Less than a week after meeting with Richard from P&P, the STi is showing signs of progress in Jeffreys Bay. The front and rear door panels have been removed to begin building the custom panels for the Rockford Fosgate speakers:
The rear seats and boot linings are removed to begin the custom housing for the XBox and the boot installation where the Lightning Audio Amplifiers, Rockford Capacitor and Rockford 3SIXTY will be displayed.
At lunch time today we met Richard from P&P Jeffreys Bay. His new branch has taken the renowned P&P name national - for those who don't know, they are probably the top Rockford Fosgate & Lightning Audio fitment centre in South Africa.
This is where the STi will have it's gaming, multimedia & audio systems custom fitted. Richards workshop is situated a mere 80km from Eissmann which will make co-ordinating the interior more streamlined.
Lightning Audio amplifiers that illuminate blue will be used to power a full range of Rockford Fosgate speakers including a massive woofer in the boot and two sets of splits in the front and rear doors.
The new Rockford Fosgate 3SIXTY signal processor will also be used in the car to enhance the sound system. You'll need to come back here in a couple of days to discover what other gadgetry will be crammed into this STi, making it the most advanced audio-visual Subaru in South Africa.
Today was a great day at the coast! In the morning we visited CustomEiss Auto Leather Design, who will be designing and upholstering the interior of the STi. We sat with Irene and Brian who presented us with a catalogue of very expensive materials that are available from CustomEiss in a wide range of colours.
After a tour of their incredible factory, that prepares OEM parts for Mercedes and VW's (to name a few), we took a look at the car to discuss the style and end result we're seeking from the project.
It was a unanimous decision that we work in three different materials, namely: black "carbon-fiber pressed" leather, deep blue alcantara and black napa leather. Stitching would be blue to highlight certain areas of the interior too.
Today we drove the new STi down to Port Elizabeth with the XBox in the boot. We're here to meet with two partners in the project that will be handling the interior customising of the car.
The trip was great with very little traffic. We stopped off a few times at BP to top up with fuel and made it here in under 9 hours.
Today we got the much awaited call from Subaru Bruma... "The car is ready for you to collect!". We immediately dropped everything and headed over to the dealership...
The car was waiting in the very front of the showroom for us when we arrived:
We had to sign a few papers, organise insurance and run through a few finer details before we could take the vehicle away for the project. It was great commenting to the staff that they wouldn't recognise the car in a months time when the project nears completion. There was alot of excitement!
Isn't she beautiful!
It's about time we reveal what plans we have for the Subaru. Today a package arrived at our offices...
From this post I'm sure you can gather that the car will be fitted with an XBOX360 - the most advanced gaming console available in the world.
This great device will be fitted in the rear of the car and features wireless controllers for the passangers to use. Visit the site again to see what other technology we'll be cramming into the car!
The Saxon Firestorm in it's standard form is on badd ass bike. Here it is at South Side Choppers where it arrived a few days ago:
Before anything, the bike is immediately stripped for customising. The end result is not yet clear, but ideas for the bikes ultimate look are flowing wildly. Below you can see the motor, front suspension and starter:
The wheels are removed, along with the braking systems. These will be replaced with something very special, but I'll save that for next week once it's confirmed. You will be shocked!
The huggers, fuel tank and rear frame are prepared to be taken away. These original items will actually be used as moulds for a new material that we're going to use on the bike.
We've decided to use the Castrol Power One colours for the scheme, namely red, geen and gold, but a design is still unconfirmed. House of Colour - probably the best paint supplier in the world is suppliying the candy and flake colours through their local agent, Creative Rides.
The desembled parts were loaded up and taken away to a secret location for customising and replacement materials More later...
After about three months of planning and conceptualising it was decided that we would use the new Subaru WRX STi in the next Xtreme Auto Makeover. It was imparative that the selected vehicle matched and topped the appeal of the Nissan 350Z - a tall order if you ask me!
Castrol, the title sponsor of the first XAM signed up again to take part in the project. Subaru South Africa, who is launching a national production car racing team this year has also joined the initiative.
The car was ordered this week and will most likely arrive on Wednesday next week from Subaru Bruma after its pre delivery inspection (PDI). We opted to go with a Premium Silver model so we could get a great contrast between the air vents, wheels and carbon fiber parts we plan to use on the vehicles body.
The vehicle represents the pinnacle of Subaru performance, the Impreza WRX STI's Subaru Boxer Engine generates 206 kW of power at 5 600 r/min and 392 Nm of torque at 4 000 r/min combining incredible performance with the positive control and handling of the Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.
For those who don't know about the XAM (Xtreme Auto Makeover), this post will fill you in on what it is, how it came about, who's involved and where it is going in the future.
About the Xtreme Auto Makeover
The XAM project was conceptualised in 2006 by AEC Exhibitions CC, a South African-based events company which owns the Xtreme Auto Show - The Largest Aftermarket and Performance Motor Show in the region. At the time, AEC was rolling out their CHROME Benefit Card which offered members non-conditional motoring and lifestyle benefits. The XAM had three main objectives when it was launched:
1. To encourage membership to CHROME by offering a vehicle that one lucky person would ultimately win.
2. To demonstrate to the public the abilities and availability of aftermarket products and services in South Africa
3. To promote the Xtreme Auto Show
2006 Nissan 350Z
The vehicle used in 2006 was a Nissan 350Z. The car was modified in every respect including performance, audio, mutimedia, aestetics & handling - an all round practical yet unique motor vehicle.
The build process was televised and published in the weeks leading up to the Xtreme Auto Show and thereafter the 350Z was taken on a national road show to promote the CHROME Card.
Finally in November, the lucky draw took place and a CHROME Card holder named Andy drove off in his new custom Nissan 350Z.
2007 Subaru STi
This year the XAM vehicle will be the ever popular Subaru STi.
This blog will be an informal journal of the project and will include all the steps we take, the problems we encounter and the excitement behind the scenes as we race time to have the vehicle ready by the deadline.
As the coming weeks pass we will reveal the various partners and plans we have in store for the car and you will see it take shape.
2007 Saxon Firestorm Chopper
This time round, we're including a custom chopper in the XAS. It will be a 1600cc imported bike from South Side Choppers on Corlett Drive. You may be asking yourself "How can you customise a custom chopper?!" - well, look out because you're about to witness something absolutely world class and unique!
Your fredback and comments are encouraged. Enjoy!
