𝙕𝙡𝙂𝙕𝘼𝙂 𝟘𝟙𝟜: Bespoke boast
⟿ Shoddy Ferrari paint, track-ready Jeeps, & the Citroën 2CV is not a car.
⚑ It’s finally happening.
Someone’s modifying Jeeps to be good on the road. Ok, not merely good: Aston Martin DBX 707 and Mercedes-Benz AMG G 63-crushingly good.
Mhmm: THE JEEP WRANGLER. Possibly my least favourite new vehicle, partly because of how badly they drive on the road, how Dollar General its interior is, and how shoddily they’re built…and because owners automatically start modifying them not to be more day-to-day livable, but to emphasize these foibles.
You know what I think is sexy? A re-trimmed interior, active suspension, bigger brakes, and a comprehensively stiffened structure…
cont’d below
I believe—unless another publication has scooped this—you’re reading a North American exclusive about the first project from vehicle modifiers Sam’s Garage, in collaboration with Heritage Customs and Niels van Roij Design.
The project: a Jeep Wrangler that wags.
A bold choice of platform, but I think it’s inspired. You’ll have to watch the video to see what I’m talking about: I’ve never seen a Wrangler move like this. (Even on chunky tires!)
Already a luxury item in many parts of the world—but far below off-roaders from Land Rover, Bentley, and Lexus on price—SG takes a Jeep Wrangler 392and comprehensively modifies it for on-road performance.
At launch, there are two options. The outrageous Zandvoort Edition (grey), with 22-inch wheels, performance rubber, and 840 PS—that’s 828 horsepower, bucko—and a more sedate 470 horsepower version with 20-inch wheels and off-road tires.
Ok, ok: but this thing handles. What’s up with that? Most crucial here is undoubtedly the electronic suspension; you’ll see it’s mentioned in the promotional video with little else to go on.
The Zandvoort’s large open grille, stance, and custom wheels aren’t able to rid the world of dat wheel gap, however, I’d be happy dumping the Wrangler’s four-wheel-drive entirely if it meant its stance could be dropped even more… How low? Low enough to run that big V8 on haterade. ;)
I’ve reached out to the company for details beyond what was provided at the 2022 MASTERS EXPO in Amsterdam, and hope to set up an interview with SG founder Samuel van Vollenhoven.
If you have questions, now’s the time to ask!
❍ Sam’s Garage (website, Instagram)
see also :: NEDERLANDSE SAM'S GARAGE GAAT JEEPS WRANGLER OMBOUWEN • autoweek.nl
Fascinating: thin paint. Water-based products that don’t hold up. Finishes that are still curing. Iffy factory-completed fixes.
Why? Product demand is killing the need for care at Maranello.
Which brands tend to have the best paint from factory? Toyota and Lexus. According to specialist Rich Light, many mainstream vehicles $30-60k Usd. have better finishes and require less prep before services like ceramic coating.
This isn’t a clickbait video, either—Rich has valid theories on why Ferrari chooses to sell supercars with sub-par finishes.
(Shout-out to the Spyker C8 snapshots that managed to make its way into the video—presumably to illustrate the process and not as an example of a Ferrari…)
