#old jaguar cars models

[etherealarte]

[atomic-apricot]

Pinups. New.

[seat-safety-switch]

Necessity is the mother of invention, but being a total cheap-ass has to at least be an absentee dad. Our society is enormously wasteful, buying hugely expensive things it doesn't need and then throwing them out. If you are bright enough to make use of those things, you can get them for much less money.

Here's a great example: car door locks. They fail all the time. Repairing them is a pain in the ass. Replacing them is expensive. Each model of car has a slightly different one. A padlock at Wal-Mart costs $1.89. Sure, it doesn't look as good, having a budget Master-Lock bouncing off your paint on the interstate, but it does keep the door closed, and accurately communicates to thieves that you have nothing of value contained within.

Whenever I go to a car show, I am not impressed at all by the high-dollar exotics. I don't mean that to sound snooty: I am sure they have ripped off, exploited, or simply murdered a lot of people in order to afford that car. It's a deviousness that doesn't show up in person and that I simply am not aware of enough to appreciate. I am sure they are very popular at accountant conventions. What I like to see: junk being misused. Old leaf-blower being used as a supercharger? Yes. Road signs pop-riveted into the place the floor should go? You betcha. And that all-time, enduring classic, an engine swap from a car of the wrong make, a project both aberrant and delightful in equal measure.

So, if you are trying to impress a bunch of penniless dickheads on this year's custom car circuit, my advice is to hit up the dollar store. And then don't buy anything: follow the employees until they head to the dumpster to get rid of unsold inventory, and pick the lock. You don't have to spend $1.89 to get doors that close properly, it's not a Jaguar or anything.

[frenchcurious]

Jaguar XK 140 SE OTS 1955. Special Equipment Model. - source Renaud Mann via Old British Cars.

[aspiringtrashpanda]

DAY 3 is a bit different than the last two. I've been wanting to do a little fic for Mammon based on this song for a LONG time, so what better time than now? That being said though, I'm very attached to the way I format chats in fics and it's not very Tumblr-friendly, so here's a little excerpt and you can find the whole fic on Ao3!

Find the prompt list HERE.

── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ──

DAY 3 Prompt: Mammon C/W: Light violence (not inflicted on MC and not applicable to this excerpt), smoking Additional Tags: song fic, pining Mammon, human world, gender neutral MC

“You know what’s silly?”

Mammon let his head loll against the headrest of the seat, his heart skipping a beat as the golden rays of sun pierced the passenger window and lit your hair on fire. He didn’t bother hiding his goofy grin. “What?”

“I was expecting the Lexura,” You giggled, waving your hands at the incredulity. “But that wouldn’t make much sense, would it? What were you gonna do? Tape a fake license plate to the bumper? A plastic jaguar to the hood?” 

He was quiet for a moment. Flicking his cigarette out the open window that allowed the evening breeze to prick his neck in the most delightful way, he considered, “Do ya think that would work?”

“Dressing a car up to resemble a finer model by taping a kids’ figurine to the hood? No, I don’t think so.” Your laughter was a balm on his sore heart, soothing that old wound that threatened to burst open at the threat of your absence. 

You looked so pretty, lounging in the passenger seat with your fingers tapping the armrest that hugged the door. Your sneakers danced upon the dashboard, following the rhythm of the song buzzing from the radio. Mammon was glad that the theater had been so empty for the matinee viewing. Having the parking lot to themselves post-movie felt like a private little bubble in space-time. There was something about exiting a cinema that made one drowsy, regardless of time. It wasn’t quite night, yet. Later than afternoon, for sure.

Only a couple hours left. 

── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ──

FULL FIC HERE

OBEY ME! MONTH MASTERLIST

[doodle-boy]

Ok so I am buzzed on an weird cocktail of ollipop orange soda, bourbon and peach snaps. I'm exhausted from work and just thsi whole week I've been just like out of it and kinda forgot how to person. I'm a cocktail of things drinkin a cocktail of things.

But do any of yall fuckin remember REAL STEEL??

Man that is unironically one of my favorite robot movies and ain't nobody talkin about it!! Like first of all it's got boxing in it, which is always dope as someone who is a big fan of that sport. It's got ROBOTS (duh) and their all really cool designs too. Like you got to see a broad spectrum of different designs and materials used. From ones make like a they a jaguar car with shiny paint and sleep anrodymanic designs. To robots that looked like they were made out of you're old 1994 ford trucks, rusted and banged up. All of them felt like they were inspired by rock'em sock'em robots. with built in headgears and gloves. Some of them even had their neck pop up like the toy did i swear I saw that in a scene in the movie, I'm like 89% sure they made that visual gag at some point. LIKE IT'S SUCH GOOD ROBOT DESIGNS.

Also the fucking animation was really good too??? Like if you go watch a clip of it right now. you will be impressed at how good the lighting is on these robots. And they got DARING with the lighting, day time, night time, during a storm with flashing lightening, back lit by different things, in a dingy hallway, in a professional boxing ring. They did not hesitate to put the models and shaders thew their fuckin paces. Not to mention they put in the effort of adding motion blur and camera blur and close ups and far away shots. And honestly it still fucking holds up, like it legitimately looks good enough that you're brain can very easily accept it into the reality of the world their in.

And this bitch was made in 2011

I've seen movies from the last three years that looked worse than a nobody film about boxing robots.

Think about that.

Also animation aside the story is really nice too. Is it like a super stereotypical 'rookie makes it too the top' type story that is very similar to Rocky? Yes. But you just walked into a fucking boxing movie what did you expect??? Plus that's not the whole picture. It's more than just about a robot who boxes, it about a human man finding his self worth again. About finally connecting to people and himself. It'll make you cry man. It made me cry. I'm crying right now oh my god.

Anyways. peeps need to watch this movie and I need to go lie down.

i'm blazing this because reasons.

lol

[youhavehitawall]

RUNDOWN - A small local performance specialist. He's unusually good at sourcing rare parts... and sometimes they're in used condition. He's responsible for turning Ratchet into a high-powered monster of a car, and since Ratchet disappeared, his little brother Firestorm found a tiny soft spot in the old mechanic's heart. Rundown's shop is notorious in the underground for creating impressive engineering, but also for cars mysteriously disappearing, rumoured to be gutted for the black market parts trade. Rundown himself is a Jaguar Mark X prototype, made much earlier than the actual model's year. He's dignified, even keeled, and dangerously intelligent. ANd hot as hell but hey who's counting-

[still-not-over-transformers]

“Strictly Professional”

(Knockout x Reader-insert)

Takes place after the events of Season 1 Episode 11: Speed Metal. An event that left Knockout without his driver-side door.

“Do you know how difficult that is to replace!?”

(Y/N) were bored. Painfully bored. Looking outside a mahogany-lined window pane, you had a stunning unobscured view of the sunset. The rolling hills were a lush green, and the sunset painted the sky gradient hues of gold, crimson, and lavender bordered by a tree-line comprised of spruce, pine, and cedar. It was a gorgeous view you had seen again, and again, and…. Again. (Y/N) sighed. Growing up in a stunning villa in upper New York state had its perks, but despite being able to do whatever you wanted you never seemed entertained. You see, money can buy a lot of things: houses, luxury cars, private jets, trips around the world, etc. But it could never seem to stop the ever-constant boredom you often experienced as nothing was ever unexpected. As if something else was missing.

*BUZZ*

*BUZZ*

*BUZZ*

You looked at your phone to see a reminder you had set for the Exotic Car Show you were attending that evening. You were mostly ready as it was, just touching up your makeup a bit. Then you grabbed your phone and clutch purse before making your way down the spiral staircase to the front doors. You had chosen to dawn an elegant but edgy silver dress with an asymmetrical hem and a single sleeve on the right arm. Your footwear of choice were classic black heels, but with a reasonable pump-height so you didn’t break your ankles. The doors were held open by your family butlers, as you made your way to the curb of the driveway at the front of your family villa.

Your family’s wealth came from a combination of significant shares in various luxury-brand car manufacturers; your father being on the board of directors for Mercedes, and your mother the Logistics Manager also for Mercedes. Obviously the same workplace is how your parents met. Throughout your life, your parents had given you the world, albeit requiring you to maintain a job. So you work alongside your mother as her assistant. For the past month, your mother had been off who knows where in Europe on a business retreat. While you had been invited, you knew it would be nothing but hanging around other snooty rich business-types whom were always dull company. Also, why were rich guys always old and/or ugly?

Your chauffeur was waiting with the car door open. You entered the vehicle and soon you were off to the car expo. On the drive, you had been reading up on the potential reveals and demos that might be at the event. You were primarily excited about the exotic vehicle demos, as you had an appreciation of exotic cars. The horsepower, design, curvatures of the body frame, were nothing short of thrilling.

As your ride pulled up to the event, you exited the vehicle as your chauffeur assisted you. You acknowledged the chauffeur curtly, before entering the event space. There were a few minor celebrities taking photo ops; some wannabe playboys posing near their cars with groupies and models; and then the actual cars themselves scattered about a massive lot. Each vehicle had an attendant to provide information as well as prevent unwanted touching of the cars. You passed a silver Bugatti Chiron, a brand new Corvette Stingray, luxury Jaguar and Cadillac models… But something else caught your eye. A glint of red made you turn and approach a vehicle off to the side.

As you got closer you saw a stunning bright scarlet Aston Martin One-77 with white highlights. You couldn’t deny that this was a sexy-ass car. “Damn…” (Y/N) muttered. You approached the luxury vehicle and drank in its sleek form, the curvature of the design, the stunning richness of the paint job. As you walked around the car, you were jarred at the realization that the driver-side door was completely gone. “What the fuck happened to you?” (Y/N) exclaimed, “Who in their right mind wouldn’t have replaced that by now?” Come to think of it, it was odd that this one car in-particular lacked an attendant which all other cars had present.

With the missing door, the temptation to climb inside was intense. The one thing her family wasn’t big on spending money on were cars. Your parents thought that spending money on lavish vehicles was an unnecessary expense. Fucking ironic. Even if you couldn’t have it, you were going to briefly experience the thrill of having such a stunning vehicle. You climbed into the driver’s seat and drank in the elaborate console, the impeccably clean interior, it even smelled brand new. You gently ran your hands over the steering wheel, imagining what it would feel like to drive it. As you indulged yourself for a moment longer, suddenly you found that the seatbelt was latched around you. “What the fuck? …When did i…?” (Y/N) said in confusion.

Before you knew it, the car shifted into gear and peeled out from its spot. Multiple attendees of the event panicked and flung themselves out of the way. (Y/N) shrieked once before desperately pumping the brakes, but to no avail. When you tried to move the gear shift into neutral, you found that it didn’t budge at all. After a few minutes of sheer terror and panic, you were no longer at the exotic vehicle venue, but instead on the outskirts of the city in a maze of alleyways. As the vehicle finally came to a stop, you heard strange sounds akin to shifting parts and an electronic sound. Before you knew it you were aloft in the air. In the hand of a giant robot who was giving you a highly-offended glare. You were frozen. You struggled to comprehend the situation, wondering if you might have lost your mind.

“Humans have no sense of respect! It’s bad enough that I’m missing a part, but now you decide it’s a bright idea to climb into a vehicle you don’t know” the Decepticon exclaimed. It talked (Y/N) thought. Knockout looked down at the tiny human in his grasp, “I hope you enjoyed the brief joy ride, but I think now I’ll punish you for daring to touch me.” With his free servo, Knockout’s servo transforms into a buzzsaw. You begin to panic, squirming briefly in the grip of the large metal hand around your waist before pausing. “WAIT! WAIT A SECOND AND I CAN HELP YOU!” (Y/N) shouted. The Decepticon raised an optic ridge and paused, “Oh? And how could an insignificant human as yourself possibly help me?” You took a deep breath to compose yourself, clearing your throat before speaking further. “I can replace your missing door. I have resources.”

Knockout was clearly interested in where this was going, as he had been having a nightmare trying to replace that door. “Go on…” You continued, “My job is literally ordering supplies and parts for luxury and exotic cars, I’m pretty sure I can order a replacement for you. Aston Martin One-77 right?” Knockout thought to himself for a moment, wondering when he would have such an opportunity to make himself whole again. The Decepticon turned his helm back towards the helpless human within his grip, “Correct. I see you do know your vehicles, human. If you can indeed supply me with the replacement part I require, I will hold off on exterminating you.”

(Y/N) breathed a sigh of relief, “I can make the call right away, if I would be allowed to reach my phone? And t-trust me, I’m not stupid enough to try to run in these heels.” “So now you make wise decisions. Very well.” Knockout chided before slowly lowering (Y/N) to the ground and releasing you. You briefly adjusted your dress and hair before opening your phone and making a call. You didn’t attempt any funny business, and reached out to one of your business contacts at Aston Martin Works. After a brief amount of small talk, you ordered the part and arranged its delivery. As you ended the phone call, you returned your gaze to the massive robot before you. “Alright I had the part ordered for you. And With express shipping.”

Knockout looked down at you, surprised you hadn’t soiled yourself as most humans would have by now. “And how am I supposed to receive this part? For all I know, if I let you out of my sight you’ll disappear and I’ll be left high and dry” he mused. Finding your confidence you replied to him calmly, “The part will be shipped to my home address at 11am sharp tomorrow. To prove I’m good for it, you can drive me home so you’ll know where to knock if I’m lying.” The Decepticon scientist was taken aback by this human. Giving up her home address so willingly confounded him. Knockout could easily decimate her and her entire home, yet this human was so willing to cooperate despite her best interest. “…You are a very strange human. You do understand I will squash you if you’re lying?” He placed a servo on his hip sassily. You watched his mannerisms and couldn’t help but grin slightly, he was so sassy.

“You are a giant transforming robot with a buzzsaw hand, and I’m not an idiot. I’ll keep my word. Besides, you’ll know exactly where I am since you’ll be taking me home. And stop calling me ‘human’ my name is (Y/N)” you smirked. Knockout raised an optic ridge, albeit impressed with this strange human. “Very well… but touch anything and I will crush you” he said before transforming back into vehicle-form. You took a pause before climbing into the driver’s seat, being careful not to touch anything. As the engine starts, you had expected the same aggressive driving as your previous abduction. To your surprise, the drive was fast but smooth. You tried to avoid speaking as much as possible, not wanting to push your luck, so instead you thought. You thought about the events prior to your encounter and pinched yourself to make sure you weren’t dreaming. It could’ve been worse to be honest. You could’ve been kidnapped by an ugly white pedophile van. At least you were taken by a sexy Aston Martin.

After what felt like brief moments, your captor arrived at the gates of your family estate. You punched in the security code in the keypad and the gates opened. Knockout pulled up to the front doors and parked. As you tried to exit the vehicle, the seatbelt wouldn’t unlatch and you looked back. “Remember, I’ll be close-by until our deal is seen through” Knockout hummed. You paused, “You sure are untrusting for a robot. I don’t have a car of my own so no worries on me going anywhere.” With that, the seatbelt released and you were able to make it inside of your home. As you climbed the staircase towards your room, you couldn’t help but clutch her chest. You felt a surge of adrenaline and you knew it wasn’t fear. No, this felt more like butterflies… You went into your room and immediately climbed into your bed. As your eyelids felt heavy, your only thoughts were of the intoxicating voice replaying in your mind. Until you fell asleep….

You felt slightly groggy as you awoke the next morning. Slowly as you climbed out of bed you remembered the last night’s events. Just to be sure you hadn’t dreamt it, you rushed to your window to look at the driveway. Sure enough, you saw the red and white Aston Martin parked there. A brief double-honk was audible, and you realized the robot could see you from the window. Your phone buzzed and as you opened it, you saw a security notification from the gates. You approved access and a delivery vehicle made its way up the driveway and delivered the part you had ordered. You made your way outside and signed for the delivery and the delivery employees carefully loaded the part into the Knockout’s trunk. As soon as the delivery men had departed from the property, you approached the driver’s side door and leaned forwards, “Looks like I came through on my promise. Think that makes us square?”

Knockout hesitated briefly before replying, “We shall see. After all you are technically a loose end, knowing of my existence and all. We will see if you’re worth more alive than dead.” As you lingered a moment longer, you couldn’t help but ask a question that had been burning within, “Just in case you do decide to continue doing business with me, may I at least know your name?” Dead silence was the initial response and it lingered in the air for what felt like an eternity. “You may address me as Knockout.” With that, Knockout revved his engine and quickly drove down the driveway and onto the main road. As he gained more distance between himself and the villa, Knockout questioned what he was to do about this human. He could’ve just killed her and be done with it, after all he did have the part he had needed. But a part of him didn’t want to end this odd human. He brushed it off as a start to a strictly professional relationship, and a potential supplier if he needed any more replacement parts in the future.

A couple months later….

After your first encounter with Knockout, you felt reinvigorated. That fateful encounter provided you with more excitement and adrenaline than you had ever experienced. After you had provided Knockout with the spare part, you were certain you would never lay eyes upon that robot again. To your surprise, you would have many more encounters with him. Apparently there were other giant robots whom Knockout would get into battles with, and would result in him needing replacement parts. With each encounter, you found yourself enjoying his company more and more. Finding both yourself and him to be fellow automobile enthusiasts. Your conversations even included some witty banter and jokes here and there. More than anything else, you found that your heart fluttered every time you laid eyes on him. You weren’t quite sure why, but nonetheless you enjoyed being around Knockout.

It was a Thursday afternoon and you had met with Knockout at your villa to provide another spare part, as Knockout had lost a side-view mirror in a scuffle with what you knew as “Autobots.” You had wanted to attempt a more friendly relationship with Knockout, but never wanted to risk it. Today was the day you decided to be bold. After all, you had sent the staff home early. You approached Knockout at the curb of your driveway, “You know, there is an International Auto Show being held in New York tomorrow night that will consist of the most expensive and luxurious vehicles from across the planet. I’ve got a ticket, but I’m afraid I’m short on a stunning ride to show up with.”

Knockout transformed from his vehicle mode and towered over you. He raised his optic ridge, wondering what on earth she was getting at, “You do understand I’m a highly advanced cybernetic being, not a taxi service? Besides, our relationship is strictly… professional and exists because I’ve chosen not to squash you. Yet.” You nod your head as you watch his body language. “Mhm. Mhm. All true, except for the fact I don’t think you’d want to squash me. I think you’ve gotten fond of our “professional” relationship,” she uses air quotes and smirks. “That and I don’t think a vehicle enthusiast such as yourself would want to miss out on an exclusive reveal of new models before the rest of the planet. A shame you’ll squash me and never experience it,” she says with an open smirk.

Knockout turns towards (Y/N) and gives her a look, a servo on his hip in his sassy mannerism, “Now now, I didn’t say no. Honestly it would be embarrassing if you showed up in anything less stylish than yours truly.” You could feel your heart skip a beat as you tried to reply in a nonchalant manner, “So you’re saying yes? I guess it’s a date then. The event starts at 7, so we should get an early start since it’s an hour drive.”

Knockout chuckles briefly before replying, “I’ll be here at 7. Always best to be fashionably late.” He smirks before transforming, the shine from his polished chassis gleaming in the light of the setting sun. He dramatically peels out of the expansive and large driveway before leaving the property. As the Decepticon’s frame disappeared from view, (Y/N) sighed softly to herself, “Always so dramatic…”

As Knockout began his drive back to the pickup coordinated for the Nemesis, he couldn’t help but have his gaze linger at the quickly disappearing villa in his rear view mirror. Perhaps the relationship between him and this human was a bit more than… strictly professional.

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If you enjoyed this please give it a like. If you want a continuation, lemme know! ❤️

[canonsinthehead]

What car would RGG/Yakuza/Judgement characters drive?

Kiryu (Your Grandfather’s Minivan):

pic: 1999 Dodge Caravan/ other ex: 1992 Toyota Previa, 1st generation Mazda MPV Even haruka is pleading with him to get rid of it since it almost exploded on the last orphanage trip. Regardless of what anyone says, Kiryu doesn’t want to get rid since he keep saying it’s a good format for the orphans (when they were younger maybe but not anymore) and how this dinosaur was the property of Kazama-San and we’re of good use when kashiwagi and him were watching over younger Kiryu and Nishiki. As always, another thing Kiryu remains hard headed on which doesn’t surprised his sworn brother since he see it as an extension of his lack of fashion sense. Majima keeps clowning him since seeing Kiryu walking out of this atrocity in burning anger is the most hilarious thing ever.

Akiyama (A Older model of a regular sedan):

pic: 1989 Honda Civic/ other ex: 2000 Toyota Corolla Regardless his pocket being stacked, he decided to get a regular car that common people get. Partly out of pure laziness, having to deal with expensive cars and their issues but he got it from a client who wanted to get rid of their old vehicle so he jump on the occasion. Hana doesn’t like it since it’s uncomfortable for her (for being so small and barely functioning right). She thinks he could’ve afford wayyyyyyy better than a (probably) discontinued second hand car with inexistent resale value.

  Haruka (A Regular Civilan Family Car):

pic: Red 2012 Toyota Corolla   Even if her uncles wanted to go all in and splurge for a ‘’luxury’’ or expensive a car for her , she refused and decided to go with something more simple. Also the simplicity of her also shows her current life as civilian and desiring a normal life like everybody else. While Kiryu is understanding of her choice, Nagumo and the crew (lowkey) expected her to take a larger (for more kids to come) but Kiryu shut down that idea and how its not happening before Mr.Yuta officially marries Haruka. BY THE WAY HER CAR IS RED just sayin…

80s Nishiki (Retro & Flashy):

pic: 1988 Mercedes 560SL/ other ex: 1988 Ford Mustang GT Convertible, 1988 Jaguar XJsAlong with the other car he had in Y0, he had another red convertible car he keeps for special occasions like showing off to his bosses, impress cabaret girls (remember image is everything) or for laid back road trip with his kyoudai. Slick Back Nishikiyama (Expensive & Conservative): ex: white porche or mercedes Changing his mentality, goals and outlook on life also affected his vehicle choice. Nishiki sold his all retro flashy car to separate vfrom his old image of being easy going and a (bitch) weak boss. By doing that he wants people to take him more seriously so he can climb the Yakuza ladder, so he goes for safe and conservative in many things including his fashion style. Yumi: doesn’t know how to drive.

Saejima (Thick car):

pic: 2005 Ford F-150/ other ex: 2005 Jeep Cherokee, 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser A big Heavy duty weather resistant car to fit his build (since he hates being uncomfortable). Also a big car to transport various things easily from camping equipment, drive well on dirt roads and snow and to carry Majima’s drunk body.

Daigo (what the chairman deserves)

pic: Rolls Royce Phantom VIII In all his Tojo-related activities, he usually get around by his driver in a limousine. He has a Black Rolls Royce that he almost never uses. Even though Mine and many of his subordinates encourage him to use it to match his boss/ex-boss status (or stature as man Mine would say). He doesn’t like too much the negative attention on him especially when he’s visiting Kiryu or doing personal things. All this goes with him being a shit driver (sorry daigo-chan) regardless owning a valid driving license. The brat side of his younger self remained since he prefers having a driver than doing it himself even after the disbandment of the Tojo Clan (which Mine and all his ‘’uncles’’ are glad to do so).

Majima: there are things he is actually cheap and lazy about. Taking after daigo, he doesn’t presently owns a valid driving licence, the one he previously owned (to destroy Shangri-La) got revoked and suspended ever since. He doesn’t want all the trouble and the paper work to get it back. since Saejima can’t drive his kyoudai around town on demand; he elected Minami and Nishida to be his personal drivers. Regardless he still sometimes takes some driving strolls by himself, we he does he takes Daigo’s Rolls Royce, which he himself gave to the fourth chairman as a birthday present. So that’s why he always tells him he has the right to use the car as he pleases. Daigo doesn’t mind and actually thinks his car finds Majima’s style better.

Ryuji (Ryuji being Ryuji):

car: HUMMER H2

motorcycle: Kawasaki VN2000 Class/ other ex: 2022 Indian scout bobberAt some he did own a HUMMER (before when it was still poppin) but Kaoru convince him to sell it because it was wayyyyy too big, waste of (gas) money and in all honestly looked RICICULOUS. He later converted to a motorcycle which he uses all the time.

Minami:

pic: Trap car Couldn’t wait to climb up the rank and earns enough funds to get rid of his trap to replace to his dream car to represent his status.

Nishitani (Wanna ride Majima-kun?)

pic: 1984 Cadillac Eldorado/ other ex: 1965 Pontiac GTO Mine (Bad and Boujee)

pic: 2021 Mercedes Mayback Class/ other ex: 2021 Porche 911Especially got a foreign model to make a statement as an accomplished Japanese businessman, that his pocket are stacked and he is not to be messed with. After surviving a suicide attempt (this is a headcanon remember mate). Now he volunteer to drive Daigo around to Kiryu’s opposition since he believes Daigo should drive for himself. He consider selling his fancy car (he already sold those he doesn’t use) because of Daigo’s desire of being discreet since the Tojo Clan’s collapse.

Tachibana (that car in Y0)

Oda:

pic: 2021 Chevy Express Van CargoWhite Creppy Van. Period. (and that’s canon)

Shimano & Sagawa (Work harder Majima-chan!):

pic: Japanese RickshawAlways used the cars provided by the clan and its drivers, if not he would make long hair Majima take him from point A to point B in a Traditinal Japanese rickshaw.

Kashiwagi (Fancy Refined)

pic: 1991 Lincoln ContinentalAt some point owned a expensive recent car model (Audi A4 2020), but after getting rid of it he dig out a older car who was sleeping in his garage (Lincoln Continental 1991). It is the car he owned while in the Tojo Clan, it would be natural for him to get rid of it but he seems to be satisfied with the older car (he can’t find another one who could as charming as this one). He does most of his travels by foot so its not like he can be seen in his car anyway. 

Yakuza 7/Like A Dragon Ichiban & The Crew:

pic: Redesigned Volkswagen The VW Van Type 2 It’s the first car Ichiban and Nanba got coming out of homelessness as soon as Ichi got his driving license from the vocational school. They got it from a scrap (a place where they stock old car they think are no good anymore) in almost perfect condition from one of Nanba’s homeless plugs. They got it fixed and upgraded by Sumire Sawa (the repairs chick). While Adachi was not the type to roll around in such flashy car, it officially became the LAD Crew’s official car. Saeko did some touchs up and decoration (with Seonghui funds) and VOILAAA! It’s now a place where they can both drive long distance and sleep (not all 7 but at least a few). Ichiban and Nanba like it the most since it’s reminiscent of their upgrade from the homeless life and can always be an option instead of bothering Kashiwagi at the bar (at least when Adachi does, he pissed him off so many times).

Zhao is less hyped about it. He keeps emphasizing on how he prefers hotels and a warm bed. He keeps repeating how he never been in a vehicle ‘’this cheap’’. He always find excuses to not go in it, deep down he’s just covering the fact that he is very uncomfortable sharing small spaces with many other people. Those scenarios brings up his uneasiness with everything outside the realm of lavishness or the comfort of the Liumang Headquarters. As for Joon-gi, while he constantly complains about not having enough space to breathe or the car being unconventionally ‘’tacky’’ and has never seen anyone in neither Japan or Korea driving a car like this. He low key likes it since it reinforces the family-like bond all the members of the party have. It also feeds into one of the deepest fantasies he had during his younger years which was to have siblings to quench his childhood loneliness.

They use this car especially for road trip and doing camping which ichiban succeeded to being everyone on their last camping trip.

Eri (Common Japanese Box Car)

pic: 2018 Nissan Dayz/ other ex: 2018 Honda n Box It’s the cheapest car, her and her grandmother could afford keeping their whole situation with the business. Since the success of Ichiban Confections, her grandmother moved on to better transportations method, she got a small (but expensive) car for herself, she even offers herself boat rides. On her side, Eri is satisfied with their old car and kept it.   Zhao

pic: Pink Lamborgini Aventador it's not that i needed it or even use it, it’s because I wanted it. AND I COULD AFFORD IT. Matter of fact i use the Liumang's limousine and its drivers for transportation.

Saeko:

pic: Fiat 500 She loves the car she shares with all her friends but for some reason would like to have a small cute car for herself.

Judgement/Lost Judgement/Judge Eyes Yagami (That Skateboard…):

Kaito:

pic: interior of 2019 Subaru ForesterI don’t know the model, but the insides are brown.

Tsukumo (Does he even go out?): mmhhh… just the few times he had to take public transportation since he started college (when he was attending, he then switched to do literally everything remotely, #Unaffected-by-Quarantine), it told him all he had to know about any forms of transportation. If it has to be necessary, then Sugiura will drive him around and is glad to do so.

Tesso (The Finest Electric Bike you can find):

pic: VanMoof X3 Intelligent Electric Bike/ other ex: Cowboy 4He prefers bikes because he thinks they are faster and more versatile.

Akutsu Daimu (I Made It):

pic: Lamborghini Aventador LP 720-4 / other ex: Orange 2015 Ford Mustang GT Finally realized one of his dreams by buying foreign sports cars to establish his image as a “feared” & accomplished gang leader. As flashy as it comes, Akutsu mostly use them to show off and imitates the rich and famous of the world (fake it till you make it). While his unique extravagance is showcased trough his vehicle choices, they are mostly reserved for a spectacular entry at parties and for the grams. It helps Akutsu since he always fantasized about being a rapper *play Zico’s VENI VEDI VICI* (especially the American ones he sees on TV/online) at least living the hip hop lifestyle (money, power & bitches) and being the face of RK helps him accomplish that goal.

Soma thinks all of this is completely foolish since his cars spend most of their time biting the dust in his garage and most of them are OBVIOUSLY too small for his 6’ 5’’ gigantic frame. WHAT ELSE TO EXPECT FROM A FLASHY IGNORANT FOOL ANYWAY?

[autotopic]

Horacio Pagani was not born into automotive greatness. His story begins in 1955 in the grasslands of Casilda, Argentina, far from the stretch of Italian asphalt known as Motor Valley, where his namesake supercar brand now produces its vehicles alongside the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati.

Pagani’s mother was an artist, his father a baker. They were a family of makers who earned a living with what they could conjure with their hands, creating from experience, knowledge, raw materials and pure effort. At age ten, Pagani also began to create, first sketching and then carving model cars out of wood.

“Ever since I was a child I’ve had a great passion for the car,” says Horacio. “I made my models with balsa wood and all the materials that a kid could find and use, and from that moment on I was convinced that those were my cars.”

The neighbourhood vehicles and the odd car magazine that would drift over from Italy provided plenty of inspiration for the young inventor’s mind. Pagani recalls chasing down a local man’s 1963 Jaguar E-Type on his bicycle at age eight, just to sit and stare at it for hours, parked. These were the first indications of the extreme lengths to which this inventor would go for a beautiful machine.

“My mother told me that even when I was 14 years old I proclaimed to her that one day I would go to Modena to draw and build these cars,” he says. “Through those few magazines that came to Argentina, I discovered that there was a world in Modena – there was Maserati, Ferrari and Lamborghini – and the place I hoped to someday move.”

Years later, with a career in full bloom, Pagani would buy a Jaguar E-Type like the one from his boyhood memory, the first truly nostalgic purchase of his life. But how did a boy with a balsa wood hobby and an Italian-based dream he pulled from the pages of a car mag manage to bring it all to fruition?

In essence, he harnessed the same two assets he’d used to chase down that Jaguar E-Type all those years before: effort and determination.

[darkmaga-returns]

Ah… woke capitalism. I know, it’s almost a cliché at this point, but here we are again.

I’ve covered the escapades of woke companies plenty of times in these pages before, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a company so willingly toss out its entire brand identity to appease a loud, increasingly irrelevant minority of DEI zealots—until Jaguar came along.

If you’ve been lucky enough to miss it, the century-old British carmaker recently dropped an ad that sums up everything wrong with modern corporate virtue signaling. Feast your eyes…

Yes, this is actually a commercial for Jaguar. Yes, that Jaguar—the luxury car company.

By the way, did you spot any cars in it?

Neither did I. All I saw was a parade of androgynous, "body-positive," LGBTQ-friendly models prancing around to electronic music while meaningless phrases flashed across the screen.

This whole spectacle brings to mind a much-shared Stonetoss cartoon that perfectly captures our current corporate zeitgeist. I've taken the liberty of replacing "Burgers" with "Cars" to illustrate my point...

[diabolus1exmachina]

Gilbern T11 (prototype).

Gilbern is not a name that immediately springs to mind when you think of classic British sports cars. In fact not many people know about the former car maker that hailed from Wales. And even fewer are aware of its exciting two seat, rear engined sports coupe project from the 1970s. Founded in 1959 by Giles Smith and Bernard Friese, Gilbern was Wales’ only car maker. Both the former butcher and the former German Army soldier succeeded in building a car company from nothing and for a time challenged the likes of Jaguar and Rover with the Gilbern Genie V6. By the time the company folded in 1974, over 1000 Gilbern’s had been built.

The story of the Gilbern T11 starts back in 1970 when the Welsh car manufacturer was looking for ways to expand their model range. While their fibre glass bodied cars proved popular, they were expensive and never sold in large numbers. As a result the small firm struggled financially and needed something different to turn their fortunes around. They decided to build a light and compact, rear engine, two seat sports coupe, handing over the design to Trevor Fiore. The project went from the clay model design stage to the production of a partially built prototype. The aim was to display the car at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show but that never happened. As the firm’s finances worsened, the project was cancelled and the T11 prototype along with the other three prototype chassis’ were abandoned.

When the firm finally went bankrupt in 1974, the partly assembled Gilbern T11 was taken home by its managing director where it stayed for a number of years. It was then passed on to the Gilbern Owners Club before changing hands again.  The task that the new owner lay ahead was huge. First of all he had acquired a car that had sat for decades. Then there was the fact it was an unfinished prototype. Restoring an old classic is one thing but finishing a car that never got beyond the prototype stage is another. Thankfully owner background as a mechanic meant he had the skills needed to get it done. And he had a vision that allowed him to put his own stamp on Gilbern’s wedge. If it had been anyone else I suspect the car would still be in pieces today.

The Trevor Fiore’s design really was a work of art, taking cues from many other exotic sports cars of the day. Its design echoes that of the De Tomaso Mangusta, the Ferrari Daytona and the Bitter CD. And of course there is the Montiverdi Hai 450SS. The similarities between the two are uncanny. While the Gilbern T11 did not have a V12 or a V8 powerplant, it made up for this with its striking overall design. You could park this car beside a Lamborghini Miura or a De Tomaso Mangusta and it would not look out of place. It looks that good! It does make me wonder then what Gilbern could have achieved if they had succeeded in taking the T11 to full production.

[kylo-wrecked]

[ mistletoe ]  for our muses to realize they’re standing under a mistletoe together

Music!Ben

{ 🫀 You broke and bought:// Modern!Ben/ not accepting }

He was quiet that night. He and Midtown, muffled and flurrying. Neither Ben nor his city were tranquil, but they rattled slightly less in the absence of busybodies.

Yet, the busybodies prevailed as party guests here at 10 Park Avenue, fluttering around old money canapés, old money crystal, and old money attitudes about the world. 

Ben ate six pitted olives with his fingers instead of frilled toothpicks. He'd already loosened his collar. He stood like a gargoyle, a fixture in this dark wood deco-era apartment, which he might have admired if not for the baroque floor tiling and tinsel hodgepodge wreathing the necks of sculptures that might've been better off with a conservationist instead of an ex-combat engineer. The irony hurt his heart. He hadn't told Brunnhilde she looked lovely in velvet. And he was quiet. 

Was he okay? Would he like to leave? Did he want to talk about it? She had two cigarettes left and balcony access. 

Ben shook his head. He grabbed wine off a passing tray, trading glass for paper, and absconded with his array of terroired provisions.

He was quiet—until he wasn't.  

"How am I supposed to connect with these people?" he groaned as Brunn reappeared, popping another olive into his mouth. "Hello, how do you do? Me? Why, I was in Singapore, Singapore—where I caused a bit of a ruckus, to put it mildly—and now I'm back. Cheers. Cheers to you, Roderick; thank you for having us and keeping up the pretense. Ah-ah, the car I crashed was a BYD. The car I crashed into was a Jaguar. Yes, the newer models are unreliable, absolving me of any and all responsibility. How good of you to say. These olives, by the way—delicious. Splendid. Are they from the Lazio region or Citarella? Oh, really. No, I couldn't tell the difference." 

When they'd arrived, Ben hooked his pinkie around Brunn's for a moment and wondered if they were still... official. Pushing all thoughts of fake rings and ringing bells into his mind's depths as if to drown them, he'd gone for the olives, then the vestibule shadows, pressing forty-inch shoulders into flanks meant for antiques and mistletoe. That was where Brunn had found him, where she now placed her pointed toes on his dress shoes.

He did not notice.

"And all this. Eugh." Ben motioned at the decorations, the X-max spoils especially selected to battle the 'War on Christmas,' and shuddered. "Did you know mistletoe is parasitic?" His question was rhetorical, spoken into a child's paper cup run up and down with Rankin Rudolphs his hand nearly crushed. "It can't survive without a host tree. Puts the 'obligation' right in 'obligate hemiparasite.' Let's see; Yew is poisonous. Holly is particularly..."

He sensed Brunn staring at him with a raised eyebrow and, looking up from his spiced wine, saw that he made the correct assumption.

"What? Too much?"

Brunn pointed a long, manicured finger at the mistletoe cluster ribboned to the wall frieze. His gaze followed; Ben did not. 

But she saved him. She saved him yet again, this time with a kiss. A kiss that tasted of mulled wine and cinnamon, that spilled wine and united their ribcages, her heart beating steadily against the jackhammer in his chest. A long kiss that calmed him. Soon, he was quiet again. Peering at Brunn through the hair she'd freed from its mousse at the off-shoulder sleeve that now drooped lazily over her bust.

A moment or two passed. A moment of simply standing and looking at each other in a world that was only adjacent to muffled conversations coming from the next room. Wine pooling at their feet.

Brushing back his locks, he gazed at Brunn again. Ben thought wine suited her lips better than rouge. After some time, he looped his pinkie finger around hers.

"Cigarette?"

@valkxrie

[zappedbyzabka]

Joanie becomes a model during high school. Gets to wear all the fashionable clothes, walk on stages, and everyone wants her on their arm for every event and outing. People write songs for her, she gets to ride in fast cars, eat fancy food she doesn't like, but the best time she has is when she gets to go home and her cobras fall over themselves to welcome her home and please her.

As it should be tbh, she’s been through enough. And who could say no to that angel? (who's actually a devilish gamine.)

Like I said before, she makes connections. Knows how to charm rich people (and when she makes a mistake, smiling coyly or giving a pouty little “I’m sorry” can work wonders if they don’t know her personally.) Simply bewitches with her whole coquettish mask. Uses her manners when it suits her then goes home later and manspreads on the couch with a beer. (Is all that room between her feet tempting for her Cobras to kneel between? Always. Whether they want her hands caressing their scalp with a cheek pressed to her silky thigh, or want strands ripped out by her while they drown between her legs.)

She was scouted by modeling agents more than once.

Once at the mall when she was kicking it with the Cobras, and another time at a banquet.

And She was told often that she should be a model, but she usually just scoffed thinking people were either just being kind or trying to get in her pants.

Then she really started doing it, and boy did she grow a fanbase (and get some of her own money🙏)

Love letters from guys, girls, and those in between and over. It’s fun to be a heartthrob and tease.

But she also had to deal with the dark side of the industry. Creeps, blackmailers, the strive for thinness.

She runs wild at concerts. Every single rockstar she loved, she met, or tried to meet...which isn’t as hard when you’re a cute vixen in a bunch of ads, some where you’re in a skirted bikini with your mile-long legs out while beckoning the camera as if telling the viewer to come get her

( Actors too: probably Val Kilmer, Robert De Niro, Jason Gedrick, etc. The more she met, the more she could meet.)

Obviously, she’s had a song written about her, and the Cobras theorize that there’s even more she isn’t aware of but she thinks that’s unrealistic.

“You have four people—at the very least—that treat you like Cleopatra; is it really that farfetched?”

Le Mans...Jaguars...Porches... Every kind of car and scene—she loves the fast ones. She’s ridden with literal race car drivers and unsurprisingly, has been in monster trucks.

Livin’ the lavish life.

All these things, and still what she loves and needs most is the feeling of coming home to her Cobras and lounging in their love.

Aaand maybe she's got a secret wanr named Daniel who she wishes would contact her like all the other boys from her old school did.

[ubsvillasblog]

Ratan Tata: A True Legend and Inspiration to Us

Rest in Peace, Ratan Tata: “A true legend who built more than an empire”

Ratan Tata is a name that echoes success, integrity, and philanthropy in India’s business world. Born in 1937, Tata’s journey is a testament to visionary leadership and humility. He took over the Tata Group, a 150-year-old conglomerate, in 1991 and transformed it into a global brand that now operates in over 100 countries. His leadership didn’t only focus on business growth but also emphasized ethics, innovation, and social welfare.

Under his tenure, Tata Group’s revenue grew exponentially, and acquisitions of global companies like Jaguar Land Rover and Corus Steel marked India’s presence on the world map. Tata’s contributions didn’t end with the boardroom. His philanthropic initiatives, especially through the Tata Trusts, have impacted education, healthcare, and rural development. His guiding principle was that “business must have a purpose beyond profit,” a vision UBS Villas aligns with as we create homes that support communities and enrich lives.

One of Tata’s standout qualities is his ability to adapt to change while maintaining values. As businesses evolve in the digital age, Ratan Tata has invested in numerous startups like Paytm and Ola, proving that staying ahead of innovation is key to long-term success. At UBS Villas, we are inspired by this ethos — combining modernity with traditional values to craft homes that are future-ready.

Tata’s leadership extended beyond business to the realms of social impact. During his tenure, the Tata Group contributed billions of rupees to community initiatives. His philanthropic work focuses on improving the quality of life for millions of Indians, particularly in rural areas. Much like Tata’s commitment to societal upliftment, UBS Villas strives to contribute to the communities we serve, offering not just homes but opportunities for better living.

Another noteworthy aspect of Tata’s legacy is his emphasis on environmental sustainability. From supporting renewable energy initiatives to reducing the carbon footprint of his companies, Tata always had one eye on the future. UBS Villas shares this commitment by integrating sustainable practices into our projects, ensuring that our developments not only meet the needs of today but also contribute to a greener future.

In 2008, Tata Motors introduced the Tata Nano, the world’s most affordable car. It was a project driven by Tata’s desire to make safe, reliable transportation accessible to the masses. This sense of responsibility towards providing affordable yet high-quality products resonates deeply with UBS Villas. We aim to provide budget-friendly homes without compromising on quality, because we believe everyone deserves a home that reflects their aspirations.

Even after stepping down as chairman of the Tata Group in 2012, Ratan Tata’s influence remains pervasive in the business world. He continues to mentor young entrepreneurs and invest in promising startups. His wisdom and foresight continue to inspire new generations of leaders, just as we at UBS Villas strive to guide our clients in making life-changing investments in their future homes.

In summary, Ratan Tata is not just a business magnate; he’s a role model whose principles align with UBS Villas’ core values. His relentless pursuit of excellence, ethical business practices, and dedication to social welfare have inspired us to build homes that stand the test of time. As we move forward with our mission to create exceptional living spaces, we draw inspiration from Tata’s journey of perseverance, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.

At UBS Villas, we believe that much like Ratan Tata, who left an indelible mark on the world, we too can shape the future by creating homes that resonate with quality, sustainability, and community welfare. Join us as we build the homes of tomorrow, inspired by the legendary Ratan Tata.

[racingtoaredlight]

Instructional VHS from the past

There was a day, before the internet became widespread, where aspiring musicians had to pay cash money for things like tab books and practice material and instructional videos.

The markup on these things were insane. I expeditied, ran foodand bussed tables at a high-end restaurant all through high school, and it'd cost me essentially an entire busy Saturday night's worth of pay to buy a single one of these.

Most of them were absolute goddamned GOLDMINES. The one with Mr. Big's Paul Gilbert is 90 minutes building the best bridge between heavy metal and classical theory you could imagine. Danny Gatton's cost me an insane $100 for a VHS tape, but that video was pretty much an entire year's worth of lessons you could take on your own time.

I only knew Winger from the dork's t-shirt in Beavis and Butthead...I had no idea their guitarist Reb Beach was Allan Holdsworth with a poodle cut.

But the Yngwie Malmsteen VHS ruled them all for highschool096.

*the finger point to start the backing track at 0:12 is /chefskiss

This guitar above...when I built my P-Bass all those years ago, this was the aesthetic I modeled it after. Because I had watched this video so many goddamned times, spent so many goddamned hours practicing all these licks with a painfully slow metronome, this candy apple red Strat with a mint pickguard and a 50's neck swapped on...a Strat he's not even that affiliated with...was forever my favorite.

This video is where my chops come from. Granted, I'm a long way divorced from playing like this...that drive for speed, precision and control was formented through practicing all the shit in this video.

It was the first time I was exposed to the right hand being something more than just the thing that holds the pick. It could be turned into a musical weapon in its own right.

It was the first time I was exposed to Pagannini, and taking baroque counterpoint into modern genres. Did Yngwie Malmsteen make me want to dress like a gay pirate? No, but he sure as hell made me want to play guitar like one.

That's the other thing about this video...it's a perfect encapsulation of time.

This was Yngwie at his absolute peak. Coked to the gills, but still lucid enough to be in full control. His arrogance wasn't yet toxic...rather, a necessary psychological element for someone doing acrobatics at such absurd speeds with no safety net.

Importantly, it was before his brutal high-speed car wreck in a v12 Jaguar. And most importantly, it was long before the thing he's probably best known for...an air plane rant where he threatens to unleash the FOOKIN FURY!...something that has its own Wiki page.

There were plenty of rock d'alliances with classical music before Yngwie...Ritchie Blackmore/Deep Purple, Yes, Emerson Lake and Palmer come immediately to mind. But those earlier flings didn't have the dedication to classic music like Yngwie had.

It wasn't just that he was playing Bach stuff in a heavy metal setting...take the guitar out of it entirely. He was an old-school, died-in-the-wool baroque violinist who idolized Pagannini and Bach, and switched instruments out of economic necessity. I consider Yngwie to be a classical music fish in heavy metal water, not the other way around.

The technical foundation that this instructional video laid was about as sound as it gets. When I switched to jazz, technique was a complete non-issue...not only was it good enough to get by, it was the thing I leaned on to set me apart. When I started to play all different kinds of music with new musicians, it was the thing I knew would let me step right in without anxiety or nerves.

When I think back to how expensive these handful of videos were, that disappeared pretty quickly. When you consider what lessons and stuff costs over time, and the amount of educational material each one of these was packed to the gills with, they seem like hilarious values in hindsight.

And when I look back on the Yngwie vid...and realize that even though I haven't played with a pick in probably 8 months...it's still the bedrock foundation of my chops, damn that $50 seems like one of the best investments that I've ever made in my life.