Over the past 5 years or so of tuning into literally every car show on the planet, I’ve noticed the rising popularity of resto-modding. Resto-modding is basically grabbing a classic car, gutting it and restoring it with modern components to make it perform and handle better. I recently wrote an article on resto-modding for rpmrush and also included what my personal resto-mod would be. It also goes into a little more depth about the whole process.
I’d love to know who is a purist and can’t stand the thought of butchering a classic, and those who are all in for the Frankenstein method of marrying retro to modern.
Japan bought us the world of highly tunable turbo cars and gymkhana. They also popularised many of their insane cars in the Fast & Furious franchise, where modding your car and driving like a bat out of hell was a way of life, a culture in the same vein as skating and surfing.
I love the Japanese scene, especially drifting and touge. However, this article touches upon the highly-illegal practices that take place in Kanjo racing.
Before I compound further on the subject, the devil on my left shoulder loves the fact I’m about the praise these kamikaze Honda lunatics, whilst the angel on my right is trying to convince me these racers shouldn’t be given any page space at all.
So what is Kanjo?
Yep, the devil won.
Kanjo is a circular road in Osaka, Japan. The younger generation have taken their love for modifying their Hondas to another level…
Damn I love a sleeper. You all know Gargling Gas loves a good sleeper but the cute little ones boasting big BHP are the greatest. Not since the little super and turbocharged Nissan March have I seen such a cool car.
It comes from the company once ridiculed for its skip-like image and performance. Anyone into cars knows very well Skoda produce some amazing cars, especial their diesel turbos. They’ve managed to overcome their poor image and create rally cars, really showing the world what they were now capable of.
A decade or so on and they’ve taken their technology a few steps on with the Fabia vRS 1.4TSi – smart and good-looking hatchback boasting 180-bhp from a 1.4-L super and turbo charged engine. The other stats also look promising: 184lb ft of torque means 62mph in just 7.3sec (remember this is only a 1.4-L) and a 139mph top speed. Not lightening fast but it does manage to return an impressive 45.6mpg and a 148g/km CO2 figure.
Neat, cool, fast and capable of frightening a few bigger cars… perfect.
I recently penned this article for a friend of mine. After a little research I really got into rekindling the years I was into hot hatches (I owned the mighty pocket rocket Citroen Saxo VTS).
After finding a few favourites and stand out cars, I also realised the true bargains you can find after depreciation. As long as it’s clean, HPI checked, possess a full service history and lower than average miles, you should be able to pick up a car at a third of the list price.
Scorching Hot Hatches That Won’t Burn A Hole In Your Pocket
The weekend was a strange experience for me as I didn’t get to walk into my garage and see my car there. It is of course in the safe hands of Mustang Maniac in their panel shop. I got up and got ready to go in record time, packed some overalls and tools and took myself off to see the guys. All the way down there I had a silly grin on my face knowing full well I was going to get covered in various lubricants that were leaking from my car if any was still in it that is. On arrival I was speaking to Adam and catching up with all things Mustangs, I was shown new parts that I decided I was going to have along with other parts I was going to get a bit later on. I just have to get this minor detail cleared with…
I’m one of those guys that obsesses over horse power. Whilst I fully understand the difference between going fast and feeling fast and BHP figures don’t always reflect the performance of a car, I still judge by these stats. I think it’s a mental thing, knowing one car has more than another. When buying a car I’ll always try and find one with high figures and low 0-62-mph times (another obsession of mine).
These stats can be improved with mods, and again, I’m such a stickler for finding the tiniest of advantages in tweaking the basics such as filters, plugs and leads etc… My WRX had a K&N sports filter installed, along with a Prodrive 3″ up-pipe and full exhaust system. Although this upgrade allowed for a 300-bhp re-map, I left it at around 245-bhp, over 20 more than stock. 60-mph comes at 5.4 seconds, quick enough for the time being… well, until I get a 300-bhp R33 Skyline, but that’s for another time, a series of articles about my drift adventure.
Over time and a little wear and tear it’s obvious your car’s engine isn’t going to have the power it did when it rolled out of the showroom. Depending on the age of your car and how well it’s been treated, most of those escaped horses can be cheaply rounded up and put back in the stable.
This is where my article ends, as below is a video I stumbled across today that not only reminded me of the fact I wanted to touch upon this very subject, but is explained by touring car champ, Jason Plato.
Not bad, eh? A cheap way to find 20 odd bhp. Spend a few quid more on a sports filter, along with performance plugs and leads and I think that cool VR6 would’ve gained a few more ponies than when it left the production line.
I am delighted to announce my part in the superbly presented and interesting automotive site, IamKnighted. The main focus is on motor sport and car culture. As you know, I’m a massive fan of both, particularly car culture and the effect automobiles have over people.
I will be writing articles and have great faith in their ability to grow into an influential publication. Please look them up and check out their site and what they have to offer. My first piece is on drifting and how the drift community manages to bring different car groups together as one: Drifting: Bring Car Communities Together
Yes! Finally, the MCMs boys are back with season 6. The wait was well worth it with the premiere being an another feature film set in Japan. Kei To The City is 62 minutesof pure culture, comedy and… drifting. Just to make things clear from the beginning, Kei isn’t a typo; it’s a Japanese term for small vehicles that comply to certain tax and insurance regulations.
The Aussie lads manage to capture the Japanese JDM vibe through the universal love that is messing about with cars. Just like their first film, Temples & Turbos, the drift crew known as ‘The 88s’ show off their garage and some of their mechanical skills.
Accompanying the entire film is Moog’s new album of the same name. Moog is a talented writer/producer, and this electronic music is a match made in heaven.
Originally posted on 
Originally posted on 
Gargling Gas 
