The cube is going through the change at the moment so thought I'd catch up on progress / anti-progress.
On the weekend of 1st / 2nd November the cube reached what is likely to be it's pinnacle of show entries by being inside at Ultimate Stance at Telford, being made even better by being located in the entrance to the show...
I also took along Ethan's InitialD inspired tikes car and my RadioFlyer for the wheel whores stand...
This is now my favourite shot of the cube...
And view from the rear to see the retro games inspired screenshot of the rear wraparound "TV" window ...
And seeing as it's so shiny and clean everywhere, a whole setup day just to clean prior to the full show was such a luxury, here's an inside shot...
So why did I say it's the pinnacle?
Well firstly I've got my eyes on something else for next year so the cube was briefly up for sale but currently I'm waiting until next spring in the hope that I can keep the cube and get the new car.
Secondly the air suspension developed a leak on the way back from Japshow Finale and it's caused me to be grounded a few times since, which rendered the cube unsellable and these occasions leading me to question whether being that low is really worth it. I know the leak can be fixed and it will be but I've taken it out and getting it fixed before selling the suspension on.
Besides which everyone is on air nowadays so I don't think anyone can be amazed by how low a car is and I still think I can get the wow factor in other ways.
So first up, get the car reliable and roadworthy, with standard k12 Micra suspension from the auction site monopoly that is eBay ...
Once that was fitted, I had to get new tyres as trying to get home from ultimate stance whilst being too low resulted in slick tyres on the fronts.
After looking into OEM tyre fitments to fit onto the polished Toplines with a plan in mind to go for a jacked up chunky tyres look, coincidently enough similar to the 70s truck inspired toyota xb that was at sema a week later, I actually changed plan and bought a set of 4 renault modus steels with good tyres for £50, bargain compared to the £200+ new tyres for the Toplines would have cost.
So now how she rides in a gasser stylee, if only it had V8 power to match I'd keep it like this ...
(Rear still on air for now as they hold air without problems)
So the plan at this point, still all within a couple of weeks of Ultimate Stance due to me having a wandering mind was to ride the steels over winter to keep the Toplines shiny until I can sell the air ride to fund the new tyres.
I sold my roof basket on the basis that once the air ride is gone I get my boot back.
Unfortunately with this cash burning a hole in my remaining overdraft I saw a photo of extreme offset wheels smoothies, which rather than needing to order in advance which is the norm were in stock ready to go.
I tried to buy smoothies for my original cube back in 2009 but only uk stockists i found were northants tyres who didn't do 4x100 fitment.
By the time EOW started doing them earlier this year I was already on air ride and needed wheels that tuck in order for the chassis to sit on the floor, and I was already happy with my fitment and drop height on the Toplines.
But now riding standard static gives me a chance to re-evaluate, a phone call later and they were bought and arrived the next morning.
Last night I picked up a set of K11 centre caps which clip onto the wheel bolts and I think give a nice baby moon look to them.
The original plan was to smooth off the nissan logo and chrome-wrap them but now I have them and I've placed one on a wheel I actually think the nissan logo looks okay so now I'm trying to find chrome paint that actually looks chrome, although satin silver look might be quite nice too.
Photo...
Now the course of true fitment never runs smooth and if my sums are right these wheels will protrude 3" from the arches, I need to do test fits before I purchase but now the plan is to buy a set of rangerbob's arches - this will not only give me extra width it will also hide the vertical arch gap...
But then they might leave me not enough space to do any lowering at all even just 30mm lowering springs let alone lower on coilovers.
Which means I'd need to go faux lows along skirts, front chin spoiler, and rear valance.
These kind of photos are making me think silly thoughts...
Even the headlamp / grill section matches my cube in this photo -
This is probably more relevant to the van shape of the cube rather than anything that's remotely quick -
The only dilemma is that it may still be needed for me to sell the cube in April so I'm mindful of modifying it beyond the stage that someone will buy it at.
That pretty much brings us up to speed so my current future plans are...
1. Sell Toplines
2. Buy tyres for smoothies
3. Fit smoothies and measure arch gap / protrusion
4. Buy and fit arch extensions
5. Get air suspension refurbed and sell
6. Depending on outcome of point 3 buy lowering springs / coilover kit to suit.
And for days when I don't have the willpower to go out, my RC cube shell is progressing ...
More to come when my wheels have found a new home!
but you own a trabant which is just pure cool in standard form (IMHO)
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