Fast Car – September 2019

018 http://www.fastcar.co.uk

COVER CARS

TECH SPEC: MERCEDES W

STYLING:

Peugeot Copper Sunset body, roof in candy, metalfl ake and

lace, hand-painted fuel cap, original design and future tattoo

by Danny Birch, grille emblem delete, side mirror delete, rear

badge delete, double bumper upgrade (donated by Bagged

Benz UK), rear lights painted in red candy.

TUNING:

M115 2.0-litre four-cyl, 3-speed auto.

CHASSIS:

8x18in (front) and 9x18in (rear) custom Detroit Steel Delray

wheels – painted Copper Sunset with satin clearcoat and

fi nished with hubs and beauty rings, 215/35 (f) and 225/

(r) Nankang tyres, Air Lift Performance air-ride with 3S

management, Bilstein shocks.

INTERIOR:

Original seats trimmed by Cobra and Edd Aldridge in modern/

vintage Forest Green in old-school ‘fat biscuit’ style, full hidden

JVC audio system inc. doubleDIN headunit, dash and trims

painted black, vintage Mooneyes foot pedal from Dale’s dad.

THANKS:

“Thanks to Colin Ware and the guys from Kustom Kolors, Phil

James and The Install Company, Air Lift Performance, Bilstein

UK, Nankang Tyres, Cobra Seats, Edd Aldridge, JVC UK,

Cliff ord UK, Snap-On UK, Detroit Steels, Bagged Benz UK, 3M

UK, Slam Sanctuary, Players Show, Car Audio Security, Danny

Birch, and Amy Fife for putting up with me and this build!”

Copper Sunset, with a satin clearcoat and fi nished with hubs

and beauty rings. And don’t let any Merc purist tell you that

nine-by-eighteens won’t go on the back of one of these – the

evidence is right here before you.

“The engine’s the standard two-litre with a three-speed

auto, so yes – it’s pretty slow,” he laughs. But that’s really the

point of lowriders, they’re built for fl exing and peacocking,

not seafront street-racing. If you want that sort of mischief,

fl ick your eyes back to the Liquid Yellow Renault.

What was the most stressful part of the Renault build?

“All of it,” Tom smirks. But what’s his favourite bit now it’s

fi nished? Again, “All of it,” is the answer. “I’m so happy with

how the whole look has turned out, like what it would be if

Renault made a GT Turbo today. And the reactions at Players

were absolutely mind-blowing.”

Dale is equally effusive about the Merc’s debut: “The

response at the show was amazing, there was always

someone walking around it and having a good look at all the

details... and touching the paint!” he laughs.

These beautiful machines have been built to last, and

Tom and Dale can’t wait to head out on some adventures

with their shiny new creations. “I’m going to drive the Merc

as much as possible, cruising around with my partner Amy,”

Dale assures us. “And I’d like to complete the Clio theme

and install a 182 engine,” smirks Tom. And we have to

applaud both approaches. It’s been a hell of a journey to see

these diverse and scene-altering cars come together, but for

these boys the adventure’s really only just beginning. ■

Two cars, one passion

The Mooneyes foot pedal

came courtesy of Dale’s dad

The JVC install helps bring the
Merc into the 21st century