It’s Wednesday. You know what day today is?? Not hump day. Ricer Wednesday. See you guys there!
Chan brings more rice to our food truck than Uncle Ben.
Keep Tuning,
Ricer X
Same Rice Time, Same Rice Channel.
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The Last Samurai.
Last post’s Z32 had us thinking about the great 90′s Japanese Super cars and how quickly they disappeared from the U.S. shores. The first on the chopping block was the FD RX-7 as the last few were imported for the 1995 calendar year, quickly followed by the 300zx in 96 and Toyota Supra in 1998. With only the NSX which was made in extremely limited numbers and was out of reach for most “normal” car guys due to the skyrocketing price, there was only one Japanese super car that still embraced the Twin Turbo philosophy, the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4.
If only these cars came with lowered suspension... 
The 3000GT, much like the 300zx and Supra, also came in non-turbo variants, but it was the 320hp, Twin-Turbo V6 version dubbed the VR-4 (GTO in Japanese markets) that hurt feelings on the streets. The VR-4 separated itself from the other Japanese warriors by boasting an AWD platform unlike the other FR and MR cars, four wheel steering, electronic suspension and was more of a freeway Grand Touring car than it’s polar opposite, the FD RX-7 with it’s minimal yet spartan interiors. It was a car you could cruise around town while comfortably enjoying the company of whoever rode shotgun.
Although the 3S went through many changes as the years went by, it was the year 1999 where the car would go through it’s last and final aesthetic refresh with it’s redesigned front bumper, headlights, turn signals, and that one-of-a-kind spoiler. That spoiler was the sign on the exterior that let other drivers know that this 3S was not to be messed with. We recently met a VR-4 owner by the name of Josh that made it out to a few of our Coffee and Rice meets and all of the guys immediately recognized this rare beauty. With the Dodge Stealth version dying in 1996, the last few 3000GT VR-4′s were hard to come by as production dwindled down to match sales numbers. In 1999, around 287 models were made and sold. Of that, we have one pristine example in all of it’s 1999 glory here in front of us, unmolested, and completely intact. If you’d like to see more of this car (and MANY more cars), you know where we are every Sunday.
DAT WANG
Keep Tuning,
Ricer X
Z32: A Stunning Example.
We have a serious love for 90′s Japanese cars at Mayday Garage. Supras, RX-7′s, NSX’s, MR2′s and even 3000GT’s are all cars we look up to and want to own someday. But the car that kicked everything into gear in the nineties for us was the Nissan 300zx. Debuting in 1989 and sold as a 1990 model, the all new “Fairlady Z” bursted onto the US scene with a 3.0 liter twin turbocharged VG30DETT 300hp monster motor and a new take on Japanese styling. 300hp by today’s standards isn’t exactly groundbreaking, but in 1990, it was enough to kick Corvette and Mustang ass all day everyday.
Although the US didn’t get “Godzilla”, the R32 GT-R, we did receive the classic and traditional Nissan Sports car with it’s low slung look and flush mounted headlights, it was what embodied a sports car. Although some people think the styling is dated, you have to keep in mind that even though these Z32 models ceased here domestically in 1996, the model continued to evolve all the way through the year 2000 in it’s home country. That said, some styling cues were updated including a new front nose/bumper to give it a newer feel. Stateside, there is a large following for these cult cars, and seeing a Twin Turbo model unmolested is a rare sight, but we love tuner cars, and there is a fine line of modifying a Z without making it dopey looking. We recently came across a stunning example of what a 300zx should look like at the last Houston Cars and Coffee, and took a few snaps.
That classic Z styling
The silver Work Emotion XD9's give the side profile of the Z a great racing feel.
Keep Tuning,
Ricer X
Street Sweepin’.
You guys have seen us advertise our weekly Sunday Coffee and Rice meet ups lately, but we never forget our other regular weekly meet, Ricer Wednesdays at our food truck, Ricebox. Last night was no different than our usual gatherings, but we always know there’ll be a large turnout when the Houston weather plays nicely all day, and last night’s weather was perfect.
We decided to finally park on the streets of Westheimer (legally), and good thing we did, as there was no parking for a little while because the meet got super packed! Here’s a few shots.
Where the streets have a name. Westheimer.
Bus Stop.
Mug shot
Corbin's Sileighty mean muggin'
See you next week!
Keep Tuning,
Ricer X
Clear a Path!
You know when supercars are involved at any Cars & Coffee, American cars are not excluded, like the Hennessey Venom GT. The car drove slowly through the enormous crowds with ease as it was hard to miss a car that sounded the way it did.
Venomous.
Keep Tuning,
Ricer X
Not Something You See Everyday.
You would think that with the Bugatti’s, Lambos, Ferrari’s, Fiksers and Maseratti’s, most people would just skip over a small hatchback. The problem with that is we see these exotics more often than not. When we came across this Renault Clio V6 (Phase 2) hatchback at last weekend’s Houston Cars & Coffee, our jaws dropped. This truly unique car made an appearance and we noticed that most people walked right past it. Maybe it’s the small stature of this seemingly normal looking hatchback or maybe it’s the fact that it’s silver with no decals or giant badges to indicate that it’s a rare model, but it certainly looks utilitarian. That is, until you look in the hatch. No luggage, no groceries, no spare tire. Just an engine behind the front seats in this Midship engine Renault. At 255bhp, this hot hatch hauls serious ass.
It’s these types of cars that bring us to Houston Cars and Coffee every month.
No, those are not XXR wheels.
The OMP steering wheel should make you question if this is a normal car or not.
Or it's the dual center exit exhausts combined with the wide fenders and functional side scoops that will give you a hint.
Keep Tuning,
Ricer X
More Than We Can Afford.
Although we consider ourselves Ricers, some of us do like exotics too. What once plastered our bedroom walls with dream exotics along with TMNT and scantily clad women posters is now something we can look at in person and appreciate as an adult thanks to things like Houston Cars & Coffee.
This past Cars & Coffee, we were treated with both new and old Ferrari’s along with Ferrari race cars, and luckily, we managed to snap off a few photos.
Ahhh the Ferrari 458 Italia...
Higgins?
Now THAT is a crowd.
The white Speedlines on this F355 were so brilliant against the Ferrari Red
The KING of the street.
Keep Tuning,
Ricer X
Car Shop GLOW FD LED Taillight Progress Report.
Okay so many of you have blown up our inbox lately asking about the taillights that we had made from Car Shop GLOW for the FD3S RX-7. Yes, we are in the final stage right before shipping. The custom CSG metal badges are now made and riveted on each taillight for authenticity and we are only waiting for the final smoke/tint job on the taillights. We should have some in our possession in about 1.5 – 2 weeks. We will (excitedly) install them, test them, make sure there are no condensation leaks, and photograph and record video so you yourself can judge them. Here are some photos of the progress!
Yes, CSG works on many cars. Typically high end European cars.
More info to come
Keep Tuning,
Ricer X
The Crowd Pleaser. Sometimes.
We know you’ve all seen Khiem’s FD RX-7 a billion times on the internet, but for whatever reason, most people have never “really” seen it aside from some small local car meets. Lately, it’s been on stage at last month’s Cars & Coffee and even more recently, TX2K14, where this type of car belongs.
When the hood goes up, everyone crowds around within seconds at Cars & Coffee
Sitting pretty with the three rotary powered FD's at TX2K14
Most people think FD's don't make an insane amount of power, especially at TX2K
Until that hood goes up
I believe "dick magnet" is the correct term as Linhbergh and Khiem demonstrates
Man/dick power
Keep Tuning,
Ricer X
More Photoshoots and Ricebox.
More photo dumping of Behind-The-Scenes with John Zhang and Patrick Lauder as seen through the eyes of Mayday Garage!
JZ, Danh, Christine and overly dressed Dennis check out the Turbo RX-8
Dennis tries to give Pat a wet willy
John does not look like this because it's early in the morning. Because Asian.
Patrick takes a nap in between shots.
Before shooting this Tesla Model S, we wanted to check out our posts (or porn).
1013mm setting up that shot of the Ferrari 599
DSLR, Video Cam, iPhone 5S, Ferrari 599. Also, JZ is NOT sitting on a chair.
JZ sets up the next shot while Danh looks at Christy Mack fleshlights online.
The view of Tom's S2000 from inside of The Ricebox on Ricer Wednesdays
There is entirely too much rice for one picture here.
More to come.
Keep Tuning,
Ricer X