It’s not until we started to put together these end-of-year posts that trends and fashions began to present themselves.
Tastes are always evolving and changing, but what I’d like to think we do a pretty good job of is showcasing a decent gamut of different car cultures and ideals. And although there’s a definite theme to this year’s top 10 feature cars, there’s still lots of variety within this list. As with the others, This countdown is based solely on the easily-quantifiable number of views for each story, rather than any other influencing factors.
But what do you think? Did you have a favourite feature car that isn’t shown here? What types of cars do you want to see more or less of? Let us know in the comments below.
Without further adieu, here’s the top 10 feature cars of 2018…
#10. The Honda-Powered, F1-inspired Ford Model A
Some things just don’t need to make sense. At least that’s what I’m sure Ricky Boada tells himself every time he looks at his fully bonkers 1930 Ford Model A.
Trevor brought you this nuts build back in June – there’s a Honda 2000 F20C motor under the hood, huge exposed drag slicks and aero inspired by a ’90s Formula One car. During the shoot Ricky proceeded to blitz the thing through a flooded road, with no windows, and went off-roading. Mad as a box of frogs.
#9. A USDM Evo VII In Japan
We’re constantly being called upon to show Imprezas and Evos more love, and Takeru-san’s Voltex-clad Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII went down well. Drawing inspiration from all around the globe, from The Fast and the Furious to WRC, this build is a perfect display of what happens when different cultures meet.
It’s a gorgeous melting pot of race, stance, rally and show influences, and set against a typically Japanese backdrop, this Evo has incredible road presence.
#8. E-Motion’s Safari-Style LuftAuto #002 911
What’s the perfect way to recover after an 11-hour trans-Atlantic flight and all-night pre-SEMA build session? By jumping straight into another feature shoot of course! Paddy managed drag himself down to Newport Beach to meet up with Porsche guru Joey Seely to bring this unique Safari-inspired 911 build to you.
A refreshing change from the increasing number of classic 911s being kept in pristine condition locked away to retain their value, the E-Motion 911 was caked in sand from a day’s filming thrashing about the desert. Seeing it rolling through the picturesque Newport Beach neighbourhoods was as juxtaposing as putting knobbly off-road tyres on a 1987 Carrera. Very much Speedhunters approved.
#7. The 3.5-litre 240Z You Didn’t See Coming
Classic cars feature heavily in this year’s top 10 list, and this is the first of two S30s in our countdown. This timeless yellow beauty belongs to Jeremy Gomez, and features a Rebello Racing 3.5-litre engine based on a Nissan L28.
Classic JDM styling? Check. Gorgeous SSR Longchamps? Check. Period correct, naturally aspirated engine conversion with a ton of torque? Check. What’s not to love?
#6. 800hp In A 1968 Mustang Fastback
Here’s an IAMTHESPEEDHUNTER submission that went down a storm, and why wouldn’t it? Add a 6.7-litre Ford Racing crate motor and a supercharger to a ’68 Fastback, murder the thing out, and introduce some posh suspension and brake components and you can’t fail.
Stefan Kotze captured this imposing and very custom American classic on the scenic roads above Cape Town. With 800hp and 1,000Nm torque, the ‘Black Death’ title was fitting.
#5. A Purist’s Fairlady Z
On the other side of the Pacific to the yellow 240Z featured above, Ron discovered Sato Tatsuya’s 1975 Fairlady Z in Japan, and quickly arranged to bring you this immaculate build with a spec to die for.
A full OS Giken-built L28 that’s stroked to 3.4-litres powers this pristine JDM classic. With some tasteful styling additions, such as limited edition model 17-inch RAYS Volk Racing TE37V BA wheels and works-style overfenders, this Z is the epitome of tasteful modification. *Rushes off to check classifieds adverts*.
#4. A Duo Of Tasteful Porsches, Without An Overfender In Sight
John Sarkisyan is a man not afraid to stamp his taste on his cars, as attested to by his matching Porsche 356 and 912 builds. Transforming both cars from completely trashed to show-stoppers took seven months of 12-hour-long days, but the results speak for themselves.
Every single detail has been pored over and shown love and attention, from the fittings and finish to the colour palette and parts used. A lot of custom work has gone into John’s Porsches, but the builds caused controversy in the comments section. If everyone was the same, the world would be very boring, I guess?
#3. Matt Farah’s ’88 Fox Body
Black Mustang number two of 2018. Larry went all period correct and shot The Smoking Tire host Matt Farah’s black Fox body Mustang on film for that authentic ’80s vibe.
Matt’s aim with the Fox body was to create a Mustang that could corner, and extensive work went into the suspension and chassis to bring this goal to fruition. There’s a Ford Racing 5.0-litre V8 under the hood, and lots of unique custom touches too. This build oozes Matt’s personality.
2. Taking On The R.Junky GT-Rs In Japan
Is it me, or is the R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R a car that’s getting better looking by the day? We shone the spotlight on Saitama-based collective R.Junky during a smash-and-grab photoshoot on Japan’s busy streets during the summer.
Mark’s images grabbed your attention first, but Paddy’s provoking narrative made this story a big hit, and it was reflected in the feedback that you gave us. It also made me want to sell a kidney to buy an R32.
#1. A Widebody Miura To Upset The Masses
Leave it to Kato-san to make the internet lose its mind – it’s becoming somewhat of a trademark of his. When the Liberty Walk Lamborghini Miura was unveiled at Tokyo Auto Salon in January, Dino was first on the scene to secure an exclusive look around the car.
Everyone calmed down a bit when we found out that it was a replica, but Kato-san’s ability to make the car world take note had worked again. The Miura is one of the most unreal-looking classics in real life, and the addition of Liberty Walk’s signature overfenders takes it to another level.
It’s clear as day that the big trend in 2018 was reimagined classics, with no less than eight of the 10 here being cars created before 1990. What does 2019 bring? My prediction is a boom in the popularity of performance ’90s machines – it was a golden era for analogue performance cars, such as the Escort Cosworth, R32 Skyline, Evos, Imprezas, early Mustangs and performance German metal.
Maybe I’m just projecting my own tastes here though, so what are your predictions?
Jordan Butters
Instagram: jordanbutters
jordan@speedhunters.com