Favorite Super Street Feature Cars of 2014 – Staff Picks
Reflecting on the builds that blew our minds
Sean RussellWriter
Countless feature car submissions roll onto the Super Street HQ desk throughout a year but only a select amount make it to print. The criteria for magazine feature encompasses much more than just how much power a build puts down or how much cash it took to produce. Super Street strives to procure those tuner cars that break barriers, set trends, restore history and above all have that “holy sh**” factor.
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What each of us think is the coolest is of course subjective though. So below, in no particular order, you will find what us staffers selected as our 2014 favorites. Do you agree or disagree, let us know what you want to see more of come the New Year!
Name: Sam Du
Position:Editor-in-Chief
Choice 1: Lexus Tuned's 2014 IS 340
Issue:Aug. 2014
Reason:“Because we drove this 700hp 2JZ-swapped SEMA show car from South Beach Miami to downtown Manhattan on the Gumball 3000, one of the best experiences of my life!”
Choice 2: ATS Garage's 1994 Acura Integra
Issue:July 2014
Reason:“Probably one of the most spectacular and cleanest Honda builds in the last two years. Also, the story behind owner Ferd Natividad and his 11-year journey towards finishing the car gives us encouragement to never give up on our dreams.”
Name: Jofel Tolosa
Position:Staff Editor
Choice 1: Paul Coffman’s 1991 Acura NSX
Issue:Aug. 2014
Reason:“I love how this NSX is used as a daily driver on the mean streets of Hawaii. Oh yeah, it's also powered by LoveFab’s Pike Peak racing engine.”
Choice 2: Roy De Guzman’s 1972 Nissan Skyline 2000GT
Issue:Oct. 2014
Reason:“My jaw dropped the first time I saw Roy’s Hakosuka. Ordinary Hakosuka owners would normally just restore the car, while Roy goes the extra mile to find rare parts from Japan to slap on his build.”
Name: Willie Yee
Position:Associate GM
Choice 1: GReddy 2JZ 2013 Scion FR-S
Issue:April 2014
Reason:“The fact this is a single-turbo equipped 2JZ-GTE swap makes it for me, being the diehard 2JZ fan that I am. But let’s not forget how clean the overall look is and the detailed fabrication. I’d love something like this in a bit more street trim to daily drive!”
Choice 2: Scott Kanemura’s 1972 Toyota Hilux Pickup
Issue:Jan. 2014
Reason:“Though I’m not really into trucks and this one was well before my era, this 2JZ-swapped Hilux would be cool to rock and awesome to roll up to the races in. All the HKS and GReddy components in the build are also a testament to the pride, money, passion, blood, sweat and tears put into this build….which is something I totally respect!”
Name: Bob Hernandez
Position:Content Director
Choice 1: Devin Hui’s 2013 Scion FR-S
Issue:Mar. 2014
Reason:“My attraction to this car can be summed up in one simple equation: FR-S + Rocket Bunny + M Technica = dayum! I’m not much for the stanced look, but Hui’s striking Scion works it in all the right ways.”
Choice 2: Joe Cooper’s 2006 Acura RSX-S
Issue:Jan. 2014
Reason:“Since I’m Team Honda, I had to pick at least one, and Matt Jones’ insanely rich photos do justice to Joe Cooper’s impressive DC5. The RSX is super clean, sporting a solid balance of both performance and cosmetic aftermarket bits.”
Name: Mike Sabounchi
Position:Social Media Manager
Choice 1: Dai Yoshihara’s 1000hp Subaru BRZ
Issue:Sept. 2014
Reason:“I had a chance to be a part of this shoot with photographer Alex Bernstein. We piled in the back of the Moto IQ support truck while Steve Wong from Falken Tire ripped the truck around our mock Formula D Irwindale course at full speed. Yes it was dangerous, yes it was totally worth it.”
Choice 2: David Lai’s 2002 Nissan Skyline GT-R
Issue:May 2014
Reason:“There is nothing that sums up JDM perfection like an R34 GT-R and this one just so happens to have every single part on it that I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid. And to add to the badass-ness of the build, this car is DRIVEN ON THE STREET! I…. Can’t… Even!”
Name:Sean Russell
Position:Digital Content Manager
Choice 1: Taisuke Kawato’s 2001 Mazda RX-7
Issue:Nov. 2014
Reason:“I’ve always been a sucker for aggressive FD RX-7s. This TCP Magic time attacker isn’t the most powerful but its balance is fantastic – 600hp, RWD, mean looks and massive amounts of grip…what else could you ask for? Best of all, owner/builder Kawato did it all himself.”
Choice 2: Niclas Frohlund’s 1999 Nissan Skyline GT-T
Issue:March 2014
Reason:“A 2JZ in an R34…what the f**k?! Sounds like purist blasphemy but this 600hp Scandinavian backyard build is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It’s rough around the edges and the color is questionable but I’m 100 percent behind it’s message: Total street assault vehicle utilizing one of the best tuner chassis and engines ever created.”