It was then onto the body and paint. This phase was of course, vital. As the proud owner of his own paint & body shop, Devin knew he needed to give 110%.
East Coast Cruise has long been the annual pilgrimage for die-hard Aussie mini-truckers. This year marked the 17th ECC, and the 4th at the current venue, The Compound in Jindabyne, NSW. The show has grown from humble beginnings into what is now a three-day and three-night event with Negative Camber members driving the show.
Jesse’s Mazda is set apart by its genuinely custom, one-off body mods. The kind that made the Minitruckin scene unique in the first place.
The 1964 Chevy Impala SS Ragtop is the quintessential Cali car. In fact, we challenge anyone to think of a better ride to represent the Best Coast. It’s big, beautiful, and cool as they come. But iconic as the ’64 SS may be, it’s rare. It’s really rare, especially in the numbers matching 409 form. So when TeamSlamd got the chance to team up with RideTech and FLO Airride to put one on the pavement, we practically began salivating. This particular example is truly special. It features its all-original silver paint-job over the black-leather interior, model-specific machine turned aluminum trim, original black canvas rag-top, and authentic 14-inch Dayton spokes wheels. The car has been modestly modified with a quality sound system featuring JL amps and subs. The original 409ci motor is preserved and enhanced with a Billet Specialties TruTrac front runner kit. The car may have been impeccable in its static condition,…Continue Reading
Modifying a less-common platform is always a challenge. A few more cuts than most would be comfortable with are required. When Rob stepped up to the plate of his 2001 7-series, he knew what he had gotten himself into. The ’01 740iL marks the very last year of the E38 generation. Rob’s love for the platform was sparked by inspiration. Ever since Jeremy Whittle of StanceWorks had debuted his 740, Rob knew he had to try his hand at one. It motivates me to do stuff that isn’t common. Sure it’s been done before, but it’s not just another bagged Mk4 VW on Rotiforms. *shots fired* Rob’s enthusiasm for the custom life came about in high school. It was helped along by Rob’s uncle, the only other “Car Guy” in his family. Immediately, Rob’s tastes were turned towards the Euro scene. He began modifying VW’s, each more progressively than the…Continue Reading
For long time scene-members and builders, one constant challenge of this lifestyle can be the lack of a functioning daily-driver. Builds take time, money, and passion yet getting to work on Monday often requires its own set of wheels. The chance to daily something equal parts badass and comfortable is one that most enthusiasts would leap at. This was the primary motivation for Tammy and JD Zajicek. The Calgary natives took advantage of the opportunity while they both continued their long-term builds. While Tammy’s 1990 body-dropped blazer was in process, JD had a chance to be featured with his ’79 Chevy Luv. Putting the Blazer on temporary hold meant Tammy was in need of a new daily driver. And it’s about damn time that she had something cool to drive again! JD has just two weeks to plan and execute Tammy’s daily build. They purchased the 2012 Cadillac CTS and…Continue Reading
Taking risks is never easy and it’s rarely simple. An endless dance takes place in which a balance of risk and reward must be struck. For TMI Interior Products, few events have presented risk like SEMA. However, the badass interior/restoration brand knew that in order to continue to innovate in the interior restoration industry, that they must adapt and grow. The classic truck market was one that had been steadily expanding, yet TMI had yet to make its mark. Larry Ashley, marketing Director for TMI, saw the opportunity to enter a new corner of the market and he refused to just tip toe into the shallow water. Larry tacked down the perfect candidate to show TMI’s aptitude in the classic truck genre and jumped straight into the deep end. He found a 1973 Chevy C10, already the project of a longtime industry friend. The truck’s transformation to a Slam’d masterpiece…Continue Reading
On the outskirts of the Automotive Industry’s hometown of Detroit Michigan is a 1972 Chevy Corvette that seems to have it all. Style, quality, and of course, stance. Southgate native, Steve Grybel has spent the last seven years building his “LoVette.” But in reality, Steve has spent his entire life with the car. Steve’s father purchased the 1972 brand new in 73’. He continued to drive it until the wheels threatened to fall right off in 1994. At that point, Steve’s lifelong love affair with customs was relatively matured. He had always planned to rebuild the sports classic for him and his father to enjoy. He has now spent the better part of this decade doing so.
Photos: Anthony Tyler Ross
Long since gone are the days of gigantic steel cars. Modern technology allows for engineers to manufacture lighter, cheaper materials at a rapid pace. But modern technology can never account for soul. Without fancy CNC assembly lines and rigid rigid aluminum tooling, auto manufacturers once relied on style to sell their vehicles to the masses, paired with a mindset that attaches pride to hand-made excellence. It is likely that the elegance of mid-century auto-making will never be seen again. This is why builds like Tony Leal’s 1964 Ragtop Continental are vital to the soul of the custom automotive industry. When passion, quality, and determination meet, the result is brilliant. Tony’s ’64 is a bespoke project, combining the very best of custom-made and aftermarket support. Words: Michael Phillips | Photos: David Moore Starting with the Lincoln’s chassis, it begins with a from-the-factory unibody construction. The Continentals were underpinned by an extended…Continue Reading
Kyle “Frankie” Osborn’s fascination with customs began way back in the fourth grade. His interest was peaked after flipping through a classic issue if Truckin’ mag that his father had. For Frankie, it was love at first sight. Immediately he became fascinated with minitrucks. His interests grew and expanded to include classics and customs along the way. More than a decade later, Frankie’s 1994 Toyota Pickup, “Straight to Hell”, was featured on Mini Truckin’s cover. Frankie’s broad repertoire of customs and builds has included classic VWs, several minitrucks, and a handful of motorcycles, among others. In 2010, Frankie sold his 1965 Cadillac dubbed “Bloody Mary” and his original plan for a replacement was a 1950 Mercury, commonly referred to as the ultimate lead sled. Unable to find a sled in decent condition for the right price, Frankie shifted his focus. The 1951 Ford Shoebox caught his attention and he found…Continue Reading