UA-47906392-1
SAAB 96 Classic Custom | photoshop chop by Sebastian Motsch (2018)

SAAB 96 | Classic Custom

Happy New Year! The first photoshop chop in 2018 is an old project from years ago that I finally got around to finish now. I found the original picture of the SAAB 96 and immediately thought this vehicle #needsmorelow. Lowering it and enlarging the wheels made it look better, but the little something that makes it special was still missing. In order to keep it period-correct, I used the natural lines and added some graphics. These days you would probably utilize vinyl stickers, but back then it would have been painted. All in all a fun little project to prove that every vehicle has potential to look better.

SAAB 96 Classic Custom | photoshop chop by Sebastian Motsch (2018)

Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham Shorty | photoshop chop by Sebastian Motsch (2017)

1966 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special Brougham SWB

What if downsizing the US land yachts went a little different?

Every car enthusiasts knows that the oil crisis in the early 1970’s eventually spelled the end for the gas guzzling land yachts. Cars from Europe and Japan with much better fuel economy flooded the US market and created a situation the big three had to face. They tried frantically to build something suitable. However, most cars they came up with were great achievements horrible miniature caricatures of the bygone era of dinosaurs. You fondly remember the downsized barges and new designs like the Ford Pinto, AMC Gremlin amongst others. Especially the shrunken Cadillacs and Lincolns put a sad expression on most peoples faces. But hey… what if they had approached the whole downsizing trend with a little bit of humor and left the interiors of the cars full-size and only compromised on the outside of the body and the drivetrain? They might have come up with something like this 1966 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special Shorty concept I created over Christmas. It puts a smile on your face, doesn’t it? šŸ˜‰

Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham Shorty | photoshop chop by Sebastian Motsch (2017)

Goal for 2018: smile more! Happy New Year! šŸ™‚

Click here to see the original picture.

Peugeot 504 CoupƩ Works Racing Style | photoshop chop by Sebastian Motsch (2017)

Peugeot 504 CoupƩ | Works Racing Style

This photoshop chop took way longer to finish than all the other pictures I created this year. It all started with looking at a Peugeot 504 brochure from the 1970’s in January. Having always loved the Pininfarina-penned styling of the coupĆ© and convertible, I wondered why there are no tastefully modified cars out there. These vehicles are not even too expensive to buy, despite having a history of motorsport ventures in rallye and racing. As always, the “what if (I had the money)” question followed immediately and all kinds of crazy modification ideas popped up in my mind. However, modifying this elegant coupĆ© without messing up the lines completely posed a challenge. In the end I went with a retro-inspired theme the Japanese call works style. Imagine an engine with substantially more power, modern suspension and brakes. This necessitates larger wheels and a set of overfenders to cover them. I tried to keep them subtle and close to the original design of the fenders. Finding a period-correct design for the wheels also was a challenge. Campagnolos work well with the larger diameter and the conversion to the rather large Peugeot PCD. A good friend of mine suggested to add a ventilation flap on the roof, similar to the classic Jaguar E-Type race cars, and I happily adopted this brilliant idea. The hash marks on the fenders are Peugeot Talbot Sport colors from the early 1980’s, keeping with the idea that a conversion like this might have been built when this was just an affordable used car.

Fine art prints will be available early in 2018. Make sure to pre-order soon, as this will be a limited edition of only 73 numbered and signed pieces. The prints are without watermarks.

Peugeot 504 CoupƩ Works Racing Style | photoshop chop by Sebastian Motsch (2017)

Click here to see the original picture.

Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham with Airstream trailer | photoshop chop by Sebastian Motsch (2017)

Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham with Airstream Caravan

Finding a photograph of a late 90’s Cadillac Fleewood Brougham towing an Airstream travel trailer got me thinking. What if the people owning a rig like this had a need for more trunk space, but still wanted to tow the trailer with a B-body based car? They would have had the choice of downgrading to a Buick Roadmaster oder Chevrolet Caprice – or converting their Cadillac into a wagon. This shouldn’t be too hard to do, right? However, instead of just using the rear glass from either one of the standard GM wagons, I went for a panel van look. As the Fleetwood Brougham already has a vinyl roof, it is a no-brainer to use this material for the wagon conversion. Not having windows also allows to add useful storage cabinets on both sides of the trunk. And because I have a reputation of never leaving the suspension height and stance as it came from the factory, the Cadillac was lowered and fitted with larger diameter wheels, shod with lower profile tires. To round it off and achieve a consistent design, the Airstream was also lowered and given a similar wheel treatment.

Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham with Airstream trailer | photoshop chop by Sebastian Motsch (2017)

Chevrolet Express Van 3500 Roadtrek 210 Popular Drift Camper | photoshop chop by Sebastian Motsch (2017)

Chevrolet Express Van 3500 Roadtrek 210 Popular | Drift RV

This was another one of those 15 minute challenges: create a camper van or RV that would be fun to drift, if equipped with an engine that makes suitable torque and horsepower. I started looking for a base picture to begin the photoshop chop. The Roadtrek 210 Popular, based on the  rear wheel drive V8 Chevrolet Express Van, has a very nice and sporty looking body kit that accomodates a set of overfenders nicely. With a set of Watanabe-style wheels that are converted to an 8-lug pattern and a healthy drop in ride height this beast might take you to the race track, provide all kinds of drifting fun during the day and living quarters for the night. You would have to secure all your cutlery and other items very securely for the drift sessions, though. šŸ˜‰

Chevrolet Express Van 3500 Roadtrek 210 Popular Drift Camper | photoshop chop by Sebastian Motsch (2017)

PS: It could also be a nice and capable tow-rig for a drift car.