The times have certainly changed in the automotive world over the lifespan of PASMAG. Trends and styles have come and gone, with some of them sticking around for good, and others resurfacing in cycles. Those in our audience old enough to remember the haydays of the '90s and early 2000s are sure to know exactly what we mean. And while we may look down on some style eras with hindsight, it's important to remember that many of these modifications and styles we consider to be extreme or "too much" paved the way for a lot of the aftermarket automotive world we know and love today.
Throwbacks From Previous Years:
5 Vehicles from PASMAG in 2002
5 Vehicles from PASMAG in 2003
5 MORE Vehicles from PASMAG in 2003
5 Vehicles from PASMAG in 2004
5 MORE Vehicles from PASMAG in 2004
As part of this ongoing series, we wanted to take some opportunities to dig into the PASMAG archives - all 25 years of it - as part of our 25th anniversary celebrations, and isolate certain eras to appreciate, evaluate, or even reminisce. This week, we're looking at the year 2005 in all its glory.
1. Dragon MS / GReddy FD RX-7
Gold cars were definitely popular in the early 2000s, with many of them inspired by the trailblazers like Smokey Nagata at Top Secret. While this RX-7 isn't exactly that, we can definitely see the style inspiration. Aside from the sporty exterior, the boosted rotary and gauge-filled interior were highlights of this DragonMS and GReddy build. Aisde from a defunct URL most people would no longer recognize, the color combination with the wheels is probably the only thing that really dates it.
2. Wheel Power Inc BMW 3-Series
This BMW walked the fine line between wild and subtle, at least as far as the exterior went. Back during this era, you would typically only find these aero kits on wild styled builds with bright colors and a heavy dose of decals. Shoutout to this owner/builder for keeping things relatively minimalist. We would actually love to see someone's modern take on this body kit with today's styling and fitment standards.
3. Tuner Trader Subaru STI S202
These years marked the early days of the Subaru craze, especially when it came to the bug-eye body style of 2001-2002. Built as a marketing project for Tuner Trader, this rare STi S202 was treated to a little bit of everything from exterior to interior. While exterior styling looks a little bit ouf of date, the interior could look right at home today, with a few parts that are still highly desireable for any fans of the era.
4. JP AeroDynamics 350Z
The 350Z was another superstar of the early 2000s import tuner scene, with a seemingly never-ending supply of aftermarket support pretty early on. This one is kitted with the very unique JP AeroDynamics kit - which, believe it or not, is still available today. The Work S1 3-piece wheels were a great touch.
5. MB Quart VW Jetta
One of the most uniquely styled VW Jettas in PASMAG history, with super smooth bumpers and skirts all the way around. Sponsored by MB Quart, you can expect a clean and stylish audio install for the trunk, complemented by a staple of the era - a nitrous bottle.