SeraniTafari Street Team

Has Dodge Said "Yes" to a New Dodge Magnum? Will They? Should they?

2013-05-19T11:54:00.001-07:00

Why was the Dodge Magnum ever discontinued? Or why has it taken such a long time to introduce a new model? Huh Dodge? The Dodge Magnum is the best station wagon ever designed in the history of station wagons! It was one heck of a beautiful car with its low-slung sporty roofline, large wheels, bold wheel fenders, big smiling grille, and the high gangsta beltline. It was sexy, masculine, bad-ass-lookin', and full of braggadocio! It was brash, and urban, and hip. It looked like metal sculpted out of loud music! It was just soo good-looking!. I still turn my head when I see one on the road, or stop to snap a picture (for the SeraniTafari Street Team ofcourse) when I'm walking pass one on the streets.

Hopefully, though, by the publishing of this render, by Allpar, that this means there's something in the works for a brand new Dodge Magnum. In the rendering, I love the styling that I'm witnessing. The body panels have cleverly placed protruding sculpted forms that embolden the look of the car. I also love the rear spoiler; it has a unique non-categorical look. It's a very ergonomic look that's suitable for ones hand to hold it and lift the car (at least from the rear). I'm also in love with the styling of the taillights. It has a luxurious style that reminds me of a Bentley Infact, this is the first part of the car that caught my eyes: the taillights. They sort of standout! And upon doing some research, it looks like the Bentley Mulsanne might have had an influence on this new Dodge Magnum design.

Observe the design/analysis below.

Now in regards to the styling glory of the Dodge Magnum - both old and new - only the Mercedes Shooting Brake comes close. Close but not close. Take a look below and compare the swag levels.

Nice bodywork, but the rear profile comes to much towards a point. That little thing alone makes me think of a geriatric frown! (lol)

This view is super hott!!

In this view, again, the rear profile comes too much towards a point.

Nice view! But the c-pillar reminds me of the ugly Mercedes R-Class crossover-wagon-sedan And the tail looks too long!

This is another nice view

Now, do you observe how for each view of the Mercedes Shooting Brake, I gave a different critique? The Mercedes Shooting Brake isn't hot from every angle. With different angles of photography, there's something nice, more nice, or less nice about it. Compare that type of analysis to the Dodge Magnum wagon. That station wagon (and I thoroughly regret using that term) is hot from every single angle. There's nothing better than a car that's perfecto in design when looked at from every possible angle. Kudos to Dodge!

Perfect body height or "thickness" all throughout the length of the car. Contrast that with the side view of the Mercedes Shooting Brake above. Can you see the differences?

Massive, bold bully-ish grille with sympathetically large headlamps

Now some may say how can I compare a Mercedes to a Dodge. My answer is, "I just did"! Styling is always up for commentary. Brand is the awareness of an association of something great about something. For example, Mercedes is known for great car design (and maybe engineering), but if Mercedes messes up and designs an ugly car compared to what fans or customers of Mercedes are aware of then so be it! A design is a design. It can be ugly or it can be nice. And there in lies the possibility to exist for an automobile of a high caliber of design and engineering to look worse than an automobile in lower brand category - just because of a design execution. Understood?

Also, refer to our previous blog here, to see a previous design analysis on the amazing styling of the Dodge Magnum

- Gebre Mesquitta

Orgasms!? Gettin' Them is an Addiction! Well so is the latest Automotive Craze (via Demi Lobo)!

2013-03-17T12:01:00.000-07:00

And just like the BET 106 & Park performer, and Best Female Vocalist Chicago Awards Winner, and Chicago Pop Princess, Demi Lobo says, "You should take my picture"! That's what these superhot big-rim customized cars would say if only they could talk. And the craze has traveled all the way to Japan now! What is it about cars on oversized wheels? For awhile, I've been watching the takeover of the automotive customization scene with cars on big rims: 26s, 30s, 32s etc.! Now, I've always found myself crazily admiring these glamorous, playful and extraordinary automotive customizations. They bring a huge ear-to-ear grin to my face and in the moment of the induced giddyness, I'm always wondering to myself, "What is so visually pleasurable about the look of these cars? Why do they make me smile so much?" I think I've finally pinpointed what I believe it is though. Call it pinterest (hahaha). But, what I think it is, is that these big rim customized automobiles resemble giant toy cars, and now combine that with the fact that I'm a guy, and a boy at heart, and boys love cars! To explain more, the excitement that these cars generate, for me, is that they resemble toys in a different sense - even in a different world. It's like these toy cars spilled out of our rooms, magically mushroomed in size, and went "a rolling down the road". And they look so pretty, and immensely attractive, and visually addictive!

Now, some owners or customizers overdo the big-rim thing though. A few of these overdone customizations look stupid-retarded. For example, a car or SUV that looks like a monster truck just looks totally out of proportion and is just plain out damn ridiculous. Please, y,all need to stop that sh#t for real! Ya heard? (cups hand over ear).

For the most part, though, the majority of the big-rim automotive customizations that I've seen, are gorgeous. They look declicious, exciting, sexy, and just oh-so-lovable. They just really appear so brimming-with-automotive excitement, and toyish and push-around-able. Looking at them from the window, when I see them driving down the street, they just look so attractive, like rolling automotive jewelry. And they look like cool giant toys. Now, enter a different world for a moment. I can see giant baby boys just pushing these cars around in a giant wonderland home. Every time I see these cars I just imagine myself as a giant kid pushing them around like toys. They are indeed street toys! And they are sexy!

Ok, now, drooling over with, let's get to a brief history of the "big rim craze"! First of all, the popular name for the big wheels that these cars ride on is "donks"! Donk is an urban/hip-hop/African American term that originally referred to the vivacious, and sometimes large curvature of the derriere of - well mostly African American females. And I made it quite easy for you to witness below (hahaha). What all the automotive donks have in common is that they are eye-catching, rubber-necking-inducing bling-a-liscious-ness! And well, there really isn't too much difference to the feminine posterior of its equivalence - and I swear I can almost always be caught looking at them both!

Now, according an article on the trend, published in the Philadelphia Weekly in 2008, the beginnings of the donk automotive lifestyle began in Miami in the mid 1990's. It was what they call, poor city guys, driving cheap readily available cars, especially large, old-age cars, like Chevrolet Impalas and Chevrolet Caprices. What the owners of these cars did was jack up their cars to nearly four feet in the air and put a set of giant wheels on them.What resulted was "donk"! According to one person, "these cars were pieces of crap, but they looked fantastic. They shut the place down. Everybody went crazy".

Cita Hunnybun

The article goes on to state that Donk became the first underground
automotive craze of the information age. Many folks began surfing Craigslist for pick-up truck suspensions to purchase. Pretty soon you'd be seeing cars sitting as high as trucks. Infact, some were so high, that they flipped over. According to one person interviewed in this article, "it doesn't sound like something that you could get respect for".

However, that perception was soon to change. And it was a change that took place over the internet. According to the article, the practice of jacking up cars as high as possible were ditched for a more toned-down or classy look. The paint jobs ceased to be loud and garish and instead transitioned into being more low-key and/or factory-correct. The entire car was now dropped from a mile high in the air (gosh!) to more close to the ground. In other words, these cars were "slammed". And I soo love that terminology, it's so deliciously picturesque - a gorgeous piece of automotive vocabulary!
So to continue on that tangent, "slammage" became the new order of
the day.

Cita Hunnybun

This slammed automotive style involves eliminating huge amounts of metal off the wheel fenders through a process called shaving. This would make room for the donks or big wheels. According to what I see on the internet via Facebook, everyone is all about this now. "Major League" slammage is the biggest thing taking place, from the north to the south, from the east to the west. The big rims have even been seen floating across the seas (hahaha), as the style is now moving international to places like Japan! And according to the images that I've see, the Japanese have done some really splendid donk customizations!

Now in a departure from past depictions, or characterizations of the donk or big rim style as ghetto and hood crap, you know have folks saying, in regards to having their vehicles donked out, that "I want something unique, but not too crazy. I want it to be classy." Gotta love it! (Hahaha)! Furthermore, and according to the article, donks became domesticated, or more mainstream, when corporations sat up and took notice.They were like, "holy crap! There's an army of
backyard mechanics making money off this craze. Lets jump into this!" One early example is Toyo, a Japanese company that began to manufacture skinny "rubber band" tires which enabled big rims to fit on the car without it having to be jacked-up. Next to jump into the scene was Dodge, with its most magnificent Dodge Magnum wagon (the best

Cita Hunnybun

station wagon ever made, ever)! The Dodge Magnum had huge wheel wells that enabled it to fit large 24-in.rims. Now, with this corporate attention on the donk scene, suspension manufacturers, paint companies, and audio companies like Sony, began to angle themselves for some of that "ba-donk-a-donk-donk" money! Now, as I alluded to previously, and in no uncertain terms, and as stated in the article, Peter Mac Gilliuray, a spokesman for SEMA (Specialty Equipment Marketing Association), "in the beginning, the donk was this underground thing that most people didn't take seriously. It's seriously grown into a major market presence in its own right. Wow! Imagine that though! Right? Irregardless, though, you still have a couple automotive publications, like, Jalopnik, for example, that publish false stories on the Donk customization craze. What they do is show some of the worst automotive customizations as a representation for the Donk genre and then call it ugly. But, hey money talks! Lots of money is being made with this so-called ugly donk customization craze. Truth is, this is the greatest automotive customization genre ever to hit the automotive world. And it's here to stay. Those automotive bloggers are lost in a sea of immense love for the Donk (wipes eye with tissue after shedding a tear for them). Alot of the auto shops that take part in churning out these gorgeous, hyper sexy, orgasmic automotive creations, take great pride in their work, and produce some immensely attractive hyper-drooling-inducing big rim customizations. Infact, some of them are so sexy that I'd rather go an a date with the car than a girl! I'm just saying yall! (LOL)

Now yall take a look at some ugly, ghetto garbage donks

Now take a look at the new progressive donked car: classy, upscale, attractive, simply beautiful! Fit for the driveway of a middleclass home and beyond!

What a masterpiece this is! It's like a moving painting! Now notice how the car is on big rims just like the early mid-90s style, but instead of being jacked up looking like a jack-a$$ (hahaha), it sits low on the big rims. It's in essence slammed! For a moment, imagine that you had a huge gigantic hand with hyper-extraordinary powers and you reached up to a jacked up car and smacked it on the roof. In one swat you've slammed it to a normal ride height. Let me say this word one more time. Slammed. Slammage. Oh my God, I just love it. I just love the way it sounds. It sounds so good. It's such beautiful slang. It's slang-a-liscious (wow I just made a new word)!

Now when I started off this blog, I posted a link to the following song below. I've posted it again, because every well crafted donked car that rolls out of an auto customization shop needs to be blasting this track, because those bling-a-liscious whips are indeed worth a thousand pictures! And they are screaming for it to be taken!

Ok, now sit back, eat some ice cream and ask your girlfriend if she doesn't mind you being inattentive for a mesmerizing moment or two as you oogle at the following hyper-sexy donked cars! Oh, and after that checkout that super hot music track and that donk movie trailer at the end

That gold front fascia, along with the gold wheels of a complex wheel design - the overlapping segments - turns this muscle car into a piece of automotive jewelry! If it could only hang around someone's neck!

Checkout the light glaring in the distance (on the driver's side)! Gotta love it! It adds a movie texture to the picture. And then look at the driver, he looks as if as he is about to floor the pedal. The passenger leaning out the window adds a nice touch too. Lastly, the reflection of the wheel on the ground, is the life of this whole picture! This picture was shot "like a BAWSE" (in my Rick Ross voice)

I live for this photograph! With the tow straps straining at the axles, the car takes on the appearance of a tamed beast just brought in from the wild!

This '96 Chevy Caprice above is a lil bit special. It wasn't done by a shop, except for the paint, and the interior design. Other than that, it was (like Mary J. Blige, say), a "Family Affair". The owner, Brian Trowell, his Dad, and brother, tricked out this whip! Kudos to them on this one! The flat-faced rims are on point.That rear wheel with the big sexy lip screams SWAGGGG!

That rear wheel is so Major League! That swag is killa! That deep lip! You know when you see those full lips on a girl and all you can envision is a kiss.....that's what the lip on that rear wheel is inducing in me right now!

Clean! Cleaner than the sharp whistle of a guy trying to get a girl's attention!

Swerve! Can you picture it? A lil screeching on the brakes as it comes to an abrupt stop swaying a little on the shocks (hahaha)

Now observe this picture carefully. Check out the Range Rover parked besides the Chevy Caprice. The Rover should own that show, but rather, it's the Chevy! Can you feel its presence!!?? (Bubble trouble!) The steely white glaring lights? The blue UFO (lol) hovering over the dashboard!? This is such a 'You-should-"Take-my-Picture"'-car!

Just look at those dashing chrome exhaust pipes, totally giving the chrome bumper above it, all the life in the world!

"OMG, Becky look at..." this truck! This truck is so hot! This picture right here! This shot! This angle! Lord have mercy!

Now a recent surprising find by me is that there are automotive customization lovers who are women too. The big-rim car craze is now seeing an influx of the female species. And judging from the pictures below, they are coming as hard as the men - if not harder! I really appreciate the fact that there are females who love the automotive customization scene as much as we guys do. It's amazing! Below are a few of the hottest customized rides in the game - by females! And as this month of March is National Women's Month - time to recognize!

Mayra's Chevrolet Camaro:

Lauren Peter's Nissan Murano:

Kelsey Johnson's Chysler 300C:

Lord have mercy!! This car right here! Let me tell you, this right here is not a car! Rather, this is one of the most gorgeous females that I've ever seen, and I want her to be my wife!!!

Check out the statement the owner makes on these rims: BOSS LADY! This is just too beautiful! (And wheels like this are definitely a prize! You can protect your investment with STREET SHIELDS!

And to the guys, if you're still caught up in this wonderland of sexy automobilia, tell your girlfriend to just hold on a second while you give your ears the audio pleasure of "Wonderland" by Demi Lobo! Plug in ya headphones and turn the volume up! Turn up! This girl is fire! "...if you don't know now ya know ya know"!

Now singing in my Eve voice, "Who's that girl? (La-la-la-la-la-Ia-la...)"Demi Lobo is an American Singer/Songwriter and Radio Personality born in California, and raised in Chicago. Demi Lobo is a Radio major who graduated from the esteemed Columbia College in Downtown, Chicago, and is now a touring/recording artist, and radio personality at WGCI 107.5, the number 1 station for Hip-Hop & RnB in the midwest. You can tune in to iHeart Radio to hear her sexy voice there every weekend.

Demi Lobo, the young creative girl, has served in the arts for many years. She started off as a singer in church, and then began writing poetry, which led to recording music at the age of 16. With a love for acting, Demi has always been a personality. She has 6 stage plays, and 2 commercials under her belt, and at the age of 8 Demi Lobo won "Best Actress" in a Miss America Pageant. She has also won several Chicago Music Awards, including Best Female Vocalist in 2012, and Pop Entertainer of the Year in 2012. The latter one though, wow! "Hi Rihanna" (Hahaha)! Demi Lobo has also performed on BET''s 106&Park, as well as opened for a Gucci concert featuring Nicki Minaj and others.

If you want to book Demi Lobo to perform at a car show, or is interested in getting her on the radio in your area, visit her website for contact information (www.demilobo.com), or better yet, I'll just provide it right here!
For bookings: contactdemi@aol.com telephone: 1-(312) 285-8929
Follow Demi Lobo on Twitter at @DemiLobo and on Facebook at Demi Lobo Fans

Now watch this movie trailer for a soon-to-come movie that will highlight the donk and big-rim automotive customization craze! Yessir!

Now, heads up y'all! There is a little skirmish going on about the "donk" name. According to the article I'm referencing, a veteran states that, "They call their cars all kinds of names - boxes, bubbles, Monties, Cutties - based on different makes and and shapes, but the most widely accepted term is “donk.”.
Now lets intelligently set some things straight here. Yes, the official Donk is is a '71-76 Caprice ad/or Impala, and here's the reason why: these cars were the first to be jacked up on big rims and given the name "Donk" as a result! But, now lets apply some logic, by extension. Everyone else who does not have a '71-'76 Caprice and/or Impala, but have put big rims on their vehicle can call their ride "donked out"! And doing so isn't taking away from the official donk vehicle, but rather, it's extending an ode to them, and some respect. Now let me say this, hereby, there exists, a donk, and a "donked out"! Bam! case closed!

And now, to all the writers at Jalopnik or the Auto Blog, or whereever, who have mocked the "donk" and "donked out" automotive customization lifestyle, I hope you've read this article which so gloriously describes the donk culture. You all are some retarded haters, and you can jump off the Grand Canyon and land on your head. :)
"Oh my God! Please! Somebody! Please send a rescue helicopter! (Helicopter arrives) Hurry! Send down the rope. I think we can save them! Oh no! They're' dead! (In my Wocka Flocka voice, "Round of applause")

Articles, models, pictures, referenced:
Philadelphia Weekly
Cita Hunnybun
Kelsey Johnson
Lauren Peters
Brian Trowell
Whips by Wade
Demi Lobo.com
WGCI 107.5

-Gebre Mesquitta

Media Day at the 2013 Chicago International Auto Show: The Lincoln MKZ! Part 1 (A Narrated Video)

2013-02-08T23:39:00.000-08:00

Lincoln has started anew and with a shower of firecrackers! A new American luxury company has been birthed; it is the Lincoln Motor Company. Just say it, The Lincoln Motor Company. I love the sound of those words, it rings to a nice tone in my ears and has a soothing and luxurious connotation. The folks at the design studio definitely know what they are doing, and I am simply amazed at their first effort to turn the company around.

These videos below represent part one of the design analysis of the Lincoln MKZ. There will be a part two in the form of a highly pictorial follow up. It will be headlined by the track of an amazingly stunning, beautiful, and talented artist! So stay tuned! In the meantime, listen and watch carefully, and enjoy the video.

- Gebre Mesquitta

Media Day at the 2013 Chicago International Auto Show: New Range Rover vs. old Range Rover

2013-02-07T21:09:00.000-08:00

For a while I've been grappling with whether or not I liked the new Range Rover. Let me just simply say this: sometimes pictures alone cannot render justice. Sometimes it takes a real life experience to really make a decision. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, well I think reality is worth a million! On that note, I've finally changed my attitude towards the new Range Rover. Previously, I disliked it alot, primarily due to the new headlamps and taillights. I thought they resembled that of the Ford Explorer - they do but at the same time they don't, if you can understand it those terms. So while I was attending the Chicago Auto Show, and during the time that I decided to explore my ambiguity of my feelings for the design language of the new Range Rover, I decided to just shoot a commentary video on the spot - live and direct. To describe this video, it's almost as if I'm in a studio, experimenting with ideas for a track. Here, I'm kind of like feeling out my likes and dislikes as the reality of the designs stand before me in real life - not to say I didn't also have prior likes and/or dislikes. Now, in addition to the video below, I will also be doing a follow-up blog showing a pictorial representation of what I am describing in the video, in regards to my admiration for the particular design "stories" being told on the Range Rovers.

Listen carefully, and watch the movement of my finger.

Gebre Mesquitta

Delicious Donked Hot Pink Chrysler 300C!

2013-01-08T14:17:00.000-08:00

OMG! I'm having a drooling moment! Just look and absorb the beauty of this splendid customized ride. If this car could only be scaled down to a look-alike RC model car version, could it not be a good companion for a barbie doll set?! "Yezzir" ! (in my Lil Wayne voice)! And that would be a great way to bring more girls into the car-loving realm that boys dominate too - not a bad idea? Right, my automotive marketing folks? (hahaha).
I'm just so in love with this Chrysler! The rich, super hot, ferocious girly pink, gosh, it's simply delicious! And with the fat 30" wheels, it's just screaming, "I'm sooo damn sexy! Come take me out!" The girl besides the car is a fine breed herself, she's looking as fabulous as the car itself. Her caramel complexion coincidentally falls within the warm temperature and complimentary color range of the car's pink. She is automotive-ly fine, and full of "treble" and "bass", and with an easy pretty smile! In addition, she is perfectly dressed too - automotive-ly fashionable - with her hot pink mini-skirt matching the cars terrific pink paint job. Her top is also just as gorgeous, with its particular design-fit aiding a thorough amplification of her buxom-ness, and with the sunny pink and floral patterns alluding to the greenhouse, which is bathed in sunlight. Pausing to look at the skirt again (I can't stop looking), is the perfect leg display, as her pose, with that thick thigh piece, is in the same league as the car's rear c-pillar!
All in all, the car and the girl represents one of the main things that the SeraniTafari Street team is about: the analogy of beautiful car design as per on par with beautiful female "design".What you have here is steel and flesh beauty and fashion. A sexy car and a sexy female are one and the same - same forces at play, if you know what I mean.

Below is a link to the original picture of the car:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=493939903979164&set=a.436224856417336.105782.100000894768544&type=1&theater
The owner of the car is Kelsey Johnson.
P.S. Ain't no girl can match her as of yet! Infact, the only way for another girl to match this bad chick's swagger level, is to do a replica of her car - and that wouldn't be cool, because that would be just straight out copying (lol).

Now just sit bck and enjoy some more pictures of this car! Fall in love with this beautiful pink rose!

I love the effect given to this picture! It looks as if it is a scale model on a desktop! If only that was the case - and it was available for purchase - with remote control!

Like Rick Ross say, "Like a BAWSE!"

Think about this rose! Hahaha! Not even this is as pretty as that car! Or maybe it is! Maybe the car is its automotive equivalent!

- Gebre Mesquitta

Could GM Say Yes? The Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS! For 2014?

2012-12-16T15:24:00.000-08:00

Well I found this image on an automotive Facebook page while car surfing - my daily, time consuming habit. I clicked on the image, and saved it to my desktop for further inspection. Upon my subsequent inspection of zooming in and panning around on the image, I came to the conclusion that rather than a rendering, it is a Photoshop job. And that's because I realized that it has old rims as well as left over lower body pieces from a previous Chevy Monte Carlo model. However, irregardless of whatever Photoshop job this is, I am really digging it, it is quite unique! I love the huge grille cut into the lower front fascia - very truck-ish! I have never seen it like that on any Chevy models to date. It adds anelement of ultra aggression and massive horsepower, which by extension, is also visualized due to the huge bulge in the hood. And further adding to this is the racing stripes on top that enforce a visualization of speed!

Furthermore, with this design of a new Chevrolet Monte Carlo, it seems that the artist combined the pre-2012 Dodge Charger body design with a Chevy Monte Carlo body. That was very clever! This Dodge Charger influence can be seen in the rear rump, the rear profile (including the spoiler), the roofline, as well as in the design of the greenhouse or windows area. The headlamps, with the rectangular prismic design, resembles that of the 1983-1986 model Monte Carlo - a car which was really cool looking - infact almost better looking than all the rest of the models that followed! Hate to say that GM, but that's just what it is! The rest of those Monte Carlo models were just bland, un-artistic garbage that is worthy of being riddled and pierced to pieces with bullets from a .50 caliber machine gun. I can just picture myself doing it too. You know, that gunners area on top of the army Hummve (hahaha) Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta!

Well anyway, let me give you a brief synopsis of the history of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo car. The Monte Carlo was developed by Chevy as a competitor for the Ford Thunderbird. It began its run in 1970 and continued for over 30 years later, until 2007. Below are pictures of the enitre model progression in resume-type chronological order. (Following this line-up is a highly detailed design analysis of some of the Monte Carlos).

6th Generation (production run 2006 - 2007)

Notice the sweeping lines on the side body panels.

6th Generation (production run: 2000 - 2005)

Notice the sweeping lines on the side body panels.

5th Generation (production run: 1995 - 1999)

Now this model is a bit interesting. Notice that this is the only Monte Carlo that doesn't have the sweeping lines on the side body panels! It looks like it veered from the pack? Right? What occurred was the then Chevy Lumina sedan was split into two models. The 4-door sedan was kept as a Chevy Lumina, and a 2-door variant or coupe was labeled as the Monte Carlo.

4th Generation (production run: 1983 - 1986)

Notice the sweeping lines on the side body panels, albeit a bit more subtle

4th Generation (production run:1984 -1988)

Notice the sweeping lines on the side body panels

3rd Generation (production run: 1979)

(Notice the sweeping lines on the side body panels, and it is outlined)

3rd Generation (production run: 1978 - 1980)

(Notice the sweeping lines on the side body panels, albeit a bit more subtle. They're almost disguised by the reflections on the surface).

2nd Generation (Production run: 1977)

(Notice the sweeping lines on the side body panels, they are more pronounced, in addition to being highlighted by an outline).

2nd Generation (production run: 1976)

(Notice the sweeping lines on the side body panels, and they are a bit more pronounced, as they bulge alot).

2nd Generation (production run 1975)

(Notice the sweeping lines on the side body panels, are a bit more pronounced -bulgin - here too).

2nd Generation (production run 1975)

(Notice the sweeping lines on the side body panels, are a bit more pronounced - bulging - here too).

2nd Generation: (production run: 1972)

(Notice how the sweeping lines on the side body panels are more dashing)!

1st Generation (1973 - 1977)

(Notice the sweeping lines on the side body panels, are a bit more pronounced -bulgin - here too).

1st Generation (production run: 1970 - 1972)

(Notice the sweeping lines in succeeding models are pronounced in comparison to this one).

Now let me go over a few of the Monte Carlo models which appeal to me and those which don't and why.

This model isn't too bad....but still a loser anyway!

This model is a loser period!

Look at this picture, it is just so ugly...well no fugly! It looks like "a fish outta water"!

The other two Monte Carlos that I like are the very first 1st generation version (1970), and the 3rd generation 1983 -1988 version. That 1970 version looks dashing I like how the entire body looks like it is an animation of the sweeping sculpted effects on the sides. It looks lit just wants to take off. I can just hear the engine go "rag-a-ragga rag-a-ragga rag-a-ragga into floored-pedal oblivion!

The 1983-1986 model has that fast, dashing look to it as well. That aspect is gained primarily from the forward slant of the rear profile. It appears ready to tear off the pavement. When I was a kid, every weekend, especially on a Sunday, I used to see that car tearing down the street in front of my house at withering speed!

Another Monte Carlo that I liked alot was the 95 production run. I remember first seeing it as a kid, as I was paging through a National Geographic magazine. The thing that I liked about this car was its overall swift aesthetic - this is achieved without a rear lean-forward profile). Everything looks like it is rushing towards the front headlamps. If you observe closely, that longitudinal line right below the door handles, is a principal player in this achievement. Infact, wait a minute, it is all about this, because if I visually subtract it with my eyes, the car appears less swift! Another thing that I liked about the car was the wheel arches. They werent the usual circular design, but rather kind of squarish - kind of SUV-ish. And in addition, they didn't hug the tires, there's a little bit of space between it and the tire itself. That design lends to a cruising-at-high-speed look.

Now back to the future! Well, at least an attempt to get there!

Reference site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Monte_Carlo

- Gebre Mesquitta

A Female's Perspective: Interview with the Owner of Whipology 101.Com

2012-11-09T04:37:00.002-08:00

I found out about this female automotive enthusiast about a couple months ago, while adding innumerable heavily automotively inclined Facebook folks to my friend list. I think what attracted me to this person's Facebook profile "Whipology 101", was the name, as well as the logo. I was like, "Whipology? Hmmn? A lecture on whips (cars)? What new stuff about whips am I about to learn?" But anyway, through some back-end communication, I soon found out that the owner of the page was a female. And, I was a bit surprised because I have never known of any female car enthusiasts. The owner of Whipology 101, is Ashley Jones, and she's someone who hangs with the big bad fellas, guys who worship their rides while hanging out with loads of other guys while playing their car stereos loud, burning rubber, screeching the tires, flinging some curse words now and then, and maybe even getting into fights here and there. These are the car club gatherings aka the urban car shows where cars ride high on big rims that blare "bling bling". They are essentially huge candy shops where the cars are so deliciously customized that you are just left spazzed out! Yes!

Well let's introduce Ashley Roberts, owner of Whipology 101.Com.

Gebre Mesquitta: How did you come to love cars?

Whipology OneoOne:
I grew up 'round my father who worked on cars and i just always loved cars.

Gebre Mesquitta: Cool! What did you learn?

Whipology OneoOne: A lot! That you have the power to change something that was made to be one way. In other words you can custom fit your car just for you!

Gebre Mesquitta: Oh ok great! What did you like about the cars? The exterior styling? The interior styling? How the car worked?

Whipology OneoOne: All, I love the motor! It's the strength that takes you any were you want to go. Just like we all have a brain, and it can give us images, but if we never line it up with our feet we can make that dream a reality. And that's what a motor is to me!

Gebre Mesquitta: I love the way you describe this! LOVE IT!

Whipology OneoOne: Lol thanks.

Gebre Mesquitta: Have you ever been to a car show? Like an official car show? For example, the North American International Auto Show? Or, the Detroit International Auto Show? If so, define a nice car in your point of view...for example when you see one that you like. Do you have an "OMG" moment?

Whipology OneoOne: When I see a car that is off the scale (extremely beautiful in design), I get goose bumps. It's like I feel in love all over again. I have never been to an official car show, but it's in the future plans to attend a few. The thing that makes a car, to me, is the driver. If he takes pride in his car, then he or she has a nice car, LOL! But the true "OMG" moment is when i see a classic that has been restored, and it has the original color matched and the original interior, with some classic white wall tires. I like big rims but original never fails.

Gebre Mesquitta: Wow!

Whipology OneoOne: Why?

Gebre Mesquitta: Do you know about any female automotive designers? What do you believe a woman's attitude to cars is in general?

Whipology OneoOne: A lot of women like the men that are driving the car, lol. But I don't know of any women designers yet, I hope to rub elbows with them soon. The car community is changing vastly, it has opened the door for a lot of women to hang with the big boys ( car clubs) and mark a territory in the community.

Gebre Mesquitta: Are you a fashionista? Do you like to dress fashionably? What type of car do you own? Can you see your car as an extension of who you are and/or what you wear?

Whipology OneoOne: I am a low-key type person. I can pull the cat out the bag sometimes. I have a lot of shoes and clothes that doesn't reflect what I drive. I currently drive a caddy (Cadillac). With the economy I want to go smaller, like 2013 Altima or Camry, something in that ave. (avenue - direction). But I think I can be a Fashionista at times :)

Gebre Mesquitta: When you go to these urban car shows, what do you wear?

Whipology OneoOne: Black shoes and jeans. Bug spray and sun block lol. I don't go out to impress anyone, it is usually in a field with dirt and bugs, so I go comfy (comfortable) just in case something pops off. lmbo jk.
lmbo

Gebre Mesquitta: If you got to an official car show, what do you think you'd wear? Would you dress as if you were going on a date?

Whipology OneoOne: Idk,(I don't know) I would more than likely have several options to chose from, with 25 pair of shoes! No heels, that will be too much walking to do so in heels.

Gebre Mesquitta: Even beyond the shoe types....like what wear, as in clothes? Evening dress? Jeans?

Whipology OneoOne: Old navy, vintage, dressy, casual, it varies with what I feel. Dress... I do a lot of sundress in the summer but I'm a must-have dress girl.

Gebre Mesquitta: Do you read car magazines, such as Motor Trend or Car and Driver? What do you think when you see car magazines on a stand at a store (if you have ever seen them)?

Whipology OneoOne: They are for people who do expensive mod's (modifications). They do not focus on the other spectrum of the car inddustry (blk PPL) but I like them, they are very informative, and they give you some thing to look forward to.

Gebre Mesquitta: Do you know about Dub Magazine?

Whipology OneoOne: Yes

Gebre Mesquitta: What do you think about Dub Magazine? It's more urban than the rest...?

WhipoloOneoOne: Dub is a lot more urban...similar to Rides magazine.

Gebre Mesquitta: How would you rate most female drivers compared to men? Do you drive fast? Have you ever driven an SUV? What's the feel when you're driving one? Do you feel a bit of testosterone?

Whipology OneoOne: You feel in control, I"ve had several tickets (paid them all). But I feel in control and that's a lot of steel to control!

Gebre Mesquitta: This is the very last question, I forgot! Are you familiar with the word donk? Do you know the origin?

Whipology OneoOne: Yes, I think it's a 73-76 Chevrolet...can't remember, but every car is not a donk, lol.

Gebre Mesquitta: It's a style that began in Miami (in Florida), and it refers to the large rims. It is also a slang term derived from African American males describing the vivacious curves of African American females' derriere. Are you aware of that?

Whipology OneoOne: No

Gebre Mesquitta: Wow! Really?

Whipology OneoOne: First time hearing that.

Gebre Mesquitta: I'll be doing an article on it for my blog soon...been working on it for a while.

Whipology OneoOne: Ok, I can't wait to read it.

Gebre Mesquitta: Thanks for answering my many questions.

Whipology OneoOne: Ok thanks you're welcome

Well for us at the SeraniTafari Street Team, this was a highly insightful interview, and we received new ammunition for integration with our perspective on car design. To deviate a little, I remember once, when I was back in college in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, I had taken a girl that I had a crush on to an auto show, the Philadelphia International Auto Show. It was kind of like a date - maybe - but also, an introduction to my world of the ultimate in guy-dom: cars! Cars, cars, and more cars. Sexy, splendid, sensual metal sculpture that moved on wheels. Now, the girl I was with, had never been to an auto show before, and I was really excited to take her there. I couldn't wait to see what the effects of being surrounded by automotive "candyland" would invoke in a girl. I remember this high point, I brought her besides a gleaming chrome Subaru concept car and she became stricken - mouth agape and all! She almost passed out! BTW, no, she had a cargasm :D! That car got it in! (Hahahahaha)

- Gebre Mesquitta

Chevrolet says Mali-BOOYAH! Instead of Malibu, As SEMA-bound Concept Gets Ready for the Streetz!

2012-10-26T09:10:00.002-07:00

I love this Chevrolet Malibu SEMA concept render! It is terrific! I really enjoy how the rear portion of the car sorts of leans into the front. The large wheels, in addition, prop up the bold, dashing looking, and are easy on the eyes with their eye-catching sexy, spicy design.
The front of the car is beautiful as well, especially with the lovely body work going on in the lower fascia area.
Let me start under the headlamps. Look closely at this particular location, here, the headlamp is recessed, or rather it is preceded by a lip (let me just use that automotive wheel terminology for a moment). This lip continues downward, slanting, and achieving a tapered or pointed form as it reaches the lower air intake. Juxtaposed right besides this is another "working" of the metal. You can recognize it by that shape -the first half of it - that nearly resembles a helicopter's tail section (refer to third picture below). Now talking about this overall design, it essentially "comes" off the hood bulge. It's apart of the package (refer to second picture below), so to speak. But what I like about it is how it sits right between the lower air intake and the grille above. It accents the grille and adds to the showing of a powerful design presence at the front of the car. Now, moving back up on the front area of the car, checkout the headlamps. First of all, they are not of a usual bland Chevrolet style to begin with. Second, the design of the inner housing is a bolder design than the exterior design, and it visually coincides with the exterior design of the headlamp, having the effect of looking as if it is apart of it, or is one piece. This is a beautiful effect of design trick-ology, that gives the entire headlamp a focused and eagle-like appearance. Lastly, moving all the way down on the front fascia - to the fog lamps - is a red inner outline, which matches the red disc brakes. It also complements the body of the car as well - the red against what appears to be a dark navy-ish blue. The color contrast is of of a perfect temperature!

- Gebre Mesquitta

Breaking News: New "info" on the 2014-2015 New Ford Mustang!

2012-10-05T10:39:00.001-07:00

http://jalopnik.com/5949026/the-20145-ford-mustang-everything-we-know?tag=ford-mustang

I'm at it again! Here I am again, talking about the new Ford Mustang. Well I spotted this new render of an alleged 2014 Ford Mustang on the Jalopnik automotive website. Immediately catching my eyes was the front fascia, which suprised me, because it apppears that some designer in the studio has become un-lazy, and has embarked on a new design direction. I've been seeing quite alot of these types of front fascias recently -
due to my constant rummaging through Facebook car sketch pages, etc. - and I really love them. I like to call this particular type of design, metal folds, as it looks like the metal folds in in some areas and then comes back out somewhere else. It's quite a delicious design amusement. Looking further, I see the Ford Evos (concept) grille - or even the Ford Fusion grille - is still there, and nothing is wrong with that. However, I do think that it could be a tad bit taller.
Furthermore, I don't know what the emblem on the grille is! First of all, it makes the grille look like a derivative of the Dodge crosshair grille, but instead, now it is a grille with a literal crosshair - if you know what I mean. Now, moving on to the side, here the body is a bit blah-zay, although I do admire the deep creased intrusion carved into the metal. I also like how it is given a "salute" with a lead-in crease that begins at the edge of the front headlamp. And, I enjoy how it appears to be going through the wheel fender and coming back out on the other side! In addition, I also see what appears to be a more noticeable rump in the rear wheel fender area. Infact, it is a very Pre-2012 Dodge Charger-esque rump! It is a splitting copy of it! To the detail! Just look at it as it jaggedly comes to an end above the driver's-side door lock! See, I knew I loved that beautiful crease that the previous Dodge Charger had cut into its rear quarter panel. Yeah! I knew it! And now look at it being copied (hahaha). I'm not mad at Ford for doing it, but rather, I'm mad at Dodge for not keeping that design feature in the newer Charger model! :(. Oh, and I forgot to mention, what the hell happened to the circular headlamps that rightfully have been a part of the Ford Mustang retro-futuristic design? This has to be included in any new redesign! Come on y'all! (screams)

Here is a link to the article where I got this latest Mustang render from: http://jalopnik.com/5949026/the-20145-ford-mustang-everything-we-know?tag=ford-mustang

Also, in my design critique of the latest Ford Mustang render, I referred to the Dodge Charger quite a few times. You can checkout my previous article on the Dodge Charger's design at the following link: http://seranitafaristreetteam.blogspot.com/2010/12/2011-dodge-charger-vs-previous-dodge.html

- Gebre Mesquitta

Retro Looks to Leave New Ford Mustang? Huh? Say What? (Mic Check Part 1 of 2)

2012-09-23T08:50:00.000-07:00

Well, I have written quite a few Mustang blogs it seems. That's because the Mustang is just a nice damn car that contains a perfect blend of retro-futuristic styling. Today's Mustang blog is a little different however, it's about my slight dissatisfaction with the inspiration that they say will be infused into the next Mustang model, which according to sources will hit the market as a 2014 or 2015 model. The particular car, they say, of which the inspiration will be extracted from, is the 2011 Ford Evos concept. I have seen that concept floating all around the internet and I'm not to excited about it. I have channeled that frustration into a preliminary, and experimentation-sketch of my own musings for a new Ford Mustang concept. Now, let me say something, there is a fine line that a manufacture must straddle when updating or re-issuing an update of a retro car. The goal is to bring in today's hi-techy design aesthetic, and merge it with the iconic cues of the previous design. And here, the hoped-for result is for where you can see the blend of both styles, but still smell a defining whiff of the aroma of that yester-year design.

Proceed to the observations made below...

1.

What do you see in pictures 1, and 2? In the first picture,1, the side view, though containing some nice sculpturistic lines, doesn't look "Mustang" enough in comparison to the second picture, 2. Therefore, what I have done below, is attempt to reinvigorate the real Mustang bloodline, while simultaneously upping the ante.

If you look carefully above (observing the arrows), you can see two long curving lines that start out - with wide separation - by the front fender, and then in a swooping manner, converges at the rear wheel fender. Right here, a sumptious rump in the rear quarter panel is birthed, and gently dives down a bit over the rear wheel and then curves upward again, running into the tail lamps, which is followed tangentially by a spoiler profile. Also, checkout the lower arrows coming from the front wheel fender, and watch how it invisibly (I made it visible by highlighting it with red arrows) reaches into a sexy, near-derriere curvature into the lower part of the rear fascia (behind the rear wheel). See? You know me, I always try if possible, to put a little bit of the ladies into my automotive designs :)

Ok. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the rest of the ride as we show you a ton of otherwise hot pictures of the Ford Evos concept, of which Ford will be drawing some of its inspiration for the new 2014/2015 Ford Mustang concept! You got your popcorn right? (lol)

Also, further your reading at the following sources:

http://www.insideline.com/ford/mustang/2015/2015-ford-mustang-will-shed-retro-skin.html

http://wot.motortrend.com/should-the-next-gen-2015-ford-mustang-look-like-this-198443.html

http://www.automotiveaddicts.com/28322/2015-ford-mustang-to-become-fusion-ized-with-radical-makeover

http://jalopnik.com/5901492/2015-ford-mustang-new-ferrari-enzo-could-hit-920-hp-and-carmakers-get-kinky

- Gebre Mesquitta

This Sexy Pony! Another Super Hot Customized Ford Mustang!

2012-09-03T13:42:00.001-07:00

Man this Ford Mustang is just soo smoking hot on every level! I'm gonna begin at ground level first and then move on elsewhere. Now, here, as the car meets the pavement, are the huge spectacular wheels. They are extremely expressively aggressive, and essentially "shout-outs" the car. The wheels almost resemble a spider - one that has crawled out from a hole and is now just sitting on the perimeter - pondering its next move. The spider effect is achieved with the wheels because the spokes are not flush with the tire, but extend a little bit beyond it. Can you visualize the spider legs? Just think spider and look closely. "Oh no there's a spider on the screen! Run away!" (hahaha)
Moving up from the rear tire is a rear vent that is emboldened by a large crease which extends from the top and bottom of the vent's shape and reaches all the way to the front wheel well, ending at its curvature, or well, being terminated by the curvature of the front wheel fender itself. It is a deep sculptured-like incision into the metal and gives of an ambiance of strength. For me it resembles the strained look of your arm when it is held at a right angle to the shoulder with the fist clenched at the end. Infact, do you visualize what I just said? You do it! Raise your arm 'til it makes a right angle with your shoulder and tightly clench your fist. There's two thin tendons that begin almost at the center of the fist and move outward into the arm, where it then fades away. Now, look closely at it and you'll see a space between the two tendons. Infact, take the index finger of your other hand and gently run it between them. You can feel it. Now, singing in my Carrie Underwood voice, "Do you see what I see"? Yes, right? And now, this is what I see expressed in the huge crease into the side of the Mustang.

Ok, now lets move upward to the hood of the car. Here, there is this large and lovely bulge, I like to call this attribute bosom-ness or chest-ness (lol). Over here, the Mustang is well-appointed! And that big hood, you know, is full of umph! You know under there, that there's horsepower to kill! This is stated even more by the vents on opposing sides of the hood as well as the little smattering of an air scoop at the front of it. It shows that the engine housed below it, is one that is immensely powerful and is desperate to breathe.
Moving on down from the hood is the huge main grille ofcourse, and which is framed on both sides by two large circular fog lamps. I love the effect of these circular lights too, as it resembles a Jeep aesthetic, one that has been implanted onto a car and imparts that same aura of toughness! Below the big grille is the thick luscious lower front fascia, or front bumper (envision the full lips of a beautiful female).

I love the design language going on down here. First of all, you have the vertical bars that span the height of the lower intakes. These again, have a look of strength and nicely accentuates the front of the car. To the left and right sides of the front bumper are also deep intrusions into the metal, and above that is a chiseled "blend-in" into the huge expressive front wheel fenders! To top off everything, are the lovely racing stripes that run from her chest all the way down to her derriere.
Now I leave you all, my readers with this: all Ford Mustangs should be made this beautiful, not different model variations with varying degrees of toughness - I hate that damn sh*t! Every mustang should look tough, and then customization should only make it look tougher! Do you get me Ford?

This article on a Ford Mustang is the second one that I have written. You can read our previous article on another customized Ford Mustang at the following link: http://seranitafaristreetteam.blogspot.com/2010/12/2011-ford-mustang-nelly-edition.html. This one is another great out-of-this-world customization!

- Gebre Mesquitta

From the Cartape Volumes: Untitled Concept (Part 1)

2012-08-24T07:19:00.000-07:00

While I was on Facebook yesterday morning, I saw a nice SUV concept from a designer and became inspired right on the spot. I grabbed a pen immediately, and began to dash out a quick sketch - I couldn't afford to lose the idea that was going through my mind. I rapidly began receiving visions of horizontal lightning, like leaping, bounding, horizontal lightning - dashing zig-zag-edly across a purplish blue night sky..I couldn't come up with a quick enough idea for the rear taillights though, as I had to get back to loads of work. But stay tuned to the Cartape Volumes for more blogs of more updates of this SUV concept! Leave a comment!

- Gebre Mesquitta

From the Cartape Volumes: Untitled Concept

2012-08-20T21:07:00.000-07:00

Recently, I had the chance to meet Spencer Nugent, the man I dub "the sketch king" and who is the co-founder of www.idsketching.com and www.sketch-a-day.com. I couldn't miss that opportunity, I had to be there by any means necessary! So it was a nice Saturday afternoon, when I took myself down there and watched him do his magic at a sketch presentation at Columbia College. I was crazy impressed, especially with the way he applied photoshop work to the sketches. I was simply blown away. I call it the art of drawing with light, because in a deeper sense that is what rendering is. It's all about playing with light and darkness!
Now, I was so into the magical vibes of the sketching that was going on that I ended up being induced into sketching this hot car. It came out better than I though it would, in light of the quickly rushed moments that I threw together to bang it out, while at the same time trying to not miss a beat of the sketch magic that Spencer Nugent was performing for the gathering of industrial design students and professional industrial designers. In regards to the automotive sketch, I think I was inspired by Bentley and Jaguar. Sometimes, inspiration comes to me along the way or after the fact (lol). I was quite happy with the finished product though, folks were peeping over my shoulder commenting on how hot my sketch was, which was a nice boost to my car sketching ego. I pretty much drew it just to impress those around me anyway (hahaha). I'm just an utter car enthusiast who loves cars to death, and nothing feels better than sketching cars to accolades (hahaha). However, I'm just really getting into the "game" though. I've been a baby here for a while, if you dig what I mean.

- Gebre Mesquitta

From the Cartape Volumes: the AFHL Concept (Part 1)

2012-08-18T18:18:00.000-07:00

A rendered version of this concept will be coming next, in addition to more views! So stay tuned! These are the cartape volumes! The beginnings of a lengendary series of automotive sketches!

-Gebre Mesquitta

From the Cartape Volumes: Jamaica Automotive Concept (Pt. 1)

2012-08-07T19:11:00.001-07:00

Well this month, (especially this past Monday, Aug. 6th 2012) the island of Jamaica celebrates the 50th anniversary of its independence! Jamaica has contributed tremendously to world culture, from the internationally famous Reggae sound (of Bob Marley and the Wailers fame), to the often imitated patoi dialect, to sports - the nation owns the world's fastest man and woman! Of particular importance to me is Usain Bolt, who beautifully defended his title of "the world's fastest man in the 100m at the London Olympics. His time was clocked at an astonishing 9.63 seconds!
Well in an ode to this insane speed of Usain Bolt, I decided to design the UB-876 sports car. UB stands for Usain Bolt and 876 stands for Jamaica's area code. In regards to the design of this car, I wanted it to look fast and mean - picture a Jamaican junkyard dog (lol)! On the hood and on the rear quarter panel I put small wings, a symbol to Usain's withering speed. Now in regards to the aggressive aspect of the car design, it is a hearken to the aggressive nature of Jamaicans, but even more so to the music. Reggae music, especially the roots reggae format -which is the most famous, has an aggressive fighting rhythm, so I tried to portray that. And that vibe extends to the huge wheels as well. Additionally, the wheel design itself is designed to represent bleeding, biting, clawing bass lines predominant in the music. The aggression also moves into the headlamps, where contrary to circular bulb housings, I have them triangular, representing teeth! Moving to the side panel of the car, I have a massive crease into the bodywork as well as a protrusion on the end of it that is shaped like a single sharp tooth. Below that is a lower body trim that symbolizes clawed "grippage" like that of a lion! The effect of that piece in particular is to represent the car being held from beneath by lion paws. Get the picture? (hahaha)

I tweeted this car to Cedella Marley, Bob Marley's daughter, and to my suprise, she retweeted it! That was really nice of her! That was only part one however. There will be a part two of this Jamaica automotive concept, which will include three other views: a front view , a rear view and a rear three-quarter view. Also, there might be a Part 3 after that, which could include an interior sketch and render. The interior will have two designs, a his and her version, one for Shelly-Ann (she's the world's fastest woman) and one for Usain Bolt! There will also be a Shelly-Ann version of this car, it will be called the SP-876. The body of the car will stay the same except for a minor change ( a cute difference lol). So stay tuned to the SeraniTafari Street Team blog for the updates. Shell-Ann and Usain Bolt we love yall!!!!!!!!!!

Usain Bolt, the world's fastest fan!

Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce, the world's fastest woman!

Become a fan of the beautiful Shelly-Ann aka the Jamaican cutiepie at http://www.facebook.com/ShellyAnnFraserPryce?ref=ts

Become a fan of Usain Bolt at http://www.facebook.com/usainbolt

Become a fan of Jamaica at https://www.facebook.com/FBJamaica and http://www.facebook.com/JamaicaByTHL?ref=ts

And watch the Olympics live all day and/or night at http://www.jamyardienews.com/p/vybztv.html!

- Gebre Mesquitta

"Out in The Streetz..." 1st Annual SeraniTafari Street Team Local Car Show

2012-08-03T12:03:00.000-07:00

Summer in the city....Sweltering heat, crazy high humidity, and then the occasional thunderstorms. One thing is for sure, cars and bikes will be on display, shorts are coming out, and somewhere there is a barbeque going on. Luckily for me, I had the opportunity to host a local car show here in the city of brotherly love..Philadelphia. The show hosted by SeraniTafari Street Team featured a well stocked inventory of various vehicles. From the old to the new the cars were the stars here. Check out the photos below of this fun event.

Lets start off with the Aggressive Cadillac CTS-V Sedan

Until Next Time.....Flashing Flashing Lights Lights!!

- Jamal McClean

The Red Tails "Automotive Sequel" has been released!

2012-07-24T06:43:00.000-07:00

Ford Motor Company is on point!!!

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1077931_2013-ford-mustang-gt-red-tails-edition-revealed-gallery-video

Refer to our previous blog at http://seranitafaristreetteam.blogspot.com/2012/06/red-tails-automotive-sequel-by-ford.html for an indepth design analysis on the splendid paint job on the Red Tails Ford Mustang!

Now have a look at te pictures in all their glory!

- Gebre Mesquitta

RAM (Random Access Memory) No! RAM as in RAM Trucks!

2012-07-18T17:31:00.001-07:00

http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2012/07/2014-ram-heavy-duty-spy-shot

It was in 1994 when the first hot design for a RAM Truck made its debut - well at least I thought so. It was a design change from the previous models, and I was highly impressed. Back then, I was a little kid and dealing with an ever-increasing love for cars.
Now how I came across the then new '94 Dodge Ram, was that I was reading a National Geographic magazine. My Dad was a big fan of National Geographic and always read their magazines. Infact, I think he had a subscription to them. I remember how I'd loved seeing them when they arrived in the mail - nice, neat, crisp, and glossy, and with the bright kids-lovable yellow border. (Damn I'm going into it about National Geographic magazines lol). But anyway, moving along, there was a large fold-out in the center of the magazine, and there it was: this large beautiful Ram Truck. I can just picture myself back in time on that day, pouring over the images; I was in love with that truck! What I enjoyed about the design was how the front fascia was "truck-anized" it bore a strong resemblance to the front end of big trucks (think Mack Trucks) and school buses. You know, that aesthetic where the headlamps are on a much lower level than the hood. This new appearance implanted on the Dodge Ram pickup was interesting to me. I saw aggression and a grown man-type of expression. You see, little bloys always dream of being grown-a$$ hardworking men like their Dads(hahaha)

Ok, now enjoy the design analysis below

- Gebre Mesquitta

Arguably the best looking spyder ever!! Mclaren 12C Spyder!

2012-07-12T19:39:00.001-07:00

OMG!!!! The Mclaren MP4-12C! What a stunning combination of beauty and technology.

I love this side view of the Mclaren.What makes this picture pop are the huge air intakes! As I look at it I picture masses of air rushing into them. Do you hear "Swoosh?" This look achieves the appearance of a great sense of speed! Furthermore its the double air intake that makes the effect extreme. Masses of air piling into two air intakes. The car appears ready to rip out of its still position at terrifying speed! The beautiful roofline is also aiding in this picturesque definition of a powerful road beast. It's low, sleek, and slick-ingly aerodynamic. It looks soo wind-tunnel perfected.

Hear the screeching? Smell the burning rubber? Feel the excitement? The 12-C spider is well .................. Exactly!! Just speechless.

What I admire most about the Mclaren Spider is the way it takes me back in time. A time where I use to draw sports cars in this manner. The sweeping lines, low angular front end, and the tail sweep off the spoiler lip. Ummm ummm delicious!!

Parting shot: Oh yes the Mclaren is indeed beautiful and powerful! But ahh it's no Lamborghini (lol) ahh or Ferrari for that matter (hahaha). But it's more than a Porsche! Right? Agree?

- Jamal Mcclean

"Red Tails": The Automotive Sequel by Ford!

2012-06-30T22:45:00.000-07:00

I was scrolling through my Facebook news feed when I saw some red-color-schemed Mustang show up. The first thing I thought was, “Oh what oh what oh what oh what now. What sameness is Ford doing with the Mustang again?” Oh God, please tell me (lol)!”. But then I realized that they’re doing a Red Tails Mustang edition. I then picked up my phone and pushed my fingertips outward, you know, the iphone-popularized gesture of zooming in on a picture (hahaha). I saw a broad red stripe on the rear of the Mustang and I’m like, “Hmm, I like that! The red stripe is slanted at the exact angle of the spoiler on the trunk lid. In my book, that is perfection! Furthermore, the spoiler is red also, so it lends the appearance of a red tail indeed. Now even further, the spoiler with its shape adds supplementary cred to a red tail, as in my mind I’m visualizing an aircraft tail or rudder.
Moving forward, to the front of the car, the grille and hood area in particular, I totally enjoy how the grille is encased by a red painted surround, in addition to a red and yellow checkered gradient painted into it on the right and left sides. The red paint that is closest to the top of the grille streams up onto the hood and parts around a gray-painted section of the hood - which is nearly all associated with a slight bulge in the hood. The effect of the streaming red paint is like the air that would be ripping over the hood of the aircraft while in its flight! Likewise, the area of the hood that is painted gray is akin to the gray-black exhaust that would be burgeoning out of the aircraft’s propeller engine. Completing this dynamic imagery are the fake exhaust pipes positioned below the front quarter panel and to the rear of the front tires. Whole-istically, this is automotive customization as art work! No wait, say it this way, this is automotive artistic customization. It is almost equivalent to a great painting. Infact, I believe this car customization is indeed worthy of a painting - think oil painting. I can really see myself doing one. Also, what would really be great is if Ford could put this "Red Tail" Mustang in a limited production run. I think there'll definitely be buyers!
Kudos to Ford Motor Company for their effort to honor the Tuskegee Airmen! It is a fantastic tribute to a great American combat group. I would love to have a large toy model version of this Mustang car on my desk, not even with remote control, just a big toy model!

Now observe the comparison below!

This is the fifth year running that the Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture celebration will auction a customized Ford Mustang. This year, however, the auction which will be on Thursday, July 26, will feature a car dubbed the Red Tails edition that pays homage to the infamous Tuskegee Airmen.

For those who are unfamiliar, the Tuskagee airmen were the U.S. Army's first group of African American pilots; they fought segregated from white forces. Formally, the Tuskegee Airmen formed the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Corps after June 20, 1941. They are credited with significant enemy losses while suffering very few themselves. The accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen according to combat records is as follows:

112 aircraft destroyed in air
150 aircraft destroyed on land
148 aircraft damaged
15,533 sorties
311 missions for the Fifteenth Air Force
179 bomber escort missions
66 KIA
32 men captured
84 killed in training and non-combat missions
96 Distinguished Flying Crosses awarded
450 pilots sent overseas

What even makes Ford specially worthy of creating a tribute car to the Tuskegee Airmen, is the fact that one of the combat aircraft flown by the Tuskegee Airmen was carried the name Mustang, the North American P-51 Mustang. Out of the all the aircraft models that they were equipped with (the Curtiss P-40 Warhawks, Bell P-39 Airacobras, and Republic P-47 Thunderbolts) the Tuskegee Airmen became most commonly associated with the North American P-51 Mustang. Now the Tuskegee Airmen’s P-51 Mustang fighter planes had unique red paint on the tails, which inspired not only the name of the movie, but also the paint scheme on this special Ford Mustang. The red paint was applied to the aircraft by the pilots themselves as a way oft distinguishing themselves from their white counterparts. The Allies nicknamed these airmen "Red Tails" or "Red-Tail Angels," because of the distinctive red paint predominantly applied on the tail section of the unit's aircraft.

- Gebre Mesquitta

"Out in the Streetz..." (But She Caught me!) Customized 1994 Chevrolet Suburban!

2012-06-13T12:28:00.000-07:00

Checkout that grille! Chrome flames!

Last week while at work, I was leaving a location where I just completed a marketing promotion and happened to pass a nicely customized Chevrolet Suburban parked outside. I kept looking at it and wondering if I might snap a picture. There were some houses and apartments nearby and couldn't be sure if the owner would suddenly show up or pop his or her head out the window and inquire about my merry picture taking. While continuing to walk forward I had a change of heart, and walked backwards to get in position to snap some pictures. I didn't think I could let this one slip me, I might never seen it again! And I liked the black-on-chrome design theme as well as the unique chrome-flame type grille.

Now, a confirmation of my previous thoughts was about to enter reality. Just as I was snapping my last picture of the truck and was ready to leave, here comes the owner! I was like, "Aww shit! It was a heavy set African American woman and she was on her phone approaching the vehicle. I heard a pause in the phone conversation and and an utterance that sounded something like "Ah!" as if she meant, "What you doing?" I couldn't tell if she wanted to curse at me or what. As she got to the vehicle I was like, "I'm an automotive writer, I write about cars", and then I handed her my business card. She looked at it and gave it back to me and was like "I don't know what you will do with this" - referring to the pictures of her vehicle. I was like, "It will be on the website." Then she was like, I'm I gonna get any money for it?" I laughed to myself (lol). I had thought about that before though - the idea of paying people to take pictures of their cars. It's something that I might do in the future. But in the meantime I will be snappin' pictures as discreetly and as fast as possible and paying out nothing!

View the pictures below

Checkout the "all chrome everything" (my terminology) over the main black body. There's chrome over the wheel fenders along the bottom of the door combined with thick solid chrome wheels and the chrome front bumper and headlamp surround.I dig it!

I like the look of the wheels. It has a really solid cast-out-of-chrome appearance.

Checkout this grille! Aint this unique? I've never seen one like this before!

- Gebre Mesquitta

One of Dodge's Most Acclaimed Singles has Left the Studios!

2012-05-31T18:26:00.003-07:00

The Dodge Dart is about to hit the stores! It recently rolled off the assembly line in Belvidere, Illinois. The Dodge Dart was a widely teased and well published spy-photographed story earlier this year. I got so tired of the teaser shots that I began to formulate my own idea of what it might somewhat look. Based on the pictures that I was seeing, including the picture to the left, I used some deductive visualization (my brand new term fresh out the oven) to estimate what the Dodge Dart might resemble. I had a strong leaning towards it being a new Avenger replacement. One that would utilize some of the styling from the new Dodge Charger.

Now my sketches aside, the Dodge Dart is one of the hottest singles out the Dodge recording studios and it is sure to be a big hit. It contains daring design, and is extremely innovative, and highly user-centered on in the inside which is aided in that by withering user interaction design.

Yep! Yes sir! and Yes Maam! This is one hot single that has come out of the Dodge recoding studio this year!. And this one is not a remix, it is an original! The greatest part about it all, is that I got to meet two of the most important people involved with the creation of this hit single: Brad Gieske and Winnie Cheung. Brad is the manager and Winnie was responsible for the thoroughly inventive and benchmark-creating interior design, including the beautiful user-experience interaction experienced with the large customizable display in the gauge cluster. This new Dodge is a dart indeed! It has very very closely made a bulls eye score on the target. Brad Gieske was the sound engineer in the studio and over saw Winnie as she did her thing in the sound booth. The result was a resounding success!

What I like most about the Dodge Dart is the way in which it goes about making you like it. The exterior aesthetic is so pleasing and emotional. It pulls you to move 'round and 'round the car, and then 'round again! Lets begin at the front. Here, hot ferocious sexiness stares you straight in the face. The front fascia appears to swoop down like an eagle, and then just sits there glaring at you. And then the outlined cross hair grille lets you know "Yeah, this is Dodge!" I enjoy how the designers added a bold edge to the front fascia by color-dividing the front bumper into black and red portions. The thick black segment right below the cross hair grille emboldens the above mentioned grille itself. And then below the bar is the nice continuation of the background mesh that's been carried on from the grille above. It's a very pretty look. To the right and left of the this mesh are two air intakes which include fog lamps with circular inner housing designs that is sympathetic to the light housings in the headlamps above. Besides the lower fog lamps are also metal protrusions that hold it in place and these, because of what seems to be a chrome-tipped edge brings out the chrome outline of the cross hair grille above. Now onto the main headlamps; these are the premiere show piece of the Dodge Dart. With it's fierce upward slant and large circular inner bulb housing, it imparts the last touch of beauty to the front end of the car.

I love how the headlamps are pushed almost all the way to the very edge of the front of the car. And it's so sexy. I can just feel my hands caressing the smooth curves, beginning at the black center bar and moving outward simultaneously in both left and right directions. And I see myself doing it over and over again...like over and over again: from the front and outwards to the sides (hahaha).

On to the side of the car is a sporty aerodynamic look aided by a slanted rear edge, a short trunk and a thick c-pillar. The appearance induced therefore, is the car is in a leaning forward stance. The language here is zippy, and speaks of quick forward motion. Its very groovy!

Now moving to the rear of the car is the lovely tail lamp design. The design is reminiscent of the tail lamp design on the new Dodge Charger. The main eye-catcher here is the red LED-type strip that outlines the entire tail lamp. Also, the brake lights are minimized for large reverse lights. Now here's what I like about such a composition, in which the reverse lights receives more space; what it does is it imparts to the car a speeding appearance, and this is because you are not picturing the car braking - one imagined with more braking lights. The resulting effect is that the rear of the Dodge Dart has a fast look to it, which enhances its the overall sporty character of the design.

Well ok, folks, lets move onto the interior of the Dodge Dart this is where designer Winnie did her thing! Winnie hit the nail on the head with the interior design. She drove the nail below the surface of the wood! The Doge Dart interior is revolutionary! This revolution begins with the piped LED lighting that flows around the drivers cage, from the center console to the instrument panel. It was the first eye catcher for me when I first began checking out pictures of the Dodge Dart earlier this year. I was like, "Wo!" I became intrigued as to how the lighting worked too, and I finally got my chance to have my question answered when I met design manager Brad at the TEAMS Design studio, in Chicago, Il, after he and Winnie completed their presentation on the Dodge Dart. According to him the LED lighting was a technology invented for just this project. It was the brainchild of Winnie, and the Team at Dodge got together to make it happen! This LED lighting with its nice warm techy glow is the premium attention-getter in the Dodge Dart's interior. It draws you in and makes you wanna just shut the door hug the steering wheel and just stay there! And while you're there, you can checkout the other part of the revolution; the instrument panel. Here in the gauge cluster, And your nicely surrounding my a nice, attractive and dreamy interior

Now enjoy go ahead and enjoy the pictures of the Dodge Dart in all their glory!

Wow! A seat with storage space? Simply ingenious!

Below are pictures of the Dodge Dart presentation by Brad and Winnie at Designer's Night at TEAMS Design Studio in Chicago, IL.

Presentation getting set up

Interior Designer Winnie Cheung, and Manager Brad Gieske

Interior Designer Winnie Cheung, Gebre Mesquitta, and Manager Brad Gieske

I was happy as high heaven to get a picture with car designers. Car designers are like the Gods of my world!
To Brad and Winnie, and the rest of the team that helped to put together the Dodge Dart. Great work! Go Dodge!

Oh, and guess what you all! The Dodge Dart starts out at only $15, 995! I was shocked when Brad quoted me the price. For a car of such great exterior and interior design, that's a deal! Furthermore, I also somehow get the feel that the Dodge Dart is the ideal car for that college kid who has just graduated and received his or her first successful new job. It really has that vibe to it. Now go to your nearest Dodge dealer and ask for a test drive today!

- Gebre Mesquitta

"Out in the Streetz..." Customized Lincoln Town Car

2012-05-06T11:20:00.000-07:00

I saw this tricked out Lincoln Town car while walking one day, and I stopped to snap a picture because it is a bit different in its customization theme, in addition to looking much more tolerating to my taste buds than the original retiree-looking, geriatric-ward type (lol) plane Jane Lincoln Town Car.
The first interesting area on this customized Lincoln Town car is the chrome plating on the lower body. It reminds me of the kickplates on a home entry door, but also, is dramatic in effect, due to the mirror like, and highly reflective surface. The look adds a cool extra dimension to the car! Furthermore, if you look carefully, you will also see that the lower body chrome trim stops a strategic distance from the ends of the front and rear bumpers. I love this! Whoever did this custom job has employed some design intelligencia! The effect that I witness is that the chrome cut-off lends a SUV-ish appearance to the bumpers, especially where the trim stops and curves upward to the front amber turn signal.The chrome effect also reaches up over the wheel wells, imparting nice chrome fenders to the large expressive wheels. These 5-spoke wheels are perfect fit for the car, and is beautifully sympathetic to the chrome trim making it stand out and giving it a nice flow - so to speak.
Now move your eyes to the upward rear of the car, just behind the front passenger window. Here, the rear of the car seems to me sectioned off in a kingly manner, with a near gold trim that outlines the bottom and right sides of the rear passenger window and reaches up onto the roof to connect the other side. It makes the rear passenger compartment seem special.
Finally, bring your eyes back down to the bottom of the car. Here the thick sexy tires (protruding beyond the wheel well) gives the car a bold, pretty stance. The fat tires exude a bass line! As the car is standing still it is also moving. I see boomin' bass. I hear screeching. I see the rims spinning. Wow! someone has made a Lincoln Town Car look sexy! Kudos to the owner!

- Gebre Mesquitta

"Move!....Get Out the Way!" EXTRA! EXTRA Wide Ford Superduty!!

2012-04-25T21:45:00.000-07:00

I was browsing pictures of cars on Facebook - I spend hours and hours and hours of my spare time doing this, and that's still never enough - when I came across some pictures of a customized Ford Super Duty that was "lowered". I was like, "You know what, let me do something out of the box! Why not customize this! Why not make this truck "extra" wide! You know, like take it to the next level! So I just dropped everything that I had on my mind, and was doing - I was modeling a mansion in Rhino 3D - and put a couple hours of photoshop work in. And I decided to just give it my all, and make it look as real as possible, instead of doing a rushed slap-dash photohop job. In addition, I also did this extra wide customization, because it will be great for a set of deep dish wheels that I have designed, as well as another potentially wide wheel - under confidential development. Go to www.facebook.com/tafaridesign to follow the progress of this unique customization and become a fan! Thanks!

- Gebre Mesquitta

"Murder She Wrote!" German Body Shop Tricks out a Lincoln Navigator!

2012-04-21T12:02:00.001-07:00

"Tell a bad bwoy pon de corner fi move from arnia / caz we ah dangerous! / Dangerrrrrroussss! Seen!" Well I'm speaking in my Jamaican dialect, here is the English translation: Tell the boys on the corner to move from around here, because we are dangerous, they wouldn't want to mess with us! Dig it! Those are the words from a couple stanzas from "Bad Boys" by Shyne and Barrington Levy. They fit perfectly with this ultra bad boy customization of the Lincoln Navigator by Anderson of Germany. Folks at Anderson decided to kill the Lincoln Navigator and they are now in court to face charges of murder of the first degree! Hahaha, well the usually boring, non enthusiastic, lazy styling of the Lincoln Navigator is dead with this edition. Big ups Germany! Because you did a great job! Now fast forward to 3:08 to hear the stanza that Barrington Levy sings - that's the sound track for this Lincoln Navigator!

Ok, now engage in the design critique below.

Just look at this view! This is downright the best looking Lincoln Navigator ever! This is the only production version of the Lincoln Navigator that should ever be in existence! Period!

Look at these rims! Raw sexual aggression! See her fingernails diggin' into your back as she goes "purrrrrr" at bedtime! Hahahaha

These wheels on this Navigator are dramatic, they impart to the truck a "clawing-at-the-road" resemblance. And the dual exhaust tips gives off the aura of lots of horsepower! Think "ready to go right now"! You can already hear the engine growl. Like Missy Elliott says in the intro in Jazmin Sullivan's "I Need You Bad", "Let's go!"

Checkout the interior!

The interior is of lush European beauty, and it's almost on par with a Mercedes or a Bentley. I love the black lines of definition. It sort of outlines what you should look at. Like Nas says, "I made you Look!"

- Gebre Mesquitta