Guest Writer: Hassan Rizvi
Car is a need for most, but a luxury and a passion for others. The latter love to buy the sweetest rides and then modify them as per their taste. Such modified cars are a sight to behold, and enthusiasts like myself love to cherish and appreciate their beauty from afar. Here are my five most favourite modified cars of all-time.
1. JUN Racing “Lemon R” R33 GT-R
(Image Source: Upgrade Motoring)
We will begin the list with an epic vehicle: an R33 Nissan GT-R. Back in 1996, JUN Racing created this monster of an R33. As if holding the title of Godzilla was not enough, JUN would take a giant leap forward and make the car a top performer. Moreover, the car earned the name “Lemon R” because of its yellow color.
The Lemon R holds the F/BGCC world record for being the fastest car in 1996. How fast is it? Upgrade Motoring claims its fastest recorded speed stands at 238.481 mph (383.798 km/h). For comparison, the fastest car at the time was the McLaren F1. It could hit 231 mph without the rev limiter. A BMW-derived N/A V12 powered the F1. On the other hand, the Lemon R bested the world’s fastest car at the time, with half as many cylinders and a turbocharger to go with it. It ran a heavily modified RB26DETT engine which put out an extreme 1,100 horsepower!
The fact that this was accomplished back in 1996 is unbelievable, keeping in mind the technology available back then. Also, the R33 was new at the time. So, they first had to figure out the car before they could modify it. That is undoubtedly a super-human level of dedication!
2. 1964 “Tobacco King” Ford Galaxie
(Image Source: Mecum Auctions)
This is no ordinary old-timer. The Tobacco King is a 1964 Ford Galaxie fitted with a rocket-propelled axle. Yes, you read that right. It’sIt’s a literal rocket car built for maximum speed. The post-World War II boom and the lack of safety concerns back in the day meant car fanatics could push the limits with all sorts of extreme ideas.
Turbonique Company, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, created the vehicle. Of course, since it came from Florida, we knew it was going to be over-the-top. The original 390 V8 engine was swapped out with a 427 Ford big-block packing a whopping 425 horsepower. The car received a range of other modifications. Its chassis and suspension were greatly strengthened to handle the extreme speed. A parachute was installed on the rear to aid braking. The ride height was largely increased for the rocket axle.
The rocket axle ran on a relatively highly efficient fuel known as “Thermolene.” Thus, the Tobacco King would put out more than a thousand horsepower as if it were nothing. Moreover, the rocket turbine spun at 92,000 pm. What makes this even crazier is that the rocket axle was available as a mod in the 1960s!
3. Hayabusa-Swapped Honda Beat
(Image Source: AWR Racing)
Japan has created many incredible cars. I know, that’s as obvious as saying the sky is blue. Another known fact is that the Honda Beat was one of the most iconic cars made in Japan. The car was a rather inexpensive MR (Midship engine, Rear-wheel drive) Kei car with a tiny 660cc engine. The car looked absolutely fun to drive. Thus, earning it the motto of “Midship Amusement”. No argument there.
Having only 63 horsepower on tap, the car was by no means fast, though seriously fun. One Beat owner felt this two-digit horsepower sum was not enough. So, he hit up AWR Racing in Vista, California, to spice things up. The end result was a Suzuki Hayabusa inline-four engine swapped right into the microscopic Kei car.
Downs Engineering built the custom Hayabusa engine. Engine Swap Depot claims the engine is rated at 194 horsepower, triple the car’s standard horsepower numbers! The car ran a direct drive system to send the power to the rear wheels. A custom subframe had to be constructed for the car. This was necessary to make space for the engine. The car packed both lightweight and high horsepower. Truly a match made in heaven!
4. 2JZGTE-Swapped Suzuki FX
(Image Source: Trending.pk)
I mean, after all, we are covering the craziest modified cars built. How could we not pass up on our local engineering? Somebody went full throttle by transplanting a 2JZGTE engine inside a rusty old Suzuki FX.
The Suzuki FX is known as the Suzuki Alto in Japan. It is an economy car that eventually found its way to Pakistan. The car still has a dedicated community in the country, thanks to its simplicity and affordability. I am sure many Islamabad/Rawalpindi locals would know what I am talking about.
The car is built by Amjad Ustad and his two brothers in Rawalpindi. The car’s body and the chassis appear to have been modified to accommodate the mighty Supra engine. The vehicle is fitted with a massive rear wing, a widebody kit and 1- inch wheels to (hopefully) put all that power on the ground. An intercooler is installed, backed up by an additional oil cooler to keep the powerful set-up cool at all times (literally!).
However, one glaring flaw remains. It doesn’t run. The guys building this extraordinary vehicle have come this far. At the moment, it appears to be a work in progress.
I mean, one can humor it all they want, but the effort put into this vehicle should be acknowledged. This is the hard work of our local mechanics, who tried to whip up some magic in their workshop. I hope it does not turn into a ticking time bomb on four wheels, though.
5. 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible Kaido Racer
(Image Source: Instagram/sad.machines)
Seeing is believing with this outlandish Plymouth Barracuda Kaido Racer. It’sIt’s a highly sought-after collector car. The ultra-rare convertible can easily set you back millions of dollars. However, one has been digitally rendered into a ”Kaido Racer.” Hey, I said digitally! So, you can put your pitchforks away now. No real Plymouths were harmed in the making of this image. Okay, good. Now, where were we? Ah, yes, Kaido Racers.
Kaido racers are bosozoku-style cars, highly popular in Japan. They are characterized by their cartoonish appearance. This includes exaggerated handcrafted body kits, ”takeyari” mufflers, crazy paint jobs, multiple loud horns, bright lights and basically anything that screams rebellion at the top of its lungs. They are a part of bosozoku culture, which is basically a counter-culture movement by rebellious youngsters enraged at the system they are forced to put up with.
The car preserves the V8 engine seen in the standard car. It does not only look aggressive but also performs aggressively. The car boasts a widebody kit, an exposed oil cooler (because no Kaido Racer is complete without one), Toyota Celica headlights, and TRD Tosco wheels.
I know this car does not exist in reality, for it is just a digital rendering. It is the perfect end to this list because it doesn’t get anything crazier than this. Kaido Racers may not be up everyone’s alley, but they seem to be an acquired taste for some.
Hope you enjoyed the list I have put together. Please share any crazy car modifications you have seen around, would love to witness more craze.
