That doesn't belong there.

     Finally, the days we have all been waiting for. The garage is finally filled with just about all our tools [minus one lift] and the last car has showed up at last - Mason's Ford Crown Victoria. On the surface, there isn't anything overly exciting about this chassis. They're large, they're heavy and there is nearly no aftermarket support for them. These are essentially the three reasons - and a good deal, a few beers and probably a bad decision - is why Mason decided to go with this chassis. But that wasn't the only reason.
     Trying to stay somewhat purist to the Ford brand with this build, he also set out to be different. He wanted something that hasn't been done before as far as power plant. This chassis has gotten LS's, Coyote engines, 2J and everything else you can think of but something that's growing in popularity, rarity and want is the Ford I-6 Barra swap. While this is an engine exclusive to our Australian brethren, Mason somehow scored one from an importer with some swindling and this is where we stand today.
     This isn't the only Crown Victoria Mason has. The other has fully adjustable arms and a slew of other modifications. This chassis however will be the 'all business, no play' workhorse. He also has some leads on another enthusiast that may make him some more stout control arms and some parts to help with angle. This is a WILD build worth keeping an eye out for and as things progress, we'll be sure to let you know.





Familiar face, unfamiliar name.

     A few days ago, a new chassis appeared. Jay - the owner of the R32 - made some moves that was essentially leaving him letting go of two chassis and welcoming in a new one. Now, this is a chassis that is pretty common in the US but this one isn't from the Americas but rather hailing from Europe. Leaving are the SC300 [most likely going to be replaced with a Soarer] and the LS 350Z and incoming is a true '99 Euro-spec S14a. To most, the kouki S14 is something you'd consider as your run-of-the-mill chassis littering the field of local drift clubs and professional circuits alike. What makes this one special is the year and the side you sit on. In America, the S14 was killed off in 1998. In Europe, the 1999 was still a kouki S14, right-hand-drive and came with some different styling in the form of a different front and rear bumper, leather interior and some other gadgets and creature features. 
     One thing I will admit that frustrates me is the color choice. This car originally was Millennium Jade which is arguably the most rare color in any model - but even more so for a S14a as it's primarily a Skyline paint code. The car at one point was painted red and then Bayside Blue which is another Skyline color. Had it stayed original, the worth could have been astronomical. Reverting back to it's original color scheme is most likely what's going to happen due to the fact the car will most likely be kitted to suit a more aggressive style synonymous with US kouki styling.
     Although the plans aren't really solidified yet with what will end up in the engine bay or what the overall role of the car will end up being, the fact is that a rare piece of history now sits on the grounds of Garage Wildlife. Enjoy two pieces of Japanese car culture history side-by-side.


Damage report.

     This seemed like a good time to display truly what a move like this entails. Moving all sorts of equipment, cars, tools, lifts and more is logistically a disaster. No matter the amount of time planning or the effort to keep things semi-organized, it never quite seems to end up the way you envisioned it. This is the current state of the shop now that all but a couple of cars and a pair of lifts are present. It'll be quite the interesting spectacle to see it after it's situated. Welcome to the new Garage WILDLIFE.



Solemn goodbyes.

     On Sunday, the chapter of Slade Street finally closed. This was the shop that has hosted many different people and chassis and the site where some builds really gained traction. The only original occupant of Slade Street - Matt - took it the hardest. This is a place not only he called home for the past few years but a place that brought us all together. This is where the LS1 S13 really became what it is today and where Wilson's was built from start to finish. It's sad to say goodbye but the excitement of the new location consumes those feelings soon after. From once a bustling shop to a quiet, empty, eerie space. The stillness is true a sad sight.






     Garage WILDLIFE will take some time to get situated, organized and truly productive but the bones are there - now it's just time for the meat. With plans being made for social media outlets like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and more, we're hoping to produce quality content on a fairly regular basis. This will document each build in a fashion that the content isn't watered down or irrelevant to the overall build unless it's a task that's not easily completed and a tutorial is being offered.
     Although there will countless hours of organization and what will seem never-ending moving, eventually the dust will settle and the work will commence. We are all excited for what this means for our builds, content and brotherhood. Through all the chaos, great things are yet to come. The future is bright.


A wild beginning.

     And so it begins. Welcome to the humble start of Garage WILDLIFE. We are a culmination of many different things but all with the same passion. There have been plenty of iterations, faces and cars but with a new location comes a new name which is a exact representation of who we are - WILD. 

     With a new location comes new plans and ideas. The new shop was somewhat of a surprise but a blessing nonetheless. With the move comes the addition of Mason who is currently Barra swapping a Crown Victoria. An interesting twist on big body inline six's. It would very much be like it's Asian cousin the Aristo - a big body sedan with a motor capable of insane numbers. The rarity of the motor in itself is cool, never mind what it's being mounted inside.

     Another unconventional build is the Sentra of Joe. What makes this Sentra a little different is the fact that it's rear-wheel-drive. With many hours of planning, fabricating and executing, Joe has made the first of it's kind. While this car is still young in it's inevitable journey, we are excited to house such a special vehicle and even more excited to have Joe on board contributing not only to his own build but to anyone else in the shop that requires his help.

     The next two have a similar build in that they are both S13 convertibles with Chevy V8's in them. Matt and Wilson both pilot their own individual S13's with a similar power plant and transmission. Although it's a chassis that's accepted this swap fairly regularly, it's definitely an interesting sight to see their own unique twists. Matt with his 'hardtop' which is essentially the roof and rear section off a traditional coupe and Wilson with his unique color scheme of purple and neon green.

     A new chassis that's been integrated in U.S. drifting is the R32 Skyline. Jay is piloting a R32 that's somewhat a Frankenstein. Utilizing a S14 rear subframe for it's anti-squat capabilities and S13 front section for ease of replacement parts, it encapsulates everything good Nissan brought to the table in the early 90's in a collaboration of engineering, style and power. 

     Stevens, Erik, Derek and a few others who are involved haven't quite yet figured out their pathways but still very much part of the family. With this group of fabricators, drivers, engineers, pathfinders and trailblazers, the story is worth following. We are WILD and cars are our LIFE.