Somewhere in a field:
Didn't even make the festival
@cake_ape
The car was so big, it had to be transported in three parts… sadly the truck with the suspension got lost
(Broken mod; big sad)
@PhirmEggplant
A build so expensive, no insurance wanted to have it stand around in public.
(Massive +15 spam with little to no benefit; please laugh at this user)
Going beyond the track limit
The first group of cars are what we called “Full-Track” build. Disregarding any comfort and just going for the quickest time possible on the track.
@ArizonaCaseo
A very square example of an once very round Merci.
On the first lookover one can clearly see the LMP-inspired look, and while the rear widebody looks fantastic, the front doesn’t quite match.
Instead of keeping the LMP aesthetic, the builders decided to slap an F1 wing onto the front. It just feels glued on rather than part of the design. Some of the original fixtures have also been moved around, and honestly, we don’t get why. Why even have the old timey handels, you already cut the door in two. The giant dual front lights are also very outta the style. Losing them or simplifying the lighting setup would’ve been a huge improvement. At least the engine is backing up the performance.
Overall, the car comes off as a bit butterfacey—a stunning back end but a front that just doesn’t live up to it. If the design would had a more fitting front design, this could had a top spot on our list
@Fayeding_Spray
How low can you go? The answer is “very.” This car sits so low and sleek to the ground that it probably starts generating downforce suction at low speeds.
From a style perspective, we were all on board with its outrageously over-the-top design.
The only minor critique we had was with the long tail, which feels just a touch blocky. A bit more curved and mated with the existing lines design would have looked even better.
A higher-mounted spoiler might also might have looked sleeker or added even more presence. A chopped roofline also could had been a great addition. Other than that, it’s hard to argue with how sleek it looks as is.
As for the tuning, there were zero surprises—it’s exactly what you’d expect from a build this extreme. Everything was made faster, lighter or, if not needed, thrown out. The only sound system you are getting here, is the engine behind you.
Overall, it’s a stunning build that feels fully realized and absolutely worthy of a trophy.
@Nolan_Cables
Yep. This is someone’s track toy through and through—it’s got performance mods and stickers… because stickers = faster.
The build stays mostly true to its original car, with the only big visual change being the redone roof. Honestly, it doesn’t add much to the overall look, but hey, it’s there.
Looking at the datasheet, everything checks out. It’s quicker, no doubt about it. However, the choice of cross-ply racing tires paired with giant brakes has us scratching our heads a bit. It probally would had been less expensive going with your off-the-shelf Racing tyres and Rims
Kudos, though, for driving this here.
From the Bakery and back in under 7 seconds
The next group was dedicated to what we thoughed are Gasser/Draggster build. Here its all about going fast into one direction!
@draker585
An homage to the wild creations of the legendary Ed Roth.
You can definitely see that vibe of that concept here, but let’s be honest, this fly high to the sun and got burned.
The front end feels oddly squished, like it’s trying too hard to compact Roth’s larger-than-life ideas into too little space. Meanwhile, the rear wheels seem to be hanging on for dear life, likely secured by nothing more than good faith and vibranium spacers.
Then there’s the air filter, towering higher than the engine block itself. Honestly, that deserves an award of its own.
Is is fast? Yes, but thats what you would expect. Overall, good idea not quite being there.
To achive a true homeage status a lot of things would need to change. Adding a bubble top for example would have clearly shown the inpiration. With the new lines from that roof, new fender lines could had been made and so on. Its not an easy thing to pull that design of
@Ch_Flash
And now, for something completely different… well, not really. The only real opposite here is that this time the car is raked forward instead of backward.
Looking at the design, the stretching of the car was handled quite well. Sometimes all it takes is welding a few pipes together and trimming the front grille to taste. Simple, clean, and well-executed. The engine dressing and the new exhaust pipes which come with this also look good and break out outta the “Frenchy” design quite well.
The rear end doesn’t bring anything groundbreaking to the table, but it integrates nicely with the rest of the build. The clean, minimalist approach works well here, letting the rake and stretched body take center stage.
Overall, this is a strong, cohesive build and a definite contender for the trophy.
Less roof, more fun
Why add something if you can also just cut it away? This group is for Speeders and our two cars could not be more diffrent
@Knugcab
Yes, of course. Why not just cut away everything you don’t need and swap the rest for carbon fiber? The result is a car that weighs even less than the original, all while housing a peppy, small-but-mighty engine.
What you see, is what you get. And thats full performance in a thing which probally weighs less than the average american.
We really like the modern design, which pays homage to the original with just the right amount of subtle nods. The design for example still keeps its original light design and and position. Also even with the overfender and the old ones removed, the bodyline is still there.
That said, a different splitter might have been better, as the current one just doesn’t really flow with the design
Overall, this is a fantastic build that balances minimalism with respect for the car’s roots. Clean, lightweight, and undeniably fun.Well done.
@HelloHi
Ah yes, the perfect car to roll down the sunny streets of a state where it probably wouldn’t pass a smog test. But let’s hope you weren’t planning on bringing anyone along for the ride, this one’s strictly for solo adventures.
From the outside, the build is a mix of classic French elegance and modern flair. The two-tone paint and chrome accents ooze vintage charm, while the LED lights add a sleek, modern touch. Both these themes are very well cooked up with just the right amount of things to spice it up.
The single seat config first takes you a bit off-guard, but when you see what you get for it, it makes sense. Instead of trying to squeeze all this modern tech into it, the drive was giving more room to enjoy oneself.
As for the driving experience? It’s exactly what you’d hope for: cushy with just enough performance to ensure you’re not a rolling obstacle on the road. Its the complete opposite to the Wooster from before.
This is an absolute art piece. A strong contender for the trophy. Kudos to Sunset Garage
Superstock
Next ones on the lot are builds we called “Superstock”. These build are looking like they could had come have come out straight outta the Renwoo facorty themself.
@Edsel
Are you a single person on a quest for the ultimate spot to enjoy solitude? Well, this Merci conversion by… a name, has you covered. It’s been transformed into an almost-bigger-than-a-tent RV, fully equipped with everything you’d need to survive the wilds of… the next best fishing spot.
The interior features a full a bed, various shelfs and even its own microwave. The roof even has a TV for you to enjoy. Just hope it has been mounted good enough, or it will knock your theet out when it falls down.
The Mini RV idea is a fun and clever idea, but we couldn’t help feeling it could have gone the extra mile. The exterior remains largely unchanged, which is a missed opportunity. Imagine this with a full lift kit, an exoskeleton, and some rugged off-road gear, then it’d be a showstopper. As it stands, though, it’s on the tamer side of builds.
@ldub0775
Somehow these guys looked at a Merci and thoughed “Yes, this is not cheap enough”. While cutting out the rear axle completly and making the bodyline fit the new config is a feat of itself, it also doesn’t feel as exciting as the other builds around here.
Don’t get this wrong, its very much a great looking car, but its probally better fit for a classic show, than this
((OOC: If this was a redesign challenge this would had perfect. Its a big improvement of the original design and if i every redo this car, i will steal ideas from this))
Rough Riders
Time to get dirty with all the Offroader specs we got around!
@Djadania
Ah yes. Is there anything more American than taking something European and draping it in cheap beer, brass metal, and questionable political takes? Not only did this Merci get the full military makeover with utility paint and grippy tires, but it also received tank treads so massive in the back that we’re not sure it even needs front wheels anymore.
Its by far the slowest car here, but like… does it reaaaaally matter? Sitting on the back of this thing with like 4 diffrent people is enough fun to compensate for the performance.
The interior stays true to the theme, with everything screaming “period correctness” thanks to the added tank and ammoboxes.
The only real issue we found was with the bodywork, particularly where the tracks integrate into the rear. It feels a bit blocky and could use a smoother transition. But other than that, we absolutely loved this chaotic blend of style and insanity.
Definitely trophy-worthy.
Straight outta Dakar. Fitted with a new engine and a custom AWD system, this beast is ready to tackle the dunes. The main highlights of this build are the serious off-road modifications and the widened track, giving it that rugged, ready-for-anything stance.
The interior has been customized to match the aggressive exterior, adding to the overall adventure-ready vibe.
It’s a fun little dune buggy, no doubt, but unfortunately, it feels a bit tame when parked next to the other builds here. Exspecially sitting next to a car with tank tracks and a build almost twice it size, just some stickers and a bullbar won’t really do it.
Going even more into the buggy-like build and adding the full Dakarpack in the rear of this, could have helped this a lot.
@the-chowi
People will look at this and just go, “Hell yes.” The Taz Devil is exactly what you get when you take a Merci shell and throw it onto a truck chassis. It’s a real beauty of a build, packed with new parts and a healthy dose of custom mods.
New lights, new bumpers, old cabin. At least they keept the open top and you get a place for your phone now, with the added benefit of seeing the road like a truck driver. With the giant V8 turbodiesel this also drives like a semi, just that you can drive this with your normal license.
I see a lot of potentional in modding this even further than just this. Anyone up for some Baja?
The Taz Devil feels like something you could actually go out and buy. Practical yet undeniably badass. Definitely trophy-worthy.
Phliopihser Stone
@moroza
At what point does a car stop being the car anymore? Today’s issue of “Ships of Theseus” brings us The Symposiarch. Is this still the car we started with? Well, they probably had to cut it up into four pieces, lengthen it, widen it, and then piece it all back together.
So, what is original on this car? The chassis? Not anymore, it’s been stretched. The shell? Definitely not. The interior? Well, it looks like someone turned their S&P 500 office into a high-end lounge.
So let’s take a ride in this mile-high club on four wheels, and get drunk enough to forget we ever had to ask such difficult questions.
When we are drunk enough, we can take a look at this Merci-Lookalike. On the outside the fender and hoodline have been redone, under those a flat 6 engine has been fitted to make sure that this beast is actually coming up to speed.
The inside is a whole diffrent world, quite litteraly. It feels like stitting in an old “Gentelmen’s” room or something. Completed with leather seats, way to much grain wood and a drinking cabinet hidden in something.
An absoulte banger and top of its class, but this is not anymore the car we send out to the team.
Ze Winnar
Congrats to @HelloHi for crafting a car which combines the best of the source car and the best of insanity into one great build!
Top 5)
- @HelloHi
- @Djadania
- @Ch_Flash
- @the-chowi
- @Fayeding_Spray
(( I will now run away before the backlash))
