Vegas Automotive Magazine Issue 9: March 2019

Vehicle Features | Shop Features | Event Coverage | More!

MARCH 2019 - ISSUE 9

Test n Tune with

ROB MACCACHREN INSIDE Low and Slow Lowriders | Glovebox detail subscription service | Red Car Show | bagged hyundai Veloster

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Published By Brakr Industries LLC Editor-In-Chief Adrian Mirabal Editor Alexis Solorzano Media/Writer Clinton Rowley Contributing Photographers Hector aka Basic Shots BRAKR INDUSTRIES LLC PO BOX 363016 NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV 89036

Copyright Š 2018 by Brakr Industries LLC All rights reserved.

Printed in the USA

A word from the Editor Hello everyone! Welcome to the March issue! If you don't already, be sure to go and subscribe to our Youtube, like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram! We appreciate all the love and support.

In this month's issue we got to do something very special that you can see on the cover. We got the chance to go out testing with Rob MacCachren and his trophy truck before he competed in King Of The Hammers and the Mint 400 this year. We started the day out at Kroyer Race Engines to get his Trophy Truck on the Dyno and then headed to the desert for a shake down.

Hector Sanchez, aka Basic Shots went out and shot with a Veloster during our on and off rain storms this last month and the photos came out amazing!

Speaking of weather, we had snow in the valley! So many of you were posting pictures of your rides in the snow that we decided to include them all in this issue so check that out. We have been looking for the right low rider to feature and came across someone who owned multiple so we decided to check them all out together. Last but not least for the vehicles we are featuring a Ford Focus that has a paint theme dedicated to Autism awareness with photos by Doug Eckhardt. We are always looking for the next unique ride to feature to be sure to send them our way.

For events this issue we went to the Red Car Show (do we really need to explain) haha, this is a show full of red cars. We are always showing off a new product we got to check out! GloveBox Detail's subscription box full of detail products!

Thanks everyone! We hope you enjoy! Don't forget we put out tons of content on our social media pages, websites and YouTube through out the month as well so be sure to follow us.

Editor Alexis Solorzano

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Visit www.vegasautomag.com/shop today!

•T-Shirts •Stickers •Shop Rags •Photo Prints •More!

Contents

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6- Events calendar 8- HYUNDAI VELOSTER 12-#702VAMFAM SNOW EDITION 14- GLOVEBOX DETAIL 16-ROB MACCACHREN 22-RED CAR SHOW 24-FORD FOCUS ST 26-LOW N SLOW LOWRIDERS

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MARCH 2019 >>>>>> ISSUE #9

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MARCH 2019

Event Schedule

For more details visit www.vegasautomag.com/events

Always verify event details prior to attending, details can change.

Date

Event Name

Location

Type

Cost

March 1-3

Penzoil 400 Weekend

LVMS Nascar

Nascar

$$$

March 2

VW March Meet

Sunset Park

Car Show

Free to attend

March 6-10

The Mint 400 Race and Events

See their website for details

Off-Road Race

$$

March 9 10am-3pm

Hood and Ladder Car Show (1970 and older)

Firehouse Subs on Nellis and Sahara

Car Show

Free

March 16 12pm-5pm

St Patrick's Day Festival and Car Show

Water Street District, Henderson

Car Show/Festival

Free to attend

March 17

Import Face Off

LVMS

Racing/Car Show

$

March 23 @7pm

Monster Jam

Sam Boyd Stadium

Monster Trucks

$$

March 23 11am-3pm

Hot Rod Car Show LVMPD Traffic Safety Event

5712 Missouri Ave, LV, NV 89122

Car Show/Event

Check Event

March 29 10am-5pm

Forbidden Fantasy Show N Shine

Avi Resort and Casino, Laughlin, NV

Car Show

Free to attend

March 29-30

Demolition Derby

Plaza Hotel Casino, CORE Arena

Demolition Derby

$$

March 30 8am-3pm

NAPA Auto Parts Tool Truck and Car Show

3274 Civic Center Dr, NLV, NV 89030

Car Show

Free to attend

March 31 10am-3pm

Injured Police Officer's Fund Classic Car Show

Sunset Park

Car Show

Check Event

April 13 10am-4pm

Phat Phranks 10 year Celebration Car Show

Phat Phranks

Car Show

Free

April 13 2pm-6pm

Las Vegas Teen Challenge

720 S. 9th Street

Car Show

Check Event

April 13

Stance Wars

Boulder Station Casino

Car Show

$

Recurring Events

Caffeine & Chrome Last Saturday of the month 9am-12pm Gateway Classic Cars of LV Las Vegas Car Meets (Free) Every Wednesday Locations vary Follow @Lasvegascarmeets

Cars & Coffee Las Vegas (Free) Every Saturday Morning, 7am-10am Shelby American

Espresso and Exotics (Free) Second Sunday of every month 8am-11am Boca Park Espressosandexotics.com Gears and Grinds (Free) First & third Sunday of the month 8am-11am Baguette Cafe Gearsandgrindsvegas.com Cars und Kaffee (Free) Last Sunday of every month 8am-11am Vesta Coffee Roaster Follow @Carsundkaffee

Village Square Car Show + Art Festival Third Thursday of the month 5:30pm-8:30pm 9400 W Sahara Ave

Cars and Coffee Every Sunday morning 7am-10am Rancho and Craig

Car Show on Eastern Every Saturday morning 7am-10am 9500 S. Eastern Ave

Send your event to events@vegasautomag.com to be included.

First Friday @Findlays VW meet up Every First Friday of the month 6pm-9pm Findlay VW Henderson 983 Auto Show Dr

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unique physique IMAGES Hector Sanchez AKA Basic Shots WORDS Clinton Rowley

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How to drive your wheels off of your hyundai veloster

n the past few years Hyundai has really stepped up their game. The Genesis has a fandom of its own and is being built pretty heavily. But with a stroke of genius or insanity they developed the Veloster, with its odd shape, aggressive styling, and turbo 4-cylinder engine the potential is limitless.

Christian Lucas saw that potential and ran full steam ahead with it. His 2016 Hyundai Veloster is wild enough to grab your attention and clean enough to keep you looking.

Christian is a Manufacturing Engineering Intern who got his start playing with legos at a young age like most of us, except he’s doing something with those skills. A Las Vegas native, Christian attends UNLV for engineering with the hopes of becoming an Automotive Engineer. In his junior year at Coronado High School his dad gifted him a yellow 1991 Wrangler, complete with Don Julio Tequila logos painted on either side of the hood.

That Jeep taught him a ton about what it takes to own a vehicle being forced to do repairs on it himself. His next ride was a 2013 Nissan Sentra and this is the ride that Christian says got him

into modifying cars, having added a front lip, sound system including making his own fiberglass subwoofer box, and teaching himself how to wrap cars. One morning in 2017 he was the victim of a hit and run which totaled his Sentra. This lead to him to search for a decently priced car with a manual gearbox and a good variety of aftermarket parts available. The next month he rolled out of the lot with a new to him Veloster. His first time wrenching on the Hyundai wasn’t even ten miles from the dealer, to the dismay of his girlfriend, he installed a TurboXS Blow Off

Valve in the parking lot of a doctor’s office. That’s dedication to the game, for sure!

It’s safe to say that there isn’t a part on this car that Christian hasn’t had his hands on. An Accuair management system controls the Airtekk airbag coilover conversion, Airlift 4 gallon tank, and dual Viar compressors giving it the low it needs. 18in F1R F103 shoes covered in some Federal SS-595 keep the car in contact with the road. The Rushing Riptide wrap was installed by Christian himself and it’s an eye catcher. Front and rear splitter were also made and mounted

by Christian, showing off his Engineering skills.

Some carbon fiber aero through the car ties everything together for a look I’m sure no one else has. He swapped out that shotgun installed BOV for an HKS Blow off valve. An OBX 3in downpipe leads off of the turbo a custom exhaust with electronic cutouts.

We asked Christian what his favorite part of his car was and he gave a refreshing answer “So I guess the whole car itself is my favorite part. I’ve

built about 95% of the car myself with the help of some friends.” Oh and his tune that makes the exhaust pop and bang, but that’s just the cherry on top. Last December he heard an odd squeaking noise coming from the driver front tire, after pulling over and inspecting he couldn’t see anything wrong. His lug nuts were loose after installing a cheap wheel spacer and not torquing the nuts down after a road trip. This lead to his entire wheel flying off, snapping three wheel studs, buckling his fender, and destroying the rotor. The silver lining though is that this turns out to be his favorite memory with his ride.

Seeing it back in action and rising from the dead like a purple Frankenstein’s monster, rejuvenated his love for the car. He stated that he doesn’t really have a goal in mind for his car, other than modding it until he’s tired of it. After he installs his new Braum Racing Seats, 3 piece wheels and a SEMA flare kit you can catch him cruising around lake mead enjoying the night sky inside and out of his Veloster.

2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER Driver Specs:

Name: Christian Lucas Instagram: @chrislcas Occupation: Manufacturing Engineering Intern and Owner of Lucas Wraps

Vehicle SPECS:

Engine: Turbo 1.6L approx 230 WHP

3.5" SxthElement Short Ram Intake Powdercoated Disco Purple, Mishimoto Z-Line Universal Intercooler with 2.5" Piping, HKS Super SQV4 Blow Off Valve, 3" OBX Catless Downpipe, Custom 3" Electric Exhaust Cutout, SxthElement Upgraded Fuel Line, HKS M45XL Spark Plugs, Galaxy Painted Engine Bay Cover and Accessories, 845 Motorsports Tune Suspension: Accuair e-level Management, KSport Kontrol Pro Coilovers, Airtekk Airbag Coilover Conversion Kit

Wheels/Tires/Brakes:

18x8.5 +38 Gloss Black F103 F1R Wheels, 215/35 R18 Federal SS-595 Body: KPMF Gloss Morpheus Black Roof Wrap, RSW GT Carbon Fiber Wing, M&S Mesh Grille, Tippet Design Bumper Quick Release Kit, Carbon Fiber Style Canards, Custom Retrofitted Headlights, Diode Dynamics RGBW OEM Halos Replacement, Street Aero Side Splitters, Custom Front Splitter and Rear Diffuser Interior: Avery Gloss Rushing Riptide Wrapped Interior Trim, Custom Galaxy Headliner, Shift Solutions C5 Galaxy Shift Boot, JCS Pods Triple A Pillar Gauge Pods, Glow Shift Oil Temperature, Oil Pressure, and Boost Gauges, Airlift 4 Gallon, 7 Port Tank (Wrapped with Avery Gloss Rushing Riptide), Dual Viar 444C Compressors, Custom Wood Trunk Setup Misc: Brake Calipers Painted to Match Engine Bay, Billet ProShop Short Throw Shifter, SxthElement Shifter Cable Bushings, SxthElement Shifter Base Bushings, iJDMtoys VIP style lights, Custom Fabrication to allow the rear air springs to sit lower.

Thanks: Paul, Blayne and Ruben for all the help the have given me. My second family at Hooligan Customs. Sponsors F1R Wheels, Gear Wax, Braum Racing, and Lighting Trendz. My friends and family with Clean Culture. The list is too long, if I missed you just know I cherish you.

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Wow! The weather was a little crazy for a while! It looks like a ton of you in cars and trucks were all able to get out and enjoy the snow!

Drive safe and have fun!

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A subscription box for the car lover in your life.

IMAGES Provided by GloveBox WORDS Adrian Mirabal We are always keeping an eye out for the latest and greatest products, services and brands to introduce to you and this time we found something very unique! GloveBox is a concept that was 15 years in the making. Brad Mills, the Curator and Co-Founder of GloveBox remembers when he got started detailing cars there were just a few things in his toolbox and each had a specific purpose. In the last decade the detailing industry has exploded with new brands and thousands of new products. Their mission is to be the voice of reason in all the noise. How do they do this? They curate, deliver, and teach automotive enthusiasts how to use premium care products by offering a monthly subscription box packed full of goodies for your ride. Each box comes with a mix of car care product samples from various brands. There are no toys and no junk, just real world products that you can actually use.

When you get your box in the mail you will find 4-6 products total. Some products you may be familiar with and some you may not. That is where the GloveBox YouTube comes into play.

Each month you can tune in where they post a how-to video for that months box. They offer various packages with no minimum commitment. You can go month to month, 3 months, 6 months or 12 months. The longer you sign for the more you save.

We were lucky enough to check out the last two boxes! When we received the boxes initially I can tell you the first impression was great! The only word I can use is QUALITY! You can just tell from the overall presentation that these guys care about what they do.

This already made me feel at ease about trying new products. Their box is custom printed with their logo and a couple slogans. Everything is packaged up and wrapped to keep it safe and clean. We unboxed two of them just like anyone else would and it definitely feels like you are opening up a Christmas gift in the middle of the year. Our boxes came with an assortment of microfiber towels, upholstery cleaner, brushes, sealant and some applicator pads. They also throw in a ton of stickers. (Who doesn’t like some new garage/car/toolbox stickers?)

There is a card in every box that had a little message from the owners and also a package list that shows what every product is and what it is used for.

This was extremely helpful, especially for someone who may be new to the detailing game like me. Overall I love the idea for many reasons. The first reason, since I don’t know what I am doing with detailing I sometimes don’t have the confidence to purchase full size products in fear of wasting my money and this is a cool way to get different samples and see what does what. Second reason, there isn’t a ton of subscription box or products out there that make

good car guy/car girl gifts. What an awesome go to gift idea! I know every year when the time comes to think of a gift to get the automotive lover in your life you sit there stumped, well this is a great idea especially with the different levels of trials they offer. Check them out and use our special code VEGASFIVE and get your first month for just $5!!

Visit www.gloveboxdetail.com and use code VEGASFIVE to get your first box for just $5!

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auto wrecking + u-pull auto parts 2635 bledsoe lane las vegas, nv 89156 top dollars for vehicles running or not

monday - saturday | 8a - 4p (last entry 3:30p)

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Test n Tune with

ROB MACCACHREN

IMAGES AND WORDS Adrian Mirabal

We spent the day with Rob MacCachren and it was awesome!

The Mint 400 is known as The Great American Off Road Race. This is the longest and most grueling race to be held within the United States and we are lucky enough to have it held right here in Las Vegas. (The outskirts in the desert) The first Mint 400 was ran in 1968. It was initially a public relations event used to promote the Mint Hotel’s annual dear hunt.

Although it started out as a promotional event it later grew into a legitimate desert race.

Over many years it grew and grew but after the Mint Casino was sold in 1988 the race ended. Fast forward to 2008 and the race was revived. It was originally ran by SNORE but was later purchased by The Martelli Brothers (Mad Media). When they took it over they put a focus on growing the sport of off road racing and getting more television time and making

it a week long event where people from all over the world can come to enjoy the race. This type of marketing helps grow the sport because it makes sponsors happy. Sponsors want to get the biggest bang for their buck and the Mint 400 is sure where it’s at.

We know one man that understands the game very well, Rob MacCachren. Rob is one of the few off road drivers who has made a living as a racer. We had the opportunity to meet up with Rob and learn a little more about what he does to prepare for a race like the Mint 400 and what his thoughts are on racing this year.

Rob MacCachren is a Las Vegas local, born and raised. His dad raced off-road when he was a kid and when he turned 16 they had an opportunity to buy a buggy to race. Rob’s dad

told him if he wanted to race it, he had to prep and fix it. Rob’s first race was the SNORE 250 and his dad decided to drive some of the race since Rob was a rookie. Rob ended up putting down faster lap times than his dad and the rest is history. Rob is now one of the best Off-Road Racing Champions to exist with so many wins over the years and a ton of history in his career.

If you want to know more, go give him a follow and look up his history. Enjoy this interview with Rob MacChachren!

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We started the day off by meeting at Kroyer Racing Engines shop out at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This is the engine builder that many of the highly competitive Off-Road race teams use to ensure there powertrain is on the bottom of their potential problem list. Here Rob's truck was unloaded and put on a dyno to make any changes and ensure the trucks engine and transmission were working correctly.

Kroyer Racing Engines has an immaculate shop with tons of engine builds going on. Just from walking around briefly and going on a little tour you can tell this place is the real deal. After that they loaded the truck up and we all headed out to a popular testing area in Jean, NV. Here Rob took the truck on a few shake downs with his crew chief first to make sure all the normal operating systems were in good working order.

Once they made sure of that then a shock tuner got in the passenger seat and began going out to feel some of the adjustments they made. This process went on for a while until Rob felt like they found a good ride for the truck.

Questions by Adrian Mirabal in RED. Answers by Rob MacCachren in BLACK. Are you excited to race in the Mint 400 this year?

Always, The Mint 400 is the first race I remember as a little kid when I was 7/8 years old. My dad raced in the early 70’s and I remember going to the race with him. It was always the big race. When I got older, 12-16 years old, I remember it was okay with the parents and we would ditch school and ride our BMX bikes down to Fremont Street to check out all the cars. Growing up doing that then and then just knowing the hype and notoriety with everything going on in Vegas and the race being 400 miles, it has just always been one you want to compete in. Also being a local I love just being down there on Fremont and I usually see people that I know and people even back to high school and I have a lot of people rooting for me because I am local or they have known me forever so that is cool! I believe the event is going to get bigger and bigger and it’s awesome they are adding motorcycles and making it a two day event.

How many times have you raced the Mint 400?

I have raced The Mint 400 between 10-15 times. My first time was in 1983. Fun fact, my first Mint 400 I raced I was sponsored by the Circus Circus Hotel and I had to wear a pink jacket when I was 16 or 17 years old.

How many times have you won the Mint 400?

We have one in our class a few times but we have only won one time overall in 2017 but we have been close quite a few times.

Is there any specific or new strategy you have for this year’s Mint 400?

My strategy always is to be there at the end and be in contention to win. Last year starting on the 2nd lap I made a mental error and got frustrated. I caught a guy that started in front of me and I was bumping on him trying to get him to move out of my way and he wasn’t moving so I tried to push him out of my way and when I did I ended up rolling over and it took me out of the race so my strategy is to not do what I did last year and be patient, don’t lose my mind and take a breath. I want to make sure I am still in the race to have a chance to win it. I always say there are probably ten guys that have a good shot of winning this race and I was one of those guys last year and took myself out. Of those 10 somebody has a mechanical failure, somebody has a flat or two and towards the end/last lap there are usually 2/3 guys up in the running and I just have to make sure I am one of them.

How do you prepare for a race like the Mint 400?

I will use the Baja 1000 as an example. The Baja 1000 is the grand daddy of all the off road races that I do so pretty much 365 days a year we are preparing for the Baja 1000. You can say the same for The Mint 400. With how large of a race this is we are always preparing year round with strategy and figuring out pit plans. My pit team, Baja Fools, pit practice weeks prior to the event.

How many different classes do you think you have raced in?

Uhm at least 10. Some of these classes don’t exist or have been combined now.

Class 1, Class 2 (now combined) class ½ 1600, class 5/1600, 7s, 8/8s, 10, 12, trophy truck, Pro 2, Pro 4

What vehicle classes/Series do you currently run?

I am racing the Trophy truck in select desert races. I race KOH, all four SCORE races and The Mint 400.

How does it feel to be considered one of the greatest off-road racers of all time?

I typically say the reason why is because I’ve been doing this for 35 plus years. It is quite an honor, when people ask me how many races I have won and what not I try not to keep track. I am competitive and can still win the races so I don’t plan on slowing down. I have people asking me how much longer I am racing and if I am almost done and I am like NO. Not now. I don’t plan on quitting anytime soon.

What is one thing everyone should know about you? I love racing. I am actually shy.

I really like doing stuff with the family. My career, job, passion, hobby, life is racing.

It is not just my paycheck it is my hobby as well because at the end of the day I will be out riding motorcycles, UTV’s and I am always thinking of honing my skills.

What is your favorite food? I have been saying Mexican food for quite some time but lately I have been moving back to Italian.

Do you have any cool toys, prerunners or race cars we don’t know about?

I currently race the Pro2 and Trophy Truck and I still have two Pro4’s that I don’t race anymore. One was retired in 2001 and the other was retired in 2017. We have 4 Polaris RZR’s. One is a 2 seater that is a show car with all my sponsor logos and what not and then we have three 4 seaters for the family. My son and I have motorcycles. I have a Husky and he has a Honda. I also have an Intense mountain bike that we take out to Big Bear or Brian Head to mountain bike. We sometimes go mountain biking in Boulder City at Bootleg. My actual prerunner I use for my racing is an Alumicraft 3 seater with a 450 hp LS3, an electric refrigerator, a roof rack, lights, tool boxes, rain kit and all the bells and whistles I need. It is one of my pride and joys.

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Give Rob Mac a follow on social media!

@21robmac

Full Photo Album at www.Facebook.com/Vegasautomag

lugnut's red car show IMAGES Clinton Rowley WORDS Adrian Mirabal

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ugnut's Red Car Show and Garage Sale is a special type of show. We stumbled across this show last year and we made plans to attend again in 2019 right away! There is a sea of red classic cars and trucks that come out to show off at the show held at Nostalgia Street Rods.

Unfortunately this year the original date got rained out and they had to reschedule.

This messed up some peoples plans that would be coming from out of town. That is just a reminder that sometimes the weather is unpredictable that far in the future. They were quick to set a make up date and the show did not disappoint.

Don't let the name deter you, if you have a non red classic you want to enter they had a two tone and non red section this year to accommodate although a majority of the cars are red. All the proceeds from this show were donated to Teen Challenge.

The car show also has a garage sale going on at the same time so if you set up a spot you can sell your old parts to someone who may need them and if you are in the market you can browse around while checking out cool cars. As we were walking around they announced on the speaker that the Nostalgia Street Rod's Museum was open to the public at no charge so we went to check that out also. They have a ton of iconic classic cars indoors including a Zamboni, a giant wheelchair car, and so much more.

This is just one of those shows you have to go check out for yourself. It is a nice relaxing scene of red.

Custom dedication IMAGES Doug Eckardt WORDS Adrian Mirabal

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ou know the list of cars and trucks we want to feature for various different reasons is so long! We just chip away at it little by little. This 2016 Ford Focus ST owned by Jason Thurber has one unique paint job that we have wanted to feature. Luckily he recently did a shoot with Doug Eckardt and the photos came out so awesome we wanted to use them!

Jason tells us he is just an average guy who loves cars. He is originally from Denver but calls Vegas home now. It was his dad that got him into cars because he always had cool cars growing up.

With a list of previous vehicles that is too long to list Jason found himself at the dealership in 2016 trading in a car and he was offered a killer deal on the car. The car was brand new from Team Ford. Jason was originally planning on leaving the car stock but that didn’t last long. This Focus is the ST trim so it comes stock with a 2.0 manual turbo engine. It puts out 275 hp with a Cobb cold air intake, JBR catch can, Steeda block off plate and blow off valve under the hood. The car is lowered on H&R lowering springs. He is running Klutch ml1 wheels 18x9.5. The main thing that catches our attention is also Jason’s favorite part of the build, the paint. Jason says “The paint means a lot to me. It has pink for breast cancer, roses in it for my mom, sugar skulls to remember friends and family you have lost and puzzle pieces for his daughter who has Autism.”

That is the first thing that pops out to you is the awesome paint job. The paint was supplied by Lesa’s Auto Body Supplies and sprayed by James Anderson of Andersons Motorsports LLC. If there is one thing that catches our eyes often it is just having something unique on your ride.

Whether it is a wild one off part, custom paint scheme or some sort of dedication it will get the crowd’s attention. If you want to check out the car in person you can find Jason attending local car shows and car meets with the car. He takes the car everywhere since he daily drives it. Next on the list for Jason’s Focus is full air ride and a custom interior. He also plans on driving it to Madison Illinois for Focus Fest. That will put some road miles on this build! Good luck!

2016 Ford Focus ST Driver Specs:

Name: Jason Thurber Instagram: @mushufocusst Occupation: Truck Driver

Vehicle SPECS:

Engine: 2.0 Turbo, Cobb cold air intake, JBR

catch can, Steeda block off plate and blow off valve Suspension: H&R lowering springs

Wheels/Tires/Brakes:

Klutch ml1 wheels 18x9.5 Body: Full custom paint and shaved rear emblems Interior: Painted interior pieces Thanks: To Lesa Lothrigel of Lesa's Auto Body Supplies for all her hard work on the design, James Anderson at Anderson Motorsports LLC for spraying the car and Metalux and Chemspec USA for all the paint, Klutch Wheels for the wheels and Aero Detail Products for keeping it clean.

Low N Slow IMAGES AND WORDS CLINTON ROWLEY

THE STORY OF A MAN AND HIS LOWRIDERS

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1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, a 1959 Chevrolet Impala, and a 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline make up Francisco Franco’s garage. Each one of those is easily someone’s dream car and he has all three. Each one with a different style, origin, and purpose yet they all have the same low and slow vibe.

These cars would make awesome features on their own but we wouldn’t be doing them justice by splitting them up, so we are doing all three.

Francisco was born in Mexico City and moved to Vegas at the age of 8, throughout his childhood he moved to every corner of town. He met his High school sweetheart Eve whom he married and they became parents to a set of twins. When he was a kid he saw a lowrider pull up in his apartments and as the driver locked eyes with Francisco, he hit a switch and locked it up. Francisco was instantly hooked, reading Lowrider Magazine before he was a teenager, which he would later be featured in more than once.

Lowriders would be on TV and he would call his mom and show her the cars and tell her he would have one someday. Her reply was, “well, you better get to work.” That is all the Francisco needed to hear, instead of saying no she planted the seed for hard work and determination.

In 1996 he picked up his Cutlass off of a used car lot on Boulder Highway for $3500, he says is was immaculate, smelled brand new, and idled so quiet you couldn’t tell if it was on. Named Foolish Pleasure by his mother when he started to build it, getting the name from a street they lived on. Francisco kept it stock for a few years slowly adding wire wheels and a stereo just after that though habit the bullet and decided to make his lowrider. The entire suspension has been reinforced and painted chrome and gold. His custom two pump Hydraulic set up with six deep cycle batteries, 3 ton coils with 8 and 12 inch stroke cylinders. 13in Krystal wire wheels are dressed in Remington white walls for the iconic look.

The roof has been cut to fit a Hollywood Top, all original emblems shaved and replaced with custom ones. The paint was done in his buddy’s garage but you would never be able to tell, with the House of Kolor base, ghost patterns, pin striping, and gold leafing you can see why this car is a show winner. Inside is just as wild as the outside, swivel seats, a custom center console, and a painted dash all wrapped in a classic pillow top upholstery. The stock V6 sits very pretty under the hood with ceramic coated headers, painted block, and a one of a kind handmade intake. His brake system has been completely relocated and hidden to give his engine bay an insanely clean look. That isn’t the end though this is a car that will always be tinkered with and updated so it’s always fresh.

1984 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME

Wheels/Tires/Brakes:

185/80/13 REMINGTON TIRES WITH SMALL Driver Specs: WHITEWALLS, 13” CUSTOM CHROME/GOLD/ Name: Francisco J. Franco KRYSTAL WIRE WHEELS WITH PAINTED SPOKES, Instagram: @foolishinvegas INCLUDING CONTINENTAL KIT (5TH WHEEL) Body: CUSTOM HOLLYWOOD TOP (T-TOP) ROOF, Occupation: City Worker SHAVED EMBLEMS, EURO-STYLE SINGLE LENS Vehicle SPECS: HEADLIGHTS, FULL CUSTOM 3 STAGE HOUSE-OFEngine: 231 Buick V6 3.8 LT Engine KOLOR KANDY PAINT, GHOST-PATTERNS, INLAYED CERAMIC COATED HEADMAN HEADERS, KANDY GRAPHICS, CUSTOM PINSTRIPING, GOLD-LEAF PAINTED BLOCK, EDELBROCK INTAKE AND CARB, ACCENTS, CUSTOM EMBLEMS. ONE-OF-A-KIND HANDMADE CHROME/GOLD/ ENGRAVED AIR CLEANER, POLISHED RADIATOR AND Audio modifications: JVC HEAD-UNIT WITH BUILT IN SCREEN, KICKER MIDS AND HIGHS, RADIATOR HOSES Suspension: FULL CHROME & GOLD SUSPENSION 1,000-WATT 4CH LANZAR AMP, 2 10” AUDIOBAHN INCLUDING RE-ENFORCED REAR AXLE, DRIVESHAFT, SUBWOOFERS IN CUSTOM BUILT REAR COUNCIL/ GASTANK, CROSS-MEMBER, SPARE-TIRE BASE, UPPER SPEAKER BOX AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS, SPINDLES, TIE-RODS, SWAY BAR. CUSTOM CHROME/GOLD HARD-LINED 2PUMP HYDRAULIC SET-UP WITH 6 DEEP-CYCLE BATTERIES, CUSTOM CHROME RACK, 3TON COILS AND 8”/12” STROKES

Interior: FULL CUSTOM ALMOND

MARINE VINYL WITH ORANGE ACCENTS, CLASSIC STYLE BISCUT/TUCK/PILLOW TOP DESIGN, FRONT SWIVEL BUCKET SEATS, CLASSIC STYLE GAUGES, KANDY PAINTED DASH, CUSTOM CENTER COUNCIL 10 PRONG SWITH BOX, SYNTHETIC SUEDE TOP Misc: ONE-OF-A-KIND CUSTOM HIDDEN DISC-BRAKE SYSTEM, CHROME/GOLD/ ENGRAVED SIDEVIEW MIRRORS, WINDOW ETCHING, ONE-OF-A-KIND HANDMADE CHROME/GOLD/STRIPPED METAL INNER FENDERWELLS Thanks: I’D LOVE TO THANK MY WIFE FOR ALWAYS BEING MY RIDE-OR-DIE, MY DAY-ONE CHICK .. SHE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE WITH ME FROM THE VERY BEGINNING AND SHE WE’LL STAY RIDIN WITH ME, TIL THE END.

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1959 Chevrolet Impala Vehicle SPECS:

Engine: 350 Chevy Small block motor

UPGRADED ELECTRONIC IGNITION, RACING PLUGS AND WIRES, POLISHED HEADERS AND EXHAUST SYSTEM, DRY-CELL BATTERY, ALL BRAND NEW HARNESS WIRING, UPGRADED SINGLE-WIRE CHROME ALTERNATOR, DIAMOND-CUT BILLET ACCESSORIES INCLUDING VALVE COVERS, AIR CLEANER AND UPGRADED CPP-BRAND FRONT DISC BREAK SYSTEM: BILLET MASTER CYLINDER, CHROME DUAL DIAPHRAGM BRAKE BOOSTER, POLISHED LINES AND PROPORTIONING-VALVE, 4-ROW BE-COOL BRAND RADIATOR W/ BILLET RESERVOIR. Suspension: STOCK FRONT SUSPENSION, REAR ViaAir-BRAND AIRBAG SYSTEM: SINGLE COMPRESSOR, 3GALLON TANK, CUSTOM MADE RACK, 3/8” LINES, HIDEAWAY GAUGE, SINGLE SWITCH

Wheels/Tires/Brakes:

REAL COKER 520 (SQUARE) SKINNY WHITEWALL 13” TIRES AND TRUE, ORIGINAL ZENITH-BRAND 72-SPOKE CROSS-LACED ALL CHROME WIRE WHEELS WITH CUSTOM BLACK 1959-CHEVY CROSS-FLAG KNOCK-OFFS Body: THIS RARE GEM, STEEL BEAUTY HAS BEEN TAKEN APART AND DOWN TO BARE METAL, RECEIVED ORIGINAL “TUXEDO BLACK” CHEVROLET ORIGINAL PANT, ALL ORIGINAL BODY-LINES LEFT ALONE.. ALL 76!!!!-> INDIVIDUAL STAINLESS-STEEL ORIGINAL BODY MOLDINGS WERE EACH WORKED OVER, CORRECTED AND REALIGNED BEFORE EACH ONE GETTING INDIVIDUALLY TRIPLE-CHROME PLATED “NOT POLISHED” BY PETE OWNER OF “APSHOW CHROME” IN ANAHEIM, CA.

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Audio modifications: AUTO-RETRO-

SOUND CUSTOM HEAD-UNIT, MADE TO LOOK EXACTLY AS THE ORIGINAL 1959 CHEVY FACE, BUT ENHANCED TO BE FULLY DIGITAL, DIGITAL SCREEN AND ABLE TO RECEIVE AM/ FM/SATELLITE/AUX/USB AND BLUE-TOOTH CAPABILITIES BUILT INTO THE RADIO.. STEREO ALSO INCLUDES: TWO KICKER 6X9s FOR FRONT AND REAR ORIGINAL SPEAKER GRILLS, A SET OF COMPONENT SPEAKERS FOR MIDS AND HIGHS, HIDDEN INSIDE THE LOWER KICK-PANELS, ALL POWERED BY OL’ SKOOL 400WTT ROCKFORD FOSGATE 4CH AMP. Interior: ALL-ORIGINAL 1959 GM RED INTERIOR FROM CARS-ONE inc. ALL ORIGINAL PATTERNS, MATERIAL AND FABRIC COMBINATIONS FOR THE 59 IMPALA INCLUDING DOOR PANELS, ARM REST, FRONT AND REAR BENCH SEATS, ORIGINAL STYLE TUXEDO RED LOOP CARPET Misc: LOVE ALL MY HARD-TO-FIND OR ORIGINAL ACCENTS AND ACCESSORIES AVAILABLE TO THIS CAR: THE CRUISER REAR-FENDER SKIRTS WITH ITS EXHAUST PORTS AND PONTIAC-STARS, THE ORIGINAL STYLE TILT-DOWN CONTINETAL (FIFTH WHEEL) KIT, CHROME ROCKER MOLDINGS, CHROME GRILL GUARD W/ RUBBER BULLETS, FRONT SPEAR EMBLEMS, DUAL REAR ANTEANNAS, DUAL REAR EXHAUST WITH CHROME PENCIL TIPS, REAR WINDOW VENETIAN BLINDS, RARE HARD-TO-FIND OPERABLE SPOTLIGHTS/SIDEVIEW MIRRORS, PAINT DIVIDER MOLDINGS, AUTRONIC-EYE (DASH MOUNTED HEADLIGHT DIMMER FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC), ORIGINAL YEAR-CORRECT COMPASS, TRAFFIC VIEWER LENS, OPTIONAL 4-WAY FLASHER (HAZARD LIGHTS), OPTIONAL SHIFTER COLUMN LIGHT, MUSIC ENHANCED COLOR BAR THAT FLASHES WITH THE BEAT OF THE MUSIC PLAYING, ORIGINAL STYLE

LOWER DASH CHROME RETRACTABLE TISSUE DISPENSER, CHEVY INTERIOR WASTE BASKET, SINGLE PIECE FRONT CHEVY FLOOR-MAT, RARE RED 59 SEQUENCE-STYLE HEADLINER, OPTIONAL DOME AND LOWER DASH COURTESY LIGHTS AUTHENTIC FIFTH-WHEEL GM LOCK, REAR BUMPER FINN BUMPER GUARDS, GLASS BLUEDOTS FOR TAIL-LIGHT LENSES, ONE OF A KIND, ORIGINAL HAND MADE LED THIRD-BREAK LIGHT MOUNTED WITHIN THE REAR WINDOW UPPER CHROME AIR VENT MOLDING, DASH-MOUNTED ORIGINAL “SPEED-MINDER” ACCELERATOR CONTROL GOVERNOR AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST; MY ROOF/TRUNK-LID/FENDER-WINGSBRUSHED STAINLESS (GUN METAL) METALLIC PAINT FINISH TO COMPLETELY CONTRAST THE WET SHINNY CHROME AND THE DEEP BLACK OF THE PAINT..

ALL MAKES FOR A KILLER COMBO! IT’S ALMOST CRIMINAL LMAO LOL

Now his Impala is a whole different story, it had long been Francisco’s dream car. He obtained it when a good friend found it in a little town somewhere outside of Sacramento. He scooped it up for a really good deal and immediately got to work. During the build however, it was in an accident and had to be basically started from scratch but the wait was well worth the finished product. The suspension is a simple single compressor with Viair bags only in the rear so it sits just right when parked. To finish off the ride it is sitting on some Zenith 72 spoke wheels wrapped in Coker white walls. The entire body was taken to bare metal and painted in original Chevy Tuxedo black, and all original trim was hand corrected, realigned, and chrome plated by Pete Owner at AP-Show Chrome in Anaheim. The interior is period correct down to the seat pattern and roof lining, it is a real treat to see. An Auto Retro Sound Stereo was installed for the original look while still being able to play his favorite tunes. The 350 small block has been updated as well, with electronic ignition and dry cell battery. Heaps of billet and chrome help what’s under the hood match what’s on the outside. The entire car has been fitted with awesome little details from small Chuck Taylors that his children wrote their names on, to the #59 Carl’s Jr card he got a hold of well before he bought the car, knowing he would one day own a ’59 Chevy.

Last but definitely not least is his recent purchase the 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline, which he picked up after a friend showed him a picture of it when he was traveling out in the Midwest. His wife loved it and they drove 16 hours to check it out. Even though he says it was, “full of treasures lol,” they brought it home and have since been working on it. The suspension is stock with 2 inch drop coils and springs for a cleaner look. The outside is all original and will not be painted, his wife says it took more than 70 years to earn the patina it has and it is completely unique. The inside will be wrapped in Pendleton blankets to match the theme of the ride. At the time of writing this the original in-line 6 engine is being rebuilt just in time for Viva Las Vegas.

You can find Francisco at car shows both local and out of state. He drives the Impala around town like a soccer mom drives her SUV, going to the movies, out to dinner, or stopping at the store. We asked him what was next for his all of his rides he said, “Just enjoy them, cruise them, show them off and make great memories with them,” and I feel like that is a pretty good send off.

Welcome to our city!

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