Goodguys May Gazette Cover

A publication schedule never changes. Month after month, covers, features, and event coverages are designed and stitched together to what customers can appreciate as the Goodguys Goodtimes Gazette. While others can enjoy the downtime in the off season, the Gazette never stops.

Goodguys Gazette

Celsiors from JOB Design Japan

Despite the recent natural disasters in Japan, JO and his JOB Design team just finished 2 more Celsior30 for customers. I cannot imagine the difficulties Japan is dealing with to restore and rebuild, but it is good to know that the Japanese people are supportive of one another and calm with positive attitudes.

JOB Design Japan

GM Design Best Truck @ SEMA 2011

This incredible ’68 Chevy pickup belongs to Mitch Henderson. It features filled drip rails, shaved doors, Baer brakes, Bonspeed wheels, and hours of custom work smoothing the under hood area around the 327. Fresh.

PPE Engineering & Project43

VIP cars are commonly known for their low and slow mentality. Traditions go back to Mercedes influences with their AMG themed cars. That's all gravy, but I still enjoy a good rumble. Perhaps it is the "hot rod" blood in me calling for straight pipes or a blower. Nonetheless, I have found a company that actually makes headers for the Toyota UZ series motor. PPE Engineering

For those that are stumbling upon the site for the first time, my project car is my daily car. Adding mods can be difficult at times, b/c my Celsior30 is my way to and from work. Adding an intake and exhaust was simple; it did not require the car to be out of commission. Headers on the other hand, is an entirely different ballgame.

PPE Engineering is a sponsor on Clublexus.com offering headers to members for many makes and models. Paul was the contact over at PPE and he was truly a professional to deal with. I had made a request to have the headers made and shipped within 1.5 weeks and Paul delivered right-on-time. The plan is to get the headers installed and dyno tested before headed out to WORD-UP on Saturday. (Install post to follow..)

Back to the actual product. I am quite impressed with the quality and design from PPE. The welds look strong and the CNC header plate is thick and flat. What kind of power can I expect?.. According to PPE, on a completely stock LS430 just with the headers installed they were able to extract a peak of 24whp on the dyno. Torque also jumped up significantly.

Check out the pics:

 

 
PPE Engineering

Lexus LS430 shot by PhotoShootMyCar

Seems like today, everyone can buy an entry level SLR camera and call themselves a "Photographer".. but in reality, a small percentage actually have any knowledge about their equipment. Then within that small percentage, only 1/5 of those select few actually understand lighting. Personally, I'm a total point-and-shoot person, but I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by talented photographers, Jeff, Ken, Tony, to show me their skills. You guys capture what the eye cannot see.

Which leads me to this fine photograph by none other than Jeff @ PhotoshootMyCar.com. During our Lexus LFA Experience at Infineon Raceway, we found an empty pits garage where Lexus only occupied 3 bays with storing the 0-60 GS450h race car, Five AD built GS350 demo car and extra wheels and brakes for the LFA cars. It was in the later afternoon when we decided to pull the LS into the garage and start the photoshoot. Grassroots.. no flash, no tricks, just capture the car in its' environment.

Jeff and his assistant Arlin did an incredible job. This is just a teaser to what's to come. Look for a full feature on DriveCulture.com very soon.

Scott Pruett & Lexus LFA @ Infinion Raceway

Here is the same run from the below video of the Lexus LFA dancing in front of the TOYOTA wall @ Infineon Raceway. Thanks to Lexus Marketing, Jim, Ryan and all that were able to witness such a historic event with Scott Pruett.

LEXUS

Video by Ryan T.

Lexus LFA Dancing @ Infinion Raceway 2/27/11

Lexus LFA Burnout from Ryan Trinidad on Vimeo.


Lexus Marketing invited a very select few to enjoy a day at Infineon Raceway to experience the Lexus LFA supercar with non other than their all time winning Gran-AM driver, Scott Pruett as our instructor and co-pilot of the day.

Here you see Scott sliding the incredibly "Smart" LFA around turn 11 by the red Toyota wall. What you don't see is the difficulty and technical ability of Scott to actually dance this incredible car. Why?.. the LFA has the most precise computers calculating all aspects of the vehicle at every mili-second. As soon as the car begins to slide, the ECU will actually allow a bit of a drift before transitioning every so smoothly back to a grip mode. Unlike standard traction that retards timing and instantly robs horsepower, the LFA glides so sweetly saving the driver from any misshapes. Incredible.

This footage was shot by our good friend, Ryan T. from Speed Element.

The Lexus LFA Experience Part 1

Saturday afternoon, I get a phone call from a very close friend from Socal. He asks if I am free to come meet him at the Fairmont Hotel in SF. For those that are not aware, I live 1 hr plus east from SF and not to mention 2 kids and a family. Nonetheless, I managed to pull strings with the wife and off I go to the city. What awaited there caught me by total surprise.

Crossing the Bay Bridge on a Saturday evening into the city, the traffic was surprising good.


A yellow Lexus LFA sat in the front of the hotel while a crowd stood and took pictures. My good friend is Ryan, who is our connection to Lexus Corporate. Ryan flew up to SF with one of the Marketing gurus at Lexus Corporate, Jim. Along with the group, I met Tom from Seattle co-founder of Open Interface North America Inc., Moto the president from Club4AG, Guy and Lang from VIP Auto Salon, Jeff from Drive Culture and a few of Jim's friends.

After the first class meal at the Fairmont Hotel, we decided to cruise the streets of SF and headed towards Embarcadero. The Lexus LFA made an impression on everyone that happened to be walking around that night. People pointed and took pictures, as the perfectly tuned exhaust note screams to a incredible 9,400 rpm redline.

The night was perfect with clear skies. The yellow LFA lead the 2 white LS430s and a white Prius throughout the city. Ryan was pleasantly revving the 4.8 liter V10 motor for all of SF to enjoy.

While shooting on Embarcadero street, a super nice security guard allowed us to drive the LFA onto the sidewalk for better photos. The guy later suggested an even more private location. He let us into a gated parking lot that stretched even closer to the Bay Bridge and onto the water.

While driving into this locked parking lot, a modded Mazda Protege tried to follow us in, but was quickly asked to turn around by our good friend, the night watchmen. Those kids gave thumbs-up and I'm sure they updated their Facebook right away.

I'm never a fan of yellow color, but to be perfectly honest, the LFA looks tough in yellow. Perhaps it was the gunmetal wheels or the 15" inch carbon ceramic brakes, but I was smiles from ear to ear.

More to come.

Hawaii StyleWagon Accord

Probably one of the best attempts at Japan StyleWagon ever from the US.
Nice job, Lance !!!


Lance's Accord Wagon from dresearch on Vimeo.

Mercedes-Benz Special Edition B-Class for Pink Ribbon

Incredible.

Goodguys Yearbook Cover Contest Winner

The winner goes to John Jackson and his killer photo of this '67 Mustang built by Joe Brown of Hot Rod Joes. John has been a contract photographer for Goodguys and has contributed the Columbus Gazette cover and many Gazette and PPG feature picks throughout the year. Congrats John!!! We look forward to doing more with John in the 2011 season.

Pink is the new Black

This years Tokyo Auto Salon had one very popular and loud color.. PINK. That's right.. not the washed out pastel pink.. more closer to a magenta hue. All with a matching pink accented interior trims. Personally, I think it's great that VIP owners continue to push the limits and try ideas out of the box. Right or wrong is not important to Japan, rather exploring new grounds is what drives their scene.

This Celsior30 rocks a subtle aero kit with black roof and trim. Looks like the new trend is no more chrome trim or polish.

Muteki Garbage

This was the damage after using the Muteki Lug Nuts for less than a month. On the second time taking the lugs off.. the key split.

No air tools, all standard hand tools inside my home garage. Stay away..

Muteki = GARBAGE

Stanced '32 Hi-Boy – Moal Coachbuilders

Here at Goodguys, I'm lucky enough to see many '32 Fords built a million different ways. From traditional, to nostalgic, and then complete 1-off projects. Below is my favorite '32 ever. It's built by none-other than Michael Moal of MOAL Coachbuilders here in Oakland. If you are not familiar with the MOAL name, Google it. These guys build high profile cars for celebrities and are also the choice for all Ferrari restorations.

So, what makes this '32 incredible?.. The stance. This hi-boy is completely functional with the latest of today's modern equipment. Motor was built by the Walsh family (known for building Bonneville salt flat speedsters). You can see this 1-off at local Goodguys events throughout the year.

Simply Incredible.

NEW JOB Design Ad - UCF30

Starwars and VW collab

Hands-down, the best Volkswagon commercial ever !!!

TAS 2011 Rotrex Supercharged LS460

Toyko Auto Salon is full of 1-off builds. This year there was 3 Lexus LS460's all supercharged with a Rotrex unit. This particular LS460 was the most modified out of the 3 complete with Project Mu BBK, Skipper hydraulic suspension, INGS/ Wald aero kit combo and super sexy & expensive BBS LM-R in 21" inches. Notice the custom white marble interior trim.

Power figures are 480ps @ 6,400RPM, 500N/m at 4,100RPM – C38 Rotrex supercharger, Suruga Speed exhaust, and high-flow catalytic converter. RAD!

***BBS LMR in 21" inches retails for $11k US***

Source

JOB Design Aristo - StanceNation

A friend brought this to my attention over the weekend.. a super fresh JOB Design Aristo16 on Stance:Nation. 

"Looks so good, it hurts." I must agree. This Aristo with the bright red leather interior and red dipped wood trim against the dark gunmetal exterior is heavenly. Full JOB Design Hybrid aero kit on the outside including the lip wing on a trunk lid with shaved inner taillights and the famous IS-F style quad style exhaust tips. 

What makes this car even better is the stance and choice of wheels. Not 20s or 19s.. 18" inchers with a steplip. Meaning the face is actually a 17" diameter. How do you tuck 18" inchers front and back?!? This Aristo is literally less than an inch off the ground and thanks to air suspension the clean aero kit can be saved from street curbs and pot holes.

JOB Design

Stance:Nation

 

JOB Design Aristo – All coilovers

JOB Design Hybrid Aristo with updated side mirrors, custom side-vented rear bumper, smoked headlights and rear taillights, black roof top.. all the goodies. If you are familiar to JOB Design demo cars, they are all on UAS air suspension. Not this one. Full coilover on camber control arm replacements !!! (look at last image)

JOB Design