The annual Sizzling Wheels Legends Tour kicked off in Miami, Florida, on Could 13, and the judges have chosen 2023’s first semifinalist. Completed in a head-turning shade of blue, this heavily-modified 1989 Volkswagen Cabriolet might get scaled-down and added to the Sizzling Wheels catalog.
Pembroke Pines, Florida, resident Giraldo Penton purchased this drop-top in 2016 as a “run-down” venture automotive. As an alternative of protecting it inventory, he got down to construct a one-of-a-kind Cabriolet that turns heads in all places it goes. Sizzling Wheels notes that the checklist of modifications features a Berg Cup physique equipment, a Clipper physique equipment and15-inch BBS Flip Face wheels. Lambo Blue paint provides a completion to the design.
Suspension modifications considerably decrease the journey peak — Penton’s Cabriolet sits just some inches off the bottom. Inside, there is a three-spoke Nardi steering wheel, white upholstery, a Pioneer head unit and quite a few small modifications like vibrant window cranks.
Sizzling Wheels hasn’t launched images of the Volkswagen’s engine bay, and that is possible as a result of it feels like there is not a lot to see underneath the hood. The model notes that Penton stopped in need of making mechanical modifications, which means energy comes from a fuel-injected, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 90 horsepower and 100 pound-feet of torque. It spins the entrance wheels by way of a five-speed guide transmission.
By successful the Miami spherical, this Cabriolet will transfer on to one of many two semifinal rounds scheduled to happen in late 2023. We do not know which automobiles it might want to compete towards to win, however this yr’s Legends Tour guarantees to be extremely aggressive: Sizzling Wheels plans to go to eight American cities and a complete of 17 international locations, together with France and Italy, to seek out the following automotive it would add to its vary of 1/64-scale automobiles.
The competition is open to absolutely anything with wheels and an engine so long as it has been modified. For context, the judges chosen a 1992 Autozam Scrum — a tiny pickup constructed to Japan’s kei automotive specs — changed into a V8-powered monster truck because the winner.
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