Honda Tuning- April 2012

You may remember this car I shot last summer. The owner sent the photos to Honda Tuning who were interested in featuring the car. Since the editor (Rodrez) recognized my watermark, he contacted me to shoot the car again for print. Be sure to check out this car in the latest issue of Honda Tuning Magazine. Congrats to the owner Zack for not only getting a feature, but also making the cover! Click here for a preview of the actual cover. Below are some bonus shots:

Gallery (click for high res):

Wekfest San Francisco 2012- (Part 6 of 6)

So here goes the final part of our Wekfest Coverage. With over 24+ gigs of just photos (yeah, I shoot in RAW), here are some stragglers I thought were unique.

Mike and I visited Impact Performance in the San Francisco Area the day before Wekfest. Here’s a quick shot of the outside of the shop.

Inside the shop we found the world’s slowest Evo known to man.

… and the world’s dirtiest Mr2.

OK, now this is one serious Supra.

Here’s a shot of Mike I posted a few weeks ago on my Flickr account. I’m still kinda disturbed that several of my Flickr buddies fav’d this shot. Be afraid Mike… be afraid….

Here’s a nice Datsun 510 we spotted rolling into Wekfest.

While we’re on the Nissan tip, here’s a shot I took of this ultra dope z32. If you like this car, you may want to check out Brad’s shoot he did for Canibeat.

A few of us noticed a second level @ building one. Of course this section was not sanctioned, but who would have known?

Mugen M7’s…. accept no substitutes.

I have no idea who this guy is, but I like the DOF and “artsy” feel of this shot.

This S14 had matching shoes to go with it. Luckily the owner is a female.

While at the Fatlace Paddock we got a nice look at some of the project cars in storage. Gotta love Mark Arcenal’s s14. I didn’t crop this shot so you all can see the cool studio they built.

Who could forget one of the nicest EK’s at Wekfest? Here’s another shot from the illegal angle.

Skyline overload @ the Fatlace Paddock.

Really nice Corolla Wagon on Equip 01’s outside of the Fatlace Paddock.

That’s it for our Wekfest coverage! Thanks all for checking us out, and special thanks to the newbies who have just recently discovered JDMC! Word.

LFA- Caught in the Wild

In theory, the Lexus LFA was one of the most exciting vehicles released by Toyota since the MKIV Supra. After several concept models were leaked, the final production model was displayed at the Tokyo Auto Show in 2009. What was shocking to many was the hefty price tag of $375k and the limited production of 500 units for the first year.

Nonetheless, the car became an instant hit and pre-sold to ballers across the world. Of course the regular consumer criticized the excessive cost. I mean @ 375k, we’re talking about placing it in the same price point as other well established exotic/luxury/supercar brands. However, Toyota spared no costs. Regardless of the name, the build and materials are superb. Overall, 65% of the vehicle’s total body mass is carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) material while the remaining 35% is aluminum. I always looked at the LFA as a car that someone would purchase who already had everything. It would be hard to imagine that this car would be someone’s first exotic or dream car.

You can’t really tell from this shot, but what is covered up is a ridiculously capable 4.8-liter V10 engine equipped with dual VVT-i carrying the 1LR-GUE designation with a maximum output of 412 kW (560 PS) delivered at 8,700 rpm. Its maximum torque output of 480 N·m (354 lb·ft) arrives at 6,800 rpm. The gearbox itself is a six-speed Automated Sequential Gearbox, much to the chagrin of the traditionalists.

Thanks to JDMC contributor Jeremy Cliff for stumbling upon this LFA in the wild. These pics were taken at the Autobarn Country Club, Joliet IL.

Honda Overload

Click here to discuss this feature on the forums!

The NSX community is a small and close-knit group. I’ve known Rick for several years as we have shared multiple PM’s and what not over at nsxprime.com. His NSX is not only one of the most desired color combo’s, but it’s one of only a handful made in 2004 (the last year of the NSX was in 2005). Long before Rick purchased his NSX, he’s been a legit Honda head, owning multiple S2000’s. Similar to his NSX; Rick’s S2k has that “money” color combo. It’s safe to say that both cars have been personalized, but Rick has decided to keep the NSX fairly stock due to the rarity of the car.

When I arrived in San Jose to shoot both cars, I had to deal with every photographers nightmare- very harsh sun and no way to control it. I’m not too thrilled with the results of the pics, but here are some shots I salvaged from the shoot.

Please click on the photos for a higher res version.

Let’s start out with a pic of Rick’s 2004 Grand Prix White NSX. The first thing you notice is the BBS LM wheels. Although this is a fairly popular wheel, Rick had to search far and wide to get the perfect double stagger 18/19 setup you see here. Also pictured is the NSX-R Spoiler, GT 5.1 Exhaust (perhaps the best sounding exhaust for the NSX), and the newly released Difflow Rear Diffuser. It’s safe to say the clean and simple look is a clean winner here.

Now at first, the s2k looks fairly stock. However, it’s been extensively modded compared to the NSX. The car has a CR retro-fit which Rick decided to do because he wanted to retain the soft top of the S2000, but go with that CR “look.” The wheels are actually from an NSX which seem to fit amazing well her with some TEIN Flex coliovers.

You probably didn’t see this coming. Complete Science of Speed Supercharger system with high boost pulleys and Hondata Flashpro (410 rwhp). Not bad, not bad at all.

BBS LM’s, a classic and probably in my top 5 best looking wheels for the NSX.

Another shot of the NSX. Sorry for the bad shadows, this is one of the main reasons I wasn’t too happy with this shoot. Notice the red Bride Seats. You’ll notice the driver side is fitted with Bride Low Max Kevar seats. The passenger side’s seat is actually different. Rick decided to go with a more comfortable Bride EURO II. Now that’s what I call thoughtful. I’m sure his wife sure appreciates this!

Speaking of seats, I really like the yellow stitching and reupholster Rick had completed to his Recaro Pole Positions. Just when you thought the seats couldn’t get any better, they have also been outfitted with BMW 7-series seat heaters.

One last shot of the rear. Thanks for checking out this feature. See below for more pics:

Gallery (click for high res):

Wekfest Video by Unscene Media

The long anticipated Wekfest Video is finally done. I have been getting a ton of messages after the teaser was released, but glad to finally show the final product. Another fine product by Mike from Unscene Media.

JDM Chicago Presents: Wekfest SF 2012 from Unscene Media on Vimeo.