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The Other American Musclecar
American Motors was an extremely conservative automobile company, happy with building basic transportation cars and small, economical compacts. When Pontiac stunned the world with the sales success of the ’64 GTO, many of the other car manufacturers also wanted to cash in on the new emerging muscle car movement. If strong-running cars could bring additional cash into the coffers, they were all for it. All except conservative American Motors, which denounced the idea of building fast cars because they wouldn’t be safe in the hands of young buyers. AMC continued on, content with building Ramblers. That idea lasted for about two years, but after seeing the sales success of the other auto manufacturers, AMC finally decided to cash in on the youth movement.

Vendor Spotlight
The Holley LS Fest West 2024 descended upon the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, drawing horsepower enthusiasts from far and wide to celebrate the iconic LS and LT engine platforms. Under the scorching desert sun, the air reverberated with the roar of engines, creating a scene straight out of every gearhead’s dreams, with the scent of burnt rubber lingering in the air. Amidst the bustling midway, vendors showcased the latest LS performance parts and accessories, offering exclusive discounts and limited edition gear that had attendees reaching for their wallets in excitement.

TURNED-ON, TUNED-IN ECONOLINE
In an unmarked garage in north central Oklahoma (parked next to an original ’70 Boss 429) sat the Econoline. After moving the dead varmint skeletons and wiping off many years of dust, Kirk’s rolling time capsule was ready to see daylight again. Since the 406 Ford FE big block was no longer “politically correct,” a modern powerplant was decided upon.
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4 Door Tegger
Built for a Girl, By a Girl
Author
Neil Tjin
Photos: Gene Tjin
We are proud to bring you this up close and personal look at Thuy Ngo’s four-door Acura Integra. Ngo’s Integra sedan is clean and subtle, and it was built with some of the best parts around. While Gene was out on location shooting her Integra, we asked Ngo what motivated her to build this car. We were curious if she was also into cars, or if this was just a one-time thing that some people do. Ngo told us that not one year after she got the car, she was involved in a fender-bender. The damage was substantial, and Ngo wasn’t sure if the cost to fix the car would be worth it. After talking it over with her boyfriend, Jimmy Nguyen, they decided to fix and redo her car. The first thing they did was replace the stock U.S. front end with a Japanese Type-R conversion. Out went the old round headlights, and on went the new one-piece Japanese headlights. After the new front end was purchased and installed, it was on from there. One purchase led to the next, and before she knew it, she was driving an impressive Integra.
As the build continued, her boyfriend helped her source parts. They wanted to make sure that they got the right parts and those that they both wanted to see on the car. She told us that during the build and even till this day, people always come up to her and ask how much she has spent on her car so far. She told us that she has one of two answers. Answer one is $1,000,000, and answer two is that she doesn’t keep track of what she has spent; she just buys whatever she likes.
This girl knows what she likes, and it shows on her car. There were no shortcuts or knockoff parts used in this build. The Japanese Honda Type-R front-end conversion is matched up with a Mugen front bumper and ViS carbon fiber hood. Besides the Japanese front end, the exterior of Ngo’s Integra is also outfitted with a Honda DB8 Integra rear foglight, power fold-in mirrors, third brake blocker and parking stickers.
Located under the ViS carbon hood are a twin-cam motor and tons of Mugen goodies. A Mugen radiator cap, thermostat, oil cap, fan switch and reservoir covers all reside under the hood. A Mugen twin-loop exhaust system was installed for some extra power and to make the boys drool at the show. A set of NGK spark plug wires, a ground wire kit and an ARC intake also add some extra ponies to the twin-cam motor.
Ngo doesn’t just use this car to show off at shows; she still drives it on a regular basis. She wanted her car to look good and also to handle well on the road. A Carbing three-point front strut bar, four-point rear strut bar and Skunk2 lower tie bar were installed to improve the Integra’s handling. A set of Ground Control adjustable coilovers was installed to bring down the Integra’s center of gravity. The Ground Control coilovers allow the car to go higher and lower whenever Ngo feels like it.
Ngo has always been a big fan of rare wheels, and she has always wanted a set of red GAB wheels for her car. Most of the GAB wheels we see around the scene are 4×100, which happened to be what Ngo needed. But Ngo didn’t want to be like everyone else. Instead of going the traditional route and bolting on a set of 4×100 GABs to her Integra, she decided to be different and swap out her stock 4×100 hubs in favor of a set of Japanese DB8 4×114 hubs. While swapping out the old hubs, Ngo also decided to get rid of her stock brakes and replaced them with Japanese DB8 brakes. Once the new hubs and brakes were installed, it was time for Ngo to bolt on her 16×6.5-inch 4×114 red GAB wheels to her Skunk2 extended wheel studs. Ngo opted for a set of Nitto Neo Gen tires to go with her GAB wheels. A set of 205/45/16 tires is matched up to the 16-inch wheels.
The inside of Ngo’s Integra is subtle and filled with tons of Japanese parts. The centerpieces of the interior are the two bright red Japanese Honda Type-R Recaro racing seats. The stock Integra rear seats were also replaced in favor of Honda Type-R rear seats. Besides the new Japanese Honda seats, Ngo’s interior is also equipped with a Honda airbag, block-off tray, clock blocker, armrest eliminator, interior road flare with bracket, SiR-G rear foglight switch, personal access ashtray, gather deck and fold-in mirror switch. A Mugen FG-360 steering wheel with built-in pad rounds out this immaculate interior.
With no concern for what things cost, and desiring to build an Integra with cool rare parts, Ngo accomplished something truly special. She was able to build a female-owned car the way she wanted. She didn’t sacrifice anything, and she bought the parts she wanted. There are several cool parts on this car, like all of the Mugen goodies and GAB wheels, but what makes this car even more impressive is that is was built by a girl, for a girl—plus, it’s a sedan, and we all know those rock!
ARTICLE SOURCES
Madison Manufacturing
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Madison Manufacturing
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Madison Manufacturing
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