SEMA 2015: Project (Currently Unnamed)??

This 1971 Datsun 240z was handed down to me by a very close friend.  That said, I am giving him the honors of naming this build.

This 1971 240z will get a full on restomod build.  The build concept behind this is a combination of bringing back the old JDM fee with a pro touring look.  No show wires, engine covers, leather interior upgrades, etc...  One of the fun parts of the car is it still having it's original rear window louvers.

(Again, with sponsors, some are added or removed.  So henceforth, changes may be made.) Modifications will include a staggered wheel and tires set from Motegi and Nitto Tire.  Absent from the rendering will be addition of fender mirrors. The heart of the car will be the SR20DET blacktop from our drift car.  This motor was modified with a Disco Potato turbo, 300zx MAF, upgraded injectors, and enthalpy tune...pushing an estimated 350hp.  (For more info on our drift car, click here.)

UPDATE 06.01.15: The plans for the above remain the same.  However, the timing isn't good for this project, and therefore it is put on hold.  Be sure to watch for the resurrection.

SEMA 2015: Project Brutus

With the excitement of the release of 2015 Ford F150, this was a project MSA couldn't pass up building.  This 2015 Ford F150 is named Brutus just due to its styling and graphics.  MSA has typically brought to the table a themed vehicle that is heavily decorated to reflect the theme or a vehicle that is subtle.  This project's goal was to bring a bolder outer appearance that isn't gaudy.

As with most builds, renderings are built and submitted to sponsors.  Some are accepted and some are denied.  So the rendering may change throughout the year as sponsors are added or removed.  Thus far this is the hope for the build:

Showtime Metalworks front bumper

Rigid Industries LED Light bars

Rackworks Rack

Matrix Paint (no vinyl)

McGaughy's 6.5" Premium Lift

Roadwire Leather Interiors

BedRug

BedSlide

Retrax Bed Cover

20" American Force Thor polished with faceplate technology

SEMA 2015...The Projects start

SEMA Show logo is the trademark/copyright of SEMA

SEMA 2014 is now a thing of a the past.  Soon magazines will start printing their features and photoshoots from the show.  As with many things, when one chapter closes, another begins.  Preparations for SEMA 2015 have begun.  MSA itself is undertaking several builds this year.  Each will have it's own featured blog page.  Stay tuned...

2016 Ford Bronco Release is a fake. Here's how to tell.

With the excitement of the release of the 2015 Ford F150, rumors spread of a possible Bronco as well.  The internet and social media ate it up.  Word spread quickly and generated quite some excitement.  However, as a person who does renderings and plays with Photoshop, there are several tell tales that say the release images are fake and are digitally created.

Comparing the original photo with the new bronco photo, here's what the "untrained" eye didn't see.

Carefully look at this comparison image.  You can tell the Bronco is taken from the F150 image on the right.  The window reflections, angle of the picture, and all other features are the same.  This shows us that if the Bronco was a true, created concept vehicle, both vehicles had to have been parked in the exact same spot and the photo taken from the exact same angle.

However, in this image, if both vehicles were at the exact same spot, the reflection in the back window, says otherwise.  The lines and reflections would be the exact same with added reflections thanks to the Bronco's larger quarter glass.  That isn't the case.

The same holds true of the rear image.  Look at the reflections and the background as you look through the passenger window.  The structure and reflections are all the same.

Taking a second glance, you will notice both back glasses have the exact same reflection.  The Bronco's slightly altered to match the recreated back half.  The same reflection still wouldn't hold true if the image of the Bronco was real.

I don't think anyone has said that these images were real.  However, there are many sites that are pushing and saying the release itself is real, even as far as mentioning engine options.  There are well known automotive sites, such as Edmunds, that do not have any info supporting the Bronco's release.  So for now, we sit and wait on Ford to see if they will truly resurrect the Bronco.