Global Custom Vehicle Showcase Features BMW V12 Swap and Classic Restomods
February 17, 2025
5+7 = V12: A Custom BMW Super Saloon
A rare BMW E34 has been transformed into a unique V12-powered beast by Lithuanian electronics specialist Mantas Lekavičius. The car features a modified M73B54 V12 engine from an E38 750i, producing 365hp and 540Nm of torque - a 20% increase over stock.
The engine now runs Ferrari injectors, VW VR6 coil packs, custom intake manifolds, and Dodge Hellcat cooling fans, managed by a MaxxECU PRO system. Power flows through a 5-speed gearbox to an E32 750i rear end with a limited-slip differential.
The body features custom metal flares, rare Hella yellow headlights and smoked taillights, and a modified E30 M-Tech boot spoiler. Custom three-piece split wheels complement the factory red paint, while the interior boasts saddle brown leather and a modernized Blaupunkt stereo.
Despite its performance capabilities, including a top speed of 305km/h, this BMW serves as Mantas’s daily driver, covering 20,000 kilometers annually. He uses it for everything from track days to camping trips, embodying the perfect blend of luxury and performance in a unique package that never left the factory floor.
This custom creation represents the tip of Lithuania’s largely undiscovered car culture, promising more interesting discoveries to come.
Project Rough: Mega Update
A challenging carbon fiber layup project revealed important lessons about perseverance and adaptability in custom fabrication. Despite initial disappointment with the wet layup’s appearance, experimentation with forged carbon created an unexpected aesthetic direction. The process involved extensive testing of different carbon fiber materials and patterns, followed by meticulous sanding and filling work.
The final product had some imperfections - compromised fitment, over-sanded areas, and UV coating issues. Yet these flaws became valuable learning opportunities. The project demonstrated that success isn’t always about achieving perfection, but rather about gaining knowledge and confidence for future work.
The experience highlighted the importance of remaining open to alternative solutions rather than fixating on original plans. This flexibility led to innovative approaches and valuable fabrication insights that will benefit future projects, including the next phase of Project Rough.
Evolution of an Icon: The MZR 240z
The Datsun 240Z revolutionized perceptions of Japanese cars in America, transforming them from mere utilitarian vehicles to desirable sports cars. While Japanese vehicles were once viewed as basic transportation for students and budget-conscious families, the Z changed this narrative with its Ferrari-inspired design and capable inline-six engine.
Released in 1970, the Z combined beautiful aesthetics with nimble handling and performance that rivaled European sports cars, all while maintaining affordability. It embodied kaizen - the Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement - and showcased Japan’s post-war industrial prowess.
Though the original Z remains special, modern traffic and automotive standards have changed the context of its performance. This reality inspired Rahail Tariq, who purchased his first 240Z in 2005, to establish MZR Roadsports. Growing up with a father who worked on various classic cars, Tariq developed a vision for elevating the Z beyond simple restoration.
In the UK, where classic Japanese cars lacked the restoration culture of European classics, Tariq partnered with Datsun expert Martin Ryland to create what Nissan might have built with unlimited resources and time. Their Evolution models feature carbon-fiber bodywork and a modified RB straight-six producing over 300 horsepower, paired with a six-speed manual transmission.
MZR’s approach honors the 240Z’s legacy through continued refinement rather than mere preservation. Their creations maintain the original’s spirit while advancing its performance capabilities, ensuring the Z remains as thrilling to drive today as it was when first released.
Poles Apart
Hugh Feggans balances two distinct Porsche experiences in his garage - a 1969 911T and a 996 GT3. Both cars are regularly driven and represent opposite ends of the Porsche spectrum while sharing core DNA.
The 1969 911T, finished in Ossi Blau, serves as Feggans’ weekend pleasure car. Built with subtle modifications like RS interior elements, tartan seats, and a Wevo shifter, the car maintains its original character while offering enhanced driving dynamics. Its 2.7L engine emphasizes feel and engagement over raw power, embodying the “less is more” philosophy.
The 996.1 GT3 represents the modern evolution of Porsche performance. One of just 77 delivered to Australia, this Clubsport package model was hand-built at Weissach’s Motorsport factory. With 355hp, factory roll cage, and no driver aids, it’s a pure track weapon that maintains the engaging characteristics of early 911s in a more sophisticated package.
Feggans, an architect by trade, sees parallel principles in both cars and his profession - simplicity and balance are key. While separated by thirty years of engineering, both Porsches prioritize driver engagement and raw driving experience, each delivering these qualities in their own distinct way.
This Lapis Blue Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG is a stone-cold sleeper
The 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG represents a significant milestone as the first post-merger model between Mercedes and AMG. This particular example, finished in special-order Lapis Blue, showcases the model’s sleeper aesthetic with subtle performance indicators like AMG wheels and oval exhausts.
Under the hood, a robust 4.3-liter V8 engine delivers 302 horsepower through a 5-speed automatic transmission, enabling a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. The C43’s performance remains impressive by modern standards, despite its understated appearance.
Production was limited to fewer than 4,000 units between 1997 and 2000, making it one of AMG’s rarest post-millennium models. This specific car’s non-metallic Lapis Blue paint and 17” Monoblock AMG wheels create an especially desirable combination.
The vehicle will be auctioned at Gooding & Company’s Amelia Island event on March 6th, with an estimated value between $60,000-$80,000 despite having 111,776 kilometers on the odometer. This pricing reflects a significant increase in the model’s market value over recent years.
Don’t Panic
A Vespa 300 SuperSport received an elegant makeover at the Deus Workshop, where master craftsman Jeremy Tagand transformed the iconic scooter into a harmonious blend of classic style and modern refinement.
The build began with extensive bodywork modifications, smoothing out original indicator and tail light indentations for a seamless flow. Ultra-slim Kellermann lights were strategically placed, with rear units tucked beneath the tightened fender and front indicators repositioned into former mirror slots on the handlebars.
Performance upgrades include YSS Blackline adjustable suspension, Michelin tires, and a black ceramic-coated Akrapovič exhaust system. The cockpit features contemporary additions like a SIP digital dash, Motogadget grips, button controls, bar-end mirrors, and a blacked-out LED headlight.
The frame wears a sophisticated satin black finish with glossy accents by Colourfuel. The custom seat, slightly raised for comfort, showcases a blend of plain, perforated, and Alcantara leather with flowing stitch lines. Powder-coated brake levers and side stand complete the cohesive design.
Dubbed “Don’t Panic,” this reimagined Vespa maintains its Mediterranean heritage while embracing modern sophistication—understated yet confident, classic yet contemporary.