What comes to mind when you hear the words station wagon? Do you think of a large, clumsy vehicle used to transport families to vacation destination on Americas roadways? Do you think of the utilitarian transports soccer moms use for battle? Whose upholsteries bear the stains and stench of fast food, and the markings of children who disdain the notion of napkins. Still, for others, the mention of station wagons conjures up images of our parents idea of a good first car, and the best inspiration for working those three jobs to have a cooler ride in high school.
Hindsight reminds us that the station wagon was the vehicle class that gave way to the size and practicality of the SUV and minivan, and now we merely know that station wagons are more unique, if only for their scarcer numbers. For John Malozsak of Ballistic Unlimited, the distinctive station wagon serves as a rolling business card for his growing screenprinting business. This stunning 92 Honda Accord station wagon appears on show-circuit events promoting Ballistic Unlimiteds capabilities as an apparel printer that caters to the automotive industry.
Of course, eye-popping exterior features abound and announce to the world that this is not your garden-variety station wagon. A Wings West body kit and rear wing complement the lines of the wagon. The highly massaged front and rear end treatments are highlighted by a re-skinned rear hatch that relocates a custom-license box. The big-mouth front end leads up to a Sir Michaels louvered hood. All of this has been bathed in a robust hue of 97 Volvo Copper by Body Pros of Garden Grove. Modern Image Sign Works took care of the silver and purple flame graphics that stretch along both sides of the car. Meanwhile the wheel wells were flared and trimmed to accommodate 19-inch wheels.
In the interest of maintaining the Accords user-friendly street manners, engine modifications were limited to a few simple bolt-on massages. The stock 92 2.0L engine uses a custom-copper-painted air intake, and expels gases through a Bosal header and exhaust combination. In addition, the gases are fired by an MSD SCI ignition box through Vitek wires. More gusto comes in the form of a 50 shot of nitrous oxide, whose tank is color matched to the cars copper exterior.
Further down the drive train, the automatic transmission was swapped in favor of a five-speed-manual gearbox that harnesses engine power through a Vitek clutch. This wagon can attribute its stance to the 3-inch drop provided by Intrax springs over KYB AGX struts. For improved suspension feel, the vehicle makes use of Energy Suspension bushings throughout.
Axis Se7en, painted to match the vehicles exterior wheels sized 19x8.5 are used at all 4 corners, wrapped in Toyo Proxes 225/35R19 rubber. The rear drum set-up was swapped in favor of rear discs, and Power Stop cross-drilled rotors are used at all four corners. The ride quality is compliant enough on 19-inch wheels to be used as daily transportation.
This Honda features the sort of interior you wouldnt want to transport the kids in. The stock seats have been reshaped and covered in black and silver suede to complement a custom-grey carpet. Atop the carpet are custom floor mats cut from aluminum five-bar-diamond plate by Sir Michaels. These trick industrial-flavored mats lend a unique look to the interior, and of course, are far more durable than conventional mats. The dash features custom-painted inserts to match the copper exterior.
The interior also sports a full roll cage by Pro-Design of Santa Ana that is color matched to the vibrant copper exterior. Sparco seats, pedals, and a shift knob round out the control surfaces. Meanwhile, a Clarion head unit with CD and mini-disc player, amplifier, and speakers do their part to break up the monotony of Southern California traffic.
Certainly, this wagon defies all preconceptions of the station wagon merely being a form of utilitarian family transport. Instead this ride sounds off its own unique expression, right down to the push-button starter. By selecting an uncommonly modified chassis as his canvas and paying attention to the details, John has created a stunning show-quality vehicle that keeps him connected with his auto-enthusiast roots. So, now what do you think about station wagons? All I know is that if my parents wouldve offered me this station wagon to learn to drive in, I wouldnt have hesitated.