the smell of fresh pizza drifting from the brewery. Despite being a good-sized event, the atmosphere felt as intimate as a backyard barbeque with a few close friends. Sticking to the theme, the front parking row leaned heavily JDM. Even though there were a few euro imposters sprinkled in, each car still had more character than most people I’ve met at dive bars. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1746905493375-UDL3UH0YHHLJBTRGRFGN/IMG_2567.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Skylines and Six-Packs: Gritzilla Beer Release https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1746905553055-GHF68LSRSY3FNXF3SGGR/IMG_2574.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Skylines and Six-Packs: Gritzilla Beer Release https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1746905571321-3JXCBCSRLUJGH3QN3CRM/IMG_2576.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Skylines and Six-Packs: Gritzilla Beer Release https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1746905594862-TEJDR15KHOB6WOQQYUYL/IMG_2573.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Skylines and Six-Packs: Gritzilla Beer Release https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/56e9e6c7-09c8-40a4-9b11-9de8b17ebf5f/IMG_2566.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Skylines and Six-Packs: Gritzilla Beer Release Unsuspecting locals shopping at neighboring businesses were pleasantly surprised by the presence of vintage cars, and many stuck around to grab a beer and chat up car meet attendees. We planned to stick around for an hour or two, but ended up staying put until the early afternoon while time evaporated like it does at any car meet worth a damn. After making my rounds and saying goodbyes, I hopped back into the Delica, this time in the back row which featured reclining seats and Maybach rivaling leg room. The westbound trip back home in the 3rd row felt more like a first class flight than a commute in a ‘90s Mitsubishi. Similar to the hum of a jet engine, the rhythmic diesel clatter would have put me to sleep if I wasn’t taking in the scenery through what felt like a greenhouse on all-terrains. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1746904812577-HLC8ZJROXNFSPFCEB6NI/IMG_2562.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Skylines and Six-Packs: Gritzilla Beer Release https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1746904822749-KM943RW8X73KHXW9TQSL/IMG_2410.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Skylines and Six-Packs: Gritzilla Beer Release https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1746904891297-FEWM9KPQBUJE8ET1QOSB/IMG_2570.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Skylines and Six-Packs: Gritzilla Beer Release https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1746904904468-TFTGD83G1ZGOCRU36MGX/IMG_2565.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Skylines and Six-Packs: Gritzilla Beer Release https://www.buildsandbanter.com/blogginbanter/diamondjubilee monthly 0.5 2025-05-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/9b1cbc31-8a74-4373-a20c-b7fad788198e/IMG_7983.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Six Feet of Hood, Zero Regrets: The Absurd Majesty of the Continental Diamond Jubilee - Harvard Said No, Skynyrd Said Hell Yes Before I say much more about Continental Diamond Jubilee, allow me to lay the groundwork. When the 85 mph speedometer had taken center stage during The Malaise Era, increasing emissions regulations and rising fuel costs caused land yachts like these to begin falling out of favor with lawyers and businessmen who saw the need for more practical luxury cars. By the mid ‘70s, the Harvard professor types wanted the face of luxury to feel sophisticated and modern rather than bedazzled and flamboyant, and likely opted for palomino MB-Tex rather than crushed velvet. Instead, you were more likely to spot a high-rolling river boat gambler snoring in the driver’s seat of the Diamond Jubilee, Lynyrd Skynyrd wailing from the 8-track, the air thick with the scent of whiskey and Winstons. Owning and driving a Diamond Jubilee Mark V in 1978, in the middle of a gas crisis, was less about transportation and more about giving the middle finger to rationality. The Mark V could be optioned with a 400 or 460 cubic inch V8, which today sound like weapons of mass combustion. Back then? Not so much, thanks to primitive emissions equipment that choked the life out of what otherwise had the potential to be powerful V8s, and only netted you an additional 2 MPG if you were lucky. It may have been designed for the open road, but it accelerated like it was waiting for permission from the EPA. However, American luxo-barges like the Mark V asked not for your practical side, but for your loyalty to The Big Three. In a time when everyone else was downsizing and turning to imports, the Boss Hogg types were doubling down and grinning smugly as everyone else squirmed in their Toyotas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/4dcbf4d3-abcd-41a4-aa74-76d4cc0c2665/IMG_7989.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Six Feet of Hood, Zero Regrets: The Absurd Majesty of the Continental Diamond Jubilee - A Gold-Plated Middle Finger to Modern Luxury In an era where most luxury cars whisper their status through clean lines, brushed aluminum, and vegan leather, the Diamond Jubilee still bellows with unapologetic excess. Its charm lies in its refusal to age quietly or blend in. It’s a time capsule from when luxury wasn’t defined by heated seats or touchscreens, but by how deeply your velour seat cushioned your regrets and how much vinyl could be glued to a single body panel. Today, there truly is no modern equivalent of the Continental Diamond Jubilee, and when you look at one, you can’t help but think “what a time to be alive!” The Diamond Jubilee is too big, too thirsty, and too garish for today’s standards, but that’s what makes it feel so honest! It wasn’t trying to be tasteful. It was trying to be unforgettable. And in doing so, it became the last gasp of an era when American luxury was all about pageantry, pride, and the intoxicating scent of V8 fumes, and maybe some whiskey breath. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/2e8eb980-49fb-4c2d-b8d7-ed478b69bbb2/IMG_7988.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Six Feet of Hood, Zero Regrets: The Absurd Majesty of the Continental Diamond Jubilee - Luxury So Loud It Echoes Decades Later The Diamond Jubilee wasn’t a car, it was a mobile living room with a V8 and opera windows. It guzzled gas and handled like a waterbed on wheels, but who cared? With enough chrome to blind a welder and seats wide enough to host Thanksgiving dinner, it flipped the bird to logic and gave a bear hug to excess. Regardless of how you feel about it, it deserves to be remembered, because you just might not see anything that resembles it ever again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/65d97774-a81c-4efd-833b-4e21482d162e/IMG_7994.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Six Feet of Hood, Zero Regrets: The Absurd Majesty of the Continental Diamond Jubilee - Refinement Optional, Presence Mandatory As the mid ‘70s approached, most people could no longer afford to top off at every other gas station, but if you could, the massive hood, opera windows, and fake spare tire hump of the 1978 Lincoln Continental Mark V Diamond Jubilee made sure everyone knew it. This was no mere car. This was a statement piece, a rolling monument to mid-century American indulgence. When new, the Continental Diamond Jubilee cost the equivalent of nearly $100,000 today, and was Ford Motor Company’s longest and most expensive coupe ever produced. Before German luxury cars had fully captivated Americans and redefined luxury, it was purely about excess, and as a result, refinement, groundbreaking innovation, and practicality rarely took priority. Who cared if your luxury coupe refused to turn, accelerate or stop? As long as there was a six foot long hood, an ashtray reachable from any seat, and a Lincoln badge in your line of sight, you were golden. In an era of downsizing and pragmatism, the Diamond Jubilee was a bold, opulent anomaly, and the sight of one on the road to day has become refreshing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/78134a64-e155-44f8-9545-7fb975a8b471/IMG_7995.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Six Feet of Hood, Zero Regrets: The Absurd Majesty of the Continental Diamond Jubilee - More Vinyl Than a Record Store As American cars entered the Malaise Era, opulent luxury was inherently impractical, which might have been the only characteristic that kept cars like this Continental Mark V fairly exclusive. If you’ve ever wanted a two-door coupe that guzzles gas like a Suburban, stretches longer than your in-laws’ goodbyes, and offers the legroom of a Corolla, then the Lincoln Continental Mark V is your dream ride. Occupant safety, while decent compared to a Pinto, wasn’t the result of cutting-edge innovation—it came courtesy of massive chrome bumpers and a six-foot hood. Meanwhile, pedestrian safety took a back seat to acres of flat American steel and excessive overhang. The Diamond Jubilee edition, Built to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Ford Motor Company, brought the absurdity to the next level. The Diamond Jubilee didn’t whisper luxury, it screamed it through a gold-plated megaphone. You got padded landau roofs, gold-colored grille accents, and thick, lazy-boy-style seats wide enough to seat a small wedding party. The dashboard, a geometric fever dream, featured a Cartier clock front and center in the instrument cluster. Opera windows embedded in the vinyl wrapped C pillars featured faux diamond inserts, and even the Continental spare tire hump was covered in padded vinyl. Subtle was not in its vocabulary, and as time would pass, German cars would redefine the essence of luxury as a feeling rather than a style, by focusing on material quality and refined driving characteristics rather than extravagant looks. As a result, lavish luxury vessels like this Mark V Diamond Jubilee would fade into obscurity, which makes the sight of one today uniquely charming. https://www.buildsandbanter.com/blogginbanter/chicanoparkday monthly 0.5 2025-04-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/4aacf191-7ee5-46e4-a484-f4f80c3ab70d/IMG_8005.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Under the Bridge, Beneath layers of Paint: How Lowriders at Chicano Park Capture Generational Pride - Why Lowriders Are the Ultimate Labor of Love If you’ve ever wondered why some folks take so much time, and put so much blood, sweat, and tears into a lowrider, this is the place to understand it. These cars aren’t just machines; they’re rolling stories, each detail telling a chapter in the saga of family, heritage, and, yes, a little bit of prideful perfectionism. The beauty of these cars lies in the journey, passed from generation to generation, just like the legacy of Chicano Park. In a world where everything is fast paced, these lowriders are a beautiful contradiction, and are infinitely valuable to the owners of the homes whose garages they inhabit. And honestly, if the ‘64 Impala with the missing trim at Chicano Park Day in ‘91 can make it back 35 years later in pristine glory, maybe there’s hope for all of us. If you think about it, that’s a pretty solid metaphor for life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/4a87577c-72b8-4678-b0d2-788fa9031655/IMG_8008.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Under the Bridge, Beneath layers of Paint: How Lowriders at Chicano Park Capture Generational Pride - Resistance and Resilience in the Heart of Barrio Logan If you take a stroll through Barrio Logan, you'll see craftsman-style homes sitting right next to scrap yards and warehouses. I’ve always found a certain charm in a junkyard’s forgotten relics, but I can’t say I’d welcome one just beyond my doorstep. The residents of Barrio Logan, whose ties to this land trace back to the early 1900s and run deep with Mexican American history, have long echoed that quiet resistance. However, In 1970, after enduring the roar of construction creeping ever closer to their homes, the residents gathered to speak up. Tired of being overlooked and displaced by redlining practices, they gathered with fierce resolve to protest the state’s plan to build a California Highway Patrol station in the heart of their community. This clash wasn’t the first between city officials and the people of the neighborhood. Once a united community, greater Logan Heights had long been a haven for immigrants chasing the promise of the American Dream after the Mexican Revolution of the 1910s. But that unity was shattered as their neighborhood was split into two by the heavy hand of urban development, as the construction of Interstate 5 and the Coronado Bridge carved through the heart of their beloved community, dividing it by force. After days of determined protest, the residents emerged victorious. What were once seen as cold concrete pillars of destruction beneath the bridge were reimagined as canvases of resistance and triumph. More than 100 artists over the past 50 years have transformed these structures into towering monuments of culture and pride, each mural telling a story etched in passion and history. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/f7effb96-932f-457e-9b29-b9ede231784a/IMG_1918.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Under the Bridge, Beneath layers of Paint: How Lowriders at Chicano Park Capture Generational Pride - The Legacy of Lowriders and the Spirit of Chicano Park As the morning sun began to rise and the marine layer lifted over Chicano Park on Sunday, April 19th, the gleam of chrome and shimmer of pearlescent paint shifted into focus, revealing a stunning airbrushed image of a father and son on the door of a 1938 Buick Special—a sight so rich with emotion and artistry that it nearly brought a tear to my eye. Clearly this wasn’t just a car show, it was a living tribute to history, family, and the deep roots of Chicano pride. At Chicano Park, the concrete pillars which prop up the Coronado bridge don’t stand out because of their size or structure. They capture attention through the murals painted on them, each brushstroke telling a story and reminding us of a journey rooted in culture, struggle, and generations of resilience. Reflected in mirrors laid carefully beneath each lowrider, the spotless frames coated in lacquer hold more than engines and polished metal—they carry the weight of generations, upholding a legacy built on tradition, heritage, and painstaking craftsmanship. You’ll rarely find a personalized lowrider for sale online. If a father brought a grey primer-coated ’64 Impala with missing side trim to Chicano Park Day in 1991, there’s a good chance his son or grandson brought the same car last weekend, now finished in metallic paint with engraved side mirrors and gold-plated spokes nearly 35 years later. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/085902f4-027f-46d9-9f98-f6caefc2c712/IMG_7996.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Under the Bridge, Beneath layers of Paint: How Lowriders at Chicano Park Capture Generational Pride - The Pursuit of Perfection The lowriders parked beneath the painted pillars of Chicano Park are just as powerful a reflection of the Chicano experience as the murals towering above them. Rooted in post-war optimism much like hotrods of the 1950s, lowriders from the same time period were built as symbols of creativity, but instead of emphasizing speed and brute force, lowriders represent artistry and attention to detail. I’ve long considered the local car community to be a strong unifying force, in which people from all walks of life can build strong bonds over the shared passion of automotive enthusiasm. You don’t need to picture yourself behind the wheel of a lowrider to appreciate one. If you have octane coursing through your veins, you can recognize the passion meticulously crafted into every nut and bolt on one. If you’ve ever busted your knuckles to build the car of your dreams, you understand that finishing it is a marathon and not a sprint, and lowriders are the perfect example of manifesting dreams, and turning them into reality over time. Even if you’ve “finished” your dream creation in the eyes of admirers, you’re likely to point out the imperfections only your eyes can see, and argue that it won’t ever be truly completed. However, if any car is ever truly finished being built to perfection, you’ll find it at Chicano Park day each year. I’d bet that the first family member to start a lowrider project, one destined to become a cherished family heirloom, never finishes it in their youth, not because they lose sight of the vision, but because every little detail demands painstaking perfection which can’t be achieved overnight. And that’s no exaggeration https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/66e9b7da-0f7f-4cfb-8eaf-597e7075454e/IMG_7883.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Under the Bridge, Beneath layers of Paint: How Lowriders at Chicano Park Capture Generational Pride - How Lowriders Combine Craftsmanship and Culture A true lowrider is an engineering marvel as much as it is a rolling sculpture, with every inch of the car receiving obsessive attention to detail that borders on sacred. The beauty begins with the frame, which is reinforced to handle the immense stress of the weight added by batteries and pumps to power the hydraulic suspension, and prevent the twisting of the chassis that would otherwise occur when the whine of the pumps raise the suspension, springing the lowrider to life. After the frame is stiffened, it is painted not with rustoleum rattle cans, but with multiple stages of lacquer and pearl, and yards of custom pinstriping, often to match the body which rests on top of it. The hundreds of hours of paint work often extends as far as the individual batteries housed in the trunk on full display beside the chromed pumps and hard lines which pump fluid to lift the hydraulic struts on all four corners with the flip of a switch. I could write a book about the layers of paint added to the body, so let's focus on the murals, so vivid and intricate they could be mistaken for photographs, and tell personal stories on the hood and trunk lids, immortalizing loved ones and cultural icons on body panels. The chrome trim, nearly unobtainable for some models, has been carefully removed, and meticulously hand engraved with floral patterns and chromed by skilled artisans, meaning no two pieces can be made alike. Engine bays feature engine swaps, often small-block Chevy based, with chromed or body matched valve covers and wires hidden so masterfully you can hardly believe the engine can receive electricity to the spark plugs. The interiors receive custom upholstery, sound systems, and fiberglass consoles and speaker boxes painted and striped to match the body. This combination of mechanical precision and artistic expression is what sets a lowrider apart. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1745645339496-QGT8C1QS4VYFK5RMEV2J/IMG_7876.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Under the Bridge, Beneath layers of Paint: How Lowriders at Chicano Park Capture Generational Pride https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1745645362851-WOYYNXXYXTIFFU5XETAB/IMG_7902.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Under the Bridge, Beneath layers of Paint: How Lowriders at Chicano Park Capture Generational Pride https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1745645379608-OEJ47SHT29FWPSNCED7Z/IMG_7905.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Under the Bridge, Beneath layers of Paint: How Lowriders at Chicano Park Capture Generational Pride https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1745645419118-GNWFQ882SAKFW7M5EGDN/IMG_7927.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Under the Bridge, Beneath layers of Paint: How Lowriders at Chicano Park Capture Generational Pride https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1745645398195-8QKVFF37BUCLK4TOCRU7/IMG_7915.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Under the Bridge, Beneath layers of Paint: How Lowriders at Chicano Park Capture Generational Pride https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1745645449373-3Q2L0V8X71UMVP9L2P8C/IMG_7936.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Under the Bridge, Beneath layers of Paint: How Lowriders at Chicano Park Capture Generational Pride https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1745645515797-H0OEMR8DCXRFGI9NI7XQ/IMG_7991.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Under the Bridge, Beneath layers of Paint: How Lowriders at Chicano Park Capture Generational Pride https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1745645587833-LIDOHZQ5SNLP431UF5UP/IMG_8019.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Under the Bridge, Beneath layers of Paint: How Lowriders at Chicano Park Capture Generational Pride https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1745645548027-SD7EDETUFO8MWLSC9CDH/IMG_8014.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Under the Bridge, Beneath layers of Paint: How Lowriders at Chicano Park Capture Generational Pride https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1745645604954-JGTPI1II2E84HYDXCEMB/IMG_8071.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Under the Bridge, Beneath layers of Paint: How Lowriders at Chicano Park Capture Generational Pride https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1745645651310-SB8GFQQYZASIO9TANX4B/IMG_8077.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Under the Bridge, Beneath layers of Paint: How Lowriders at Chicano Park Capture Generational Pride https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1745645708167-WGSPRE794LY8M7POXTG5/IMG_8109.jpeg Builds n' Blogs - Under the Bridge, Beneath layers of Paint: How Lowriders at Chicano Park Capture Generational Pride https://www.buildsandbanter.com/blogginbanter/chryslerconquest monthly 0.5 2025-04-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/09aad151-1bea-4415-b524-dc4f86c32fdc/DSC_0534.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Swipe Right for a Chrysler: How Noah Grant Fell for the Geometric Beauty of the Chrysler Conquest - Firm Suspension and Smooth Boost Before getting behind the wheel, I anticipated the Conquest would offer a driving experience similar to my 1974 Datsun 260z. Beyond that, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but what I quickly discovered was that it had far better road manners than my clattery old Zcar. I knew the Conquest had aftermarket coilovers after peeking under the hood at the strut towers earlier in the morning, and when I asked which ones, Noah told me “the only ones they sell.” The suspension felt firm and responsive, but to my surprise, the dampening was much better than what I have come to expect from aftermarket struts. Needless to say, it didn’t feel like a Cadillac, but I knew that if I failed to dodge a massive pothole (thanks San Diego) I wasn’t going to shatter my spine. The power steering was lighter than I was hoping however, it didn’t affect the otherwise sharp handling, or feel excessively vague. The interior rattles from aging trim and chassis flex were minimal, similar to what you'd find in a well-kept Z31. This led me to believe that the Conquest could function as a solid grand tourer, if that’s what you desired. Now for the fun part, BOOST BABY! Contrary to what naive teenagers who watch too much Youtube will tell you, not all turbocharged cars from the ‘80s have tremendous turbo lag which causes the turbo to snap your neck when it finally becomes noticeable late in the powerband. Upon depressing the throttle, the factory boost gauge mounted front and center in the retro cluster spiked immediately, and the power delivery felt surprisingly smooth and linear almost as if it was coming from a larger naturally aspirated V6. Overall, I was impressed with how civil yet exciting the Conquest felt on the road, and I’ve since become tempted to search for one and dig my teeth into forbidden fruit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1744088450688-AMEWN2K4IGKP2EUEBVI1/DSC_0541.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Swipe Right for a Chrysler: How Noah Grant Fell for the Geometric Beauty of the Chrysler Conquest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1744088486052-K6TKYKC6J3M4HYDZPSJ6/DSC_0524.JPEG Builds n' Blogs - Swipe Right for a Chrysler: How Noah Grant Fell for the Geometric Beauty of the Chrysler Conquest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1744088695579-DBX09IO4NMM6WSOAMS1W/DSC_0519.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Swipe Right for a Chrysler: How Noah Grant Fell for the Geometric Beauty of the Chrysler Conquest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/1744088727653-BGN9BOT65TTE0XGNPV1E/DSC_0521.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Swipe Right for a Chrysler: How Noah Grant Fell for the Geometric Beauty of the Chrysler Conquest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/eb461c4a-77bf-4ca5-b03d-4e138f7a24a1/DSC_0529.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Swipe Right for a Chrysler: How Noah Grant Fell for the Geometric Beauty of the Chrysler Conquest - Miles of Love, Leaks, and Learning Have you ever seen a Chrysler Conquest street parked? Yeah me neither, but if you're lucky, you might find Noah’s Conquest parked in the vicinity of University of California San Diego, where he attends classes in pursuit of a cognitive sciences degree. Not only is the Conquest his daily driver, but also his only car, which means it can’t spend too long on jack stands since he relies on it to get him from point A to point B. On the rare occasion I do see a Conquest, it is usually sitting on flat tires with a badly torn cover draped over it, in the driveway of a stubborn owner who is far too enamored with it to let go of the damn thing. Noah’s situation couldn’t be more dissimilar. Since acquiring it in 2022, he has covered nearly 20,000 miles, and documented his ownership on pen and paper, making sure to never miss an oil change. Sounds like smooth sailing right? Well… not quite. Sometimes his drives end with him clutching a fire extinguisher in his lap after smelling unburnt fuel, or limping it onto a tow truck after a coolant geyser flows from a cracked heater core hose. At one point, he even had to pull the engine out to reseal it after it started puking oil from every orifice like a sopping wet sponge being wrung out in a kitchen sink. All of this might sound like the typical Chrysler experience for those who are familiar, but the Chrysler Conquest actually Isn't a Chrysler at all! Those tow truck rides and fluid leaks are courtesy of Mitsubishi. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/771da417-f2bf-45ee-9f5a-f7489bfe2ea6/DSC_0537.JPEG Builds n' Blogs - Swipe Right for a Chrysler: How Noah Grant Fell for the Geometric Beauty of the Chrysler Conquest - Behind the Wheel and Beyond In the end, Noah’s relationship with his Chrysler Conquest is a perfect example of how deep connections can form unexpectedly. Despite the speed bumps along the way, the bond he’s formed with his beloved Conquest has only grown stronger. While others may see it as a costly fling, for Noah, his car is a reminder that sometimes the best relationships are the ones that take a little extra effort. Now that I’ve made you familiar with the Conquest, keep your eye out for one. From afar, you might think you're looking at an RX7, but if you pull up next to the owner at a stoplight, don’t you dare tell them it looks like a Foxbody. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/434db725-09db-4ecf-8656-e71fb7ace297/DSC_0527.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Swipe Right for a Chrysler: How Noah Grant Fell for the Geometric Beauty of the Chrysler Conquest - Car love, or car lust? Do you believe in love at first sight? If you do, you better be mindful when browsing the web late at night, because falling in love with sexy curves on the internet can send you down an expensive rabbit hole. Noah Grant is all too familiar with this feeling, but the curves he became infatuated with weren’t soft and smooth like those of a Tinderella—they were sharp and geometric, and found in the hatch and fenders of an ‘80s sports car. Instead of swiping right, he clicked on a Craigslist ad for a Chrysler Conquest a curious friend sent him late one night, and responded “I don’t know what it is, but I love the angles.” It wasn’t long before he found one locally wearing red and looking for a home, and started a fling with the car of his dreams, but quickly discovered she wasn’t a cheap date. They broke up after a couple years and a small fortune later, but his desires got the better of him, so he embarked on another relationship with the same snake that bit him, but this time a black beauty—his 1987 Chrysler Conquest TSI, and they have since become inseparable. Instead of weekend dates, their relationship has become a daily affair, and has not been without hiccups, but after all, love requires sacrifice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/0297bafe-7a14-4030-8888-6f18d03206d5/DSC_0543.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Swipe Right for a Chrysler: How Noah Grant Fell for the Geometric Beauty of the Chrysler Conquest - When Badge Engineering Goes Right Noah despises the Pentastar badge as much as I do, but even he isn’t afraid to admit that Chrysler isn’t to blame for his expensive love affair, that honor goes to Mitsubishi, who developed it as the Mitsubishi Starion in partnership with Chrysler Corporation, who rebadged it as the Dodge, Chrysler, or Plymouth Conquest. Chrysler is no stranger to giving the same exact car three different names, so one could argue they are just as guilty of badge engineering as General Motors. However, unlike the one size fits all “K” platforms Chrysler was known for in the ‘80s, the Conquest, despite wearing three different brand names for the same model, was something truly unique and special. Perhaps this is why Noah slapped on some Starion badges, to distance himself from the dreaded Chrysler stigma. Despite replacing the badges, Noah actually hopes to bring his Conquest back to stock condition for the time being. Certain car designs beg for modification just to improve their boring styling, while others lose character when owners tack on aftermarket bits, and the Conquest is definitely the latter of the two. Why fix what isn’t broken? Especially considering the flared fenders and staggered wheels give the Conquest a track ready appearance from the factory. Noah tells me he would eventually like to swap a 2JZ into the Conquest, a relatively common swap for the platform, but in the meantime, he gets plenty of driving pleasure from the factory equipped 2.6 liter G54B engine, which was highly advanced for in the mid ‘80s, and I found to be surprisingly potent for an engine from that time period. https://www.buildsandbanter.com/blogginbanter/jacetheflyingace monthly 0.5 2025-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/908b203b-0922-41e7-b9a4-2e3a8b7cc370/civic+wheel.JPEG Builds n' Blogs - Wheels and Wings: Jace the Flying Ace’s 2000 Civic Si - Frozen in time After putting himself through college and earning a degree in aviation, Jace has acquired a handful of cars in the years since, but none of them have managed to directly replace his cherished Civic which he’ll tell you appeals to him just as much as it did when he purchased it. You might assume it has ultra low miles based on its remarkably pristine appearance, but at just north of 114,000 miles on the clock, that couldn't be further from the case. It would be reasonable to expect some door dings or a gently worn arm rest at the very least, but the condition of this particular Si is almost as if it is frozen in time at the San Diego dealership where it was originally sold. Jace pointed out a tiny scratch below the trunk badge, saying it was popular for people to steal Si badges in the early 2000s, but instead of hurting the appearance, it only adds to the lore. Keeping it in such pristine condition is no small feat, but since Jace acquired it from his brother in 2004, he’s never been reluctant to call multiple dealerships to find genuine parts and accessories, or hesitated to perform preventative maintenance to ensure his beloved Civic receives the best care. After all, the purchase of it was a dream come true, so why let it go to waste? Everything has a price, but don’t waste your breath asking Jace if he’ll sell it to you, it’s probably the only car in his collection he’d never let go of; not because it’s his favourite to look at, but because it might just be his favourite to drive. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/99ecb3be-f625-41a2-bfa7-b6cb0686cae9/civic+seats.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Wheels and Wings: Jace the Flying Ace’s 2000 Civic Si - More Than Just a Car In the end, Jace’s 2000 Honda Civic Si stands as more than just a well-preserved piece of automotive history; it’s a symbol of passion, perseverance, and the fulfillment of a childhood dream. So there you have it, the story of a man and his 2000 Honda Civic Si, free of any Walmart LEDs or Spoon engine jokes. Maybe you finally have the means to buy that Viper from the poster you had in your childhood bedroom, but that doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate the first car that sparked your enthusiasm. If you managed to get your hands on your attainable dream car and still have it decades later, then like Jace, you love it for the right reasons. Additionally, if you also own a Civic from Honda’s golden era, then you understand the appeal without me telling you. Cheers to your Jace! In most cases I’d say “drive it until the wheels fall off,” but I’m confident you’ll find some new old stock hub assemblies before that happens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/244e5101-1cda-4cdf-a98f-ceae0173971a/IMG_5746.JPEG Builds n' Blogs - Wheels and Wings: Jace the Flying Ace’s 2000 Civic Si - different Strokes for Different folks I often ask people what their childhood dream car was, and receive a variety of answers, none incorrect. Some people remember the Viper or Coutach poster above their headboard, while others recall a torn out page from Import Tuner pinned to their bedroom door. I’m sure Jace had a long list of dream cars, but at 19 years old, the Civic Si caught his attention. When you take a look at Jace’s 2000 Honda Civic Si, its near perfect condition would suggest that he is the original owner, but that honor goes to his older brother, who purchased it from Cush Honda as a gift to himself after graduating from University of California Los Angeles. During the time his brother owned it, there were several break-ins, but, by some stroke of luck, it was never successfully stolen. As a young man going to school and working (and probably buying copious amounts of pizza and beer), buying a car on your own is not easy, but Jace managed to fill up his piggy bank, and eventually purchased the Si from his brother in his early 20s. Not long after buying it from his brother, Jace filled a box truck, loaded his Civic onto a trailer, and traveled across the country to attend University of North Dakota, where his Si was no longer a theft target, and he could practically leave it running while grabbing a six pack. Even in those years, the Civic nested cozily in the garage of his college apartment, and since then, it has never lived outside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/9dd50395-e24c-454d-916d-d93f031bb080/IMG_5751.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Wheels and Wings: Jace the Flying Ace’s 2000 Civic Si - Beyond the Badge If you ask a car enthusiast to choose their favorite car from their collection, you shouldn’t be surprised when they name the least obvious choice. Often, the narrative behind a vehicle outweighs the badge it wears, and what makes a car objectively great isn’t always what makes it genuinely special. If you asked me to choose my favorite car I’ve owned, I’d need a moment to think, but when I asked Jason Evart, otherwise known as “Jace the Flying Ace” this exact question, he almost cut me off to instantly declare that his 2000 Honda Civic Si was undoubtedly his favorite. Since Jace is what I would describe as “a car guy’s favourite car guy” I wasn't surprised by this answer as you might expect, considering that the Si embodies the analog driving experience and bare-bones appeal that passionate enthusiasts understand universally. However, as an owner of a number of cars, including an E28 BMW M5, and W124 Mercedes 300D, it’s fair to say that Jace’s EM1 Civic Si had some pretty stiff competition. As the story unfolded, I began to grasp why this Electron Blue Pearl Si was so important to Jace, and when I got behind the wheel, the visceral excitement I felt put an ear-to-ear smile on my face. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/9e30cf69-f885-432e-9851-b5f642188a25/IMG_5750.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Wheels and Wings: Jace the Flying Ace’s 2000 Civic Si - unassuming yet impressive On paper, a 2000 Civic Si might not sound particularly rare or prohibitive, until you remember that most were fitted with questionable go-fast bits and driven into the ground, or stolen and chopped up. Since Jace managed to dodge the stereotype and meticulously documented his ownership, you could argue that his SI is one of the most honest examples. As a result, the experience behind the wheel is remarkably pure in the absence of Ebay coilovers and lopped-off mufflers. I hate to admit it, but before driving an Si model for the first time, I had low expectations, but if I could describe the experience in a single word, it would be IMPRESSIVE. Torque steer is a commonly mentioned side effect, but at 160 horsepower, it doesn't exactly fight to rip the steering wheel out of your hands. At face value, an EM1 Si is inherently underwhelming, but after winding it out and banging gears, it leaves very little to be desired. Needless to say, it isn’t a race car, but it isn’t pretending to be either, and after putting it through its paces, it leaves you feeling like it could be. Isn’t that the whole appeal? It has the civility of an economy car from stoplight to stoplight as you would expect, but after cresting a hill at 7,500 RPMs and feeling like I was about to launch into the air, I couldn't help but think, “damn, that little four banger really wakes up.” https://www.buildsandbanter.com/blogginbanter/thesonofcobra monthly 0.5 2025-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/c57dde8c-c39c-42e8-90db-57bf52d1eba2/A3BDD9FC-7CBC-412C-876D-39C9E96669D4.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Subtle Perfection: How a Surfboard Shaper Built The Ultimate BMW 2002 - The Result Peering through the window of the Son of Cobra Bristol Commission, you'll spot an analog gauge cluster and dashboard that looks original but is actually sculpted entirely from carbon fiber, weighing in at less than four pounds. Pop the hood, and you’ll begin to notice what makes this 2002 different, starting with the hood itself, which hides its lightweight construction behind a layer of paint on the outside, but shamelessly showcases its carbon fiber weave on the underside. Instead of cramming a modern inline 6 into the engine bay, Lefevre has opted to simplify and refine a period correct engine, and scoot it back two inches, to further improve the already impressive balance of the BMW 2002. Instead of a rat's nest of vacuum lines and sensors, the engine has been reduced to valve cover, headers, and an intake that is as beautiful as it is functional. The end result is a fully custom restomod which showcases the full potential of a 2002, and simultaneously puts a smile on the face of a purist. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/5f533da1-5c89-458e-847e-8aadf491f5f0/79106EFB-7E84-41A2-B81D-81E6D3EEA64F.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Subtle Perfection: How a Surfboard Shaper Built The Ultimate BMW 2002 - The Idea Crafting a bespoke restomod that seamlessly blends the timeless charm of a classic with modern technology is a rare art, mastered by only a handful of dedicated builders. In the case of this Bristol Gray BMW 2002, that mastery comes not from a traditional automotive specialist, but from a Southern California surfboard shaper—Paul Lefevre, better known as The Son of Cobra. Lefevre is a visionary, whose philosophy aligns perfectly with his humble personality. Instead of chasing attention, Lefevre’s automotive creations speak for themselves, and emphasize subtlety over flashiness. He reshapes and refines the classic design of this 2002 with a handcrafted body made entirely of carbon fiber, a feature most car builders wish to showcase, but Lefevre goes to great lengths to hide. This approach allows the car’s silhouette and proportions to take center stage rather than the material itself, and helps retain the original character of the 2002’s timeless design. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/86f2eed3-4c76-40d2-8316-9e421632e44c/4F22CB71-AD37-4869-841E-85230B96D4E0.jpg Builds n' Blogs - Subtle Perfection: How a Surfboard Shaper Built The Ultimate BMW 2002 - The Process Lefevre describes the craftsmanship process as addictive, and says “it's not an easy thing, if you want to do it right, it's very challenging sometimes, but it's fun.” Born and raised in Normandy France in a time before Youtube, Lefevre was forced to master his craft by sticking to his original vision, and learning from mistakes to create simple but refined products that embody the term “quality over quantity.” In an interview with Larry Chen for Hagerty, he spoke briefly about his surfboard shaping process, describing how instead of coming up with new designs each year, he has opted to make small but noticeable changes to a handful of original designs. Why fix what isn't broken when you can perfect a successful design by refining it over time? The same goes for his handmade restomods, which are stripped down to their core and fitted with entirely new body panels, suspension, and powertrain, all while preserving the original characteristics and styling that made the BMW 2002 a legend. https://www.buildsandbanter.com/blogginbanter/richardsmanofied2002 monthly 0.5 2025-03-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/50b35672-8dd9-4cb7-9ea0-da937883784b/12.png Builds n' Blogs - Richard’s 1971 “Manofied” BMW 2002 - What is a BMW 2002 Turbo? The BMW 2002 Turbo, introduced in 1973, was a game-changer as BMW’s first turbocharged production car. With a 2.0L M10 inline-four boosted by a turbocharger, it produced 170 horsepower—a serious number for its time. Lightweight, aggressive, and raw, it featured flared fenders, bold "Turbo" script (infamously reversed on the front bumper), and a no-nonsense driving experience. Built for performance but limited in production (just 1,672 units made), the 2002 Turbo remains a rare and revered classic, embodying the spirit of BMW’s "Ultimate Driving Machine" ethos before it was even a slogan. What makes the BMW 2002 Turbo special? The BMW 2002 Turbo is special because it was BMW’s first turbocharged production car and one of the first turbocharged road cars in the world, arriving at a time when forced induction was mostly reserved for race cars. Introduced in 1973, it took the already lively 2002 chassis and injected it with raw performance, thanks to a KKK turbocharger bolted onto the 2.0L M10 inline-four, boosting output to 170 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. That might not sound extreme today, but in the early ‘70s, it was groundbreaking—especially in a lightweight package. What truly set the 2002 Turbo apart was its brutal, old-school turbo lag. It wasn’t just a little boost; it was an on-off switch of power that made driving it a thrilling (and sometimes tricky) experience. When the turbo spooled up, it transformed a sensible German coupe into a wild, tail-happy rocket. Aesthetically, it had aggressive box flares, deep front and rear spoilers, and the iconic reversed "Turbo" script on the front bumper, designed to intimidate in rear-view mirrors. However, with only 1,672 units produced, the 1973 oil crisis cut its potential short, making it a rare and highly sought-after collector’s car today. The 2002 Turbo was more than just a fast version of an already great car—it was a pioneer of turbocharging in performance cars, laying the foundation for the legendary BMW M division and influencing countless turbocharged performance cars to follow. https://www.buildsandbanter.com/blogginbanter/ethans-rx7 monthly 0.5 2025-03-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/8376d8cc-f761-4268-8c9f-dc3e328a5060/rx7.png Builds n' Blogs - Ethan’s 1993 Mazda RX-7 FD - What is a rx-7? The 1993 Mazda RX-7 (FD3S) is a legendary Japanese sports car known for its sleek, aerodynamic design and high-revving 13B-REW twin-turbo rotary engine. Painted in an eye-catching blue, this RX-7 isn’t just a looker—it’s a driver’s dream. With 255 horsepower, a lightweight chassis, and near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution, it delivers razor-sharp handling and an exhilarating driving experience. Whether carving through canyon roads or turning heads at a car meet, this JDM icon remains a timeless favorite among enthusiasts and tuners alike. What makes the rx-7 special? The RX-7 is a tuner’s dream. With its lightweight chassis and high-revving rotary, it's a perfect platform for modifications—whether that’s single turbo conversions, bridge-porting, widebody kits, or full track builds. Enthusiasts have pushed these cars well past 500+ HP, making them street monsters and drift legends. Unlike modern turbocharged cars loaded with driving aids, the RX-7 is a raw, analog experience. The FD model, in particular, is known for rewarding skilled drivers—but it can also punish those who underestimate its quirks (like turbo lag and the rotary engine’s need for meticulous maintenance). The RX-7 isn’t just another JDM sports car—it’s an engineering masterpiece, a car that dared to be different with its rotary power, lightweight agility, and timeless design. It’s an enthusiast’s dream that demands respect but rewards those who understand it with one of the most unique and exhilarating driving experiences ever made. https://www.buildsandbanter.com/blogginbanter/oxtaco-lebrute monthly 0.5 2025-03-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/9936237a-174f-4087-bdb2-56f46460dd2b/oxtaco+lebrute.png Builds n' Blogs - Justin’s 1960 Renault Dauphine - “Le Brute” - What is a Renault Dauphine? The 1960 Renault Dauphine was a charming, rear-engine French compact car designed for efficiency and style. Powered by a 845cc inline-four, it produced a modest 32 horsepower, making it more about cruising than speed. Lightweight and nimble, the Dauphine was a practical city car with a smooth ride, thanks to its soft suspension. Its curvy, elegant design and quirky personality made it a European favorite, though its leisurely acceleration and susceptibility to rust kept it from widespread acclaim. Today, it’s a nostalgic classic, loved for its vintage charm and its role in making affordable cars accessible worldwide. What makes the dauphine unique? The Renault Dauphine was more than just a small economy car—it was an engineering statement that combined style, practicality, and innovation. Whether as an efficient city car, a motorsport underdog, or a cultural icon, the Dauphine helped shape the world of European automobiles and remains a beloved piece of French automotive history. The 1960 Renault Dauphine is special because it represents French ingenuity in small car design, offering a balance of elegance, efficiency, and accessibility in a time when post-war Europe needed affordable mobility. While it wasn’t a performance car, it became an iconic piece of French automotive history, beloved for its charming personality and practicality. The Dauphine featured a rear-mounted, air-cooled 845cc inline-four, producing 32 horsepower—modest, but sufficient for city driving. The rear-engine layout, similar to the Volkswagen Beetle and Fiat 500, provided good traction and a smooth ride, making it ideal for navigating narrow European streets. https://www.buildsandbanter.com/blogginbanter/blog-post-title-four-lw575 monthly 0.5 2025-03-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67c346073d02925d0ec69563/824a345d-7ed4-41d5-9800-be77f75b931f/19.png Builds n' Blogs - Dizzy’s Honda S2000 - What is the Honda S2000? The Honda S2000 is a legendary Japanese roadster that debuted in 1999, celebrating Honda’s 50th anniversary. Under the hood, it packs a high-revving 2.0L F20C inline-four, producing 240 horsepower and revving all the way to 9,000 RPM—one of the highest rev limits in a production car. With a lightweight chassis, perfect 50:50 weight distribution, and a slick 6-speed manual, the S2000 delivers an exhilarating, razor-sharp driving experience. Known for its timeless design, precise handling, and naturally aspirated power, it remains a dream car for enthusiasts who crave a pure, driver-focused machine. What makes it so special? The Honda S2000 is special because it embodies the purest form of a driver’s car—a lightweight, naturally aspirated roadster with a high-revving engine, precise handling, and a manual-only transmission. What truly sets it apart is the F20C engine, which, at the time, held the record for the highest horsepower per liter (120 HP per liter) in a naturally aspirated production engine. Revving all the way to 9,000 RPM, it delivers an intoxicating, almost motorcycle-like experience as it screams to redline. Beyond the engine, the S2000’s perfect 50:50 weight distribution, double-wishbone suspension, and quick-ratio steering make it one of the most balanced and engaging sports cars ever built. It’s a car that rewards skill, offering an unfiltered, connected feel that modern turbocharged cars often lack. Its timeless design, reliability, and track-ready performance have cemented it as a JDM icon, beloved by purists and collectors alike. 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