My 10 Favorite Cars of 2011

Whoa, welcome back here!  Yeah, I've been busy and this place kind of got pushed on the back-burner.  You see, I kind of started writing for another website, VIP'D Out as well as doing a couple of features for Wheels of Thunder Magazine.  So, it's not like I completely stopped covering cars and photographing them, I've just been doing it for other people.

What that means though is that over the last 12 months, I have had the chance to shoot some pretty cool cars.  Now, one of my favorite blogs to read is The Chronicles, and every year Joey puts together his Top 10 list.  I really look forward to that segment every year because he really does pick some of the BEST Honda builds to be featured.  It's kind of like a year-end special of your favorite TV series where all of the best episodes are played one after the other.  Now, my Top 10 list won't be as extensive as The Chronicles', but I hope it will provide some entertainment for you all.  Mind you, these are all local cars to MN as well.  Perhaps next year I'll include cars I traveled to go and shoot, but this is a blog to showcase the local talent.  So, let's get on with the list:

10.  '61 Chevy Impala Hot-Rod

I spotted this car at the Cars and Coffee event here in October.  Really wanted to talk to the owner, but alas that is a hard thing to do at big shows.  This is how I like my domestics, but really cars in general.  Every inch of this car had been worked over.  Plus, it helps that the car is sitting on the ground (literally, the headers for the exhaust get planted when the car airs out).  Definitely a stunner for sure.

9.  Sam Henry's LS6 240sx

Sam's 240 is definitely well solidified on this list.  Talk about an amazing build, plus the guy really uses the car as seen here.  Sam's also a really cool guy to boot.  When I was picking cars for a magazine feature earlier in the year, I really wanted to pick Sam's car, but obvious things like the body damage take away from the magazine appeal, in my opinion.  I hope a spot here offers some consolation, but I do see bigger things for Sam, and his car in 2012.

8.  Dave Mallman's Turbo E36 M3

This car would also get the award for transformation of the year.  In 2010, this M3 used to be silver and super-charged with black OZ wheels.  Now, it's Ford Estate Green Metallic, turbo'd, and the Kinesis wheels were completely refinished in gold.  The result...ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!  Pretty sure this car got shot for Performance BMW Magazine as well, so check it out if you find the issue.  Dave's also a pretty cool guy. I always love seeing this car out and about.

7.  VIP S500 Benz

I don't think there is a better car to represent the Mid-West VIP scene than this Benz right here.  First clocked it earlier this year while the body was still being worked on, but now the car is all finished and looks right tough.  The shocking thing too is that this car is NOT on air!  It's actually on hydraulics.  Definitely a bit of a twist, but the rest of the build is amazing.  The owner does come and hang out with my crew too, i'mSTANCED, but regardless this car was going to be on my Top 10 list.

6.  Andrew Nguyen's G35 Coupe

Andrew's G is definitely one of the top contenders for the MN stance scene, but the build behind the car is a lot more than just coilovers and wheels.  Check out his feature over on VIP'D Out HERE.  Not only is the car fantastic, but Andrew is a really cool guy too and a good friend of mine.  When I told him I wanted his car to roll with me to Wek Fest Chicago this year, he went and get EVERYTHING fixed on the car and re-painted.  The kid is dedicated for sure, and that speaks volumes.  Can't wait to see what he has planned for 2012.

5.  Ivan Johnson's C30R

Okay, seriously, tell me when have you seen a C30 look so damn good!  I have always liked these cars, and when I was introduced to Ivan in 2010, his looked great then on springs and 19" ADRs.  For 2011 he came out with KW coilovers, 18" Forgestar wheels, and an E85 tune that really gave the car some balls.  For being so simple, the car has made a huge impact.  Happy to have him in the i'mSTANCED family and can't wait to welcome a new member shortly.  Yep, Ivan and his girl are expecting a baby very soon!

4.  Eric Winsor's C5 Corvette Race Car

If there was ever a car for the term BECAUSE RACE CAR, this is it.  Eric's C5 is an exercise in the best of the best.  Built for the sole purpose of road-racing, this car has been gone through like no other.  The motor; a 442ci small-block LS7.  The brakes; big enough to slow the rotation of the earth.  The tires; wide enough to make a steam-roller blush.  This car has everything plus the kitchen sink and the house to go with it.  This C5 has more into its suspension than most people spend on a car.  It's big, it's bad, it's fast, and it definitely makes my Top 10 list.

3.  Adam's Toyota Supra Turbo

Renaissance Red with a big-single, of course it's going to make my list.  Adam's Supra is definitely not too far off from what my Supra would look like if I owned one.  In fact, a little encounter with my IS300 shortly after he bought it is what pushed him to make the monster here.  With 800hp going to those massive rear tires through a TH400 transmission, this car is no slow-lane plodder, and those massive CCWs out back even get the stance crowd tight in the pants.  Classic Supra styling with classic Supra power puts this car at number 3.

2.  Imola Motorsports' 997 Turbo

Not only did this car land me a feature on Stance Nation, but I think it's also one of the best shoots I have done to date, and the car is simply beautiful.  Kevin, the owner was very friendly and let me have the car for a few hours while I shot it.  This is another complete car, where every part has been touched, and the car is used for its intended purpose too.  This car put form and function together which is why it is one of my favorites for 2011.

1.  Jessie & Kris Clewell's MK1 Golf

Okay, I'm going to honest here.  If I ever did a top 10 list of all time, this car would be number 1.  Jersey's build is just immense and Jessie and Kris have done most of it themselves which just adds to the whole package.  I have a huge soft-spot for MK1s, and I really think this is one that can be mentioned with the greats on a global level.  This car is number one to me for so many reasons and a car that I never get tired of seeing.

Well, there it is, my little honors list for 2011.  With that, I do promise to stay on top of things here.  I have a lot on my plate, but I'm going to try and not forget why I started this little blog.  To everyone, enjoy the holidays with your family and friends, and see you all in 2012!