What do you say about doing things a little differently this time around? We’ll let the owner (Shelton aka Smitty) do most of the talking as no one really knows more about the car than the man himself.
I remember falling in love the very first time I saw a VIP car back in 2002 in Japan. At that time I didnt know what VIP was but just the look of the ride and how clean it looked appealed to me. The first VIP ride I saw in person on the east coast was a Black Infiniti Q45 owned by Benji Cosca, and ever since that day I wanted to build one myself. While in the past I’ve owned cars such as Civic, Accord, and even a Jetta, it comes a time where you step it up and say “that was high school/college“. Not to insult anyone, but I feel like I’m doing grown-ass-man things now. My last ride was a “VIP Inspired” Lexus ES300, but it not being the traditional VIP Platform (Japanese Sedan RWD) I definitely wanted to do something proper, meaning proper wheel fitment and a mean stance. I’ve gone through 4 sets of wheels in the last 2 1/2 years that I’ve owned the car, each time going more and more aggressive until I have achieved the results that I want. This is where it’s at nowadays and there is still room for improvement.
There’s definitely a big community of VIP rides on the westcoast, but I’m so glad that the VIP movement on the east coast is growing. With guys like the Liberty VIP Car Club and various other groups of people who have definitely played a huge part in growing the VIP movement here on the East Coast, our cars are finally starting to get noticed by VIP enthusiast across the world.
The funniest thing that people ask me about my ride, well besides why I have curtains, is if I drive this thing daily. I say damn right, no use of having a dope ride and never getting to enjoy it. I looked down the other day and I said: “Damn, I’ve already put 60K miles on it since I bought it 2 1/2 years ago”! I’ve taken my ride to NYC a few times, Myrtle beach twice, Charlotte a few times, and even all the way to Atlanta for Import Alliance earlier this year. I figure I’ll drive it and enjoy the ride, and if the engine ever gives out it’ll just give me a great excuse to do some crazy engine swap. You know what to do guys, click Read More bellow for my spec list and a bit more about me & my car.
VIP isnt just about the cars, its a lifestyle. Its all about kicking it with people who have the same interests and living life to the fullest. At least that’s how I look at it. Future plans will be some custom front bumper work, more audio, and potentially adding more power to the V8. First I gotta give thanks to my ELITE family. Definitely some big things coming from this crew. Yuya and the guys at VIP Modular wheels, and all the East Coast Crews doin it big: ISO, Liberty VIP, Xclusive, UnClassified. Last but not least, big thanks to Javier Santiago for the incredible pictures and Elvis for making this feature happen.
There you have it guys, Smitty and his amazing M45! Incredibly humble individual who just happens to know how to build an incredible ride. This is not the last time you’ll see this car, mark our words. We hope you enjoy all the high resolution images that we put up for you! As always, don’t forge to shoot us photos of your fitted rides to snfeatures@gmail.com! Stay in touch with us on our facebook guys!
Engine/Performance:
Injen Intake
Impul Throttle body
Custom Y-pipe and exhaust
Custom Painted engine cover
Interior:
Junction Produce white/gold Fusa
Junction Produce Gold Giutuna Knot
Junction Produce Seat cushions
Junction Produce Luxury Curtains (Front and Back)
Exterior:
Auto Couture front bumper
Custom front fenders
Custom Widened Rear fenders
Balsarini Grille,
Junction Produce Roof Spoiler
Junction Produce Hood Bonnet
Junction Produce eyelids
Window Visors
Garson Badging
Wheels:
VIP Modular VX110
Falken FK452 Tires
20×10 -15 offset (Front) 225/35/20
20×11 -16 offset (Rear) 245/35/20
Suspension/Brakes:
Custom Universal Air Suspension (UAS) over Megan Coilover setup
Dakota Digital electronic pressure gauge
Dual Viair 400C compressors
Custom painted air tank
Accuair Manifold
Accuair SwitchSpeed Controller
Brembo Drill/Slotted Rotors and Steel brake lines
SPL Rear Camber Arms
ICE:
JL CleanSweep
2 ’12 Eclispe Subs
1 1500watt MBQuartz Amp
tighttt
soo it might just be my computer but do the first 2 pics look a little… dare i say.. cartoonish/photoshop? the others look just fine though.
super clean car other than that
Beautiful. This car is perfect, and rocking my favorite wheels.
Smitty is killing it,I always liked this car..
I never really cared for the M45. . . . .
But this is hot ! props
jeeez. lmao. killen it
Some of the HDR is a bit meh, but it’s a hot car nevertheless.
alot of these pic look wierd/fake. Nice car though
maybe too much PP or the photo equipment is just sick
too much rake?
holy sh*t !
Smitty is the man… and this M is on a league of its own… Shutting it Down!
good lord, thats ridonkUlous. I love it.
yeah a lot of the photos look fake/ slashed photoshop’d i would hope that they are not. either way nice car.
Where’s the orgasm button on this site?
First off thanks to Elvis for the feat and to Smitty for coming out for the shoot! Really he has a great vision and personality that show through its car and its only in its beginning phase after the two years… As far as the shots in non of these shots was the car modified. All that was done was post processing and really main reason for this type of lighting was to show the shape of the car as it has flat lines and make it more dramatic and different, instead of the typical full lite shot. Weather you like it or not its a style and certainly the noob thing to say is “this is HDR… or to much PhotoShop” and as a designer I always look for something different but this is not the case of the common people. So to those that like it thanks and even those that don’t thanks for viewing!
Well said Javier! :D
Not a noob thing to say but The pic was processed so much the car looks as if it weren’t in the pic originally(Pic 1 ). Like a really bright car in a really dark environment with no lights or shadows on the ground. People automatically will see things that look out of place.
Damn, the photographer does something nice to spice up the pictures and give us some eye candy to look at, and all anybody can do is complain! I know the car is real, seen it rolling on the streets. Nothing to worry about people. Props to Smitty for such a clean ass ride and props to Javier for some dope shots, I need some shots like that of my Nismo!
I like the photography alot actually. Its surreal! I invite you all to head over to the forums to see Smittys ride for yourselves in the few iterations its been through. It’s very much a REAL car. Great work!
Super sick car – clean, classy, and SEXY! Great job on the design.
Tha WHIP lookz BAD AZZ-tha kolor iz on point n great stance n wheel choice-no doubt!!!!!
Car and owner speaks for itself. Car is fresh to death and Smitty is a cool ass dude.
love how my comment was removed. no one is saying the car is fake, we’re saying it LOOKS fake. nothing wrong with a little photoshop, but when you go overboard it gets the wrong attention. and you don’t really need to spice up the pictures when you got a center piece like that, this ride is clean AF!
great car and the pics are the shit
Yo sick ride. love what he said about the high school college upgrade thing. Hope to get on this level soon
dat muh fuckuhh right there go way tough
Car is AMAZING IN PERSON. Smitty hope things are well. If your ever back in Hanover stop by.