Shops, People & Opinion - �㽶��Ƶֱ�� is the Tuner's Source for Modified Car Culture since 1999

Did We Start a Podcast? Episode 1

2024-11-01T16:41:15+00:00

We decided to go live from the Editorial Desk at the PAS365 HQ to give our audience a look behind the scenes at what goes on here when we aren't working on �㽶��Ƶֱ��, PAS365 TV, or other projects. This quickly became the first episode of our currently un-named podcast. In this episode we introduce the staff and their vehicles, some personal tastes, some controversial issues, and answer questions from the audience.

Roasting �㽶��Ƶֱ�� Reader Rides - Episode 1

2024-09-11T14:02:33+00:00

Here at �㽶��Ƶֱ��, we try to keep it real and have a little fun while we’re at it. A little while ago we put out an invitation to submit your vehicles - completed or still in the project phase - for some light-hearted roasting. Today, Adam and Youssef are in the hot seat, taking a look at some wild rides submitted by you for a good old-fashioned roast. Remember, this is all in the spirit of fun - nothing’s too personal, and nobody’s feelings should get hurt. We’re just here to throw a little shade, share a few laughs, and appreciate the creativity and passion that make the car community what it is. So buckle up, because it might get spicy!

5 Things Car Culture Needs More Of

2024-09-24T15:13:11+00:00

Few things are in a state of constant flux as car culture, and the car community as a whole. While the car community is divided into countless niches, subsects, and smaller groups, the public perception from non-car people tends to lump us all into the same group. At �㽶��Ƶֱ��, we've been around for 25 years to see the attitudes, styles, and transformations take place in the car community over the years, and there are some thing we've noticed tend to stick around for good reason. Here are 5 things we think the car community needs more of:

Educational Workshops

The more hands-on experiences we can give the younger generation, the better. With younger generations leaning away from cars, any help we can give them from experienced individuals in the industry would go a long way. Even virtual tutorials could help them retain interest, or even better, get started on a career in the industry. Anything from DIY maintenance, fabrication, tuning, and even detailing - a little instruction or how-to could be enough to spark someone's passion to pursue a career or hobby in our small industry. This ethos is what stands behind a big portion of our how-to and educational content at �㽶��Ƶֱ��, so if you offer an educational workshop in the automotive space, please reach out to us!

Recognition of Grassroots Talent

Platforms that spotlight local builds and builders, small shops, and up-and-coming talent are much appreciated, and that's something we try to do here at �㽶��Ƶֱ�� as well. We still always have love for the big name influencers and industry icons, and we will of course spotlight their work as it comes along, but it's important to recognize the local heros who haven't achieved that level of superstardom, at least not yet. Often times, the stories of the local shops, grassroots racers, and up-and-coming talent are some of the most interesting, especially in contrast to the bright lights and crowds of superstar influencers and icons. You might notice our image example comes from our friends at the aptly named Grassroots Performance.

Support for Local Businesses

Supporting a local business as a car enthusiast goes far beyond the simple transaction. It's also about fueling your local community, economy, and culture with people who share the same passions. Often times, local shops or smaller suppliers will offer a unique experience of personal touch that you might not get buying from big-box retailers or drop-shipping companies. You might even make a lifelong friend or connection! By investing in these businesses and shops, you're keeping the heart of your local car scene alive when you buy your parts of services. Shop local whenever you can!

Collaborative Projects

Collaborative efforts between different car clubs, different teams, or even different brands are always fun. For the collaborators, it's a good way to get your name in front of a potentially new audience. For the audience, it's fun to see our favorite brands working with perhaps another brand we like. We've seen a handful of incredible collaborations from brands in the past couple years alone, including the Puma x Porsche 911 Turbo Anniversary shoe, or the G-Shock x Livestock watch. Collaborations at the grassroots level foster a sense of community between collaborators and their audience alike.

Respect

We saved perhaps the most important for last. Respect is one of the foundations of the car community as a whole, and it goes deeper than respecting each others' vehicles. Respect for the public, respect for the locations and venues of car shows and meets, and respect for the pioneers that made our culture and modifications possible - all of these are paramount to a good time and thriving car culture. We want public perception on our side, so it's best to lead by example - especially when takeover clowns and other fools are hurting our public image. Respect those around you, even outside of the car community. Don't drive like a racecar driver through residentail neighborhoods, don't rev your exhaust obnoxiously in busy parking lots, and drive with respect. A little effort can go a long way in shaping public opinion of car enthusiasts.

VIDEO: The History of Car Modification and Culture

2024-09-17T15:08:53+00:00

We wrote an article earlier this year detailing the history of automotive modification as best we could. It started with the bootleggers of the 1920s, who could be considered the earliest hot rodders, and progressed through the decades. Custom hot rods, muscle cars, JDM fever, the social media era, and of course, the future including EV and hybrid drivetrain tuning are all represented in some way. The story of modifying and tinkering with vehicles is almost as old as cars themselves.

The original article (Which you can find here - A Brief History of Car Modification: From the 1920s to Today), was so popular we decided to put a video together, because if there were ever a segment that deserved the full treatment, this one is up there. Enjoy the costumes of the eras, the cars of each decade, and naturally, the chaos of the �㽶��Ƶֱ�� team left to their own devices.

Car Culture Could Do Without These 5 Things

2024-09-16T16:19:41+00:00

Car culture is ever-changing, and the community within it remains in a state of flux as well. Some people come and go, while others are in this weird world for decades at a time, experiencing the cultural shift through different styles, attitudes, and eras. �㽶��Ƶֱ��, for example, has now been around for 25 years, and we've been through our own transformations as we stay up to date with enthusiasts new and old in our community. As niche car scenes around the world go through the motions, there are some things that enthusiasts would do well to avoid if you want to keep it real.

GATEKEEPING

Gatekeeping in car culture stifles creativity and growth, turning what should be an inclusive and diverse community into an exclusive club. Every car enthusiast starts somewhere, and by welcoming newcomers with open arms rather than skepticism, we foster a more vibrant and innovative scene. When we shut others out based on experience, taste, or budget, we limit the potential for fresh ideas and perspectives that could push the culture forward.

This isn't to disparage exclusive car clubs, or private events, but remember to be kind to younger or newer enthusiasts when they show interest in something. Share some knowledge, show them the ropes, and let them figure things out over time. Give them a reason to appreciate the car community, and lead by example.

WEALTH OBSESSION

This is something recently written about in length by an observant, intelligent, and talented journalist by the name of Victoria Scott for Motor1, and I think they hit the nail on the head when it comes to something many enthusiasts - especially at the grassroots level - have noticed in recent years: The price of a car is often the first thing we hear about, rather than any of its unique or interesting features. It does start to feel like the culture of extravagance and luxury is taking away from the cars themselves, and as mentioned in Victoria's article, may be driven by the narcissism of social media promoting wealth above all else.

There's nothing wrong with a little bit of borderline-unobtainable ogling. It's hard not to love a 1 of 1 Pagani, or the allure of a brand new Rolls Royce, but the price tag shouldn't be what makes it so interesting. There are so many cooler things about these vehicles than how many dollars they will set you back.

TOXIC COMPETITIVENESS

While healthy competition can be motivating, some enthusiasts take it too far, turning events and online discussions into judgmental or hostile environments. We understand that some people build cars entirely for shows and trophies, and there is some benefit to bringing home the hardware for sponsors, but getting vocally mad about not winning a trophy is insane behavior.

This goes for motorsports events as well, especially at the grassroots level. Try to keep a level head, do your best, and congratulate whoever wins. There's no need to harbor resentment.

OVERLY LOUD EXHAUSTS

Let me preface this by saying I love the sound of a good exhaust. I also love the sound of a good racecar, and I believe there is such thing as a "racecar for the road" that can be driven on the street to and from the tracks. It bears repeating that LOUDER does not equal BETTER when it comes to exhaust sounds. This is something we've talked about in the past, including in our "5 Mods to Avoid" video.

Sometimes a straight pipe isn't the best sound. We understand everyone wants their exhaust to be heard, but do it right. There is nothing wrong with some resonators or mufflers to get an awesome exhaust tone without being the loudest car in a 500 mile radius. If you're constantly making excessive noise in your neighborhood, or annoying locals everywhere you go, you're turning public perception against modified cars, and that's already a rocky relationship.

TAKEOVERS

This goes without saying, but takeovers (AKA sideshows or whatever these dorks call them) suck. And if you're some perpetual teenager reading this and seething about the fact someone in the industry would dare say that takeovers suck, you also suck. In addition to being a little dangerous, these intersection sideshows have been the single biggest cause of public perception turning against the car community in recent decades. The people doing this mostly aren't even into cars - they're into attention, and it just so happens that cars bring them that attention right now.

There are skid pad days where you can get the need to do unskilled burnouts out of your system. If you really want to slide, or learn to drift (stop calling takeovers drifting), there are events for that too. Talk to your local drifting community and they'll be more than happy to keep your low credit score activities out of major intersections.

I think if we can collectively avoid the behaviors above, I think we can gradually improve our local car communities, even if it's in small steps. Leading by example, giving the uninitiated public a better idea of what car enthusiasts can be, and keeping the drama to a minimum can go a long way in public perception of car culture, which in turn makes things easier for us. Venues will be more accomodating, laws will be less intrusive and overreaching, and the industry will thrive, producing more awesome aftermarket products and content for us to enjoy. A little effort goes a long way.

K-ways: Las Vegas' JDM Themed Lounge

2024-07-29T18:45:01+00:00

Nestled a few block northwest of the Las Vegas strip, there is a hookah lounge that has become a household name among car enthusiasts in its short lifespan of just a year. Started by two friends who met in 2021 through the Las Vegas car scene with a shared love for everything JDM, K-ways Hookah Lounge (it's official name, if you ask Google Maps), or K-ways for short, has become a defacto hub for car meets, cruise launches and destination, and meet ups for friends of enthusiasts in the region.

The ambiance at K-Ways is a stunning blend of neon-lit streets of Hong-Kong and the gritty charm of Japanese garages. This fusion is no accident. Both co-founders, Jenny (@strawberryata) and Ka-Wai (@kawaigram), have roots in Hong Kong and wanted to bring a piece of their childhood home to Las Vegas. Their shared passion for JDM cars also shines through, making the lounge a tribute to the vibrant Japanese street culture they admire. The neon sign in the front window is enough to entice passers-by, but a step inside reveals the true JDM theme they've adopted for the lounge. Option magazine pages decorate the walls. Bucket seats, sets of wheels, and more are displayed up high in every corner. Iconic Japanese brand flags adorn the upper edge of the shelves. There are TV screens visible from any angle in the lounge constantly showing some form of automotive video - most popularly, old drifting videos.

The story of K-ways Lounge began in 2021 when Jenny and Ka-Wai crossed paths at a local car meet. Both driven by a passion for the automotive world and a shared vision, they dreamed of establishing a lounge that would encapsulate the essence of Hong Kong street aesthetics and Japanese garages. The result is what we have now - a vibrant haven in Las Vegas’ Chinatown that offers a slice of Tokyo’s underground vibe.

K-ways Lounge is not just another nightlife spot. It’s a celebration of car culture, a gathering place for enthusiasts, night owls, and anyone seeking a unique social experience. As Jenny and Ka-Wai proudly state, it’s the only lounge in Las Vegas where you can enjoy both hookah and soju, paired with a perfected menu of Japanese-inspired comfort foods like curry, sukiyaki, pan-fried gyoza, and gyudon bowls.

Jenny reminisces about the inspiration drawn from movies like "Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift," which fueled their childhood dreams of creating a space where car enthusiasts could immerse themselves. "As kids and watching a movie like Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift, growing up we always imagined creating a place for car enthusiasts/ friends to hang out at and feel immersed in their environment," she tells us. Ka-Wai’s experience building cars, including an S13, S14, Civic EK, and a widebody Genesis, alongside Jenny’s prized NA Miata and Rx7 FC, laid the foundation for the lounge’s authentic vibe.

But bringing K-ways to life was no easy feat. With no existing blueprint for a JDM-themed car lounge in the US, Jenny and Ka-Wai faced numerous challenges. They operated within a strict budget, personally handling most of the construction and design work. Ka-Wai drew the floor plan, and together they meticulously crafted the interior we mentioned before, including the magazine pages, flags, and parts on display.

The journey from concept to grand opening in September 2023 was a two-year marathon of hard work and dedication. Today, K-ways Lounge continues to evolve, constantly innovating with new drinks, food, and events while staying true to its original inspiration. Jenny and Ka-Wai’s story is a testament to the power of passion and dedication. K-ways Lounge stands as proof that with a deep appreciation for car culture and relentless pursuit of a dream, a vision can transform into reality.

For more information on K-ways, you can visit their website at KwaysCarLounge.info, or follow them on Instargam @kwayscarlounge.

A Brief History of Car Modification: From The 1920s to Today

2024-07-08T20:16:57+00:00

Modifying a car has always been about more than just altering a vehicle’s appearance or performance. It's part cultural movement, part statement of individuality, and part of an ongoing relationship between enthusiasts and the machines they've been drawn to for any number of reasons. The history of car modifications is rich and varied, reflecting technological advancements, tastes that changed with the times, and the unyielding human desire to improve what we have. We wanted to break down the eras of modification that brought us to the place we are at now, starting from the very beginning.

The Birth of Hot Rodding

The first known roots of car modification can be traced back to the early 20th century. In the 1920s and 1930s, young American enthusiasts began stripping down their Model T Fords to make them lighter and faster. These early "hot rodders" were driven by a desire for speed, and an inquisitive passion for mechanical ingenuity - that, or they were good old fashioned bootleggers of the prohibition era looking to evade the long arm of the law with faster acceleration, higher top speeds, and better handling. They often scavenged parts from junkyards, giving birth to a do-it-yourself tinkerer's ethos that still permeates car culture today. We owe a lot to the ingenuity of yesterday's outlaws.

The Salt Flats

The first organized hot rod event at Bonneville was held in 1938, marking the beginning of a long-standing tradition that continues to this day. During this era, the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah became a hotspot for speed enthusiasts. The flat, expansive terrain was perfect for testing the limits of modified vehicles when the streets weren't considered a safe testing ground for new and improved top speeds - and stability at those speeds. The race was on to be "the fastest" on the flats. Back then, no one could imagine the speeds that would be reocrded on those salt flats today.

The Post-War Boom

The post-World War II era marked a significant turning point in the extent of available car modifications. Soldiers returning from the war effort came back home with newfound mechanical skills and a penchant for innovation. The advent of hot rod magazines in the late 1940s turned local garage projects into national phenomena. Word was starting to get around, and a once niche sect of American culture began to reach the mainstream. Enthusiasts began to form clubs and organizations, creating a sense of community and shared identity that transcended regional boundaries. NASCAR was off and running in stock cars before the 1950s came around. The explosion of car culture at this time also led to the creation of the NHRA in 1951, as these new enthusiasts demanded new ways to prove their mettle (and metal) in competition with other builders. Motorsport was up and running across America.

The 1950s and 1960s saw the rise of custom car culture, with icons like Ed “Big Daddy” Roth and George Barris leading the charge into what would turn into the car scene we know and love today. These pioneers transformed cars into rolling works of art, experimenting with radical body modifications, wild paint jobs, and engine transplants. Custom car shows like the Grand National Roadster Show and the Detroit Autorama became major events, showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of builders from across the country. These shows not only highlighted individual builds for attendees in awe, but also set trends and inspired future projects for builders and would-be fabricators. Mexican-American youth in the California area began building lowriders - the antitheses to the popular fast builds in America at the time. These style icons were made to go low and slow.

Across the pond, the post-war Europeans were modifying their vehicles to compete in rally and touring car events. BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and even Fiat became popular platforms for would-be enthusiasts, as powerful engines and nimble handling were in high demand by this time. The British Touring Car Championship was launched in 1958, making it one of the oldest motorsports championships in the world.

In Japan, the nation was finally recovering from the devetation of World War II, and car ownership became incresingly accessible, marking the beginning of Japan's love affair with cars. Evidently inspired by the influence of American hot rod culture, enthusiasts in Japan began enhancing their vehicles' performance and style as they saw fit, developing their own unnique style. It wouldn't be long before Japanese enthusiasts invented drifting as we know it today.

The 1960s-1970s & The Snowball Effect

The late 1960s and early 1970s heralded the muscle car era, a time when American manufacturers themselves embraced the ethos of performance and power that was influenced by the hot rodders and early builders before the OEMs got in on the fun. Cars like the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, and Pontiac GTO came straight from the factory with high-performance engines and aggressive styling. Even with power and performance on tap at the turn of a key from the showroom, this didn’t dampen the modification culture; instead, it fueled it. Enthusiasts pushed the boundaries of these machines, seeking to extract every ounce of horsepower available, and fine-tune their handling capabilities.

In Europe, the '60s ushered in something completely different: The era of the Mini. The Mini's compact nature and relatively simple mechanics inspired a shockwave of modification throughout Europe. During this time, the racing pedigree of Minis was firmly established, with nearly uncountable wins and acolades in motorsport. The simplest amount of modification for extra power or better handling proved to pay off in spades when it came to smaller cars. Touring Car Racing also experienced exponential growth, as the influence of American racing culture and motorsport combined with the allure of European racing to reach critical mass. This led to DIY enthusiasts taking inspiration from the racecars of the time and implementing similar modifications at home. Lower suspension, racing wheels, and of course, lots of stickers.

While the Americans and the Europeans were focused on going as fast as possible by making as much horsepower as they could, some Japanese enthusiasts had discovered something they considered far more entertaining: Drifting. While its origins can be debated (Ferrari driver, Tazio Nuvolari being credited as the inventor of the 4-wheel drift, or Stirling Moss steering with the accelerator pedal through corners, for example), it was Famous motorcyclist turned driver Kunimitsu Takahashi who is said to have pioneered many of the drifting techniques we know and love today.

An awesome example of modern Kaido Racer style courtesy of @moonlightrunners

This era in Japan also gave rise to the Bosozoku - roving gangs of street bike hooligans, who soon found themselves styling cars the same way they did their customized bikes. Giant exhaust pipes, wild and wide body kits which included long front splitters, insane paint jobs akin to American low-riders, and loud exhausts are hallmarks of the seemingly lawless Kaido Racer - a term coined by Japanese car magazine, Holiday Auto, nearly a full decade later. Modifications in this style were usually less about performance, and more about making a bold visual statement. While it represented a relatively niche subsect of autmotive culture, Kaido Racers and similar builds of the era still influence the automotive world today. The term "Shakotan" literally translates to "low car," generally referring to slammed cars with low-offet wheels and stretched tires. This movement birthed many automotive styles of today.

The wild and extreme was a constant theme across the world in the '70s when it came to modifying vehicles. Visions of porthole windows, shag carpets, and incredible flake-filled airbrushed paint jobs on big panels come to mind when we think of the custom van culture that emerged around this time. The wide availability of cars with powerful V8s also had American enthusiasts cramming big V8 engines into anything it would fit into. The ability to "tune" a carburetor became more widespread, and DIY modification became more mainstream, at least within the enthusiast niche. For the next couple decades, altering air intake volume and air/fuel ratios would be the only way to reliably add gobs of power to an engine.

The aftermarket industry experienced significant growth during this period. Companies specializing in performance parts, accessories, and all-in-one kits emerged, making it easier for car enthusiasts to modify their vehicles. Aftermarket upgrades for parts like carburetors, exhaust systems, camshafts, and suspension components were now readily available, offering a wide range of performance enhancements for any DIY builders or shops that chose to specialize in upgrading customer vehicles. SEMA began in 1967, and would grow continuously from this point onward.

The boom of available modifications and vehicle platforms led to an explosive growth in car culture as a whole during this time. The appearance of car shows and competitions increased with rapid frequency, and the demand for more and more motorsports events was uncontainable. Countless subsects of car culture emerged from this era, from dedicated dragsters on the street, big-wheel box Chevy "Donks" of the American south, wacky and wild custom built hot rods, and so much more. Low-riders, which began showing up earlier in the '40s and '50s, took a leap in quality, style, and presence in the automotive scene. An unstoppable force had been unleashed on the world, and this genie was never going back in the bottle.

1980s-1990s: Enter The Import Tuners

The 1980s and 1990s introduced a new dimension to car modifications with the rise of the import scene. Japanese cars like the Hondas, Toyotas, and Nissans became harbringers of the iconic platforms of choice for a new generation of enthusiasts across the world. Civics, Supras, Celicas, Skylines, 240sx, and more took hold of enthusiasts who could look past their small exteriors - especially those who already knew how the Minis of Europe performed with some slight modification. The import tuning scene was characterized by a focus on balance and precision, often emphasizing suspension upgrades, turbocharging, and aesthetic modifications inspired by motorsport.

JDM fever was in full effect by the mid-90s, with drifting starting to catch on in the Western world. By then, Japanese automakers were releasing vehicles so ahead of the curve that they still hold up as potent vehicles today, even in their factory forms - granted, you'll be hard pressed to find any that haven't been modified in some way. At this time, drifting was in full swing (no pun intended) around Japan, be it at the raceways or on mountain roads in the middle of the night, and the circuit racing scene in Japan was booming. The Japense aftermarket grew exponentially over this time period, cementing brands we know and love today as figureheads of performance and style.

Video games, movies, and magazines all took notice of the potent possibilities of the Japanese compact sports cars, dubbed "import tuners" or "tuner cars" by many. Movies like The Fast and the Furious brought mainstream attention to the import scene in the early 2000s, showcasing the blend of style and performance that defined this era. The impact was global, and the flood gates were officially open, with car culture crossing borders and influencing enthusiasts around the world. Amid international influence, modifications became borderline ridiculous, giving birth to some of the most wild and wacky body kits the world had ever seen, with car audio playing a huge role in shaping modifications.

Around this same time, European's were witnessing the rise of the German tuning scene, with companies like Brabus, AMG, AC Schnitzer and more pushing the envelope on the blend of performance and luxury. The compact VW Golf also became a prime choice for enthusiasts influenced by the rise of modifying compact cars in the wake of import tuner culture's widespread influence. Around this time, European "boy racer" culture also emerged, with young enthusiasts causing mayhem on their local streets in slammed and modified versions of locally available and affordable cars like the Ford Focus or Vauxhalls.

Garrett launched turbocharging for motorsport application into the stratosphere when they released their first ever ball-bearing turbo in 1993, and subsequently showed off its prowess at Le Mans 24 Hours. Turbocharging small engines became all the rage by the late '90s, when high-flowing aftermarket fuel injection became more readily available. Gone were the days of relying on turning up fuel pressure alone - now enthusiasts could really turn up the jam with added fuel and air. Those who were smart about it also got busy with ECU chips, reflashes, and even piggyback control systems. Anything to stop the factory ECU from lighting up the dashboard and throwing a fit before sending a car into limp mode.

The Digital Age

As we moved into the 21st century, the digital revolution began to influence how cars were built, which consequently influenced car modifications. Advanced tuning software, much more complex ECUs that needed to be jailbroken or unlocked, and electronically controlled drivetrains changed the game. Luckily for would-be DIY tuners, a wealth of online resources made it easier than ever for enthusiasts to optimize their vehicles with some technical know-how. The ability to unlock the full tuning potential of a factory engine by accessing its ECU for a re-map introduced some serious horsepower wars when the automotive aftermarket caught up. While four-digit horsepower was once a pipedream for most street cars, it's nearly become a baseline for what some enthusiasts consider "fast" for any car.

The rise of social media has also transformed the scene as we know it, allowing enthusiasts to share their builds, exchange knowledge, and draw inspiration from a global community faster than ever before. No longer limited by whichever magazines and TV shows were locally available, the flood gates around the world have been opened to endless possibilities and access to aftermarket upgrades. Excessive camber and bolt-on widebody kits with exposed hardware and big wheels had a prolonged moment in the spotlight due to the attention they garnered, for better or for worse. The importance placed on aftermarket wheels is higher than ever, and the conversation about replica parts occurs with increasing frequency.

What's Next?

Eco-friendly modifications and electric vehicle tuning are emerging trends today, reflecting a broader societal shifts towards sustainability. Enthusiasts are now exploring ways to enhance the performance and aesthetics of electric cars, ensuring that the spirit of tinkering and modification adapts to the evolving automotive landscape. As the tuning of EVs and hybrid-electric vehicles expands, we hope to see the same spirit of hot rodding take hold in any new subsect of car culture that it births.

The history of car modifications as we know them is a testament to human creativity, ingenuity, and our enduring passion for cars. From the early hot rodders of the 1920s to the digital tuners of today, each generation has left its own unique mark on the culture as a whole. As technology and tastes continue to evolve, so too will the ways in which we modify our cars, ensuring that this rich and vibrant tradition remains an integral part of the automotive world. Wherever we go from here, we're guaranteed to push the boundaries of what is posssible. We'll do our part to keep the hot rodder spirit alive.