The times have certainly changed in the automotive world over the lifespan of PASMAG. Trends and styles have come and gone, with some of them sticking around for good, and others resurfacing in cycles. Those in our audience old enough to remember the haydays of the '90s and early 2000s are sure to know exactly what we mean. And while we may look down on some style eras with hindsight, it's important to remember that many of these modifications and styles we consider to be extreme or "too much" paved the way for a lot of the aftermarket automotive world we know and love today.
Throwbacks From Previous Years:
5 Vehicles from PASMAG in 2002
5 Vehicles from PASMAG in 2003
5 MORE Vehicles from PASMAG in 2003
5 Vehicles from PASMAG in 2004
5 MORE Vehicles from PASMAG in 2004
5 Vehicles from PASMAG in 2005
5 MORE Vehicles from PASMAG in 2005
As part of this ongoing series, we wanted to take some opportunities to dig into the PASMAG archives - all 25 years of it - as part of our 25th anniversary celebrations, and isolate certain eras to appreciate, evaluate, or even reminisce. This week, we're looking at the year 2006 in all its glory.
1. Hot Wheels / Carbon Creations Mustang
When Carbon Creations released a new kit back in these days, they made sure the first vehicles with them went the distance. In case it wasn't clear by the plethora of sponsor decals on the car, this fifth generation Mustang was built to the nines inside and out. The wild styling was among the earliest influences of import tuner culture making its way to the fifth generation of Mustang.
2. James Hensel's Need For Speed Civic
This is what you think of when you think early 2000s import tuners, right? Gorgeous paint jobs, wild aero kits, vertical doors (Lambo doors, bro!), custom retrofitted lights, chrome wheels, and even roof scoops. The S15 Silvia headlight custom fit is quite the impressive feat, everything else aside. This Civic is truly an encapsulation of the "Need For Speed Underground" era, as evidenced by the same decal on the quarter windows. The PS2 in the dash gives away the timeline, if nothing else did.
3. Alma Gates' Bronco - "The Beast"
Alma Gates, known in many circles as "Car audio's grandmother," was a legend in her time, building some of the craziest mobile sound stages and car audio builds the world had ever seen. Even though she was in her 70s, Gates built this Bronco, codenamed "The Beast," which dominated SPL competitions and shattered records before its retirement in 2006. It was a true honor to feature Alma Gates and her beast before its retirement.
4. MB Quart Audi A4
In a sea of the wacky and wild styling of this era, a simple A4 seems so special. Less is more, and in this case, that applied to everything except the audio system. As an MB Quart vehicle, the trunk setup in this Audi was all noise - installed as cleanly as the exterior might have you think. While the pale banana yellow might be a bit dated, we appreciate this simple Audi.
5. Tsunami Corvette
The C5 Corvette was the antithesis to many import tuners of the era, but for one owner, it was the perfect platform to cross the line. Weird and wild custom paint, actuating audio-video systems that rise out of the trunk, and lots of custom lighting are all hallmarks of the Tsunami Corvette, one of the earliest uber-modified C5 Vettes taking inspiration from the import tuner culture of the time. There isn't much we can say that photos won't explain better than we will.
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