FB Truck Products Have Arrived
Arriving after the Lolvo, the FB Trucks fleet show up,
A 2002 SCV Athena (Lorry) and a 2008 Aanholt Utile V6 (van), both with extensive modifications.
The truck features a hibar, with lightboard and dual spots and beacons,
Grille mounted double burners,
Sidepipes,
Bakbar with 2 worklights,
Low mount, with 4 spots and 2 fog lamps.
Step bar with 3 LEDs.
The van feature a full set of beacons and strobes,
Air bag suspension,
Grille bar with 3 LEDs,
Custom Visor,
Performance Exhaust,
Front lips,
Custom, vented bonnet,
Side step,
BBS Rims,
Rear window sticker,
Hood Bra.
Both vehicles are showcase vehicles from the 2008 show fleet.
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8/12/2020
"Somewhere out there"
As the event was coming to it's end, two cars came out of the hiding, an orange retro supercar and a blue classic sports car. One a "modest" V8 sports car, the other a soon-to-be released super car, both of which are Bradford/RetroniX. Both were on their way to the spot to have a "little chat".
Collectively, the two cars had 20 cylinders worth of raw noise. Both car attracted some attention due to their outrageous styling and awe-inspiring aura.
As the duo slowed to enter the parking lot, they took their time looking for a spot where they can both park next to each other. After sometime finding the right spot, the orange RetroniX parked in first, following slowly the blue-teal Bradford.
Meeting of SpeedBattalion-20 (First Meeting)
As both of them got out of their cars, out came Helda Fincke in the Bradford, and Akai Matra Sullivan, they were able to see each other’s faces and get to know each other. They get to know their history, their involvement in street racing, and their lives after participating said events
(Akai, waving at Helda as she got out of her car) : Heyooo!
(Helda) : Hello there…
(Akai) : Nice Bradford, those things are kinda a good platform for tuning, though I used to drive one myself. What model is it? I’m kinda iffy on remembering certain models.
(Helda) : I think it’s a Rapid Action - 1 (RA-1), also, I haven’t seen a RetroniX like that. I assume it’s a prototype.
(Akai) : And you are correct for assuming such, I finally have the green light to show this off to the public
(Akai) : So finally us “used-to-be” street racers meet in a place of car enthusiasm, different kinds of people and their own cars.
(Helda) : We are somehow no different, we all belong in a certain kind of group, so it’s not wrong to assume that we belong here as well, although I still feel like that race like it was still yesterday…
(Akai) : I can also recall as well, racing in a carefully recreated track inside a compound, I can still remember being 2nd place that time, also recalled having a drink at a nearby bar as celebration… Good ol’ memories, too bad we both bailed out as soon as that shit fell apart. I wonder where my drinking companions are now…
(Helda) : sigh… One day, we will be able to recreate those, in a more, uhm, how I can put…, in a more “legal kind of fun” way.
(Akai) : Oh yeah, that brings us to the main reason why we met up here, care to have a chat with me in a cafe near here? I know a place where we can get some good ol’ espresso.
(Helda) : About that thing of "starting on the tuning house business" ? I mean, I can’t turn down such an enticing offer.
(Akai) : Then what are you waiting for? Let’s go have a drink
(Helda) : Sure…
Helda and Akai went on to chat about future plans on setting up a tuning house company somewhere in Germany, somewhere close to a track that all know about…
And so begins a new chapter of street racers going on a couple of track days somewhere in the future…
Pictures
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On the other side of the parking lot…
Kaizen Corporation
Well, the Kaizen Owner’s Club of Japan have arrived at the predetermined venue somewhere in Japan for the 2020 Automation “Virtual” Car Meet. Because of the alphabetical order of the show, their RCN and Reizei counterparts are nearby. RCN (Reconcilation Motors) is a American company formed by a joint venture between Kaizen Corporation and Factory W Motor Works (Vena.Sera423), both as an entry level brand for Kaizen and a way for Kaizen to gain more traction in the USDM market, although Kaizen does sell RCN models in Japan.
(btw on the far row, the blue “race sedan” was made by @Reizei, the white hatchback with the wing was made by me and @Vena.Sera423, and the gray hatchback was (technically) made in a collaboration by me and @Vena.Sera423 again, although Vena did make this trim himself.
For this event we will specifically review 3 models.
2020 Kaizen Seiken 45s AWD
The first model belongs to the president of the club, who happens to be the chief stylist of Kaizen’s automotive division. This is a 2020 Kaizen Seikan 45s AWD, a long running model first produced in 2012. This was the first application of a 2012 design language commonly referred to as the “fist,” meant to resemble a knuckle/fist flying through the air, conveying a sense of punching the air around it in a show of raw power, effortless speed, and sheer performance, essentially pushing the energy from the rear to the front. In this case, the rear (especially the lights) takes inspiration from the tense tendons(?) on the base of the palms that “rise up” as one rolls a fist and punches. (www.3dmd.net/gallery/displayimage-2365.html). This is conveyed by the thin, curving LEDs of the taillights along with the rear vents that swoop forward, pushing energy to the front.
A reference can also be made to tensed up muscles of a punch. (wallsheaven.com/wall-murals/side-view-of-male-fighter-mak…). The top curve formed by the side vent sacrifices harmonious front to rear flow, opting to mimick the side profile of a tensed up muscle. One should note how it seems that people depict active muscles are not relaxed, flowy (in a single direction) figurines, but rather a series of contrasting curves and lines that combine to form a sense of tension and potential energy. (www.proko.com/drawing-muscles-what-you-need-to-know/#.XzN…). This also has the effect of visually transferring energy from the rear to the front, reinforced by the door crease along the top that seems to transfer energy, and the bottom body molding that seems to tilt the car forward. The angled side exhaust seems to suit this kind of cacophonous energy transfer better rather than a more “harmonious” rear exit exhaust, the same could be said for the blocky and “durable” wheels. Overall, the car takes a powerful “launching” position, low to the ground tilted forward, similar to a cheetah, track runner, or drag racer getting ready to sprint.
Something to note on all the cars featured: all these vents you see are functional.
I guess it’s pretty obvious, but the headlights are designed to look like a fist (www.proko.com/drawing-muscles-what-you-need-to-know/#.XzN…). In this case, the turn signals (outline of the headlights) form the knuckles. The shaping below the lights is supposed to represent the thumb, while the hood bulge represents the elevated position of the middle finger, the hood vents forming the index and ring fingers.
Rounding out the punch/fist theme is the name Seiken, referring to the “proper fist” in certain karate disciplines. (traditional-karate.com/karate-do/kihon-basics/seiken-prop…)
Power comes from a high revving naturally aspirated DOHC 5 liter V8, with 454 hp and 358 lbft on tap. It is connected to a ZF 8HP 8 speed automatic to (duh) an AWD system).
The engine shares the same bore, stroke, and cylinder angle with the V6 variations it was based off.
A revised version of the engine will debut soon.
2004 Kaizen TRI18s
Designed to compete with cars like the Ford Focus and Honda Integra/Acura RSX, this generation of TR was known for, aside from continuing a premium, mechanically innovative legacy, its rather radical styling compared to past (and maybe future) iterations. The 19s trim is intended to be a more sporty/powerful/fun variation of the normal TR, while still retaining a somewhat relaxed, premium feel. A warm hatch perhaps. This 3 door example one has the optional passenger side rear door and HID headlights. It is also completely stock because it comes from the official Kaizen Japan collection.
A 2.0L naturally aspirated DOHC inline 4 mated to a 6 speed manual with a helical limited slip differential was the sole powertrain for the 19s trim. Producing 192 hp and 142 lbft, it was certainly a willing and capable partner, but always seemed more suited to a lighter car. Power was routed to the front wheels. JDM variants were equipped with exclusive individual throttle bodies and direct fuel injection.
2012 Kaizen SC50s AWD
The 2012 Kaizen SC50s AWD executive performance sedan slotted between the supercar beating VSC and the V6 variations. It is again one of the knuckle inspired cars, mostly evident through the headlights. Built on an extended version of the aluminum semi-space chassis of the Seiken, its value proposition was very competitive against the likes of the BMW M550i, while being significantly more accessible and understated than a full blown VSC. This specific one, originally a lawyer’s car, was recently bought used by a newly successful engineering consultant. We’re not really sure what the plans are for it…
A 505 hp (443 ftlb) twin turbo V8, essentially a turbocharged version of the Seikan’s engine, efficiently hammers this car from 0-62 in a very conservative official estimate of 4.9 seconds, to a top speed of 197 miles per hour if delimited (like this one). It is hooked to a ZF 8HP 8 speed automatic transmission.
Well, that’s all for today! Enjoy and have a good day!
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An unmarked, unlabeled semi pulls into the lot. Led by a lemon wedge and trailed by a gold blob, it comes to a halt in front of some garages; the yellow escorts disperse.
The first of these happens to be a Zacspeed F35, the company’s race-derived halo model from the late 80s. US-spec examples had a chunky bumper laid onto the wedgy front, but this one goes without. Now with Japanese plates (why they kept the front ones remains a mystery), we can presume the owner doesn’t do much with it rather than keep it stock. We can’t blame him, what with just about 500 HP from a 4.5L V12, a five-speed gated manual, and that optimal wedge profile.
In pulls the next one, a Motorpop Go Type C. Not just any Motorpop Go Type C though - it’s the Pikachu edition. Not just any Motorpop Go Type C Pikachu though - it’s shiny. With 10 of these quirky promo cars built, it’s thought there are only one or two puttering about. A non-shiny one turned up recently when suggesting new cars for one Chaz Kramer, but it was turned down out of fear of being a showstopper in the DMCA sense . How it manages to smile after getting turned down like that is a mystery.
As the truck’s trailer opens up, a V8 rumbles to life.
You might remember this from the 1994 New York auto show, the one with the NU-ERA concepts. This Sirius-Zacspeed WR-GT2 wasn’t exactly a new car when it surfaced there. Prior to its show appearance, where Zacspeed Racing announced it would contest the newly-formed BPR GT1 class with this, the WR-GT2 ran in IMSA GTO since 1992. The Daytona 24h and Sebring 12h races gave plenty of experience in how the chassis and engine would hold up over lengthy periods of time, which certainly helped when it came to their runs at Le Mans. It shows up every now and then in historic showcases - with the Revello-Zacspeed Monza GT1 currently undergoing maintenance, people are speculating this may very well show up at Donington.
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