When first starting a project car , there are three main categories to split the remodel.

Exterior: Would have to do with any new body parts such as body kits, wings, fenders, etc. Also paint and any other repairs to the outside of the car.

Interior: All interior work , carpets, seats, stereo system upgrades, etc. The interior section will include all aspects of an interior remodel.

Performance: All engine work, suspension, etc.

Personally I would suggest to do all the performance work first, this is the dirties task and the most messy one. While pulling out an engine or doing some other upgrades having a brand new paint job to take care of and be careful with is time consuming and difficult. After doing all your major performance mods, the second step would be the interior of the car. Covering the interior once its done its pretty simple and taking care of it not a big deal. Finally once the car performs good and it has a nice interior the last piece of the puzzle would be a great paint job, remember people see first the paint and wheels so having a good paint job and nice wheels will definitely make your ride stand out.

Step one:
Remove the Philip’s screw from the plastic roof latch cover and remove the cover. Also remove the two rubber stoppers that hold the roof in place. Pry off the four factory push clips out of the rear trunk lining and lay the lining over into the trunk (may need to use a flathead screw driver or pliers to pry the clips off).

Step two:
Remove the four nuts that are holding each tail light in place with an 8 mm wrench from the inside of the trunk. Disconnect the tail light harness clip (a small flathead screw driver may be necessary). Hold the tail light in place while doing this so that it doesn’t fall out.

Step three:
Gently push the tail lights outwards from the inside of the trunk. Make sure the foam guard comes out with the tail light. It is not necessary to keep this foam guard as long as there is a new one included with the aftermarket tail lights.

Step four:
Remove the four bulbs from the tail light housing. Turn them approximately ninety degrees and pull straight back as to not crack the bulbs. Check all bulbs before installing them into the new housings to ensure they are not cracked or burnt out. Replace any bulbs if necessary.

Step five:
Replace the bulbs into the new tail light housings. The location of the bulbs may be slightly different in the new housings so be sure to note which bulb is used for signalling, reversing and braking.

Step six:
Once all the bulbs are securely in place, put the new tail light back onto the car and line up all the threads into the existing holes. Replace the 8 mm nuts and only tighten until they are snug. Over tightening will cause cracking and/or damage of the new tail light. Plug the harness clip back in.

Step seven:
Check all the lights to make sure they are functioning properly. Another person is necessary for this task.

Step seven:
Place the trunk lining back together and replace the factory push clips, the rubber stoppers and the roof latch cover and tighten the Philips screw.

Step eight:
Wipe off any fingerprints on the tail lights and the installation is complete.

After the show I headed over to Gus’s diner in East Troy for the Saturday car show and cruise. A couple cars from the Elkhorn show were there, but there were more cars there from people who weren’t at the show. The food was good and a live band was playing while everyone enjoyed all the cars at the diner. Of all the hot muscle cars and beautiful classics at the show, my favorite vehicle was a 1940’s Chevy pickup truck that this middle age man has had since high school. He told me he did all the work himself with the help of some friends. It was painted Prowler orange with a bit of metallic flake in it. It included custom made side steps and truck bed and rails made out of thick wood that was smoothed out and sealed with stain and a gloss clear coat. Not only did he do that but he also made a dragster spoiler propped up in the truck bed which was also made entirely of wood. Powering this dragster looking truck was a Chevy big block, completely redone with all new parts, a giant blower, and NOS which was dynode at 1000 rwhp. Although this thing looked like a drag truck with the giant motor, nitrous, and huge drag radials in the back, the owner said it has never seen a drag strip.

Hot Import Nights Pleasanton, CA July 25th
ProAm Drifting from Austin
Don’t forget, Hot Import Nights is coming to the Bay Area NEXT Saturday, July 25th (4PM – 11PM).

We’ll be at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton CA for a return visit with our bigger, badder and better show. This year, we pulled out all of the stops by adding motorsports and/or drifting to each and every venue. Buy your tickets online on our ticketing site.

For Pleasanton, you’ll want to check out the drifting action in the NOS Human Horsepower Zone with performances by Chris Fosberg and other professional drivers. Local drifters are encouraged to participate, but there will be a 14-driver cut-off limit. Contact nate@hinevents.com for more information. The driver’s roster will be posted at hinevents.com/cars

For our travelling Nor-Cal drifting fans, you’ll want to plan ahead for our December 12th show at Firebird Raceway in Chandler, AZ (near Phoenix.) This will be the final round of the Formula D / Hot Import Nights ProAm drifting series for 2009. The contestants will be invited from all of this year’s previous events held around the country. The finalist from our event will get an invitation to participate in the professional Formula D series next year.

If you plan to attend Pleasanton as a car competitor, you will need to pre-register on our ticketing site. The show floor has limited space, and since it always sells to capacity, you’ll want to act soon. If you have a group of 12+ cars, contact our car coordinator nate@hineve! nts.com for special arrangements.

If you have already registered, look for your roll-in instructions in your email box. If you have 12+ cars in your crew, contact nate@hinevents.com to schedule your roll-in.

Special Showtime Events
Here are some of the many things we have planned for this event.

On our main stage we have dance performances, B-boys, Battles, & Hip Hop Performances by “QWES,” DJ Rocky Rock and 17 Hertz Studio Presents FNM, San Quin, Big Rich, Mistah FAB, The Jacka, and Dem Hoodstarz! In addition to our regular GoGo dancers, Miss HIN Competition and this time, a very special LolliMe Bikini Fashion Show featuring beautiful models strutting their stuff and showing off bikinis designed by Nicolette Lacson from www.lollime.com

Bring your copy of the August 2009 issue of Import Tuner. It features as its cover model Alanna Kolette, Miss HIN 2009. Capture a photo with Miss HIN Alanna Kolette @ Model Central. Import Tuner and Super Street Magazines will have staff at the event looking for future feature cars and cover models; look your best!

Don’t Miss These!
FREESTYLE MOTO-X – World-class FMX demonstrations by a breathtaking team of past & recent X-Games champions!

RIVALRY NIGHTS – Hot Import Nights has officially joined the Rivalry Nights 2009 tour. Seven special events are scheduled around major college football events; this tour kicks off on September 11th in Columbus Ohio. Sign up for our newsletter at hinevents.com to stay informed.

HIN GEAR – Purchase exclusive HIN fitted caps, shirts & girl apparel at our travelling merchandise booth.

HIGH-DEFINITION TELEVISION SHOW – HIN TV will be filming live for an upcoming production.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT – MOVIE RELEASE “Check out Fast & Furious on Blu-Ray Hi-Def and DVD July 28th.”

GIVEAWAYS – Receive items such as auto parts, posters, photos, hats, shirts, towels, lanyards, key chains & many more. Be sure to visit each sponsor, vendor and/or club on the floor to take full advantage.

NATIONAL GUARD UNLIMITED CAR COMPETITION – The only touring car competition with over 2000 awards, $120,000 in prize payout & 1 National Guard Ultimate Unlimited Title belt!!! (Valued at $2,600) Cash & Awards.

EVENT INFO:
Alameda Fairgrounds (SF)
4501 Pleasanton Ave.
Pleasanton, CA 94566

Photos by Mr_Piro of Senseless Behaviour

The Auto Salons are a series of car shows held in five major cities across Australia that attract the highest crowds of any indoor automotives shows in Australia. The shows cater to the owners of modified late-model vehicles that hailing from Japan, Asia and Europe, mixed with Australian vehicles like HSV Commodores that are in keeping with the shows high-tech theme.

Offering far more than just static display cars, the Auto Salons place a heavy emphasis on supporting the modified vehicle aftermarket industry. Each show features professionally built trade displays showcasing the very latest gear from specialists like Alpine, Pioneer, Sony, Meguiars, Clarion, Autobarn, and Strathfield, as well as national magazine’s like Hot 4s & Performance Cars. AUTO SALON’ 96 AUTO SALON’ 97 AUTO SALON’ 98 Sydney, Melbourne

Each show features an officially sanctioned dB Drag Racing event run by Strathfield Group, an engine performance Dyno Challenge shoot-out, and a judging and trophy awards system for every key aspect of car modification within the scene. The judging system is also constantly re-worked to ensure that it always encourages the latest trends in car modification.

The Auto Salons place high emphasis on new and cutting edge trends, building techniques, equipment, and technology. Car entrants are therefore constantly updating, altering or changing their cars from show to show to keep up with the latest trends. This in-turn makes each and every new Auto Salon a great spectacle, where you are guaranteed to see new and exciting cars that have never been seen before.

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Autosalon saw roughly 50,000 people through
the gates on the weekend, these people were motivated to go to Autosalon,
because of the 200+ late model modified cars from around Australia. 
I spent 9 1/2 hours on the first day and a furthe 6 1/2 on the second day,
both days featured different dj’s and entertainment proving both days to
be jam packed with entertainment for the whole family.

Autosalon 2000 the final battle exceeded
my expectations, and for the $13.00 admission fee, i had managed to see
performers from around Australia, Hip/hop music, Dance, Db drags, show
and shine, a car being airbrushed in a matter of hours and much more. 
If you get a chance, make sure you go to the next autosalon in sydney next
year.

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