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Aug
24
Jaguar E-Type Zero
Yes, there is something missing in this picture. No, I didn’t photoshop it out. This Jaguar E-Type doesn’t have exhaust pipes because it has an electric drivetrain. Jaguar unveiled a modern revival of the E-Type roadster with an all-electric, zero-emission powertrain in 2017. The vehicle is called the E-Type Zero and has a 40 kWh battery-powered electric motor. It can accelerate to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and has a range of 168 miles (270km) on a full charge. The battery pack is designed to fit in the space occupied by the original six-cylinder motor without any modifications, and will fit in any model Jaguar using the same motor. The single-speed transmission replaces the original gearbox. In August 2018, Jaguar confirmed it will offer all-electric E-Types for sale starting in summer 2020. You can order yours now. To wet your appetite, I lowered the E-Type for an improved stance and fitted a more contemporary wheel and tire combination.
Sep
09
I have always loved the shape of the SAAB Sonett I roadster, but similar to the BMW 507 I never liked the stance and choice of wheels. Diameter too large, tires too skinny and a stance that would suit a 4×4 – not my cup of tea on a roadster intended to be driven hard. Fixing these three problems is exceptionally rewarding on many cars from the 60’s and 70’s, because the designs are often adorable. Apply this recipe to a first generation SAAB Sonett, add a set of American Racing Torq Thrust wheels and tires with white lettering on the sidewalls. Voilà, you have a roadster that it still tiny and nimble, but looks like it packs a lot more punch.
Feb
02
Following my recent idea about downsizing US-cars without losing interior space, and creating a funny-looking Cadillac in the process, got me thinking. If you can shrink something without compromising interior space, could you enlarge something like a smart fortwo and win an additional passenger seat? Not very likely because cutting, altering and welding the smart Tridion safety cell is next to impossible due to the material utilized. But if the smart can’t be enlarged easily, a FIAT Multipla with six seats sure enough can be shortened with a few basic power tools, can’t it?
Let me present the FIAT Multipla Triposto. The perfect car for a school run with two kids. Needs only a tiny space for parking, is very manouverable in tight cities and looks very adorable.
Okay… maybe adorable isn’t the right expression and cute in a weird way would probably better describe a short wheelbase Multipla.*
* Or how would you describe a short wheelbase hippopotamus? 😉
Dec
30
The inspiration to photoshop a Chrysler Voyager Mk1 came from reading Brock Yates‘ book The Critical Path. The old one-box design minivans have a lot of potential for customizing, in my opinion. I tried to keep it in an 80’s style, but the stance is definitely a more contemporary approach…
Apr
10
Sometimes a random memory sparks something. In this case I remembered, for some reason or another, that my French teacher once used to drive a very un-cool dark blue Volkswagen Santana Mk1. I searched the web for a suitable picture to use as a base – and got carried away… again.
This project evolved to be a custom Santana which a surfer might drive. The body is essentially stock, but a roof-rack with a surfboard has been added. The car was then lowered over a set of vintage Corvette wheels with tires sporting red stripes. A couple of surf-related stickers, a few details here and there and it was finished. Point proven, even a VW Santana has potential to look (somewhat) cool. 😉
Nov
25
Even though I’m not a huge fan of front wheel drive cars in general, I do appreciate some of them. Especially when a four wheel drive option was available. The first and second generation of the Mitsubishi Eclipse are good examples of such cars. Nice to look at and fun to drive. We’ll just ignore the rather ugly third generation for the time being. Concerning the picture I didn’t really modify a lot, apart from enhancing the looks of the original Japan-spec body kit and adding a set of nice wheels. Can you spot the other changes?
Nov
19
Let’s imagine you own a company operating in the express delivery business. If somebody orders e.g. car parts, your company usually delivers the parts with a van or truck. But what if you need to deliver something in a more remote area, which standard delivery vehicles can’t access? Well, here is my solution this side of a parts drop from a helicopter: the we-deliver-your-order-anywhere-without-hassles Range Rover off-road delivery vehicle. This Mk1 has been modified to carry boxes and parcels in the back. The cargo bay is accessible from three sides via roll-up doors. Who wouldn’t like to have that?
… and for your well-earned holidays, just add a roof-top tent and put your supplies into the cargo bay. 🙂
Nov
05
Well, does it always have to be a high gloss paint job and perfect finish? No, definitely not. Sometime less is more. If you focus on the fun to drive factor, optics are somewhat irrelevant. Therefore it’s a base trim model this time. Black bumpers and trim, just a set of multi-piece Alfa Romeo wheels added to this Mk1 33. And lowered, of course. 😉
Apr
17
The new Volkswagen Bakkie was introduced to the South African market on April 1st 2008. It is based on the Passat Variant and succeeds the Golf based Volkswagen Caddy Mk1.
Info: South Africans call pick-up trucks Bakkies. They are called UTE in Australia.
Mar
03
The Volkswagen Jetta Mk1 was neither a sporty nor a very elegant vehicle – but little modifications sometimes go a long way. I added the taillights from a Scirocco Mk2, extended the fender flares, lowered the ride height and added alloy wheels. Done, simple as that (and it even gives the rear a hint of BMW E21).