Unlike his big sister, Daisy, it's easy to find stuff for little Nickie and cheap too! There's no point buying brand new original cosmetic stuff but I would settle for 2nd hand original stuff without blinking an eyelid. Replicas are in abundance without much compromise on quality and of course, they cost only a fraction of the original stuff. Besides, most of the stuff I put on Nickie don't stay very long. It's easy to flogged off replicas because there are many people like me who just want to change looks for the heck of it. However, I draw the line when it comes to engineering parts. No replicas, as far as possible. If it's an after-market part, I will do the research required to make sure it's safe to be used. For the time being, the engineering department is staying stock. I have the necessary parts like extractors, mid-pipe, exhaust, racing clutch, etc to convert the car into a little beast but that transformation is on hold.
What's next on the list? Well, I've decided the stock Recaro seats will be swopped with replica Bride Low Max Gias. I've never really like the Recaros because they don't feel like real Recaros having experienced the real stuff on Daisy. I will have to give up the side air bags but in lieu of that, I will have a 3-point racing harness installed instead. I figured that if DTM, BTTC or other track cars don't have side air bags and the driver is properly strapped down with a racing harness, safety will not be compromised. The passenger may not like it but hey, it's for their own safety. I was toying with the idea of having full-bucket seats but decided reclining semi-bucket seats will be more comfortable and convenient.
Next, exhaust tips. I am really anxious about this mod because it's something I've always wanted to do to change the look of the rear end. Currently, the exhaust tips are replica Spoon exhaust tips. I don't fancy them too much because firstly, they are heavy. Secondly, they are not 'big' enough and thirdly, they are too shiny! Thanks to a good friend (seems like I am blessed with many good friends) who gave me a pair of chrome black exhaust tips from his BMW 135 exhaust, I am going to morphed them onto the stock exhaust tips. A lot of work will be needed but it's going to be worth it...Nickie may be the only one with BMW exhaust tips.
A very expensive change will be the 18" Rays 57 MOTORSPORT G07WT wheels. They are 18 x 7.5" 5 x 114.3 Offset 43 and will cost a whopping $750 per wheel (not including tyres). And they will be white. These are the last set of wheels I am going to buy. No more messing around with wheels after this because I think these are the ultimate wheels for the car. They are not as light as the OZ but that don't matter as long as it is strong.
You would notice by now that I am taking a slightly different route in my modification madness. I am trying as much as possible to stay away from regular JDM stuff and taking the European route. I want to prove that a Jap car need not look like a Jap car (whatever that means) but it can be transformed tastefully into something more European-looking (whatever that means). Oh well, it's personal and at the end of the day, as long as I am happy with how the car looks, that is all that matters. You people should have fun modding your car too and don't let others distract you.
