I love posting updates to previously featured projects, but it’s always a bittersweet moment as it usually means there’ll be no more progress pictures to enjoy. But hey, cars are built to be driven and bikes are built to be ridden, so we should rejoice when a build reaches it’s final destination. I posted this mid-engine converted MK2 Golf way back in June 2009, and it’s been one of the most popular cars I’ve ever put on the site, I always see links in my stats to this build popping up on forums regularly. Well, just this week a video was posted of the wide-body creating roaring into life, so it’s time to reacquaint yourself with this incredible home-built ride and see how much work has been carried out over the past few years.
Midmounted Mazda Minitruck [video build]
![Midmounted Mazda Minitruck [video build]](https://build-threads.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/072.jpg)
This following build was part of the teasers I placed in my “Best of 2010” guest-post on Speedhunters last year. Out of the 5 teasers, I have only managed to do a follow-up feature one of them, The Widow Maker. Well, here’s number two!
This minitruck is like no other I’ve seen. It might be bagged and body-dropped like many others, but what sets it apart from the rest is the Lexus V8 sitting behind the cabin. Another element of this build that strays away from the norm is that Nick, the owner and builder, has chosen to document the build in video format, creating his own YouTube channel to showcase the progress. The updates are always informative and entertaining, with some choice Kiwi wit thrown in amongst the tech stuff. Head below to find all the links you’ll need to get acquainted with this unique creation.
The Adventures of Mystery Machine
Earlier this year I made two consecutive posts about the automotive exploits of one Retro Rides member by the name of Bruce (aka Mystery Machine), a person who truly understands the appeal of a good build thread. Bruce not only built a very cool MX5 along with a number of other awesome rides, but he also spearheads and bankrolls a communal garage space known as Area52. You should already know what type of guy he is (a die-hard car nut), so it’s no surprise to learn his hands have been less than idle since the last time he graced these pages. I thought I’d do a little ‘catch up’ piece on his latest projects (a Land Rover and a Lotus, can’t get more variance than that!), since I’m enjoying reading them so much myself, it’s only fair to share it with all of you…
B18C Powered Mini
What do you do when your classic Mini no longer provides you with enough forward velocity to quench your desire for speed? Well you could supercharge it, but what if you’ve already tried that route? How about getting your hands on an aftermarket subframe conversion kit and slotting in a DOHC Honda B18C? Thanks to Michael from JDMST for submitting.
For more Mini builds, click here.
Batmobile…nuff said.
If you have a pulse, then there’s a good chance you wanted to drive a Batmobile at some stage in your life, and probably still do. The only variable is which Batmobile you prefer, depending on your age. Hell, I still vividly remember the glow-in-the-dark Batman poster I used to have hanging in my room as a kid. Well, some people out there take this desire a step further and actually go out and build one, just like Tim here, who planned his own Batmobile replica for 10 long years before starting on the actual build. The fiberglass body sits atop a stretched Chevy Caprice donor chassis, plus plenty of trick fabrication going on to make this dream a detailed reality, not to mention the Blackberry controlled mechanics!
Thanks to Dave from StanceIsEverything for submitting. I’ve also featured a link to a more modern Batmobile build, click here to read about it.
Spirit of Sunshine
Seeing as Anzac Day is fast approaching, I thought it would be a fitting tribute to feature a very unique build I’ve had sitting in my submissions for a while now. Not your typical hatch/coupe/sedan, this is an Aussie-built land speed record chaser, using the tank from a 1953 Canberra Bomber as it’s body (aka belly tanker), powered by a Buick 3.8ltr V6 from a Holden Commodore and built by a couple of guys in a garage in my home state.
Thanks to Geoff for submitting. If you stick around long enough through the 160+ page thread, you’ll be rewarded with a second, smaller belly tanker build that the guys decide to tackle.
E46 M3 Road-to-Race
How many times have you caught yourself daydreaming about turning your road-going pride and joy into an all-out race car? A stripped interior, beefy roll cage, some fixed bucket seats, sticky rubber, top of the line suspension, and of course some engine upgrades to round it off…sound accurate? Come and take a look as a lucky E46 M3 road car gets the race car make over we all desire.
Thanks to Jaime for submitting.
1975 Honda CB400
Classic motorcycles, everyone I know likes them, and wants one. If you read blogs like Pipeburn and Bike Exif, it’s hard not to get caught up in the romance of cafe racers, bobbers, board trackers, flat trackers, and all the other sub-categories that I don’t have enough time to Google. With second-hand retro Japanese bikes available for more than affordable prices, and many online outlets selling the must-have accessories, it seems the perfect time for outsiders to step into this world. But what if your knowledge of bikes isn’t terribly strong? Could you give it a shot anyway? Well, Rick did, and the result certainly has me inspired…
1953 Chevy Pickup
An enthusiastic car fan drags his grandfather’s old work truck from his uncles farm in very poor condition, with the intention of restoring it to it’s former state, prior to it’s neglect. Nothing unusual about that, we’ve certainly heard similar stories before, but you don’t usually hear about a job like this being undertaken by someone whose previous automotive experience is limited to changing spark plugs on a Taurus. To my delight (and surprise), the restoration was taken on with vigor, and piece by piece the truck was brought back to life, completing what many other family members said they were going to do, but never did. Right here is the essence of this game we know and love so much, just a guy restoring a car and learning things along the way, doing as much as he can on his own, bringing back a piece of history.
Thanks to Pixel for submitting.
Toyota Starlet / Volvo 240
Time for another one of our favourite types of builds, where the mad scientists of the car world decide to take two unsuspecting cars and morph them into a single automotive frankenstein. I’m talking, of course, about chassis swaps. This time it’s a Toyota Starlet having it’s insides removed, while a Volvo 240 donates it’s underpinnings and drivetrain, giving us a RWD Swedish powered Starlet.
Thanks to Jose for submitting.