Tag Archives: Customs

News

Land Rover Defender convertible enters manufacturing

Dutch coachbuilder Heritage Customs has began manufacturing of its soft-top convertible Land Rover Defender, with the agency’s second instance already beneath manner at its Enter manufacturing unit. 

Based on the L663-generation Defender 90, the Valiance Convertible has been closely modified to characteristic a sixth seat, cast wheels, bespoke leather-based trim, sports activities seats and different modifications to each its inside and exterior. 

The Valiance Defender has been completed with Sunbeam Yellow paint, with contrasting exterior options in black, together with the automobile’s roll cage, entrance bonnet plates and facet air vents. Its material high is handmade and electronically managed. 

Inside, the Valiance Defender is fitted with black quilted upholstery, aluminium panelling and an extra passenger seat positioned within the centre of the entrance row. It additionally options yellow stitching to match the outside paintwork. 

As reported by Autocar in 2022, Heritage Customs will construct simply 5 examples of this convertible Defender, every priced at greater than £100,000. Around £58,000 of that determine is for the conversion itself, with the worth of the bottom automobile making up the remainder. 

However, this doesn’t embody modifications to the powertrain, which can stay in manufacturing unit specification as chosen by the shopper. 

News

Honda Customs Contest: Dax Furiosa Takes The Crown

From June 21 through 25, Honda Motor Europe held its Honda Customs contest during the Wheels and Waves event in France, which saw the exhibition of various custom mini bikes. The Honda Customs contest, which was meant to collaborate young artists and established motorcycle tuners, saw a total of seven entries in display.

Our previous story highlighted all of the builds, which showcased unique personality and craftsmanship from various artists and builders across Europe. That being said, the online votation doesn’t lie, and there’s a clear winner: the Honda Dax Furiosa by Portugal’s Tamara Alves and custom workshop Art on Wheels Garage. The custom Honda Dax garnered 34 percent of all the votes during the contest.

Honda Customs Contest: Dax Furiosa Takes The Crown

The Honda Dax Furiosa is a custom mini-bike that takes attention to detail to a whole new level. It features a post-apocalyptic theme, looking like it came straight off the set of Mad Max. It features an incredibly realistic patina, achieved by skilled paintwork giving the entire body a rusty, well-weathered look. The addition of graffiti-style artwork, as well as a custom exhaust pipe with a metal grill further add to the bike’s dystopian vibe.

Honda Customs Contest: Dax Furiosa Takes The Crown
Honda Customs Contest: Dax Furiosa Takes The Crown

Commenting on the Honda Customs contest, Masayuki Hamamats, General Director of Motorcycles at Honda Motor Europe, praised the collaborative efforts between young artists and moto builders saying, “The strong reaction to these seven incredibly diverse creations is an encouraging sign of how motorcycles really pique people’s interest when they are given the opportunity to get “in touch” with them. ‘Furiosa’ is a well-deserved and compelling winner and we are very grateful to all the artists and trainers involved from these seven different countries – and to the more than 15,000 people who voted.”

Honda Customs Contest: Dax Furiosa Takes The Crown

All in all, 15,924 votes were cast in this year’s Honda Customs Contest. There have been four winners of the Honda Customs contest over the course of the past four years, with the Honda Dax Furiosa being the first and only mini-bike thus far. It joins the likes of the Rebel “Maanboard,” CB650R “Fenix,” and CB1000R Africa Four in the lineup of winners in Honda Motor Europe’s Customs contest.

Cars

What Ever Happened To West Coast Customs After Pimp My Ride

West Coast Customs is still thriving and has evolved into more than just an auto restoration and custom shop. After leaving “Pimp My Ride” in 2007, Ryan Friedlinghaus, the founder of West Coast Customs, signed new contracts with The Learning Channel and Discovery Channel to produce shows like “Street Customs,” which later changed its name to “Inside West Coast Customs.” Unlike “Pimp My Ride,” these new shows focused on building cars for clients based on Friedlinghaus’ vision, rather than catering to the demands of MTV executives.

Friedlinghaus revealed to Forbes that “Pimp My Ride” could have continued indefinitely, but it had a negative impact on his brand. He realized this during the SEMA trade show when people kept asking him not to “pimp their ride.” However, the financial crisis of 2007 served as a wake-up call for West Coast Customs. Friedlinghaus shifted his focus to marketing for global brands such as Nintendo and Mattel.

More significantly, Friedlinghaus established the West Coast Customs Academy, which serves as a training ground for aspiring car builders, welders, paint shop artists, and creatives. The academy provides real-world teachings and applications to help students develop their skills. Friedlinghaus expressed his concern about the lack of woodworking and automotive programs in schools, which has resulted in a decline in young people pursuing careers in these fields. He aims to change this trend by offering opportunities for hands-on learning and encouraging new talent to enter the industry.

Ryan Friedlinghaus’ creation of the West Coast Customs Academy solidifies his legacy as a successful entrepreneur. Despite starting with limited funds, he built his empire from the ground up with no backup plan. Friedlinghaus is proud of his accomplishments and remains dedicated to the growth and innovation of West Coast Customs.