DUB Magazine, Issue 103 by DUB Publishing Inc.

FALL 2017

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MAGAZINE 2017

FALL 2017

DISPLAY UNTIL DECEMBER 25, 2017

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54 68

FEATURES 54 68 88 100 118 128 140 192

ALEX VEGA & THE AUTO FIRM TYRANN MATHIEU BUDDA BAKER POWER PLAYER: WRAPWORKS FAMILY CUSTOMS #VADERCHARGER INFINITI G37XS WIDEBODY SEDAN MAMBA GTR LFTD&LVLD: COMPLETE CUSTOMS X BRANDON CARR CHEVY Z71

88 140

TOYOTIRES.COM/PROXES

ANOTHER GRIPPING PERFORMANCE .

PERFORMANCE FOR ANY VEHICLE. ALL OR NOTHING.

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146 44 DEPARTMENTS 18 20 28 30 44 50 146

INTAKE @DUBMAGAZINE DUB AUTONEWSWIRE FRESH VOLUME THROWBACK ON LOCATION: SEOUL AUTO SHOW, WRAPSCON, DUB SHOW TOUR HOUSTON & ANAHEIM, NITTO AUTO ENTHUSIAST DAY, BATTLEGROUND CHICAGO, THE ULTIMATE QUEEN CITY CAR & BIKE SHOW

D N U O S KE LI E K I L GO

n e v a e

Nothing turns your ride into a racecar experience like a Borla exhaust. Especially when you add our motorsport-inspired carbon-fiber exhaust tips and engine covers, now available for Camaro and other popular vehicles. Visit us at SEMA booth #23243 or borla.com for more details. ÂŽ

VISIT SEMA BOOTH #23243

WWW.BORLA.COM 1-877-GO BORLA

MAGAZINE 2017

EDITOR’S NOTE ISSUE 103

DUB PUBLISHING, INC. LOS ANGELES : WORLDWIDE PUBLISHER Myles Kovacs myles@dubmagazine.com EDITOR/CREATIVE DIRECTOR Haythem Haddad haythem@dubmagazine.com PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR John Ramos | john@dubmagazine.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Rich Calbay rich@dubmagazine.com MANAGER OF FINANCE / TALENT RELATIONS Cynthia Tran-Kovacs cynthia@dubmagazine.com

all means football! And we’ve got a few football players and their rides for you... Tyrann Mathieu, the Arizona Cardinals’ “Honey Badger,” shows off his fleet of impressive rides that include everything from one of the most luxurious rides around to his first college vehicle he’ll never part ways with. Then we’ve got his teammate and NFL rookie sensation Budda Baker’s vehicles that shows off his taste for the old and new. We also have Ravens cornerback Brandon Carr’s ride, which is a lifted Chevy Z71. And to top off our football fix, we’ve dedicated Throwback to some of our favorite NFL players showing off their favorite rides! We’ve also touched base with Miami heavy-hitter Alex Vega of The Auto Firm (whose work is no stranger to this magazine) to talk about his new show on Velocity and his continued success in the automotive makeover game! Color changing your vehicle today is easier than ever thanks to vehicle wraps and it has really taken a foothold in the

customization scene with the endless possibilities of colors and graphics. We got the story behind one of So. Cal’s premier names in the wrap game with a profile on WrapWorks and their Orange County shop. We also have a trio of low and mean looking rides for you to read about. First, there’s Family Customs who really outdid themselves with their low and dark #VaderCharger. It’s obviously Star Warsinspired just by hearing what it’s called, but checking out the details will make you do a double take. Another ride that also has an out of this world inspiration is Drew Evans’ low and wide Infiniti G37XS sedan that sports that’s a modified body kit and the name “Mars.” Then there’s the MAMBA GTR that’s a wickedly low and mean coupe concept that aims to give Lamborghinis and Ferraris a run for their money! It was quite a busy summer for the car show scene and we’ve got plenty of shows from across the country and even Korea for you to peep. We were also invited to check out Pioneer’s Japanese factory to celebrate the launch of their new speaker and subwoofer line, so don’t forget to head over to our Volume section for more info on an amazing trip!

ART DIRECTOR Jonathan Rodrigues jonrod@dubmagazine.com ADVERTISING : (562) 228-1737 Gabe Sanchez | gabe@dubmagazine.com Ricardo Gonzalez | ricardo@dub-digital.com FEATURES/COPY EDITOR Kristie Real kristie@dubmagazine.com FINANCIAL CONTROLLER Kiani Tran-Boutros | kiani@dubmagazine.com 12V DIRECTOR Andy Canaza | andy@dubmagazine.com CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Brian McGee Solomon Lunger Jay Canter Dow Jones Jason Moseley Fernando Deanda Clinton Lum Gary Phung Matt Zion Dale Martin CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Nick Halili Patric Fransko

Enjoy Issue 103!

THE OFFICIAL TIRE OF DUB MAGAZINE

DUB MAGAZINE 2015 | 15

DUB REPORT ISSUE 103 COMPANY INFORMATION DUB Magazine® and DUB Magazine’s® LFTD&LVLD® is published 8 times per year. Subscriptions are $35.00 for 8 issues. DUB® is the Original Automotive Lifestyles Magazine™ and is published by DUB Publishing, Inc. in Santa Fe Springs, CA. DUB Magazine® was established in the year 2000. To place an ad in DUB Magazine®, please contact the Ad Sales department at (562) 228-1737 The 18th annual DUB Show Tour Custom Auto Show & Concert features the nation’s best custom cars and also features an all-star line-up of performers. For more information, visit www.dubshowtour.com DUB® is also a design, marketing and promotions team, responsible for the development and marketing of many licensed automotive goods, collectibles, and apparel, as well as our sponsor’s key products. Contact: marketing@dubmagazine.com Get the word out and get free stuff! For more info, email: john@dubmagazine.com BRING ON THE LETTERS! We’re now accepting letters to DUB Magazine. Send your rants or raves to intake@dubmagazine.com. Your letter may end up in an issue of DUB! National & International Newsstand Distribution: Curtis Circulation Company All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission. This book is purchased with the understanding that the information presented is from many varied sources from which there can be no warranty or responsibility by the publisher, as to accuracy or completeness. ©Copyright 2017 DUB Publishing, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED • PRINTED IN THE USA EVENT CONTACTS Sponsorship & Event Planning Myles Kovacs: (562) 228-1737 | myles@dubmagazine.com Car Show Planning/Media Information John Ramos: (562) 228-1737 | john@dubmagazine.com Vendor Booths: (562) 228-1737 John Ramos john@dubmagazine.com All Other Inquiries info@dubmagazine.com | (562) 228-1737

DUBMAGAZINE.COM CARS | CELEBRITIES | GEAR | FASHION DUBSHOWTOUR.COM DUB CUSTOM AUTO SHOW & CONCERT TOUR DUBSHOP.COM BUY DUB MERCHANDISE AND MORE

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t’s our favorite time of year over here at DUB...It’s SEMA time!!! It’s that one time of year where the aftermarket industry converges to Las Vegas to exhibit their latest, greatest and the future of automotive customization. There are definitely hits and misses but the creativity in all the custom display vehicles and innovation in the new products always impresses. We’ll be recapping the entire event and bringing you some bad ass builds from the SEMA Show in the next issue so keep a look out. As we’re closing out the Monster Energy DUB Show season, we’re already getting things ready for the 2018 DUB Show Tour! Stay tuned for new dates and new stops by checking out www.dubshowtour.com or follow our social media accounts at facebook.com/ dubshowtour and Instagram at @dubshowtour And finally, we’re actually taking video submissions of dope rides to publish on our YouTube and FB pages, which you can send to videos@dubmagazine.com or DM us on Facebook, IG or Twitter!

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OFFICIAL TIRE

In addition to performance, the ExtremeContactâ&#x201E;¢ Sport provides an extra measure of confidence because it is backed by the Total Confidence Plan:

30K

MILE LIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTY 1 2

60 DAY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION TRIAL2

1 Rear axle of split fitments covered at 15,000 miles. Coverage is within the stated duration from the date of purchase or the first nds 2/32 treadwear, whichever comes first. Restrictions and limitations apply.

VISIT CONTINENTALTIRE.COM FOR COMPLETE DETAILS. DUB MAGAZINE 2015 | 17

INTAKE READER FEEDBACK KEEP THE LETTERS COMING! HIT US UP VIA EMAIL AT INTAKE@DUBMAGAZINE.COM OR THROUGH SNAIL MAIL AT: 11803 SMITH AVE SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA 90670 ATTN: INTAKE

GOLD RUSH

TIMELESS KUSTOMS That immaculate one-off Mustang by Timeless Kustoms is a gear head’s dream come true. It has the best of both worlds with classic looks and modern comforts, resulting in some serious eye candy that makes me swoon every time I peep at it in Issue 102. I’d drive that baby everywhere! Carlos P.

Damn, it looked like Cliff Avril had a hell of a time during the goldRush Rally! That’s seriously a dream of mine, too, and hopefully one day I’ll be able to experience it in a serious machine like his 6.2-liter Hemi-powered beast. Talk about living it up – both on the field and off! Craig S.

Pro-touring cars are meant to be driven and that’s exactly what we’d do, too, Carlos! It’s a piece of work that we can’t take our eyes off of and Timeless Kustoms spared no expense on that build. The only thing we’d add to it would be cup holders, lol!

ROBINSON CANO’S WALD LEXUS

Cliff Avril is a beast on the field so it was only natural that he drive a beast of a ride for the rally, Craig! Experiencing a rally like that is a dream for many car enthusiasts, and we’ve actually covered a few of these rallies in the past, so know how much fun they can be. Good luck with checking it off your bucket list!

PROJECT INFECTED

The Lexus LX570 isn’t something I really see a player like Robinson Cano driving. I mainly see him cruising in some sort of exotic or luxury whip, but I guess if you have one and got the money, why not send it to a shop like MC Customs and let them turn it into a one-of-kind ride! I’m digging the sound system though; it’s really impressive because I’m all about that boom in my vehicles. If the zombie apocalypse ever happens, I’m gonna need that Project Infected Jeep from your last issue. Hell, I just need that Jeep, PERIOD! Is there ever a Jeep that Doetsch Off-Road does that isn’t awesome? I’m an avid reader and have seen their past builds and every single one of them is something I’d want to wheel around town and on the trails. But this one takes the cake since I’m a huge fan of the zombie apocalypse genre. Keep those Doetsch Off-Road features coming because I’m loving them all!

Jorge C. A luxury SUV is a family ride and we’re sure that Cano takes the WALD Lexus out during his family outings and he still has to look good rolling, right? MC Customs can turn any ordinary ride into something extraordinary and that’s the magic of a great custom!

Keith A. We’re with you on how everything that comes out of Doetsch OffRoad is a serious rig, Keith, which is why we keep featuring them! Don’t worry, as long as they keep dropping builds like this, we’ll keep featuring them. Project Infected is definitely one of their most unique customs to date and something we wouldn’t mind having if we ever encountered zombies! 18

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@DUBMAGAZINE THE LATEST FROM THE GRAM TAG US ON YOUR PHOTOS AND BE SURE TO FOLLOW OUR NEW INSTAGRAM PAGES FOR DUB MAGAZINE’S DUB SHOW TOUR (@DUBSHOWTOUR) AND DUB MAGAZINE’S LFTD&LVLD (@LFTDXLVLD) FOR A CONSTANT FEED OF SOME OF THE HOTTEST CUSTOM TRUCKS AND JEEPS!

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@hollywoodcustomsaz

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G550 4x4 @mmdesign_car_wrap @project_604 @dubmagazine #g5504x4² #mmdesign #mmdesign_car_wrap #vscc #dubmagazine Anyone likes 550 4x4? White or Black!!!

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209

My first big build with Canelo Alvarez. @canelo World Champ - One of the top boxers in the world. See what I do next to this car. @linexnorthamerica @brembobrake @hre_wheels @magnaflow @ppgrefinish @ppgindustries @eibach_world @procharger_official @solargardwindowfilm @dubmagazine

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@sammystire

855

Dodge Charger lifted for 32” Forged @dubwheels Owner: @gballblast_32s #chicagowhips #tank #dubwheels #dubmagazine #carculture #lifted #32s #32world #bigrims #bigwheels #custom #sammystire #663Gods #dodgechargeron32s #chargeron32s #forgedwheels #mopar #localbrand

Show Boating #rollsroycephantom #rollsroyce #gfgwheels #giovannawheel #dubmagazine #klasseauto

@beezee1

INTRODUCING MY MODEL ALIEA! All welcomed her with open arms at DUB Phoenix. I truly thank you all. She will be seen regularly with me and all cars I build or wrap all over the U.S. Thanks to @dubmagazine @dubshowtour for always putting on the sickest car shows known to man! Keep killing the game forever! You guys keep us going. Thx to @customfytted mag also!

@johnnyblaze2009

Well hello there... #Ford #Bronco #4x4 #Love #Tough #4wd #Custom #Built #DUB #DUBShow #Anaheim #DUBMagazine #DUBShow2017

Those body lines wow #cali_beezee #waaatt #DUBMAG #laautoshow #cali_life #lamborghini #sitting_on_forgi’s #forgiato #sexymodel #justwow

@alnedsautosound

Thank you @letthelordbewithyou for allowing me to protect you and your rides with the best film out on the market. @clm91302 Big Shout Out to @alneds_encino for taking care of the best with the best @dubirtint @alnedsautosound @dubmagazine

WIN BIG ON INSTAGRAM! POST YOUR DUB-CLEANED CAR ON INSTAGRAM FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A YEAR’S SUPPLY OF DUB CAR CARE!* USE HASHTAG #DUBBYMEGUIARS *DUBCARCARE.COM FOR MORE INFO

MAGAZINE 2017

AUTONEWSWIRE AUTOMOTIVE NEWS

2018 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT Bentley has introduced it’s new thirdgeneration Bentley Continental GT, which is a sleek two-door coupe that’s powered by a twin-turbocharged W12 6-liter. It produces 626 hp and 644 lb.-ft. of torque, with power transmitted via a dual-clutch 8-speed transmission, allowing it to go from rest to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds before topping out at 207 mph. Its design was inspired by the EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept and its lines continue the timeless shape of its predecessor. There’s no doubt this latest iteration of the Bentley Continental GT will be one of the most sought after luxury rides in the upcoming year.

PORSCHE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES HYBRID YACHT Porsche is redefining luxury with its $16-million hybrid yacht that made its debut at the Monaco Yacht Show back in September. Constructed by luxury yacht builder Dynamiq, Porsche named it the GTT 115 and it’s being touted as a Gran Turismo for the seas, and built to appeal to both car lovers and “forward-thinking yacht owners,” mentions Roland Heiler, CEO of F.A. Studio Porsche. It features a Rhodium Grey metallic paint exterior and measures 115 feet long, also offering efficient fuel consumption for 3,400 nautical miles with cruising speeds of 21 knots. Only seven yachts have been made, making it quite a collectible item for those with deep pockets. 28

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FRESH ACCESSORIES

PROPER CARE & CLEANING OF TINTED AUTOMOTIVE WINDOWS WORDS: PATRIC FRANSKO

ne of the most common questions asked about automotive window tint is the proper way to clean and care for it after it’s installed. So, here’s a brief article that explains the do’s and dont’s of tint care. To begin, let’s discuss a bit about window film construction and how it adheres to the glass. As you likely know, window tint is installed on the inside surface of the glass. The construction of tint is such that once installed the outermost surface is a durable scratch-resistant coating. This is what allows film tint to slide up and down in a properly adjusted roll-down window channel for years without getting scratched. Although this surface is durable, it’s not indestructible. Also, the window tint is adhered to the glass with a thin, optically clear pressure sensitive adhesive. Once cured, this bond should last for many years without fail. Now that we understand a bit about how the film is constructed and how it is adhering to the glass, let’s get into how to properly care for it to ensure long life. A quality microfiber towel and ammonia-free glass cleaner is essential for window film care.

IS ANY GLASS CLEANER OK? In short, no. The type of adhesive that I mentioned is used to adhere the film to the glass and it creates a mechanical bond between the film and the glass. Certain chemicals can degrade this mechanical bond and cause the window tint to bubble or peel. Many times you may see a window film job that has a bunch of large bubbles and think that it was a bad tint or a bad tint job. While it may have been either of those things, it could also have been a quality tint 30

MAGAZINE 2017

that was installed properly that was cleaned using the wrong type of cleaner. There are so many cleaners on the market that we cannot possibly discuss each one individually, but the main thing to look for is an AMMONIAFREE Glass Cleaner. Ammonia is one of the main culprits in glass cleaners that attacks the mechanical bond of the adhesive. It will creep under the film and cause a mechanical failure breakdown between the glass and film and that is what causes the bubbles you have likely seen. Many companies make ammoniafree glass cleaners, just be sure to read the label. If it does not expressly say that it is “ammonia free,” assume it has ammonia and find another cleaner to use. WHAT SHOULD I USE TO WIPE THE WINDOWS DOWN? You want to avoid using a standard paper towel to wipe down the tint as you clean. While this is OK for other surfaces, paper towels can trap a piece of dirt between the towel and film and cause scratches. This happens because there is nowhere for the dirt particle to absorb into the paper towel, so it just gets dragged across the film surface as you wipe the window down.

The best thing to use is a soft microfiber towel. These towels absorb more solution and allow a dirt particle to sink into the fibers and away from the film surface while cleaning. Not only will these towels give you a better, streak free cleaning, they will help you avoid scratches. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE? Actually, yes. One more thing to keep an eye on is the sudden appearance of small scratches in the film going from the top to the bottom of the window. This indicates that the window guide inside the door is either out of adjustment or had dirt trapped on it’s surface. If you notice these scratches, stop using that window and get the vehicle to a mechanic to check the adjustment and guide surface. Continued use without getting this resolved will cause these scratches to get worse and the only fix will be to replace the window film. We hope this answers some of the basics about how to care and clean your automotive window tint. If you have any other questions, please contact a local DUB IR Window Tint installer. You can find the nearest one to you by visiting www.dubirtint.com/find-a-dealer.

YOUR CAR IS YOUR

MISSION CONTROL.

ELEVATE YOUR PERSONAL SPACE. Nobody handles the road like you. Or finds the best spot for bar-b-que. While avoiding a 6-car pileup. Your secret? The KENWOOD eXcelon Navigation System with Bluetooth and HD Radio. Expertly designed by Kenwood with industry-leading guidance by Garmin, it’s fully compatible with both Apple Carplay and Android Auto for seamless integration. Making your space personal. So you’re always clear to launch.

NAVIGATION & MULTIMEDIA RECEIVERS

See how KENWOOD eXcelon automotive audio components work together to transport your in-car experience at Kenwood.com/usa MAGAZINE 2017

FRESH AUTOMOTIVE PERFORMANCE

BORLA CHALLENGER R/T 2016-2017 CAT-BACK EXHAUST ATAK 877.462.6752 | BORLA.COM |

AMSOIL INC. SIGNATURE SERIES MOTOR OIL 800.777.8491 | AMSOIL.COM | @AMSOILINC

VIAIR 400C DUAL PACK STEALTH BLACK 949.585.0011 | VIAIRCORP.COM | @VIAIRCORP

/VIAIRCORP

The VIAIR 400C Dual Performance Value Pack is their fastest filling, highest CFM air compressor system, This kit is perfect for industrial use, air horns, off-road applications, and a great addition to any air suspension kit. The 400C Dual Pack includes two 12V Stealth Black VIAIR 400C air compressors, two 40-amp relays and a 110 PSI cut-on, 145 PSI cut-off pressure switch. Each Dual Performance Value Pack comes with remote mount filter assemblies and mounting hardware. $329.95 MAGAZINE 2017

@BORLAEXHAUST

Borla Cat-Back exhaust systems use engine-specific (not universal) mufflers that are designed, tested, and optimized specifically for your particular year/make/model vehicle. Borla Cat-Back systems increase the overall sound level and performance. Borla pioneered the automotive exhaust aftermarket in exhausts constructed in aircraft grade 304 stainless steel tubing, a material with higher content of carbon and nickel that wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rust or corrode. $1,702.99

/AMSOIL.INC

Improving Signature Series was a challenge, but the results prove the new formulation blows the doors off the latest industry standards. Capitalizing on its firmly established success, their upgraded Signature Series motor oil provides enthusiasts with maximum protection and performance. Benefits include improved wear protection, 100% protection from LSPI and more cleaning power. Ideal for turbos and direct injection. Guaranteed protection for up to 25,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. $12.05

BORLAEXHAUST |

TEIN FLEX A 562.861.9161 | TEIN.COM |

TEINUSA |

@TEINUSA

TEIN FLEX A coilovers give you their renowned handling performance with greater comfort achieved through their new Hydraulic Bump Stop. Features include 16-way damping adjustment, full-length height adjustment, and included upper mounts make for highly customizable suspension. Perfect for a multitude of vehicle platforms. $1,060.00

MAGAZINE 2017

FRESH AUTOMOTIVE PERFORMANCE

BAER BRAKES ERADISPEED1 602.820.2712 | BAER.COM /BAER-BRAKES-228682575374 |

@BAER_BRAKES

The EradiSpeed1 premium performance rotor is a direct replacement unit designed to enhance the driving experience of your 2005-2017 GM Truck/SUV. This upsized rotor has a larger diameter then the factory unit it replaces, which improves performance by giving more leverage and torque to the brake system. The larger rotor also looks much better behind the wheel, especially in large wheel applications. Additionally the curved vane structure acts as a centrifugal pump enhancing cooling efforts which increases performance as well efficiency. Best of all, as a simple bolt-on upgrade, installation is quick and easy! $754.00

SPARTA EVOLUTION TRITON BIG BRAKE KITS FOR BMW M3 AND M4 425.298.0617 | SPARTAEVO.COM /SPARTAEVOLUTION | @SPARTAEVOLUTION Sparta Evolution introduces Triton big brake kits for BMW M3s and M4s. Disadvantages of the factory brakes are brake fade and pad wear. Sparta brakes withstand track driving, with more stopping torque and less brake fade. Anodized for durability, lightweight, 4- to 6-piston forged aluminum calipers use Sparta-exclusive ARP hardware and quickrelease pins for fast pad changes. U.S.-made rotors, a set of lines for better feel and braking, and a design that uses a standard shape for unlimited pad choices. Brake later and corner faster with Sparta’s Triton brake kits. Call for pricing

WILWOOD 2014-PRESENT DODGE CHALLENGER/CHARGER FRONT AND REAR BRAKE KITS 805.388.1188 | WILWOOD.COM |

/WILWOODDISCBRAKES |

@WILWOODDISCBRAKES

Upgrade the stopping performance to match the power under the hood with Wilwood Aerolite Brake Kits that feature 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers, 14.24” diameter spec37 rotors and BP-10 compound metallic composite smartpads. They’re available in standard gloss red and black powdercoat and 22 additional color options for that extra personalized touch. $2,021.59 34

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FRESH AUTOMOTIVE ACCESSORIES PAPAGO INC PANICSAFE 909.595.6896 | US.PAPAGOINC.COM | @PAPAGOINC

/PAPAGOINC

Designed with GPS tracking, a G-sensor and Bluetooth, this device goes inserted in your cigarette lighter and can help you instantly alert your loved ones when you’re in need on the road. Download the WISO app on your smart device and pair it to your PanicSafe. On the app, select the contacts to notify when assistance is needed. When the PanicSafe’s button is pressed or the G-sensor detects an impact, the app activates, automatically calling, texting, and emailing your contacts. The texts and emails contain a message with your map location, which is updated every three minutes. After deactivating the alert, contacts receive a message to inform them everything is okay. $79.99

PHILIPS ULTINON LED LIGHTS 800.257.6054 | PHILIPS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE /PHILIPSAUTOMOTIVEUSA The new Philips Ultinon LED lights deliver brilliant, high-tech stylish lighting with a choice of cool blue, intense red, intense amber or 6000K bright white. They provide excellent light distribution with a wide angle and proper light diffusion so drivers can see and be seen. When used in brake lights and turn signals, Philips Ultinon LED lights also deliver “instant on” performance, so drivers have more time to react safely. Available as direct replacements for stop lights, turn signal lights, backup lights, taillights, position lights, hazard lights, trunk lights, glove compartment lights, and interior floor lights. Price varies

RACESPORT LIGHTING COLORSMART SMARTPHONE CONTROLLED RGB LED UNDERBODY KIT 855.700.1005 | RACESPORTINC.COM |

/RACESPORTPRODUCTGROUP |

@RACESPORT_LIGHTING

Race Sport Lighting brings their ColorSMART Bluetooth technology to the undercarriage of your vehicle. Including four flexible strips that securely mount using their heavy duty adhesive backing, this is Race Sport’s most versatile LED underbody kit yet, able to follow the contours of your vehicle. Kits include two 3’ and two 4’ strips as well as all required wiring and hardware. Requires proprietary “Happy Lighting” app to operate, available for free from the Google Play Store or App Store. $224.98 36

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Built to the highest acoustic standards

QS-Series Coaxial Speakers

Luxury shouldn’t be boring.

See it at www.kicker.com, or visit your nearest Authorized KICKER Dealer. MAGAZINE 2017

FRESH WHEELS AMERICAN FORCE WHEELS FLIGHT ST6 786.345.6301 AMERICANFORCEWHEELS.COM /AMERICANFORCEWHEELS @AMERICANFORCEWHEELS SIZE: 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 FINISH: Polished, Black or Custom

BILLET SPECIALTIES BLVD 93 877.2404183 | BILLETSPECIALTIES.COM /BILLETSPECIALTIES @BILLETSPECIALTIES SIZE: 20-26 FINISH: Polished, Brushed Clear, Brushed Smoke, Brushed Face Polished accents, Black Gloss, Black Matte, Gunmetal Gloss

CONCEPT ONE WHEELS CSM-003 626.968.8913 | CONCEPTONEWHEELS.COM CONCEPTONEWHEELS @CONCEPTONEWHEELS SIZE: 20x9, 20x10, 20x11, 22x9, 22x10.5 FINISH: Double Dark Tint, Silver Machined

DROPSTARS 656BM 877.283.9433 | DROPSTARS.COM DROPSTARSWHEELS @DROPSTARSWHEELS SIZE: 22x10, 24x10, 26x10 FINISH: Gloss Black w/ CNC Milled Accents, Chrome

MAGAZINE 2017

FRESH WHEELS DUB WHEELS TURBO SPINNER 800.493.7891 | DUBWHEELS.COM /DUBWHEELS | @DUBWHEELS SIZE: 22 - 34 FINISH: Custom Finishes

LEXANI WHEELS STUTTGART 855.572.4457 | LEXANI.COM /LEXANIWHEELCORORATION @LEXANIOFFICIAL SIZE: 20x8.5, 20x10, 20x10.5, 20x11, 21x9, 21x10.5, 22x9, 22x10, 22x11 FINISH: Black with Machined Tips, Full Black and custom fiinishes

STRADA HURACÁN 888.4.STRADA | STRADAWHEELS.COM /STRADAWHEELS | @STRADAWHEELS SIZE: 22x9.5, 24x10, 26x10 FINISH: Black Machined, Chrome

TIS WHEELS 546BM 877.283.9433 | TISWHEELS.COM /TWENTYINCHESSTRONG @TISWHEELS SIZE: 20x8.5, 20x10, 22x9.5, 22x10.5, 24x10, 26x10 FINISH: Gloss Black w/ CNC Milled Accents, Bright PVD-Durable All-Weather Synthetic Chrome, Chrome

MAGAZINE 2017

FRESH TIRES

CONTINENTAL EXTREMECONTACT SPORT 800.847.3349 | CONTINENTALTIRE.COM CONTINENTALTIRE | @CONTINENTAL_TIRE The new ExtremeContact Sport was tested to the limits by five championship-winning racecar drivers (Andy Lally, Ryan Dalziel, Ozz Negri, Lawson Aschenbach and Joao Barbosa) and satisfies the most demanding driver. This dynamic, ultra-high performance street tire is built for car enthusiasts and engineered for extreme grip in dry and wet conditions. SportPlus Technology provides precise handling; security on wet, slippery roads; and excellent tread life. The

ExtremeContact Sport is also backed by the Total Confidence Plan, one of the strongest warranty programs and service contracts in the industry. Available in 71 sizes, ranging from 15” to 20” wheel diameters with a W and Y speed rating.

COOPER TIRES ZEON RS3-G1 419.423.1321 | COOPERTIRE.COM | @COOPERTIRE

COOPERTIRE

The Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 is the best, most advanced all-season high performance tire from Cooper, made for owners of performance vehicles who drive year-round and will encounter all four seasons of weather. With incredible grip on the road, crisp handling that will make even a lengthy commute more enjoyable, and excellent stopping distance in wet weather, it is the perfect tire for owners of high-performance vehicles, such as BMWs, Mustangs and Camaros.

FALKEN AZENIS FK510 800.723.2553 | FALKENTIRE.COM | @FALKENTIRE

FALKENTIRE

Falken’s latest generation ultra-high performance summer tire, the AZENIS FK510 is designed for drivers of premium vehicles looking for excellent grip and outstanding performance. 4D Nano Design enables Falken

MAGAZINE 2017

engineers to optimize new high-performance compounds at the molecular level, enhancing both wear and wet weather traction. Featuring hybrid undertread materials, the FK510 delivers confidence-inspiring handling and stability. The FK510 covers a wide range of today’s luxury sport vehicles, including staggered applications, and is available in sizes ranging from 17” to 21”.

LEXANI TIRE LX-TWENTY 877.453.926 | LEXANITIRES.COM |

LEXANITIRES |

@LEXANITIRES

Lexani LX-Twenty: Performance by providing excellent handling, enduring tread life and great traction at high speeds, in both wet and dry conditions. You can rest assure that the internal structure of the Lexani LX-Twenty is comprised of the most sophisticated technological advancements available in tire manufacturing, utilizing the most modern state of the art manufacturing processes in the tire industry today.

PIRELLI P ZERO 1.800.PIRELLI | PIRELLI.COM | @PIRELLIUSA

PIRELLIUSA

P ZERO is a unique ultra-high performance product, combining Pirelli’s knowledge gained from competitive motorsport with Pirelli’s alliances with the top car manufacturers, granting the perfect fit for the performance of each car. The P ZERO has a range developed with the most prestigious OEMs and is able to meet any customization needs in terms of size, technology and seasonality.

TOYO TIRES PROXES ST III 800.442.8696 | TOYOTIRES.COM | @TOYOTIRES

TOYOTIRES

Toyo Tires introduces the Proxes ST III, adding greater performance and style to sport trucks and SUVs. The Proxes ST III is the perfect balance of dynamic looks and sportoriented performance. With a wider tread and a new silica-based tread compound the Proxes ST III stops up to 6-feet shorter in wet conditions, while delivering superb handling, excellent all-season performance, consistent wear and a smooth, quiet ride now backed by a 40,000-mile warranty.

VOGUE CUSTOM BUILT RADIAL XIII SCT 847.297.1900 | VOGUETYRE.COM | @VOGUETYRES

VOGUETYRE

The Vogue 24” Custom Built Radial tire is stylish in appearance, bold in performance and makes a statement on the road. Their distinctive sidewall design is a true American original that ramps up the experience of innovation along with technology. All Vogue Tyres offer their “Century of Craftsmanship Pledge”, which includes their 60,000 Mile Warranty.

MAGAZINE 2017

VOLUME CAR AUDIO + VIDEO

ALPINE ELECTRONICS ILX-207 7-INCH MECH-LESS A/V RECEIVER 310.326.8000 | ALPINE-USA.COM | ALPINE-CANADA.COM |

/ALPINEUSA |

@ALPINEUSA

The iLX-207 is a 7” mechless AM/FM system with Bluetooth wireless technology that’s optimized for wired connectivity to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Users can make/receive calls, access text messages, play music and get directions while the phone is stored away, with audio played through the car’s speaker system. The iLX-207 is SiriusXM ready (tuner and subscription required) and has an HD Radio receiver and Pandora control from a smartphone. When used with the KAC-001 External Accessory Control Module (sold separately), it can provide touchscreen control of up to eight add-on accessories like LED lights, etc. $900.00

PIONEER MVH-2300NEX MULTIMEDIA RECEIVER 310.952.2000 | PIONEERELECTRONICS.COM PIONEERNORTHAMERICA | @PIONEERCARAUDIO The MVH-2300NEX double-DIN 7” LCD digital media receiver is designed to complement the connected consumer’s lifestyle. The CD-free design is ideal for drivers who use music streaming apps such as Spotify and Pandora, or listen to music stored on their smartphones. The new receiver is built for popular automotive-specific smartphone interfaces and apps and has a consumer-friendly suggested retail price, making the MVH-2300NEX Pioneer’s most affordable entry with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. $450.00

KICKER KXA1600.1 1600W SUBWOOFER AMPLIFIER 405.624.8510 | KICKER.COM | @KICKERAUDIO

/KICKERAUDIO

New KICKER KX-Series Subwoofer Amps feature a bevy of additional features, including the KXARC Bluetooth LE wireless remote that offers a convenient way to monitor and change vital amp controls, without the need to be physically attached by cable. With the wireless remote, features like gain, bass boost, SHOCwave bass restoration, and signal clip are now easily monitored from anywhere in the vehicle. KICKER has also integrated updated FIT2 (Fail-safe Integration Technology) into KXSeries amps, ensuring a flexible, noise-free signal from virtually any radio. KX Mono Amps also feature 1-Ohm stability, allowing for even more subwoofer configurations. $879.95

POWERBASS XL 1200 SOUND BAR 909.923.3868 | POWERBASSUSA.COM /POWERBASSUSAINC | @POWERBASSUSA The XL-1200 is a 12-speaker 500W system with 6 built-in active subwoofers, providing more low-end bass response to create the fullest sound available in any soundbar on the market today. It’s developed for the growing power sports market, including UTV and marine applications where electronics must withstand harsh environments, so that you get to enjoy your favorite music when you’re out on the trails, bashing in the mud or sand. $799.99

ROCKFORD FOSGATE DSR1 8-CHANNEL INTERACTIVE SIGNAL PROCESSOR 800.669.9899 | ROCKFORDFOSGATE.COM |

/ROCKFORDFOSGATE |

@ROCKFORDFOSGATE

Co-developed with ADS, the DSR1 combines a full-featured 3Sixty digital signal processor with a flashable iDatalink Maestro integration module. The DSR1 can be used out-of-the-box with high or low level input, or with a quick flash download to add vehicle specific firmware to enable integration without the loss of factory equipped controls and features. Once connected, complete control of the sound profile can be adjusted using Rockford Fosgate’s proprietary 3Sixty tuning software. $249.99 44

MAGAZINE 2017

Shield_White_2013

Take your HIDs to the next level

Version 1.1 – 25 October 2013

Upgrade your Xenon HID headlights with the new Philips Xenon CrystalVision ultra HIDs. With up to 5000K brighter and whiter light, you’ll have a high-tech look that will definitely turn heads.

New!

Xenon CrystalVision ultra www.philips.com/automotive MAGAZINE 2017

VOLUME CAR AUDIO + VIDEO

PHOTOS: BRIAN McGEE

hen you first hear the name “Pioneer,” the first two things that usually pop into your mind are head units and DJ equipment. Next, you would associate speakers with the long standing audio brand, but Pioneer is trying to change that with their new Z and D high-performance automotive loudspeakers! But ironically enough, the company actually got their start in the industry creating speakers and are the masterminds

behind the quite elusive TAD (Technical Audio Devices) speakers (created by Pioneer founder Nozomu Matsumoto in Japan in 1937), which are known in the recording industry for their superior quality, professional-grade studio speakers. Now they’re back to their roots and proving their new speakers come from the same esteemed lineage. Recently, Pioneer flew us out to Japan to check out their facility and help them celebrate the launch of their new speakers, where we got insider info and a behind-thescenes look at how they’re made. The new Z series speakers and subs and the nextgeneration D series speakers and subs are engineered to reproduce music in its purist form to allow listeners to experience the music as the artist intended via premium sound quality and proprietary advanced technology.

MAGAZINE 2017

Pioneer’s headquarters is in Tendo, Japan and the factory was founded in 1966. Here, automotive speakers R&D and manufacturing is the main focus, while speakers of varying specs are also produced at all of their plants worldwide (including a few OEM products for manufacturers like Lexus, Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, Mazda, Mitsubishi and even Ford). While on the factory tour, we learned that all of Pioneer’s speakers and components go through 40 reliability test runs, including tests for being water resistant, temperature chamber, thermal shock, vibration, free fall, weather +xenon that duplicates sun exposure and more. Each of the tests are meant to duplicate 20 years of use, revealing Pioneer’s focus on the extended use for their products.

PIONEER’S ANECHOIC CHAMBER

We got to check out their Anechoic Chamber, which tested their new speakers in a non-reflective, non-echoing or echofree room that’s designed to completely absorb reflections of either sound or electromagnetic waves. While in there, the only sound we heard was that of the speaker, which helps provide engineers accurate measurements of sound. Then there were the listening rooms that provided a great comparison for listening to different products and seeing how it all changed by keeping the baseline the same during the entire

demonstration. It was pretty amazing to hear the complete separation of distinct audio in each track while being played; vocals and instruments are completely separated, but still provided a balance in the overall listening experience. It was a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes to see how these new speakers were made and all the rigorous testing done to make sure they live up to Pioneer’s original philosophy – “Move the heart and touch the soul.”

MAGAZINE 2017

VOLUME CAR AUDIO + VIDEO TS-Z65CH TS-Z65F

Z SPEAKERS – NO COMPROMISES The Z is based on highly advanced technology developed by Pioneer, employing carefully selected materials and parts, benefiting from decades of automotive loudspeaker design theory and testing ability. Following Pioneer’s OPEN & SMOOTH sound concept, the Z series of automotive loudspeakers features smooth off-axial frequency response, superior directivity and extended frequency range engineered specifically to produce dynamic, accurate sound quality for the car. The result is a purity of sound that achieves unprecedented audio artistry.

TS-Z65C

TS-D69C

TS-D65C

TS-D69F

TS-D65F

TS-D68F

D SPEAKERS – MUSIC FOR ALL TS-Z10LS4 - S2

The D is a result of Pioneer’s automotive loudspeaker engineering experience and expertise, combining advanced design techniques with highly developed manufacturing capabilities. Following Pioneer’s OPEN & SMOOTH sound concept, the D series of automotive loud speakers provides broad and balanced frequency response with a wide sound stage, ambience and amazing fidelity for the listener.

Z SUBWOOFERS – THE PURSUIT OF PERFECT BASS The Z subwoofer uses much of the same highly advanced technology as the Z full range loudspeakers to create seamlessly integrated musical perfection – fast, detailed and extended bass with tremendous impact and clarity. Combining high fidelity and high output in a compact, shallow design, the Z subwoofer offers both unparalleled performance and near limitless installation flexibility. As a result, the placement of the Z subwoofer can be optimized for sound quality and bass reinforcement, unlike conventional subwoofers that must be installed where they physically fit. Balance, speed, power and bass extension unite to create the ultimate lowfrequency experience. 48

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TS-D10D4 - D2

TS-D12D4 - D2

D SUBWOOFERS – FORCEFUL, DEEP, DEFINED The D subwoofer is a culmination of Pioneer technologies. Combining bass quality and bass quantity with high power handling and installation flexibility to produce deep, powerful and accurate bass. It delivers excellent performance in both acoustic suspension (sealed), and bass reflex (ported) enclosures. With the D subwoofer, the driver and passengers feel the music rather than just listen to it.

MAGAZINE 2017

THROWBACK CLASSIC DUB MAGAZINE FEATURES It’s that time of year again...FOOTBALL SEASON! The next season is anticipated as soon as the football season officially ends after the Super Bowl, which is why we thought we’d celebrate one of our favorite sports by dedicating this Issue’s Throwback to some past NFL features we’ve had over the years.

CHAD JOHNSON

There have been many memorable players in the history of the NFL, but nothing compares to Chad Johnson and his over-the-top antics - on and off the field! Back in Issue 30, we caught up with Johnson while he was still with the Cincinnati Bengals and featured him and his rides, which included a 2005 Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster, 1971 Caprice called “Piglet” and his 1971 Chevy Impala. PHOTO: GREG B. PHOTOS: BRIAN McGEE

DESEAN JACKSON

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver DeSean Jackson is filled with heart and a love for the game, which he talked about for his feature in Issue 82, when he was still was with the Philadelphia Eagles. Besides the game, we talked shop about his custom 2013 Bentley Continental GT from the DUB Garage.

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MARCELL DAREUS

Exotics and football players go hand-inhand, but we’ve never quite seen anything like Marcell Dareus’ “Fur-rari” F430! The sportscar not only boasts unique red velvet wrap that’s soft to the touch and a sight to behold up close in person, but some attention-grabbing gold wheels that practically blind you as you drive by!

PHOTO: DEAN FARELL

DEZ BRYANT

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant was in his rookie season when we featured him in Issue 72, where he talked about his Cadillac Escalade, his Bentley GT and more!

PHOTOS: MICHAEL VINCENT

MAGAZINE 2017

POWER PLAYER INDUSTRY MOVERS + SHAKERS

WORDS: KRISTIE REAL PHOTOS: SOLOMON LUNGER

o one knows the power of celebrity better than Alex Vega of The Auto Firm. With more than 20 years in the business, he’s amassed quite a following, building rides for some of the world’s top athletes and biggest celebrities. His Miami-based shop is known all over the globe as the destination for unique builds, making him and his team heavy hitters in the customization world, so much so that he landed his own TV show “The Auto Firm With Alex Vega” on the Velocity Channel, Discovery En Espanol and Turbo.

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“My celebrity clientele grew big because of all the baseball players that first started to come to me,” Vega recollects. “Baseball is a high paying sport and so everybody on a team can pretty much afford the same cars. Of course, these guys want the hottest car to be theirs and that’s where my designs come into play. I’d do their cars different from others in the parking lot and then other players would see this and ask about my work. It just spiraled from there.” His very first athlete clients were Andruw Jones and Alonzo Mourning, and now his extensive customer list features over 300 notable names, including repeat clients such as Hanley Ramirez, Carlos Boozer, Usain Bolt, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Pablo Sandoval and Marc Anthony, to name a few.

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But it wasn’t until Yoenis Cespedes of the New York Mets drove to spring training in a different customized ride for six days straight – all customized by Vega – that The Auto Firm was thrown into the spotlight. It became a media frenzy around the shop, with every paper and magazine knocking at his door for an interview, including a sweet feature story in The New York Times on Super Bowl Sunday that February. That’s when all the production firms reached out to him, wanting to collaborate.

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“These production companies were calling from everywhere, but I didn’t want to work with anyone that wanted to use scripts or make things up,” he describes. “I wanted it to be real and show my art and how much I love it...which was exactly what I delivered for the show. We just finished the first season and now it’s going to be made into a Spanish version. It was an amazing experience because it let me show what it’s like inside my business and my vision and passion for cars.” Vega has come a long way from having worked, managed and partnered in other shops before opening The Auto Firm back in 2010, with his latest headquarters three times bigger than his last, a barber’s chair on the second floor for when he has no time to make it out and a large enough facility that fits his crew to work their magic on more than 20 cars at a time, allowing them to churn out 50 to 60 custom rides a month.

TECH SPECS: 2016 POLARIS SLINGSHOT PERSONALLY OWNED BY ALEX VEGA •

•

This was given to Alex by Polaris after the Cespedes spring training hype, and how his relationship with Polaris started. Polaris asked him to build them an Avorza Sling Shot and since have taken it all over the world displaying his work.

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Custom interior with Marine leather for all kinds of weather

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Fabricated and built-in a 9” Alpine head unit into dash with also a full blown Alpine System

It was stripped to the bone and painted in his favorite colors - black & white with added blue accents.

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They also installed an air ride suspension that can be activated by a cell phone or remote to lower or raise the vehicle

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LED lights to light up the street

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Custom set of Avorza AV33 Forged wheels painted to match color scheme

“My place is like a manufacturing plant,” Vega admits. “We pretty much do everything from scratch. You walk into my place and there’s a room just for interior design, then another for CNC work where you can get your logo or name on the dash or doors - anything you want, we can make it. Then there’s a fabrication room and so forth. So you’re walking through rooms and designing your own stuff along the way. We cater to each of our clients

and are a custom shop in its purest form.” The Auto Firm can literally handle anything you ask for, which is why their clients ship them vehicles from all corners of the world. Currently, Jeep Wranglers are the ride of choice customers are sending to the shop, with everybody asking for his notorious Avorza Jeeps - which are fitted with his personal brand of Avorza wheels (a play off of Vega’s initials and the word “forza” and have appeared in

countless music videos from some of his clients, most notably Floyd Mayweather, Jr). “I first started with three or four wheel styles and now we’re at 52, including off-road options,” he says. “It’s known to be quality wheels that don’t bend or crack and can hold up to damage or when in accidents. People actually say I make the best wheels in the world.”

TECH SPECS: 2016 BMW X6 CUSTOMIZED FOR MLB ALL STAR ALEXEI RAMIREZ •

Complete LUMMA CLR X6 R White Body kit

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Car painted white with black and red accents to make this an official Avorza Edition

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Complete LUMMA Exhaust system

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Brake calipers painted red to match accents on car

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Custom set of Avorza AV11 Forged wheels painted to match the color scheme

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His career has come full circle, as he attributes hard work, determination and the support of his family and crew as factors as to why he’s been so successful. In fact, his business is a family affair with his wife running the front office and his sons learning the ropes from dad, which is all portrayed in the TV show (which you can watch on Velocity.com). As far as his current staff, Vega sought only the best in the area and admits that it took time to build the right team - one that even includes two females wrenching on the cars.

TECH SPECS: 2017 POLARIS SLINGSHOT BUILT FOR R&B SINGER/ACTRESS TEYANA TAYLOR

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Stripped to the bone and painted entire car with a camel theme in black, gray, white and orange to set it off.

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Custom Alpine sound system

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First installed prototype roof top by Polaris

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Custom hand-stitched interior with marine vinyl for all types of weather

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LED lights all over to light up at night

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Set of custom Avorza AV38 forged wheels painted to match the color scheme.

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To see this complete build from beginning to end, watch Episode 5 of the first season on the Velocity Channel

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A Rolls Royce Ghost taken apart is a rare sight, but not a The Auto Firm. Customization is the name of the game – if you can imagine it, they can do it.

As a shop that does it and sees it all, Vega predicts that the next big thing in the customization scene will focus on interior. “A lot of cars are now being made with aggressive and sporty looks,” he details. “But what lacks the most is the interior. I think that’s going to be big soon.” As a one-stop shop stop that resembles a manufacturer’s plant, it’s only natural that Vega’s next big goal is to either build a production Avorza edition ride or work with a big manufacturer to create his own brand. “One day it’s going to happen and it’ll be big!”

MAGAZINE 2017

SOURCES

THE AUTO FIRM X305.COM |

@THEAUTOFIRM | VELOCITY VELOCITY.COM

MAGAZINE 2017

WORDS: NICK HALILI PHOTOS: JAY CANTER

“S

ports, cars, and music. They’ve always been huge where I’m from,” Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu says. As a kid growing up in New Orleans, LA, Tyrann had love for all three. He played his first game at the age of five and remembers scoring a touchdown literally the first time he touched the ball. Later on, he became a high school legend and eventually won a scholarship to LSU, when it dawned on him that making it to the NFL was within his reach. Always undersized compared to most of the other players on the field, the man dubbed “The Honey Badger” by his fans in college exhibited the immense talent, on-field ferocity and heart that would carry him all the way to NFL stardom. Tyrann entered the league in 2013 and has terrorized offenses ever since, reaching First-Team All-Pro status just two years after that. But as much as football has always been passion number one, he’s always had another one. “I remember back when I was eight, me and my cousin used to play this game called Bingo. Whether we were riding in a car or sitting on the porch, we would always try to spot the best-looking car and yell Bingo.” Back then, what caught Tyrann’s eye were classic domestics: Cutlasses bumping old school hiphop and R&B and Monte Carlos with wild paint schemes. “One guy had the Fruit Loop logo on his Monte Carlo. Another guy painted his with a big Nike Swoosh,” he vividly recalls. As he got a little older, he would also catch short glimpses of high-end European exotics being driven around town by a certain local superstar. “Any time Lil Wayne would come to town, that would be the only time we’d ever see Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, and Lamborghinis.” Tyrann’s Camaro rolls on 24” Asanti wheels wrapped in 275/25R24 Lionhart tires.

MAGAZINE 2017

SPORTS, CARS, AND MUSIC. THEY’VE ALWAYS BEEN HUGE WHERE I’M FROM.

MAGAZINE 2017

Even now, you can still see a little bit of those early memories influencing Tyrann’s tastes in cars. The centerpiece of his current stable is a 2017 Rolls-Royce Wraith. Seeing Weezy rolling down the street in a Phantom planted the idea in his mind. Tyrann would look at how one local New Orleans kid made it big and thought one day he could, too. “When I realized I was in the position to afford it, I definitely decided that I needed to buy one,” Tyrann laughs, joking that his financial adviser tried to talk him out of it initially. But once he stepped foot into the Wraith, it was a done deal. “The first time I got in it, man, it was like I was in a spaceship or in a movie,” pointing out the trademark Rolls-Royce fiber optic starlight headliner. “And when you turn the music up, it’s like you have headphones on.” Clearly not his daily driver, Tyrann enjoys pulling up to the club or to home games in the Wraith. Once he does, necks start snapping. “Anytime I bring it out, it’s like an automatic photo shoot. Everybody wanna take selfies with it.”

MAGAZINE 2017

Slightly subtler than the Rolls is Tyrann’s 2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon. At least as subtle as a six-figure matte green twinturbocharged Benz can be. Not wanting to go with something like an Escalade, Tyrann found the perfect SUV to suit his tastes. “It just has that muscle car feel. When you start the engine or step on the gas, you can just hear it coming down the street.” And surprisingly, when it comes to his two European monsters, the G-Wagon is the one that gets the most attention of certain people he meets. “If you ask a guy to pick (between the Rolls or the Benz), he’ll say, ‘I’ll go with the Rolls.’ But women, they prefer the G-Wagon. I’ll take the G-Wagon out when I go on dates and things like that.” 72

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Tyrann does have a beater that he drives daily when he’s not taking the Wraith or the G-Wagon to special events. However, unlike most people, his beater isn’t a good old Honda or Toyota, but a 2011 BMW 550i. The Bimmer was originally black, but now sports a new white paint job and rims powder coated red to match the all-red interior. Echoing the color scheme of his Arizona Cardinals, Tyrann gets recognized often when driving around during the season in the 5-Series. But of all the cars he owns, the one that has the most sentimental value to him is his old college ride – a 2011 Chevy Camaro rolling on gloss black 22” Asantis. “That’s the probably the car that I will never give away. It’s kind of like the first, best friend you’ll ever have. It’s still very special to me,” he says, recalling the times when he would pack a bunch of his college friends into it and go on road trips and parties. Like the Bimmer, his Camaro was originally black, but he later got it painted Candy Apple Red to make it pop under the ever-present Arizona sunshine.

MAGAZINE 2017

Tyrann often reminisces on his journey from being kid watching those nice cars drive by his front porch, to being a college athlete with a dream of playing pro ball, to finally achieving his goal of NFL stardom. He looks back fondly at his time as a college kid packing all his friends into his Camaro even when he’s driving his Wraith to the University of Phoenix Stadium to the delight of ecstatic Cardinals fans at home games. “It’s all real special to me. It makes you think about where you come from and it makes you just reflect on everything you’ve been through. It’s a humbling feeling.”

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF THE ARIZONA CARDINALS

SOURCES

MAGAZINE 2017

TYRANN MATHIEU TYRANNMATHIEU.ORG |

@MATHIEU_ERA |

@DEVINE_MATHIEU

MAGAZINE 2017

WORDS: KRISTIE REAL PHOTOS: DOW JONES

MAGAZINE 2017

FL rookie Bishard “Budda” Baker is looking forward to a memorable 20172018 season - one that’s filled with lots of stats, wins and success. The Arizona Cardinals safety, out of the University Washington, made sure to make the most from his first preseason training camp, learning from veterans and impressing coaches. “Training camp was long,” the 21-year-old Baker admits. “But it was definitely everything I thought it would be because I have friends who are in the NFL, and they told me what to expect at training camp, so I already knew coming into it that it was going to be hard.” The 36th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft worked hard to prove himself in the preseason, going hard each day and each game to let doubters know that despite his size (5’10” and 195 pounds, respectively), he’s bringing his A game this year no matter what. To prepare for it all, he made sure to take care of his body, eat healthy, lift weights, get in good practices with his team and watch any and all film any chance he got. MAGAZINE 2017

“All of my teammates are great,” he recollects. “They brought me in with open arms and anytime I had any questions for any of the veterans, I knew I could ask them, which I appreciated.” With his head in the game, Baker also admits to watching other players in his position across the league to add and to improve his technique. As a student of the game, Baker will no doubt go on to have a success run in the NFL, but he’s not going to take any chances. “I want to stay injury-free and plan to do so by just taking care of my body and studying football. I know that the more football I watch and study, the easier things will be on the field.”

The 2017 Land Rover Range Rover HSE V8 Supercharged 5.0 liter gas engine with ebony/ ivory interior oxford leather seat.

The Range rides on Vellano 22x10.5 VTi concave wheels with 285/45R22 Continental tires, custom purple calipers with gold metallic letters and custom BB center caps.

Budda’s ride also features 3M satin Black vinyl wrap with gloss Black 3M highlights, OEM gloss Black Range Rover letters and 20% tint all around with 35% on windshield. All work was done by Benchmark Motoring in Bellevue, WA. 90

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Daring Bold Made to Fit

Wherever your destination, travel with style and SCARLET.

SW-30A

SW-33A

SW-30B

SW-33B MAGAZINE 2017 91 VISIT WWW.SCARLETWHEEL.COM

Budda’s 1962 Lincoln Continental convertible has its original 430 CID V8 engine and a 1961 Ford Star Light Blue Ice Pearl top coat done in Glasurit paint from Wesco. It glides on 24” Sinister wheels wrapped in 275/25ZR24 Lexani tires and the help of IR Ride Technology.

But every student needs a well-needed break and when that happens, Baker plans to get some R&R with his favorite four-wheeled toys. His first big purchase after being drafted into the NFL was his Range Rover. And since he’s not the flashy type, his mods are simple, yet classy. “I got it wrapped in a matte black and had the silver accents painted gloss black to complement the new exterior,” he describes. “The calipers are painted purple for my alma mater and the wheel center pieces have my initials on them painted in gold.” While his Range is all business, his 1962 Lincoln Continental droptop is his chill ride. “I needed something old and classy,” Baker admits. “The suicide doors are unique and I love the baby blue flakes in it that are nice on a sunny day.” 92

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Designed in California USA

Wherever your destination, travel with style and Dcenti.

Daring Bold Made to Fit

DCTL006

DCTL012 DCTL011

VISIT WWW.DCENTIWHEEL.COM

Daring Bold Made to Fit

Designed in California USA Wherever your destination, travel with style and Redsport.

RSW77A/B

RSW100A

RSW100B MAGAZINE 2017 93 VISIT WWW.REDSPORTWHEELS.COM

The old school ride features original black leather interior, carpet, gauges and dash. All work was done by Rich Little at Bel-Red Auto Rebuild in Bellevue, WA.

Baker’s garage is currently a work in progress and will most likely grow as he matures in the NFL, noting Von Miller’s cars (especially his BMW i8 and Chevy Camaro) as inspiration. But the ride that will truly depict his success is a Lamborghini Aventador. “I don’t even have to drive it - just to own a Lambo would be amazing! It’s been one of my favorite cars since I was a kid.” Given Baker’s immense talent and drive to succeed, we’re putting our money on him getting his Lambo in the near future and will definitely catch up with the soon-to-be NFL star when he does!

SOURCES 94

MAGAZINE 2017

BENCHMARK MOTORING BENCHMARKMOTORING.COM | BEL-RED AUTO REBUILD BEL-REDAUTO.COM BISHARD BAKER BUDDABAKER36.COM

Designed in California USA

Wherever your destination, travel with style and Velocity.

Daring Bold Made to Fit

VISIT WWW.VELOCITYWHEEL.COM

MAGAZINE 2017

POWER PLAYER INDUSTRY MOVERS + SHAKERS

or many years, WrapWorks was one of the hidden treasures of South Orange County, CA. Word of mouth quickly spread among car enthusiast circles around Southern California about a Laguna Niguel shop offering jaw-dropping color changes, with show car quality finish for anything from Cadillacs and Lexuses to million-dollar Italian exotics. However, the problem with being a hidden treasure is that most of your prospective clients never get chance to get down there in person and see how good your work really is. So owner Chris Youngash decided to move WrapWorks closer to Orange Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exotic car mecca, Newport Beach. At their new Costa Mesa headquarters, WrapWorks is now next door to the vast supercar collections in very upscale neighborhood and within an hour (when the traffic gods are kind) of those in Los Angeles. We caught up with Chris to talk about how automotive wrapping has blown up and how he strives to keep WrapWorks at the leading edge of the industry.

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WORDS: NICK HALILI PHOTOS: BRIAN McGEE

CHRISâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; DODGE CHALLENGER SRT HELLCAT

How did you get your start in automotive wrapping? I was always into cars since I was a kid â&#x20AC;&#x201C; muscle cars mostly. I got into vinyl graphics back in 2000 when I was working for Colorado Powersports and racing motocross, and was helping with the team graphics. In 2001, life quickly changed for me while jumping Freestyle Motocross ramps. I misjudged that last jump and crashed my brains out, breaking just about everything; my back, my neck and both my legs. I decided to make a change from the motorcycle industry and got into making stickers. I soon learned it was a ton of work and that my real passion was much larger stickers and I started to wrap cars. When did you realize the car wrap industry was going to be the next big thing? I started wrapping cars commercially in 2003 and never would have thought it would become the boom that is it today. In 2010, I was working in a sign shop on vinyl graphics and wraps for cars and other commercial uses. No one was changing the color of their cars; most people were advertising with wraps and the color change was just starting. I had done a bunch of commercial wraps, but when the color change films started coming out from the top manufacturers like 3M and Avery Dennison, the whole industry started to change. MAGAZINE 2017

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How did the change in the industry lead to the origin of WrapWorks? I was working for a sign shop and I had heard of WrapWorks, and I was intrigued. I was like, “Wait a minute...you mean you can run a business solely wrapping cars?” Tired of making “No Parking” signs, I hung up my sign making tools and started to wrap cars full time as a contract installer. Things started to snowball shortly after that decision, I met our, now, lead installer and one of the best damn wrappers I know – Chris “GZ” Giron. Just like that the “The Chris’” install team was born. While doing contract work for WrapWorks, the founding owner Craig Niel, offered to sell the company to me and with visions of greatness, it was game on. I left for SEMA 2014 with that offer on the table to buy WrapWorks GZ and a big plans to change the game in SoCal. Once we saw what was going on with color change wrap world at SEMA, we knew this was the wave of the future. Was it difficult making the transition from commercial graphics to color change wrapping? It’s a whole different ballgame. With color change, your finishing has to be perfect. People expect, as they should, for everything to be perfect with a paint-like appearance. With commercial wrapping, it wasn’t a custom thing...it was get it on and get advertising so the standards weren’t as high. The most challenging thing with color change, besides taking the cars apart, is maintaining that paint-like finish for the long term. I mean, anyone can stick a sticker, but now it needs to stay tight for the long term.

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How have things changed since you first took over WrapWorks and moved to Costa Mesa? It’ll be three years in December. It’s a trip where we are now. My first car I ever wrapped in a single color was a Mazda 6. Now we have Lambos, Ferraris, McLarens... There’s a lot of million-dollar car collections nearby, so we knew this is where we need to be. It blows me away how far we have gotten in just a short amount of time. What’s the most interesting project you guys have worked on? I really liked the GT-R we did last year for the 2016 Gold Rush Rally. They called it the Kamikaze GT-R. They had a Samurai on the hood and the Japanese rising sun design. The artist had never worked on something that was going to go on a car before and it was designed as though it was a big sheet to just drape over the car and shrink it on. If only it was that easy, It was both the coolest and toughest thing we’ve done. 104

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Tanner checking out his Rosso Mars Huracán before the color change to Blue Chrome

What are some current projects you have on your slate? We have a lot of stuff going on, but our absolute dream build is going on right now – we have Tanner J. Fox’s 2016 Lamborghini Huracán and it is coming out insane. We have installed a Vorsteiner Novara body kit on it, gloss black forged wheels from the Aristo Collection, and, of course, a big carbon fiber wing. To finish it all, we are dressing this mad bull in Blue Chrome from Avery Dennison. It’s going to blow minds and we are honored to make it happen for Tanner. What do you feel are WrapWorks’ greatest strengths as a company? I would say that the fact that all our main installers all certified. We are also one of two shops in all of California that is affiliated with the Global Paint Is Dead network. What we’re trying to do along with the other amazing members of the global Paint Is Dead network is be the gold standard of what wraps should be. An inexperienced installer could wrap a car and potentially turn a customer off vehicle wraps completely. Here at WrapWorks, we take it very seriously from beginning to end, from pulling the car apart and taking every precaution to wrapping it right and finishing with telling the customer about how to take care of it. It’s our responsibility to educate the public on the validity of Wraps and put out the most mind blowing wrapped cars we can.

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On a more personal level, what about WrapWorks are you most proud of? The fact that our team is a family and collectively we want to be the best. I’m not going to go stand up in a crowd and say we’re better than everyone else, but that’s what keeps us driven. To be the very best.

Where do you feel automotive wrapping is heading in the next few years, and how does WrapWorks fit into that future? It’s still in its infancy. It already is a valid part of the automotive industry, just as paint is a part of the industry. There are things we can do with vinyl that would be very hard or way too expensive to do with paint. The specialty finishes from chrome, brushed or carbon fiber vinyl changes the automotive customization game, let alone they are removable and can be done again right away in a different color and design. In the custom car world there are so many people who want to customize their cars to show their style and make it theirs; that’s who we’re here for. We built this shop for them. 106

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CHRIS “GZ” GIRON’S DODGE CHARGER

SOURCES WRAPWORKS WRAPWORKS.COM | /VEHICLEWRAPWORKS @WW_HELLCAT | @WRAPWORKS_GZ

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WORDS: KRISTIE REAL PHOTOS: BRIAN McGEE

THE DARK SIDE NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD!

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he Family Customs Dodge Charger R/T 5.7L Hemi V8 is like no other you’ve ever seen! One look at it and the first words out of your mouth will be, “Damn! That’s a hot ride!” And because it’s such an impeccable build, it was chosen as one of the “Hottest Dodge Sedans” at the 2016 SEMA Show by SEMA News Magazine. The mastermind behind the ride is Nick Lopez of Family Customs, who has long been building custom cars with his father, brother and son. Since 2004, they’ve featured 12 of their builds at SEMA and their last one is their masterpiece. Combining his love for everything “Star Wars” and his passion for cars, Nick came up with #VaderCharger to show what his shop is fully capable of. “Nothing goes together better than an iconic American movie, such as ‘Star Wars’ and modern American muscle,” he describes.

To get it to look like one one of the most legendary villains in cinematic history, Nick and his crew started with their exclusive 4K carbon fiber body kit - a Family Customs specialty. “We never really embraced our options for body kits that were available for our projects, so we started designing our own,” he reveals. “We make them in a very highquality 4K carbon fiber and have also created our own in-house composite of fiberglass reinforced with aluminum body kits.” To give it a dark side demeanor, the Charger was dressed by Daley Visuals in a black wrap with red stripes, while its red accents are reminiscent of the lightsaber wielded by the most infamous Star Wars villain, Darth Vader. The Charger can park low and hard thanks to Airride equipment with an AccuAir E-Level air management system, sitting on a set of one-off Triumph Forged 22” CV.EX 3-piece wheels, which sets off its aggressive stance.

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The Charger was already packing heat in terms of power thanks to its Hemi V8 engine, but that wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough for Nick, who added a Corsa Performance Cat-Back exhaust with X-pipe and black chrome tips, a Corsa Performance cold air intake system and a DiabloSport modified PCM and Trinity combo. To help curb that power, R1 Concepts 8-piston front and 6-piston rear forged calipers paired with two-piece rotors, give it the necessary control and stopping power.

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TECH SPECS: 2015 DODGE CHARGER R/T 5.7L HEMI V8 WHEELS & TIRES • Triumph Forged Wheels 22” CV.EX 3 piece forged wheels • Toyo Proxes T1R Tires • Tire Stickers for tire personalization PERFORMANCE • R1 Concepts 8-piston front and 6-piston rear forged calipers paired w/ two-piece rotors • Doug Thorley stainless steel long tube headers • Diablo Sport Modified PCM & Trinity Combo • Corsa Performance Cat-Back exhaust system w/ X-pipe • Corsa Performance Cold air intake • HPS Performance red high performance cooling hoses SUSPENSION • AccuAir E-Level Air Management • Airride Equipment for air ride installation EXTERIOR • Family Customs 6 Piece Carbon Fiber body kit • Exclusive Image Paint & Autobody for customs paint and body mods • Daley Visuals for exterior graphics and interior wrap • Tintman Online 20% all the way around with 5% front windshield • Trufiber A80 carbon fiber hood INTERIOR • WuzUp Graphic Headliners “Star Wars” Headliner • Katzkin Leather kit w/ two tone interior AUDIO • 7DCustoms audio design and installation • (2) 10” Kicker Q10 subwoofers • (4) Kicker CSS67 component sets • (2) Kicker CX1200.1 amplifiers • Odyssey 48-720 High Output Battery

SOURCES FAMILY CUSTOMS FAMILYCUSTOMS.NET /CA.FAMILYCUSTOMS | @FAMILYCUSTOMS

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And if you thought the outside made a statement, the interior is just as impressive with its themed headliner of the original 1977 movie poster of “Star Wars” designed by Wuz Up Headliners. Custom two-tone Katzkin leather is used in the seats and throughout the interior to complete the package. A “Vader Mask” trunk and audio display designed by 7D Customs loaded with Kicker audio products for massive sound is another highlight of their complete theme ride. Since this build went beyond normal bolton mods, it took roughly 10 months to get it all done for SEMA. But it was all worth it when it was finally unveiled because it was one of the

hottest customs displayed at the renowned auto aftermarket show. It has since then become a social media sensation and was recently sold for another automotive enthusiast to enjoy. But that doesn’t mean Nick and his shop are simply going to bask in the success of #VaderCharger. “We are always trying to achieve the latest and greatest in our builds and already have two projects in the planning stages that we think are going to be totally different from our usual projects,” he confesses. “We always like to challenge ourselves and push ourselves out of our comfort zone when developing a new custom. We are about to break your necks on this next one!”

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ON LOCATION EVENT COVERAGE

PHOTOS: BRANDON BURRELL

THOMAS DAVIS HANDING OUT TROPHIES TO THE WINNERS.

ULTIMATE AUDIO | CHARLOTTE, NC | JULY 1ST

ltimate Audio in Charlotte, NC, put on the third annual Ultimate Queen City Car & Bike Show on Saturday, July 1st to benefit the Thomas Davis Defending Dreams Foundation. The foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision is to see their efforts change the lives of underprivileged children on a national level and give them hope to do whatever is necessary to defend their dreams. The show was held at The Park Expo & Conference Center and featured rides from NFL players, as well as some custom rides from Ultimate Audio and others from the region. For more info on how to get involved with TDDDF check out www.defendingdreams.org.

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WORDS: KRISTIE REAL PHOTOS: JASON MOSELEY

DREW EVANSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 2013 INFINITI G37XS LIBERTY WALK SEDAN

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rew Evans doesn’t let adulting get in the way of his true passion - the JDM lifestyle. As an interactive director by day in Philadelphia, PA and a tuner by night and on weekends, he continues to pursue a passion he first developed back in high school as fiercely as when he first started. The avid JDM enthusiast, has owned several vehicles through the years, taking a special liking to Nissan/Infiniti platforms. “I went from my first Nissan - a 1996 Altima SE in high school - to a 2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe, then to a 2008 Nissan Armada LE, then to a 2011 Infiniti FX50S, and owned a Nissan Juke Nismo as a daily,” he explains about his car history. “But my 2013 G37XS sedan I have practically spent the last five years building. I suppose you can say I’ve come full circle with the Nissan family.” Originally purchased for his wife, the G37 later become his after they found out they were having their third child - a transition he didn’t mind at all! As soon as he took the car, his tuning-based mind started to think about all the possibilities on how to make it unique. “It was originally white with very basic bolt-on modifications, but after winning a few shows (like ‘Best Infiniti’) in 2014, I got a taste of competition and decided to go full throttle on a full all-around build and never looked back.” Seeing the level of what it takes to become a SEMA build left him filled with inspiration and he knew he had to create something that would hold its own at the biggest aftermarket stage in the world.

IT WAS ORIGINALLY WHITE WITH VERY BASIC BOLT-ON MODIFICATIONS, BUT AFTER WINNING A FEW SHOWS (LIKE ‘BEST INFINITI’), IN 2014, I GOT A TASTE OF COMPETITION AND DECIDED TO GO FULL THROTTLE ON A FULL ALL-AROUND BUILD AND NEVER LOOKED BACK.

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With a mission to make it a unique, oneof-kind sedan, he wanted to build something that represented his vision, no matter how challenging it became. And since not many parts were made for the sedan, Evans needed to modify coupe parts for his project. “There are pieces on this build which were never meant to fit, and took much time to fabricate and pull off,” he explains. “Many coupes can do what this build can, but never as a sedan. The G was a guinea pig for so many parts, but I enjoyed the challenge. I also pride myself on keeping the majority of aftermarket build parts JDM.”

The highlight of the build has to be the Liberty Walk kit that was actually made for the coupe, but thanks to some fabrication it was fitted to his 4-door. “It’s a statement I can say proudly that no other G37 sedan in the world can. Being one-off definitely makes it my favorite modification, and it’s a real neck breaker when on the road.” To make sure it was seen, he chose a blazing Candy Apple red exterior and some aggressively wheels, going with a set of custom Work Meister S1 3-piece forged (gloss black lip and inner / outer barrels with matte graphite face) wheels wrapped in a set of Toyo Proxes R888 rubber. “The fact that I run my camber at OEM spec and hardly any stretch at all on a 295 (front) and 325 (rear) setup with wheels that wide is mind

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blowing,” he adds. Another highlight is the fully polished engine bay, which is another world’s only fully polished Stillen/Vortech v3 Supercharger setup. According to Evans, the process of polishing every piece under the hood took over a year itself to complete. Drew explains that he named his G37 build “Mars” because of his love for astronomy and the reddish hue of it’s custom paint job. This is where the starry interior and trunk headliners come into play, which sport fiber optic night sky star simulations of actual constellations –

SOURCES LIBERTY WALK LIBERTYWALK.CO.JP DREW EVANS @DREWJEVANS

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quite a sight to behold in person. “The process was done by poking hundreds of tiny holes in custom Alcantara material and feeding them throughout the vehicle,” he details. “My family’s zodiac signs / constellations are on display on the trunk liner, too.” Now in year five of the build, Evans admits that there were several nights he slept on couches trying to get work done prior to some of the bigger shows he’s shown at. But all that late-night work was more than welcomed to help his vision come to fruition. Like any tuner

or customizer will tell you, the work is never complete and Evans still likes to switch things up a bit with new mods every so often. But don’t think the sedan is merely a trailer queen because Evans makes sure to give his Infiniti as much love as he can, bringing the whole famliy along for the fun! And when he does, he thoroughly enjoys watching other drivers slow down in traffic to take photos, give him thumbs up and simply admire his build.

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FINE TUNED BESPOKE STYLE & TUNING GUIDE

WORDS: KRISTIE REAL

While still in development, a clear design with “amazing aerodynamics” and “engineering aesthetics” were common keywords, with the fusion of form and function vital from the initial theme sketch through the first prototype vehicle rolling out on the streets. “We wanted to make a car that could destroy any supercar it came across at a red light or in an open highway battle anywhere

atch out Ferrari and Lamborghini, the totally bespoke MAMBA GT3 Street Concept is looking to be the new street/track dominator! Straight from a collaboration by Casborn styling Group (a private industrial design brand and engineering manufacturer of custom rides in Miami, FL,) and Hoffy Automobiles comes a serious monster for the streets that’s based around the already very aggressive and powerful BMW M4. To transform it into the ultimate street-legal beast, the M4 was stripped down to its core to make way for one-of-akind parts that would make its GT3 racecar inspirations a reality. “The BMW M4 F82 powertrain served as the perfect chassis for this level of bespoke build,” says founder Ramone Casborn. “The frames natural lines spelled race, its base engineering yelled, “I’m a beast, play with me,’ so we did. We took a brand new M4 and completely stripped her to the shell, then rebuilt her again.” 140

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THE BMW M4 F82 POWERTRAIN SERVED AS THE PERFECT CHASSIS FOR THIS LEVEL OF BESPOKE BUILD. ITS FRAMES NATURAL LINES SPELLED RACE, ITS BASE ENGINEERING YELLED, “I AM A BEAST, PLAY WITH ME,” SO WE DID. – FOUNDER RAMONE CASBORN

in the world by an experienced driver,” Casborn says. “The MAMBA gained its base inspirations from the extremely intense and radical GT3/DTM and F1 circuit, old rally style BMWs and ultimately the very snake it’s named after, the mamba.” Extreme in every possible way, its widebody styling package is made using proprietary carbon ceramic composite material that had been race and aerospace tested at

high speeds. Out front is a redesigned front fascia that features a large air dam and some exaggerated side scoops, while its side fender flares provide it with a sort of DTM style look Casborn was going for. For the rear, there’s a wing that was inspired by the Toyota Supra and Plymouth’s Hemi Superbird and Road Runner models. They’ve also integrated a rear fascia and new diffuser into the mix to optimize the aggressive look they envisioned.

The MAMBA’s team made sure to perfect its power with constant research and development and proven ability on private tracks for verifications of its street/track potentials. The result is an engineering package with several horsepower options depending on the client’s inner speed demon ranging from 550hp to 1,000hp, with a 210 mph top speed and 0-60 mph ability in 2.8 seconds for the boldest package – numbers that are on par with

the world’s supercars. All of this is possible thanks to its Methanol injection system, modified quick shifter transmission, upgraded GT3 racing suspension and amazing stopping power via Brembo GT Brakes. For wheels, there are various 20”-21” selections and an optional ballistic package is also available. All this adds to its street racing fury and appeal to clients who want something unique and different from the average supercar.

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The interior is no different, with a totally redesigned cabin for the most discerning client. New racing GT sport seating, steering wheel, shifter and headliner are all available in Alcantara, along with a number of other bespoke options that clients can choose when building their very own MAMBA GT3. And Casborn Styling Group has partnered with one of the most exclusive high-end manufacturers in audio to provide only the very best sound system for the MAMBA, putting out well over 600W of studio-level sound quality. In fact, each client is provided with their own “Build Sheet Questionnaire” that details all the different options they can tailor their GT3 with. “Each MAMBA GT3 is a truly a unique build to each client,” Casborn says. “Each one is completely different in nature but yet the same which means each client is very different but has the same kind of character traits. They know what they want in a dream supercar we just help them to get there faster.” Total cost for a complete MAMBA GT3 Street Concept vehicle starts at $211K for the 550hp model all the way to $350K for the full-blown 1,000-hp water injected hypercar version that uses a V8 or V10 engine block. Currently, the company is working with eight private clients on their individual builds, with six already at the post-service agreement stages and moving on to making their MAMBA visions a reality. 142

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Despite getting the initial models out on the road, the company is already thinking ahead and will upgrade future versions with a new front fascia, with more “F1-level options,” mentions Casborn. They are also in the early design stages for a MAMBA GTX-R model, with only three units available which is already garnering interest. “A person who wants and owns a MAMBA GT3 is a rare breed of

monster,” he explains. “They are beasts in their careers and they have worked very hard and overcome all the odds to get to where they are in life now; wealthy, extremely private and winning. They have no fear and truly do not care how people feel about them.”

SOURCE

MAMBA GT3 MAMBAGT3.COM

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ON LOCATION EVENT COVERAGE

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF MISS AUTO KOREA DUBIRTINT.KR | @DUBIRTINT.KOREA

s the leading auto tuning and aftermarket exhibition in Korea, the 2017 Seoul Auto Salon was held from July 13th to 16th and featured a variety of offerings, including some of the best aftermarket rides in the region. Besides the awesome vehicles on display, the show also featured fun interactive things to do like the Tint-Off Korea contest, tuning design car contest, racing queen contest and auto mechanic contest, giving show-goers a chance to get in on some of the tuning action! And the eye-candy wasn’t just from the cars – the models were also a huge attraction of the show. But the highlight for us was being able to represent with DUB IR Tint with the official DUB IR Tint distributor in Korea, Miss Auto.

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ON LOCATION EVENT COVERAGE

PHOTOS: BRIAN McGEE

hanks to the rise of vehicle wraps, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now an entire show devoted to those in the industry! Wrapscon is the premier event for graphic installation professionals and was held inside the NBM Show from July 20th through 22nd at the Long Beach Convention Center. All the best graphic installers and the leading manufacturers and distributors in the industry were under one roof, sharing tips, tricks, install techniques and the latest products will be the future of the rapidly growing market.

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ON LOCATION EVENT COVERAGE: WRAPSCON 7/20 - 7/22

ORAFOL MANDARIN ORANGE AND INTERGALACTIC BLUE WRAPPED BY @HITECHWRAPS AND @VINYL_SLAYER ON ROADSTARR MOTORSPORTSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 488

@VINYLVIXENWRAPS OUTTA WRAPSHESH IN AZ DOING WORK ON THE DROPSTARS F-150.

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ON LOCATION EVENT COVERAGE PHOTOS: FERNANDO DEANDA

GUCCI MANE

e always have mad love for Houston as the city welcomes us back each and every year with the huge hospitality that Texans are known for. On Sunday, July 30th we were back and again teamed up with 97.9 The BOX, to bring the Monster Energy DUB Show Tour to the NRG Center. The region brought out the best of the best and there was everything from exotics to muscle cars, sky-high lifted trucks and Jeeps to motorcycles and Lowriders - basically something for every automotive taste! The concert was one for the books with stellar performances by Gucci Mane, Kyle, Lecrae, Z-Ro, Dat Boi T, GT Garza, Beatking and Propain! A huge shoutout to all of the show’s sponsors for making the Houston stop possible, including: Monster Energy, Nitto, Dropstars, TIS, Gear, Motiv, DUB iR, DUB by Meguair’s and LFTD & LVLD! And an extra huge shoutout, thank you and prayers for everyone in the Houston area as your rebound from Hurricane Harvey! #HoustonStrong

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ON LOCATION EVENT COVERAGE DUB SHOW HOUSTON 7/30

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