Lets Dig in
A kit car brings a different dynamic to the mix, and it’s a normal progression in our society as well. Kit cars are, dare I say it, the “TikTok” remixes of the car world. Its more substantial though, instead of being washed away into the endless ocean of content, this stays with you, every day you look outside and it’s there.
All this talk about “Gap Burgers” and the like, has us all in anticipation for this car, my eyes were ready to feast on the finished product created in front of us for the last few articles. I turned my camera lens toward Project Lamb and was not disappointed.
“Gimme de gap burger nuh”
Finally, seeing this car in person, I would like to share my thoughts and feelings in this article, it’s great to know the numbers and the mechanical aspects of this car but, the majority of the experience of owning a car like this touches on the emotional side. If you haven’t read the previous articles I will drop a link here for the first “Project Lamb” Article. I have touched on the specs of this motor, suspension, and drivetrain.
Cars are utilitarian devices, and they take us from one point to the other, before cars, we used carriages and before them we used horses and if we go further back we walked. Now here’s a thought, do you think in the year 6000 BC a well-to-do caveman would show off his latest iteration of “barefoot transportation”? It seems like a dumb thing to suggest, but how is it that in this day and age, our mode of transportation means more than just travel? Society needs art and art needs society. Artists carry with them the ideas and pervading thoughts of a generation of persons and they document them in the work they do.
I love art, I love design, and I love cars. When an artist, a mechanic, and an engineer come together, it makes something special. The “Countach” was a functional art piece. It looked like it belonged more in the living room than on the road. It’s exceptionally difficult to imagine this car sitting in traffic, but in the 1980s when this car first rolled off the lot it was something that happened. Its lines differ so much from the normal round body design of a turn-of-the-millennium car we know, or the square box of an older car from a similar age. This car was built to stand out.
A kit car brings a different dynamic to the mix, and it’s a normal progression in our society. Kit cars are, dare I say it, the “TikTok” remixes of the car world. It’s more substantial though, instead of being washed away into the endless ocean of content, this stays with you, every day you look outside and it’s there.
It’s a personal iteration of the best “Countach” in a person’s opinion. There are no numbers to match, no factory paint to maintain, and no random logos on parts to subtly place for a viewer to see by “accident on purpose” to make them feel they noticed something because they are observant. This gives free rein for the taillights and the wing to be from different eras of the model. The 25th-anniversary wing looked hella cool, but the more subtle full lens of the later model Countach was way more stylish and suited the body lines better.
This car was built around having fun, as crazy as the thought of driving it is, imagine driving it fast. Yes, this art piece that should be sitting in someone’s living room, will do immense numbers, if you have the constitution for it. I am not sure if the thrill of driving it fast comes from the thought of impending doom if it’s hit, or maybe the fun is derived solely from the speed. Perhaps it’s a mixture of both, you can ride on the razor’s edge of losing years of work and experiencing this machine come to life. It bites back, it attacks you whenever you let your guard down, but mastering it feels incredible.
The first man who took the step to go from barefoot to horseback, what was his reaction to experiencing the fastest he ever went in his life? How did feel when descended from the horse and parked it outside, did he crave the freedom of riding, lying on his back unable to sleep because of pure excitement? How did he feel knowing he had the only black horse in the village and it was the fastest? He would’ve made a special bond, only he and the horse would understand, solely because of a shared experience.
He could groom this horse, and tie its hair in different patterns, historically it varied from culture to culture. We can see where this obsession could have started. From horseback to chariot, from a single horse to 2 horses, to 4 horses, and the luxury of a coach and in our age, 400+ horses at your command, to take you where you need to go. Would you be able to sleep when you parked this or would you lay on your back unable to sleep because of pure excitement?
This car hits on all the points that make something enjoyable to own, and drive. It makes me so excited and I don’t even own it. writing this article, it really built up in me that excitement all over again when I saw it for the first time. It is something incredibly special. I am sure, everyone who loves their car will feel the same way, about their car, the freedom that comes with the car, and the enjoyment you gain from using it.
Working with SDRR Hydraulic & Industrial Spares Inc. on covering this project has been amazing. I want to thank them for reaching out to us, and we encourage all our readers, to give them a call and see if they can help you with your personal projects. Until next time,
Happy Motoring!
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Are you Still Hungry?
What a journey we have experienced from start to finish with Project Lamb. It was amazing to see where it came from and what it has become now, but let’s not say it’s finished yet. The heavy lifting for sure is done, but next week there will be more! I was finally behind the camera to capture how I felt about this amazing project ahh, am I excited to share this with you.
Well, we are in line with an appetite and having a blast with our best friends. In our last article “Dio Mio, Is this “Gucci”?” we looked at what makes our patty worth the wait. Let’s see what crispy bun and condiments will encapsulate this freedom patty next. Are you ready to cook with me?
The next part of this meal is something we take for granted, the bread. Bread is so abundant, that we see it as something simple to make, but it’s actually a mixture of complex substances coming together. Bread is made with these main ingredients Flour, Water, Yeast (or another rising agent), and sometimes some seasoning along with patience, and elbow grease. When it’s done right the subtle flavours and texture can really make or break it. Let’s see how this bread is made.
THE FLOUR - BRAKES
The brakes of “Project Lamb” needed a full refresh, starting from the head of the system with the master cylinder. The braking system for his kit car was cannibalized from one of the more common performance cars of the period. In the 80s, that would’ve been a “fast Ford”, the Ford Sierra Cosworth. The front brakes have 4 pistons and a single piston at the rear. The master cylinder was taken from an Mk6 Escort. After being pulled apart it was rebuilt using hardware from RacingLines. Braided Stainless steel hoses from RacingLines were also used as an upgrade from the rubber hoses that were previously used. All of these are available from SDRR Hydraulic & Industrial Spares Inc. Crossing the ability to stop off the list with the new remanufactured braking system. We move on to the water in the recipe.
THE WATER - SUSPENSION
The most gains in driving pleasure can be felt through the suspension. This project was unique, it needed to sit low enough to still garner street credibility, but it also needed to survive the roads we have here in Barbados. The coilovers on the car were dead and this gave the opportunity to change the suspension of the car to something more interesting than just a static stance. The decision was made to put the car on airbags. This technology has come a long way from the early days of only allowing persons to let their car sit all the way down on its belly in the car park. It’s adaptable with the toggle of a button while driving, allowing the car to get over potholes or speed bumps, and it’s soft enough to make a comfortable ride while giving adequate driver feedback. The air compressor was added in the frunk of the car, and this is controlled either remotely or in the car itself.
PATIENCE
Having little patience will for sure ruin the bread. The wiring of the car takes time. A project looking physically finished with wheels brakes, engine, and plumbing will still be unusable if the wiring loom isn’t complete. It was time to go through the interior of the car and look at the entire chassis wiring solution of the car. This will help integrate the new systems added as well.
Elbow Grease - The body
We are almost there, Project Lamb’s transformations continue with the changes that they need. This kit included the 25th-anniversary side skirts and the rear facia, this was replaced with the standard rear fascia which was preferred. I quite like the normal look as well. The entire body needed some work apart from this change.
All the panels that needed work on them were pulled off the chassis and prepped for paint, and it was at this point a decision had to be made whether the car would remain in yellow, or be painted a color much more interesting. The previous owner painted everything on the car yellow, all the trim pieces, all the panels, all the vents, I am pretty sure someone took the paint away from him before he painted the engine yellow too.
This bun is ready for the oven, where it can be cooked to perfection. The color for project Lamb was inspired by a trustworthy pet, it’s the same colour as his coat, what a lucky dog, to be immortalised this way. He is a good boy.
Review
What a journey we have experienced from start to finish with Project Lamb. It was amazing to see where it came from and what it has become now, but let’s not say it’s finished yet. The heavy lifting for sure is done, but next week there will be more! I was finally behind the camera to capture how I felt about this amazing project ahh, am I excited to share this with you.
We raised some questions from the start of this series though, and I would like to discuss more. Is it really a Lamborghini? No, it doesn’t carry the VIN to say it’s a Countach, it doesn’t have a flat plane V12 motor, and it doesn’t smell like cocaine. well, I didn’t sniff the seats. With that established, I think it carries the spirit of what Lamborghini really wanted to do when the company was established. It shows a can-do attitude, it shows that cars don’t have to be soulless and most of all, it’s still way over the top as a kit car. Lamborghinis weren’t meant to be cars that were unattainable, in the past they were cars people leaned into because they had a love for the art, or the design, or the combination of both. I believe these kit cars are in a league of their own, they give the ability to see this design in a scenario that would be unbelievable.
Hope you enjoy your Gap burger! Until next time!
Happy Motoring!
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Dio Mio, Is this "Gucci"?
On that day you have a really small meal that tastes amazing, for sure, and you wear your evening attire, and it’s an amazing occasion, photos are taken and you head back home, but let’s be honest, nothing beats the taste of a Gap Burger after you’ve had 5 beers and a few shots of rum. It’s greasy, it’s sloppy and it’s brash. All the photos are horrible and that’s the memory you keep with you forever. We all want that greasy gap burger for real. Burger Boys through and through.
If you wanted to run some Italian guy that’s really into Italian-designed cars up a wall, where would you start? He would definitely feel flattered knowing that you loved the exterior design of the car so much you’d copy it, but when he looks at it internally he’s gonna lose his mind if he knew it wasn’t all spaghetti and meatballs in there. It’s not fine dining, it’s not sophisticated, like a fine Armani suit, or a Louis Vuitton bag, it is not “Gucci”.
To be honest, that’s the issue I personally have with the discussion of “PuRiTy” where we hear over the internet that some cars should not be tampered with in particular ways, and this is why I am happy to have an engaging look at “Project Lamb”. Put simply my argument goes this way, we spend the majority of our time eating normal food, and a fine dining experience isn’t something that happens every day, it’s special, reserved for once in a blue moon, if not it runs the risk of losing its aura.
On that day you have a really small meal that tastes amazing, for sure, and you wear your evening attire, and it’s an amazing occasion, photos are taken and you head back home, but let’s be honest, nothing beats the taste of a Gap Burger after you’ve had 5 beers and a few shots of rum. It’s greasy, it’s sloppy and it’s brash. All the photos are horrible and that’s the memory you keep with you forever. We all want that greasy gap burger for real. Burger Boys through and through.
How Do We Make Our Gap Burger?
- THE PATTY
“We want displacement and raw power.”
The sophistication of fine Italian food is seen in the construction of the Lamborghinis flat plane V12. It has been central to the design of many Lamborghinis since the Miura. It’s slow-cooked, refined, seasoned, and done to perfection. Yeah, we don’t want that around these parts, we want displacement and raw power. Throw the meat on the grill in the form of a Chevy small block, 5.7 liters of raw power stroked out to 6.2 liters and making 481 units of pure, and unadulterated democracy to its crank. It’s almost the most basic of V8s, bulletproof and consistent. Part Availability is much higher if anything ever goes wrong with it, and aftermarket support is endless. These engines were used in Racing, family cars, minivans, trucks, and boats, the basic patty. In Project Lamb, its engine was replaced with a crate engine that was ready to go. Edelbrock provided the electronics along with it, to convert it from carburation to electronic fuel injection (EFI). This was made incredibly easy with the kit, it’s a plug-and-play kit replacing the inlet manifold with provision for port injection and fuel rails and delivery along with the Electronic Control Unit (ECU).
Once you’ve cooked your patty, you have to add the cheese, and that cheese is the EFI system, this overall system brings the engine into the 21st Century. The small block was mated to a gearbox from Renault. The UN1-16 gearbox can be found in cars like the Lotus Espirit. The shifter was a little dated though, and needed some ingenuity using some parts from the a Suzuki for the shifter assembly.
The cooling system was built around the new engine set up as well. A dual aluminum radiator set up was placed at each vent just behind the passenger doors, they were mounted up with brackets and fans attached to them. Racingline hoses replaced the old hoses and a new filler tank was added at the top of the system so it can be bled easily. These radiators are so far doing a good job keeping engine bay temps down coupled with their fans. Coolant temperature sensors would then be run to the Edelbrock ECU, where it can be managed.
With, air, spark, and fuel sorted with the engine it will run. All of this being managed with the new electronic management unit meant that the powertrain of the car would work and deliver its power to the gearbox. In our next “Project Lamb” update, we will take a look at what this Gap Burger patty would go in to make it the full package.
Aren’t you hungry?
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Project Lamb
Yes, by the way, if you’re asking if it's a kit car you’d be right. No, if you think that just because it's a kit car it loses all validity and purpose of discussion, let’s get that out of the way to start. I think the fact that this is a kit means a lot more than if it was a real Countach, and at the end of this series of articles I am hoping you would feel the same way too.
As a Bajan, I attest to the fact that if there was a really interesting car ever made in the world, there’s probably one in Barbados. This little gem in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is home to some incredible car enthusiasts.
Does anyone remember when the screenshot of this image went viral in all the car groups in Barbados a few years ago? Everyone claimed they knew the person that made it, and a ton of discussion was started about where it came from, if it was real, and basically who had the sauce on this iconic machine. Well, along with SDRR Hydraulic & Industrial Spares Inc. Sleeper Forest was given the opportunity to serve up the much-desired sauce on this very spicy topic.
Yes, by the way, if you’re asking if it's a kit car you’d be right. No, if you think that just because it's a kit car it loses all validity and purpose of discussion, let’s get that out of the way to start. I think the fact that this is a kit means a lot more than if it was a real Countach, and at the end of this series of articles I am hoping you would feel the same way too.
The Dream
All great projects start with a dream, in fact, the brand Lamborghini started with a dream when the owner of a Ferrari was not given the dream car he wanted. So he built it himself. This is my first point of argument regarding this car being a kit car, and why that matters. Kit cars are made with similar if not the same passion as the original car it’s based on. There are many levels that are ultimately determined by budget at which to pursue replicas but at the end of the day, the joy spans from building, and driving. We have examples in California where resto-mod cars are being recreated by Singer Vehicle Design, which specializes in Porsche.
Let’s take a look at this car here though. The kit was created by a UK company called Mirage. Legend has it that it was made through very nefarious means. A Countach was rented and all the panels were copied and molds were made of them, the Countach was then returned after the deed was done. This means that the standard of replication was incredibly high. I am sure the designer of the Countach was rubbing his ears all weekend when that happened, however, this cannot be confirmed. The production of this clone was definitely different from what was standard at the point of time, where a Pontiac Fiero was used as a donor car, it was extended and random panels slapped on it, and it was shipped off as an “Umborghini Countach”
This specific kit was imported to Barbados in 1996 by Evolution Cars in Six Roads. Specializing in Moke conversions, specifically the Suzuki Maruti moke and the fiberglass-bodied mokes. They even had one that was dubbed the Limoke as it was a stretched version. This Kit utilizes Lambo OEM parts, and in definite Lambo fashion, those parts came from other car companies. As you can see…. A Lamborghini is a kit car itself, assembled in Italy. Indicators and headlights from Fiat, locks from Mercedes, you get the idea. Knowing this goes a long way when building or repairing the kit. When the Kit was fully assembled it was presented to its first owner, he would drive it once or twice and then it sat. He sadly took ill and passed away eventually. The car was in storage for many years until it was found again, and the opportunity to restore it came up.
The powerplant of this kit car used an American 350 cubit small block V8. It was carbureted. This was mated to a Renault UN15 gearbox, something you would find in a Lotus Espirit, another rear-mid-engined car. After its maiden voyage with new ownership, it was clear this car was going to need some work and lots of it. It was definitely no Lamborghini. The suspension was shagged! And with windows that don’t go down more than a crack air-conditioning was imperative. The small block V8 left much to be desired to feel like a supercar, shifting gears felt like stirring soup and with those ultra-wide tires, steering was going to need some kind of mechanical assistance.
These fundamental points needed to be addressed if this car had any hope of being anything enjoyable to drive. Now that we have introduced you to “Project Lamb”, we will finally go in-depth, on how this project was reimagined, into someone’s dream car. The next article is coming soon, so stay tuned! Happy Motoring!
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What gets you passionate?
I remember my first ever heartbreak! For many it is their first relationship, but for me it was when he sold that car. Thankfully, shortly after, I got to fall in love with a new toy- the AE111 BZR. My favourite thing about this car was the way it sounded and the way it threw me back in my seat
What are you passionate about?
If you’re anything like me, the answer has always (and I mean ALWAYS) been cars. From as young as I can remember, I have been surrounded by petrol sipping chunks of metal on wheels, including the persons who celebrate them and come together collectively to share whatever they have to offer in the ecosystem we know as automotive culture.
The immersion that I have experienced since I was an infant is documented. Growing up in the late ’90s and early 2000’s surrounded by a wine-red Toyota GT turbo Starlet and later, a Toyota AE111 Levin BZ-R while going to shows and Motorsport events sparked my love for the whole automotive culture.
PS - if anyone from Barbados Rally Club or any other organisers are reading this, we need that Lower Brighton to Greens St. George stage again please and thank you.
Me at 3 years old
In fact, I grew up in Brighton St. George where the rally stage was just a stones throw away. I remember Paul Bourne’s Subaru Impreza WRC with the iconic Plus and Banks beer liveries, his rival Roger Skeete in his blue and yellow Havoline Peugeot and Ford Escort, “Electric Micey” Trevor Manning and my favourite of all, Josh Read in his then Automotive Art livery Toyota KPseries Starlet. There was just something about the way he drove so perfectly in control while on the limit that made him an absolute hero in my eyes and one day I would love to be able to have a conversation with him.
I have a deep love for rallying and many visceral experiences in my life step from these events. I can think about Kris Meeke’s first rally in Barbados with the WRC Corolla where he made a handbrake turn look extremely easy! This same turn gave everyone else, including Paul Bourne, a challenge to get through.
(Todds-Woodland) to the track and Mark Maloney’s fire breathing Mazda RX3 with the Guinness livery (still the best sounding car I’ve ever heard), Bizzy with the Silver Bullet and Roger Mayers with his ex rally Ford Focus that seemed invincibly and unfairly fast.
When I wasn’t at events, I was riding around with my old man in his GT Starlet. I would always grin uncontrollably whenever he did pulls. For a good part of my childhood, I loved the attention that a red 2 door hatchback would draw every morning when I was dropped off at school, always drawing a crowd of gleeful admirers.
me at 4,5 maybe?
I remember my first ever heartbreak! For many it is their first relationship, but for me it was when he sold that car. Thankfully, shortly after, I got to fall in love with a new toy- the AE111 BZR. My favourite thing about this car was the way it sounded and the way it threw me back in my seat. Absolute machine. When I wasn’t riding around or at the track or in the elements at rally, I was daydreaming about or drawing cars ( my mother still jokes about it to this day).
the Sheriff and I in 2013/2014 maybe?
Another thing I got into was capturing memories when I was much younger. Looking back, what was then just a casual young enthusiast getting a few quick photos with cars was really just a precursor to what would later become something I would take much further in content creation. Along the way, I got to meet a few of my heroes including “The Sheriff” Roger Skeete, as well as former Suzuki SX4 WRC driver Toni Gardemeister and GT3 driver Niki Lanik. In the meanwhile, I would be filling the storage on my BlackBerry phones and later iPhones with many car photos and videos. I would even take photos whenever I travel, especially on long road trips.
Race Of Champions or Top Gear. I can’t remember which but the MP4-12C and the very beautiful Ferrari Enzo
Audi Sport Quattro S1 replica at rally a few years back
photo of Mark Maloney’s Mazda RX3 in the Rockstar Energy livery taken on a BlackBerry 8320
my first attempt at photo editing
Everything came full circle! I grew up drawing cars but besides art, I always had an interest in mechanical engineering. I studied auto mechanics at the SJPP and recently I found a new way to express myself through my art and to combine the three things I love; photography, cars and engineering. After school I had a few jobs including ‘Island Safari’ and ‘Sun Tours’. I worked at the airport from December 2016 and during that time, I took advantage of the opportunities that were open to me. Some of those opportunities include learning and working on aircraft ground support equipment and when no one was looking, getting a few shots with the planes. I always had an interest in fighter jets but during that time I really grew to appreciate commercial flights as well.
me in one of the four turbines in an Airbus A340
Airbus A321 tail of a jet Blue flight
I worked at the airport until 2020 when the pandemic forced me out of work. During the time home, I began to take content creation more seriously and increased the quantity and more importantly for me, the quality of my art. I used this extra free time to let my creativity reign by learning how to use photoshop, taking inspiration from my favorite creators and most importantly- spending hours doing exactly what I want to do to share with the world and whether that means I have a style or I totally missed, I’m okay with the outcome because I know that I got to contribute my art to the community.
So, I told you what I get passionate about. Now I think it’s time that I tell you who I am. Some of you may know my Instagram handle, ‘@Holli.Art’. For those of you who don’t, I go by Shad Holli and I’m here to say that I’m now part of the Sleeper Forest family. I’m a content creator who puts an artistic twist on photos, videos and renders and very soon 3D modelling. Everything seems to be coming full circle, one day hopefully I’ll be designing parts for you all to enjoy but until then, I hope you enjoy the written content. Ciao!
Jaguar F-Pace S rendered as a rally car
Consistency
Since the last update the GC8 WRX has been through A LOT, project cars are a true test of patience, will power and financial wizardry.
In my last article, I mentioned the next step for the car would be getting some work done on the engine, and I did. It was way worse than anyone expected. The valve stem seals were worn and that's the reason the engine would smoke on cold starts.
The rod in the third cylinder was discoloured and extra toasty. The bearings were worn and pitted and there were oil leaks everywhere, I have no idea how this thing didn't blow up, maybe it was Subaru reliability? Now that the engine was rebuilt with new seals and bearings it runs like new.
My goal with this car has always been to get it back to stock form and keep it reliable and fun. I think I've achieved that, but I've wanted to have some fun with it. When I got the car back I decided to give drag racing a try. It's fun and challenging on its own but I'm more interested in something a little more technical and better suited to my car. Plus, I'm scared of blowing up my 5-speed during a 6k rpm launch.
What I've always been the most interested in was Autocross, we've covered a few autocross events and it's always been fun, the competition is friendly and healthy, it's a good group of people. So back in 2019, I decided to compete. I was a complete novice to this motorsport, I've never really pushed the car so I didn't know its limits. It was exciting. To this day (2021) I've done 9 events or 1 and 1/2 seasons. For my first event, I replaced the brake pads and just sent it, crappy tires and all. It was fun but the car was everywhere a N/A Toyota starlet with coil-overs beat me by two seconds, granted he is a good driver, but I knew my car could do better, even in stock form.
In an effort to make the car more suitable for the second event, I got new tires 205/45/16s just road tires. Competition tires weren't in the budget yet but maybe further down the line I'll get a set. I've also gotten a Cusco front and rear strut brace, which has really helped with the handling. The front of the car feels much stiffer now.
The more events I entered, the more I realized that the drivers skill is more important than the mods. Granted, good tires are probably the best mod you can make for this event but they're useless if you can't drive. Our autocross group held a training session recently and I let two of the previous champions drive my car and it felt completely different, I didn't know it could perform like that. I've decided to focus more on improving my driving skills rather than mod my car. All in all, the car performs amazingly, there's a lot of body roll because the suspension is still stock and my bushings are as old as time, but I'll get to that. I really need to become a better driver for now.
I’m looking forward to seeing what my mostly stock WRX can do.
I’m not that great, I was just more consistent than the other rookies.
More to come - Keep Motoring Along
It's 2....3 years now? How deep in am I?
Maybe I was being looked after, but a really good friend of mine sent me a message with a picture randomly one afternoon, it was an image of a for sale post on Facebook Marketplace. I really thought taking on a second car wasn’t necessary but who would’ve known just a week later I would be in need of an entire car for my project, so I quickly recomposed myself and called the owner made a deal and made it mine.
A younger me wanted a project car, and I happened upon a Ford Escort Mk4. What younger Alex didn’t know, was the headache, frustration, infuriation and immense displeasure fixing a rusty car can be in Barbados. He also didn’t know the immense satisfaction that could be acquired through accomplishment. Whether the satisfaction outweighs the frustration remains to be seen.
A New Hope
The only two articles that I wrote regarding my project car were written with elation. Seeing all that progress happening made me so happy. Unfortunately, my joy was short-lived. The interpersonal relationship between myself and the company that was supposed to be doing the welding and rush repair broke down. Frankly, I’m annoyed with myself for not vetting the business sufficiently. If I had done enough then my car wouldn’t have been left in worse condition than how it was originally. Even now, thinking about how my dream was collapsing still gives me stabs of headache and makes me wonder if my holding on stemmed from hope or from bitterness. Needless to say, my blue Escort MK4 is dead. After brushing the last bits of dirt over the coffin of my dreams, “A New Hope” arose.
Maybe I was being looked after, but a really good friend of mine sent me a message with a picture randomly one afternoon, it was an image of a for sale post on Facebook Marketplace. The picture was of a car on sale and so, of course, the remnants of my lost dream tugged at my heartstrings. Even though I already had a project car, who would’ve known just a week later I would be in need of an entire car for my project? I studied the image and said to myself “get it together!”. So, I took a minute to recompose myself and made a deal with the former owner to make the car my own. It was a late model Escort 1989 and it had definitely seen better days. However, the project was back on and I was back in the game. I was building an escort again and I would learn from the mistakes of the past. I needed to learn from my mistakes and take better steps to make sure things are done the way they needed to be done.
Radio Silence
When the curtain of silence is drawn over a project, sometimes persons may believe that it went quietly into the dark. Alas, that was not the case with this dream! I did realise though, that some things that are so close to the heart are better left out of other peoples ears. Ahead of me was a very difficult journey that needed to be restarted, it even took a whole year before I was able to get the ball properly rolling again. I did my research and then I sent the car off as the engine of my dreams, first to be prepped and then to be repaired. Thankfully, my research paid off and this company handled my fragile dream with the utmost care, taking great interest to do the bodywork the way I wanted it done. I will admit and sometimes I grew quite impatient but like most good things, it took some time. My patience and perseverance paid off and my project felt a little bit heavier and looked a little more colourful.
The car was in dire shape to say the least. Lots of work would have to go into it if it was to go into working condition. I was able to source the replacement panels for the battery tray and a few other parts of the car from on the island. My first attempt, the blue Escort, came to good use and served as the donor car, arming with a variety of parts that helped me push the work onto the car itself. There were also some unexpected events that slowed the progress but the bodywork was able to be completed in about a year of hard work and patience.
My first Mod.
After getting all the welding and repair work done, it was time to change my mindset. These were now uncharted waters and I was no sailor. I was already feeling overwhelmed and confused so I decided to enlist the help of the island’s Escort specialist, Freddie Mapp. There’s nothing he doesn’t know about these retro Fords, he helped me a lot.
The first item on the agenda was test fitting some Sierra 2wd 4pot callipers to the car, with the new rotors. This was a lot easier said than done because the brakes were incredibly worn out. Surface rust and solid rubber seals seized pistons and fused fittings all needed to be deconstructed. I took my time, put in some elbow grease and things slowly started progressing. The second thing to be done was offering up the part and machining the pointing points so everything fit where it’s supposed to be. Feel free to check out the progress photos in the gallery below, the images are in no specific order but it gives you an idea of the before and after quality.
Major Steps
The images in this article span a number of years. Literally around a year and a half to about 2 years counting from the first image of the car. I had underestimated the length of time it would take for this project to take off. During the waiting periods I was still writing articles on other cars and still doing photography but my fledgeling car was still in the back of my mind.
Right now with a global pandemic overrunning the earth, and countries initiating lockdowns and curfews it is really perhaps the perfect time to spend time at home and work on your car. Maurice was in training for about two years at our island’s polytechnic institution. You would never believe what he was learning to do! Bodywork. So choosing him to do the paint job was a no brainer.
It could be of no surprise to any of you readers that being able to work on my car on my own truly made my year. Having the rust removed, leaving the body shop and then having my friend and partner doing a spectacular job with the paint work. These all contributed to my elation with this project so far. I feel so appreciative to my friends and all the people that I have met while working on this project.
So after a rollercoaster two-year journey, my car is finally home. I guess it’s time to change gears and move on to the next aspect of the project. I will keep you posted, until then, happy motoring!
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Sleeperforest_alex - That’s me!
I don't even have a competitive bone in my body
We caught up with Jason Downey and Kristina Pinto after Sol Rally Barbados, for a chat. We learned more about them, what inspires them, and drove them to take part in the 2020 rally. Find out about the spills and thrills and the unique opportunities had when persons pursue their passions with the spirit of persistence.
We caught up with Jason Downey and Kristina Pinto after Sol Rally Barbados, for a chat. We learned more about them, what inspires them, and drove them to take part in the 2020 rally. Find out about the spills and thrills and the unique opportunities had when persons pursue their passions with the spirit of persistence.
Enjoy the Image Gallery Below!
Photos By: Alexandre Haynes & Jody Forte
So until next time! Happy Motoring!
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It's called OEM+ right?
Each of us can only say what we feel when it comes to the solution of that question. Some may want their car to be on steroids, nursing a bottle of nitrous-oxide and more juiced up than the Russian Olympic Team, and others love a car that breaks everyday, (I swear that’s not what FORD stands for). At the end of the day, we all need a hit, because driving is our passion.
What does driving mean to you? If you can’t answer that question you probably don’t belong here. As an enthusiast, we can answer that question, but we know it’s a trick because there’s no single answer to it. Each of us can only say what we feel when it comes to the solution of that question. Some may want their car to be on steroids, nursing a bottle of nitrous-oxide and more juiced up than the Russian Olympic Team, and others love a car that breaks everyday, (I swear that’s not what FORD stands for). At the end of the day, we all need a hit, because driving is our passion.
Duane’s Honda back in 2018
Consuming this hit; now, this is where the passion starts, some of us are like addicts, and just like in a world of addictions, there’s the high functioning addicts, those who make it into an art-form. The real connoisseurs, make it sure it’s the purest, the cleanest and of course make sure it doesn’t interfere with other aspects of your life. Work Hard, Play Hard. Duane’s EG hatch, is his passion. He’s a real connoisseur. It’s been a little while since we left off with his project car. It’s driving now and I had the pleasure of heading out for a shoot with him. This is his rendition of Honda’s EG hatch. He’s built his Honda around what he loves to do, and that’s drive.
cruising on the roads 2019
Duane’s has still been dialing this car in, it takes a while because its a process, but so far he has had no regrets with the build. Project cars are never really finished to be honest. His car is a weekend warrior, it usually sits in the garage, till the weather is good, and the mood is right, when you can drive and just escape the stress of the week, or simply to enjoy the hard work put into building the car.
A JDM purist.
Honda maybe the most iconic Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) brands on the planet. This is something we’ve definitely covered before though, usually when it comes to Honda, it’s a whole subculture behind those who modify them. Calling out of Osaka prefecture in Japan, the Honda community there has been seen as the home of JDM car culture, and especially Honda’s subculture birthplace. It may be shocking but, most of the JDM culture we see today, is really a bastardized version of what this influence really meant.
Duane’s car screams 90’s JDM overtures. His RPF1s aren’t cambered out of usefulness, and his modest Osaka JDM rear wing politely fixes the OEM solution. These rims are extremely light, it helps save weight, and obviously, fitment is everything when it comes to filing the wheel arch, these are quite pleasing. The wider tire definitely gives way more grip.
The inside is where the magic happens though. He’s very carefully, kept the interior pristine, its the OEM Honda EG hatch set up, just sporting a few gauges and a MOMO wheel. His AEM wide-band looks like it came out of Honda factory like that. I love the way everything really feels like a 90’s era project. His car was actually an automatic before the swap, but he’s kept the standard dash cluster for now, with the idea of switching it to the cluster from an S2000. In my opinion small things like that, makes the car a bit more interesting, it tells it’s story really.
a view from the office
A basic set up is far more driver oriented.
Duane’s Honda, is by no means a Russian Olympian, it’s not juiced up, but it offers a particular driving experience that was craved for back in the era of the 90’s. He’s swapped the factory D series for in favor of the Integra Type R’s B18C. Technically, this makes his EG Hatch a Type R Honda? I’m probably starting a huge fire by saying that. Swapping the Engine was really easy, but he took on the extra task, of adding air conditioning to the car, and in Barbados, it really is worth it. A few weeks of planning and fabrication and adaptation of some pipes and hoses and he was was well on his way to luxury. The B18C in this car, makes around 180hp, which means he gets about 150 hp to the wheels. It’s a modest amount, but it does the job on this ultra light chassis. It’s really around the perfect performance to weight for a fun B road killer.
Cooled by mishimoto
B roads in Barbados
Where would you say is the perfect road in Barbados? Our roads usually spark debate, but don’t forget that we have some of the best tarmac rally stages in the Caribbean. When we talk about B Roads though, we mean those that are out of the way, not really connected to the highways, somewhere in the back country.
Barbados may have one of the most dense road networks in the world. On the upside of this, it means some roads maybe grow into obsolescence not by choice but simple pragmatism. Leaving them pretty lonely and pretty important for a weekend warrior. So instead of taking that left, you usually take when you know the road, how about you take the right and find out where that road leads you, because some of the best roads maybe sitting under your nose.
A good weekend bash, coming to an end, it’s always a good time to check in on the family, and see how they are faring, because we know the week is ahead, it’s a shame weekends don’t last forever. Maybe the fact we don’t always have the chance to drive for the sake of it, makes the ritual a lot more mystic.
RESPONSIBILITIES
I’m extremely pumped to have had the chance to shoot this JDM gem. It’s a new year with Sleeper Forest, and there’s so much to look forward to this year! New opportunities and new projects always bring new and exciting content to the website.
This is Alex and I’m signing off for now, happy motoring everyone!
This Toyota Starlet EP82 is going to be the death of me
Every project needs to start somewhere, and bodywork was definitely on the top of the list along with suspension (more on that in another update), especially when you have a couple mini rust craters on the roof.
A car manufactured the same year I was born, a car I had always loved and now a car I own, this Toyota Starlet EP82 is going to be the death of me. It's either going to work me to death or I'm going to get my head chopped off for all the money I’m going to throw at it over the years; one way or another, this love child is here to stay.
Every project needs to start somewhere, and bodywork was definitely on the top of the list along with suspension (more on that in another update), especially when you have a couple mini rust craters on the roof. I neglected it for a while but when an angel and a devil is on the same shoulder whispering in my ear, it was time to get it into bodywork and paint. the angel was there to save me from the pain of water leaking from the roof from progressive rusting and the devil telling me go full baller on the paint.
Well a little about me before we get deep into the article, most of the car scene would knows me as Vizionz ’93 Photography, but my name is Byron. I've been a car head for as long as I could remember and that love manifested into me falling into automotive photography. My plan for this build has probably been done time and time again but with every evolution of this 4 stage project, it's going to be a daily driver with autocross and time attack (hopefully it stirs at bushy park again) mode during the weekends!
So off to my cousin, Chillie Clarke, to get everything done in quick time. This isn't the first time I've seen him work but definitely the first time I've seen him working on a car; and trust the attention to detail is second to none. A cigarette in the mouth, sanding block and a bucket of water to wet sand the body with, he was already in his give when I got there on the day and nothing would stop him.
Touching the sanded primer/ filler spots around the car all I can feel is nothing but an extremely smooth surface, smoother than the previous paint on the car even; definitely took me for a loop! The rear right of the car that never lined up with the trunk is now aligned. The rust spots on the car that I always cringed at whenever they were in my sight, I can't remember which side had which spot, and did I say already it was buttery smooth. The only thing reminder of the car I know I first bought is the door handle I broke on the right passenger door.
It was time for another layer of primer; a cigarette and a steady hand is all it takes as the scent of the primer permeates the garage. Walking around the car one last time, I pay attention to all the spots I know that would’ve never been noticed till he did his work.
A spot of guide coat would bring an end to the day, just to pick up the sanding block and another cigarette again the next day. Till the next update, I'm just going to let you know now, it's going to be a bit sexier…
