One thing... is that an "R" emblem on the back? As in "typeR" type emblem?!
I don't care if it's a Roush emblem or what - it strongly resembles a "typeR" emblem - and should be removed via heat gun & fishing line immediately - and then tossed in the nearest disposal/blender. #fairlane
@avconsumer2: Nope, notice the squiggle next to it, a backwards "B," that's actually their logo, "RingBrothers. They also worked it into the firewall as you can see in this image from their build gallery. #fairlane
@Ben Wojdyla: I understand it's not an actual "TypeR" badge... but it's waaaay too close for my comfort. Let me demonstrate...
edit: well... couldn't find any shining examples of "Type R" badge misuse - but you know what I'm referring to. Those abominations are all I see unless the "R" is on an actual manufactured "R" type vehicle. They need a new badge. How about a nice chrome "R"!!!? The red one's played out anyway.
@avconsumer2: I absolutely get what you're saying, though it's more "GT-R" than "Type R." At the same time, it's their product and their customers don't seem to mind. #fairlane
These are the same guys that did the Reactor Mustang; a '67 resto-mod. I've seen that car at a couple of local car shows, and it is amazing in the detail that was put into it. The only detractor, in my opinion, was that it was a Mustang. Like the Camaro, the Mustang has been way over done, and no matter what modders do to them, they still don't stand out.
But this Fairlane... Now they need to do the same with a wagon! #fairlane
I saw one of these recently that had been driven to a car meet, and I'm fairly sure it would have been possible to mail it back to its origin in a UPS padded envelope. Probably quicker too. God, it was cool though. Nice owners as well, and incredibly ballsy to drive a car with a quarter inch of sheet metal between you and a front-end collision with a ten-ton semi. #subaru
All these guys need to do next is to figure out a mod that'll knock about 50 HP off the Elise once they've made it heavier with their carbon fiber, and they can win some kind of aftermarket Darwin Award.
Are you telling me that there are legal kei vans in the US right now? Is this the only model? Can someone point me to a list of road-legal kei vans? These things are my kryptonite and I need to know what to search for. There are guys who import newer Japanese cast-offs, but they're not eligible to be registered.
@Smells_Homeless: My neighbor across the street had a Subie 360 sedan, and there's an old guy in town that has two LJ-10 Suzuki's that are beyond cool. You gotta' go old, though. Check out:
If you ever take a vacation to Catalina Island, off the coast of LA, you will see many of these old kei cars. The Island restricts most new vehicles, so a lot of older odd little cars are puttering around. I saw a bunch of Hi Jets and a few of these Subarus. Most of them are used by the few people who live there year round. Some are 4x4's as a lot of the dirt roads that ring the island get kinda muddy.
I was there is August and all my friends were wondering why I kept checking out all these tiny dirty old cars.
Very nicely done, interesting take on the rear especially. So, Ben, I'm an old fogey and I'm not enraged by this customization....so either the car's not that over the top or I'm not so over the hill.
Now get off my lawn. And take that carbon fiber monster with you! #fairlane
Vehicles under 1000 ccs should be exempt from crash and emissions standards. Then, we could have these. You could buy a couple for your girlfriend's charm bracelet. Stocking stuffers. Buy instead of rent. #subaru
@egoods: Exactly... Sure the Evo's a real cracker of a car for some but with a transverse engine in the front sending torque through right angles more than once, it smells of econo box mediocrity.
I just don't feel it's right. It's a high-tech pig, a tough yet ugly wild boar!
@LandofMinos, Prediction, probability of procuring a poncy Prius for purchase. Piss off!: I will jump across this internet and smack you upside ya head! But seriously, have you driven the new SHO? I have, and I have to say, it's quite sporty. S'all I'm saying is don't knock it until you've tried it. Or at the very least if you're going to knock it go for the weight issue, not the drive train or engine. #mobsteel
@egoods: Unfortunately mate, I'm on the other side of the planet so driving a Taurus would be a little hard. I have driven the Australian spec Toyota TRD Aurion which was quite fast and enjoyable, but it's more expensive and more of a handful (torque steer) and slower than a RWD Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo. I once drove a Mitsubishi Magna (Diamante) AWD but was left wanting (also with torque steer issues).
My distaste of FWD and transverse front engines comes from being an Australian where true Aussie cars are RWD and big six or eight spinning it's crank longitudinally. Actually back in the 90's, Ford US had the crazy idea to sell the Ford Taurus in Oz with the prediction that it'll eventually replace the Falcon. "It's a large car too, Australians won't know the difference" they cited.
Well typical large American company execs who think the consumer needs to be told what they want, were a little confused as to why the Taurus flopped. They just didn't or wouldn't accept that the average Aussie consumer did not want a FWD econo-box, "how can you do burnouts and circle-work with that piece of shit?" we'd say while the American exec would just blink mindlessly somehow not taking in reality. #mobsteel
@LandofMinos, cast thou evil bum dragger to thy scrapyard: Alright, I'm coming there to smack you, just for the fact that you live in the land down under... and get to drive all the awesome muscle cars that WE CAN'T FREAKIN GET HERE WHY!?!?!?!??!? Anywho, expect to feel the sting of my pimp hand in the next 24 hours. #mobsteel
I'm being really sincere when I say I feel for my American brothers and sisters who have to put up with the kind of crap the the big three + 1 (Toyota) are force feeding you. Once upon a time Australian car makers were inspired by America's metal muscle.
We fought every war along side her, she saved our arses when the Japs tried to invade in WW2 (while the British left us for dead) and we're damn sure we will follow in her footsteps, especially when it comes to building cars and car-culture. We are the southern Canada that Mexico never was, we are the surrogate 51st state.
"America! We Want You" to have and drive proper cars!
I'll meet you at Sydney airport and expect your pimp hand to slap around a set of FPV Pursuit Ute keys... #mobsteel
@LandofMinos, cast thou evil bum dragger to thy scrapyard: I grew up rebuilding classic muscle cars, so you can see where I'm coming from (my highschool "project" is attached). It's just so frustrating to see American cars (Australian built but American car companies...) that harkin back to the good ole muscle car days, but never hit our shores (or rarely).
Also, I'm about to be the proud new owner of a 2006 GTO, which I believe you know as the 3rd Generation Holden Monaro.
This poor car has a case of billet diarrhea. The craftsmanship isn't in question here by a long shot but someone should tell the Ring Brothers that the billet fad dropped off many years ago. #fairlane
11/06/09
One thing... is that an "R" emblem on the back? As in "typeR" type emblem?!
I don't care if it's a Roush emblem or what - it strongly resembles a "typeR" emblem - and should be removed via heat gun & fishing line immediately - and then tossed in the nearest disposal/blender. #fairlane
11/06/09
@avconsumer2: Nope, notice the squiggle next to it, a backwards "B," that's actually their logo, "RingBrothers. They also worked it into the firewall as you can see in this image from their build gallery. #fairlane
11/06/09
edit: well... couldn't find any shining examples of "Type R" badge misuse - but you know what I'm referring to. Those abominations are all I see unless the "R" is on an actual manufactured "R" type vehicle. They need a new badge. How about a nice chrome "R"!!!? The red one's played out anyway.
11/06/09
@Ben Wojdyla: #fairlane
11/06/09
11/06/09
11/06/09
These are the same guys that did the Reactor Mustang; a '67 resto-mod. I've seen that car at a couple of local car shows, and it is amazing in the detail that was put into it. The only detractor, in my opinion, was that it was a Mustang. Like the Camaro, the Mustang has been way over done, and no matter what modders do to them, they still don't stand out.
But this Fairlane... Now they need to do the same with a wagon! #fairlane
11/05/09
I saw one of these recently that had been driven to a car meet, and I'm fairly sure it would have been possible to mail it back to its origin in a UPS padded envelope. Probably quicker too. God, it was cool though. Nice owners as well, and incredibly ballsy to drive a car with a quarter inch of sheet metal between you and a front-end collision with a ten-ton semi. #subaru
11/05/09
11/05/09
Are you telling me that there are legal kei vans in the US right now? Is this the only model? Can someone point me to a list of road-legal kei vans? These things are my kryptonite and I need to know what to search for. There are guys who import newer Japanese cast-offs, but they're not eligible to be registered.
I need one. #subaru
11/06/09
[www.microcar.org] #subaru
11/06/09
11/05/09
That's like taunting death.
I like it. #subaru
11/05/09
I wonder if it could fit in the back of my van? #subaru
11/05/09
I was there is August and all my friends were wondering why I kept checking out all these tiny dirty old cars.
They are not Jalops... #subaru
11/05/09
...and this van is a little cutie. I once saw a picture of the pickup version hoisted into the bed of a full-size Ford truck. They're insanely small.
I dare anyone to not like a rear-engined, two stroke, suicide-doored, forward control kei van with an amusing slogan. It's very... Jalopnik. #subaru
11/05/09
I know the Mystery Machine would be more accurate, but I never really liked Scooby Doo.
*or a first gen Scion xB. #subaru
11/05/09
Now get off my lawn. And take that carbon fiber monster with you! #fairlane
11/06/09
My guess is that it's both.
Yes, there's plenty of modern parts on there, but the overall style still has a that look to it.
Definitely like it. #fairlane
11/05/09
11/05/09
You can't put lipstick on a mid-size FWD pig and whore it out. That's just wrong.
What are you going to do with 400HP though the front hoops, defy Isaac Newton?
No, you'd drive everywhere constantly feathering the throttle less you mitigate the sidewalk of pedestrians, light poles and trees. #mobsteel
11/05/09
11/05/09
11/06/09
11/08/09
I just don't feel it's right. It's a high-tech pig, a tough yet ugly wild boar!
I make no apology. #mobsteel
11/09/09
11/09/09
My distaste of FWD and transverse front engines comes from being an Australian where true Aussie cars are RWD and big six or eight spinning it's crank longitudinally. Actually back in the 90's, Ford US had the crazy idea to sell the Ford Taurus in Oz with the prediction that it'll eventually replace the Falcon. "It's a large car too, Australians won't know the difference" they cited.
Well typical large American company execs who think the consumer needs to be told what they want, were a little confused as to why the Taurus flopped. They just didn't or wouldn't accept that the average Aussie consumer did not want a FWD econo-box, "how can you do burnouts and circle-work with that piece of shit?" we'd say while the American exec would just blink mindlessly somehow not taking in reality. #mobsteel
11/10/09
11/10/09
I'm being really sincere when I say I feel for my American brothers and sisters who have to put up with the kind of crap the the big three + 1 (Toyota) are force feeding you. Once upon a time Australian car makers were inspired by America's metal muscle.
We fought every war along side her, she saved our arses when the Japs tried to invade in WW2 (while the British left us for dead) and we're damn sure we will follow in her footsteps, especially when it comes to building cars and car-culture. We are the southern Canada that Mexico never was, we are the surrogate 51st state.
"America! We Want You" to have and drive proper cars!
I'll meet you at Sydney airport and expect your pimp hand to slap around a set of FPV Pursuit Ute keys... #mobsteel
11/10/09
@LandofMinos, cast thou evil bum dragger to thy scrapyard: I grew up rebuilding classic muscle cars, so you can see where I'm coming from (my highschool "project" is attached). It's just so frustrating to see American cars (Australian built but American car companies...) that harkin back to the good ole muscle car days, but never hit our shores (or rarely).
Also, I'm about to be the proud new owner of a 2006 GTO, which I believe you know as the 3rd Generation Holden Monaro.
11/05/09
11/05/09