For many people, the extent of their automobile enthusiast life is lived out in the forums and the blogs. One can spend hours hopping from site to site, post to post, in search of something to awe, shock, or bewilder; and that niche will always be filled. Soon enough, however, one becomes jaded to the big, expensive wheels, enormous turbos, and seemingly impossible suspension set-ups. Rather than appreciating the cars as personal projects with their own investments of time, money, and effort, the cars simply become objects to judge and rank in a personal hierarchy of acceptable norms. This corruption is where statements like, “V8 drift cars are played out!” come from. Just because the internet has introduced a handful of fully swapped, functional engine-swapped cars in a period of several months, the forum junkie’s brain pushes this “trend” into the “been there, done that” folder; not even considering that there’s maybe been one within his own arm’s reach before, and the chances of him actually shaking the hand of a builder is slim to none.
And there’s those of us that actually get out there and shake some hands, break bread with fellow enthusiasts, and let our other four senses in on the fun. There is, maybe weekly, maybe monthly, a group of car guys meeting in a moonlit parking lot near you. They may be muscleheads, ricers, or truckers; or perhaps they are hardparkers or street racers. Regardless of their clique, they are leaving their computers behind, and discovering the true fuel of this movement; the people and their cars. The forum and the blogs, as crucial as they are, have created a scene of anonymous automobile statues. As much as we may push personal stories in our features, many people will still walk away claiming that last week’s 240sx was better because the wheels were wider, the stance was lower, or the aero was rarer – regardless of the fact that this week’s owner spent ten years saving every extra penny while working two jobs and providing for a family.
AJ Gillett is a true car enthusiast. He’s the guy out there snapping shots of his scene (Chicago), whether it’s a nationally attended event or a group of friends killing a night doing what they love the most. He writes:
That night was just a typical night out causing a ruckus. People I know living in other parts of the country tell me this is not a common occurrence, but in Chicago we do our best to have our cars be a sort of “jack of all trades”, and this car is no different. This car is not just some flawless show car, it also sees very regular street driving, and plenty of track time. The LS1 power plant and plethora of suspension modifications are just an added bonus with the car’s good looks and selection of hard to come by parts.
He continues:
Not unlike the majority of nights out, this night included everything from bullshitting at random spots in the city, to highway cruising, grabbing a bite to eat, and maybe even a little sideways tomfoolery. As the night came to a close everyone made a pitstop at the gas station before heading home. In my eyes it is nights like these are what makes Chicago the great place to live that it is. Good conversation, good food, cool cars, cool people, and fun driving… Who could ask for anything more?
This is where the heartbeat of the scene is, readers. Let go of the mouse and walk away. Go outside with your car buddies and talk shop, burn rubber, and smell some exhaust. This movement isn’t built on the constant one-upmanship that the forums have seemingly made it out the be. It is about community. This is getting with the people that think like you and creating your own big nights in the Windy City.
About the Author
Andy Carter
Andy Carter is a photographer, writer, and editor for Canibeat living in Macon, Georgia. He spends his days buried in Excel working for his university alma-mater. Besides automotive culture, Andy enjoys instrumental music, traveling with his wife, and good food.
November 17, 2011 at 10:10 am
This is why i love 240′s, yea it takes work, but in the end, it dominates and definitely w/ a LS1.
November 17, 2011 at 10:38 am
See, that’s something I can get behind. I’ve recently decided to finally go after autocrossing (it will take some time), and one thing that bothers me is that no, I don’t have a slow car in the least (04 Accord with nary a mod to it, save tire choice), but I enjoy driving the thing. Coming from a 99 Lumina, which yes, I hooned the hell out of, it’s such an improvement and I enjoy meeting up with friends to go for a cruise. No, it’s no STI, but it’s mine, and hell, it can keep up with all my friends thanks to about 240 BHP.
I’m not rocking some super-custom AW11 or E30, but damn, I’m out there, and that’s something.
November 17, 2011 at 11:17 am
look more power
November 17, 2011 at 12:03 pm
I dont “love 240s” in general…but am particularly partial to this one. It looks great, the wheels actually fit, and it has power to back it up. A complete build…which now-a-days is hard to find.
Am actual writeup and details on this one would be great.
November 17, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Here’s an “actual” write-up on it: http://speedhunters.com/archive/2011/10/05/car-spotlight-gt-gt-touge-factory-four-six-customs-s13.aspx
November 17, 2011 at 7:39 pm
Pshh! You already know which one I like better:) Great work as always Andy!
November 17, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Damn… That Risky Devil S13 hatch is no longer the King of Chicago. Re-up, Risky Devil! Re-up!
November 17, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Check out the video they just released. Pretty nasty! http://youtu.be/HLeTF-tsSaQ
November 17, 2011 at 2:38 pm
sick, i usually get out every sunday night hang with my buddies at the car meet,
November 17, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Great article. Love the RB kit and functional stance/ride height. If it wasn’t for the kit, I don’t think this ride would be on this site. Any more pics of the blue RX? So dope
November 18, 2011 at 12:22 am
alllll win here so clean =D
November 18, 2011 at 2:49 am
I just came back home from thoroughly enjoying a night of… enthusiastic driving. Reading this thread just made me want to get out of my chain (late as it may be), and go rip around again. Sweet pictures, amazing cars, and a good read too. Thanks!
November 18, 2011 at 2:50 am
^^ Get out of my ***Chair is what I meant to say. Exhaust fumes are getting to me…
November 18, 2011 at 3:34 am
Heading out to the car meet held by Royal Origin this Saturday in Chino Hills, CA. Very excited to see the cars and meet the builders behind them! 240 done nicely. Lets see more of that E30 vert!
November 18, 2011 at 12:27 pm
incredible car, excellent article.
f*ck haters
November 18, 2011 at 6:57 pm
This article nailed it.
November 20, 2011 at 4:47 pm
whats up with the bmw?
November 24, 2011 at 11:34 am
I believe that BMW is the E36 vert with an SR20 swap. There’s pics of it floating around.
November 24, 2011 at 1:36 pm
It’s owned by AJ (who shot these photos for us).
November 23, 2011 at 2:41 pm
SICK!!!
November 24, 2011 at 4:45 pm
i cant stop looking at this car, its absolutely gorgeous..
November 25, 2011 at 1:17 am
Daaayeeem, i wonder how it’d look without all those stickers.. Just straight up fukin black devil beast!!!!!!!!!!
November 29, 2011 at 12:02 am
these guys are always going above and beyond. Great looking cars arent just for show.
December 27, 2011 at 5:04 am
What widebody/flares are those? If I sell the Evo to buy a 240, it must have them. The LS swap can come down the road.