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Neil Tjin's
Very few things in life are just so perfect, that we cant find words or phrases to do justice. One example of such perfection is Neil Tjin's Money Green Nissan Skyline. Recently we had the chance to sit down with "The China Man" Neil Tjin and pick his brain. Jspek.com: Ok so we all know your name, but where are you from? NT: I SPRUNG OUT OF THE GROUND IN SURINAME, SOUTH AMERICA. WHEN I WAS 6 WE MOVED TO SUNNY SOUTH FLORIDA, MIAMI TO BE EXACT. TWO YEARS AGO, MY WIFE MEI AND THE GENE MOVED FROM MIAMI TO SOCAL. Jspek.com: When did you first get into import cars, and what was it that drew you in? NT: I STARTED BUILDING AND DESIGNING CARS JUST OVER 9 YEARS AGO. WHAT STARTED OFF WITH THE CANDY YELLOW TL OF DEATH HAS TURNED INTO A FULL TIME JOB FOR ME AND MY GUYS. WHAT DREW ME IN? THAT’S SIMPLE, HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD AND DESIGN BADASS CARS IS WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT. HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE OUR ART TO THE WORLD WITHOUT ANYONE TELLING US WHAT IS WRONG OR RIGHT, WHAT MORE CAN SOMEONE ASK FOR? Jspek.com: How did growing up in Florida impact the style you developed, and what has changed since you moved out west? NT: FLORIDA, MAKE IT THE EAST COAST HAS ONE STYLE, NORCAL HAS ONE STYLE AND SOCAL HAS ITS OWN STYLE. WHEN WE WERE DOING CARS IN FLORIDA WE WERE YOUNGER AND STILL LEARNING. WE TRIED A LOT OF THINGS THAT WERE DIFFERENT AND BEFORE ITS TIME ON THE EAST COAST. WHEN WE MOVED TO CALI A LOT OF THINGS STAYED THE SAME. WE HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE. EVEN IF YOU LOOK AT THE SKYLINE, WE DID AS MANY THINGS AS POSSIBLE TO BE DIFFERENT. Jspek.com: When you built your first car did you ever think you would have accomplished all you have thus far? NT: NO WAY, NO HOW. WHEN I BUILT THE TL BACK IN 97' I JUST WANTED A COOL YELLOW CAR WITH BADASS JAPANESE WHEELS. THINGS STARTED GOING REALLY WELL FOR US AFTER THE CAR WAS FEATURED 6 TIMES FROM FLORIDA.NO ONE HAD GOT THAT MUCH INK BACK IN 98' WITH AN IMPORT CAR IN FLORIDA. ONCE PEOPLE STARTED REALIZING WHAT WE COULD DO WITH $40,000 THINGS STARTED TO CHANGE IN A BIG WAY. Jspek.com: What is it that drives and motivates you? NT: PROVING PEOPLE WRONG. I LOVE WHEN PEOPLE TELL ME I CAN'T DO SOMETHING. I LOVE IT WHEN PEOPLE HATE AND I LOVE SHOWING THEM UP. I DONT MIND AN OPINION OR TWO, BUT HAVE THE AMO TO BACK IT UP. WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO TALK THE TALK AND WE SURE AS HELL CAN WALK THE WALK. WHEN DESIGNING A PROJECT, I LOOK TO BE DIFFERENT AND DO THINGS THAT OTHERS HAVEN'T DONE BEFORE. WHEN SOMEONE RECOGNIZES WHAT WE HAVE DONE AND ACKNOWLEDGES IT, THAT'S WAY COOL. Jspek.com: Briefly, what would you say has been the most memorable moment in your career, good or bad? NT: WINING THE SEMA PERSON OF THE YEAR EARLIER THIS YEAR WAS COOL AND WHEN I GOT SIGNEDBY TURTLE WAX LAST YEAR TO BE THE HEAD OF THEIR IMPORT MARKETING CAMPAIGN. Jspek.com: What is it like being the editor of the major import magazines HCI and BSCENE? NT: ITS GREAT. I GET TO GIVE BACK TO SO MANY ENTHUSIASTS. ITS GREAT BEING ABLE TO HELP GUYS LIKE YOURSELF GET EXPOSURE AND THE RESPECT THAT YOU GUYS DESERVE. BEING ABLE TO RUN A BOOK ON A MONTHLY BASIS CAN BE STRESSFUL AS HECK, BUT SEEING YOUR WORK ON THE BOOK STANDS EVERY MONTH, MAKES IT ALL WORTH IT. Jspek.com: Where does Neil "The China Man" see himself in 5 years? NT: NEXT TO MEI, WITH A LITTLE BOY AND A LITTLE GIRL LIVING COMFORTABLY IN SOCAL, AND MAYBE WITH A NEW CAR FOR MYSELF. I STILL HAVE THE TL OF DEATH, AND IM NOT SURE WHEN ILL GET MYSELF A NEW DAILY DRIVER. Jspek.com: Are there any special plans in 2006 for you or team aLLSTaR? What can we expect to see from you guys? NT: ALL STAR, UMMM THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION. A LOT OF THE GUYS AND GALS HAVE MOVED ON, GROWING UP IS WHAT THEY ARE CALLING IT. I HAVE NOTHING BUT RESPECT AND LOVE FOR ALL OUR OLD AND CURRENT MEMBERS. AS FOR MYSELF, IM WORKING WITH TURTLE WAX AGAIN THIS YEAR AND WE WILL BE TOURING OUR 4DOOR SKYLINE. WE ARE ALSO WORKING WITH SCION AND WE HAVE OUR SKY BLUE TC AND 2TONE BROWN XB THAT WE WILL BE SHOWING. TWO OTHER CARS THAT IM PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH IS NICK DIBLASI'S 650HP WRX AND ANDY GOODMANS FTO THAT I WILL HELPING WITH OVER THE WINTER MONTHS. KEEP A LOOK OUT AS WE ARE ALSO CLOSING DEALS TO DO ANOTHER PROJECT FOR MCDONALDS, CRAFTMAN, A 9SECOND TC, AN NEW IS350, A NISSAN TITAN, AND A VOLVO S60. Jspek.com: When you look around the "Scene" what is the first thing you see, and the first thing you would like to change if any? NT: I LIKE THE SCENE THE WAY IT IS. THERE IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. WHEN I WALK AROUND I SEE A LOT OF CREATIVITY, AND A LOT OF COMPETITION. I ALSO SEE A LOT OF HATERS, BUT WITHOUT THEM WHY WOULD WE WORK SO HARD TO PROVE THEM WRONG. Jspek.com: Ok enough of the chit chat, tell us about the car!! You went from mostly building 2 door hatches and coupes to a four door. Why the big change? NT: THINK BACK...THINK! MY FIRST CAR WAS A SEDAN, MY 3.2TL. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A SEDAN GUY, SINCE DAY ONE. IT JUST HAPPENED THAT I STARTED WORKING ON COUPES AND SPORT CARS. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT THE 4DOOR GROCERY GETTER. WHEN I FIRST SAW THE 4DOOR R34 CLOSE TO 3 YEARS AGO, I KNEW THAT I WOULD ONE DAY BUILD AND OWN THAT CAR. Jspek.com: What was the hardest part about getting the car here? What obstacles can one expect when trying to import a true rhd car? NT: LETS JUST SAY, IF ANYONE PROMISES YOU THAT THEY CAN BRING IN A IMPORTED CAR WITH NO PROBLEMS....THEY ARE LYING. I HAD ABOUT 100 PEOPLE TELL ME THAT IT WOULD BE EASY....YEAH RIGHT! IMPORTING A TRUE RHD CAR IS A MISSION AND A PAIN IN THE BUTT. NOT ONLY IS IT TIME CONSUMING, BUT IT GETS EXPENSIVE. IT TOOK ME CLOSE TO 8 MONTHS WITH SHIPPING AND PAPER WORK TO GET THE FTO AND SKYLINE CLEARED. YOU HAVE TO DO A LOT OF WORK AND ANSWER A TON OF QUESTIONS. IF YOU ARE SERIOUSLY LOOKING TO IMPORT A CAR, TAKE YOUR TIME, DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND CALL A BROKER THAT HAS A PROVEN TRACK RECORD. Jspek.com: We know the car is not complete, but what are some other plans or changes that are in the works? NT: WE ARE ALWAYS THINKING OF CHANGES. THE CAR GOT A OVERWHELMING RESPONSE AT SEMA. LETS JUST SAY THAT WE ARE NOWHERE NEAR HAPPY, YET! FOR NOW WE ARE WAITING ON THE MOTECH ECU TO COME IN, AND ONCE WE GET THE CAR ON A DYNO, WE WILL GO FROM THERE. HOW DOES A GT45R SOUND TO YOU? Jspek.com: Sounds great! Jspek.com: Will this car be toured? If yes, where? NT: YES, TURTLE WAX CAME ON ONCE AGAIN TO SUPPORT US FOR 06'. WE WILL BE MOSTLY TOURING THE CAR ON THE WEST COAST FOR THIS YEAR, AND POSSIBLY THE NOPI NATS IN SEPTEMBER. AFTER THIS YEAR WE WILL SEE HOW THINGS GO, AND FOR 07' YOU MIGHT SEE THE CAR MORE ON THE EAST COAST AND MIDWEST. Jspek.com: What is your favorite part about the skyline? Other then it being yours of course! NT: THE 4DOORS IS REALLY COOL. UMMM I LOVE THE CRAZY, YET CLEAN MOTOR SET-UP. I LOVE THE CUSTOM 97PT ROLL CAGE. I LOVE THE AIR JACK SET-UP. I LOVE THE 2TONEPAINT. I LOVE THE CUSTOM 20X13.5" HRE’S AND I LOVE THE STOP TECH BIG BRAKES. THATS IT FOR NOW. I LOVE A LOT MORE, BUT THAT WORKS FOR NOW. Jspek.com: The skyline is race inspired and built to race specifications, is it safe to say that this car will see a race track? NT: YES IT WILL. ONCE WE HAVE THE CAR OFF THE DYNO WE WILL KNOW MORE. WE HOPE TO GET ABOUT 850HP TO THE CRANK. WE HAVE SOME SPECIAL SURPRISES FOR WHEN THE CAR HITS THE TRACK. THE CAGE AND EVERYTHING WE DID TO THIS CAR WAS BUILT WITH SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE IN MIND. WE WENT AS FAR AS GETTING THE CAGE CERTIFIED FOR 9 SECOND PASSES. Jspek.com: With that said, where did you get the inspiration for building this car? It seems to have some of the Neil Tjin trademarks but for the most part, it’s a new style for you. NT: THIS IS THE BEST AND MOST COMPLETE CAR I HAVE EVER BUILT AND DESIGNED. DONT GET ME WRONG, I LOVE MY 240 AND OUR TC, BUT THIS CAR HAS MUCH MORE TIME AND FABRICATION INTO IT. I GET MY INSPIRATION FROM GUYS LIKE YOU. I SEE WHAT YOU GUYS DO AND I WANT TO DO THE SAME. I LOVE SEEING AWESOME CARS AND I LOVE TO SEE COMPLETE AND WELL BUILT CARS. THE SKYLINE WILL OPEN A LOT OF DOORS FOR US AND SHOW PEOPLE A WHOLE NEW SIDE TO TJIN EDITION TYPE CARS. Jspek.com: Do you have any advice you would like to give our readers on building their own cars? NT: DO IT FOR YOURSELF AND DONT LISTEN TO THE HATERS. 99.9% OF THE TIME THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. BUILD YOUR CAR THE WAY THAT YOU LIKE IT AND DONT BE AFRAID TO BE DIFFERENT. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND DONT BE AFRAID TO SET A TREND OR TWO. Jspek.com: Neil, it has been a pleasure. We hope from time to time, you will stop by and give us the latest on the inside industry news, or the latest in what your doing. Before we close this, any shout outs to sponsors and people who helped make this dream a reality? NT:
FIRST AND FORMOST THE MAN UPSTAIRS. NEXT I HAVE TO SAY THANKS TO MY WIFE
FOR ALL HER SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING. THANKS GOES OUT TO THE GENE, NICK
DIBLASI, ADAM CARPENTER, ANDY
GOODMAN AND ALL THE OTHER GUYS THAT HELPED WITH THIS PROJECT. AS FOR
SPONSORS I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A SHOT OUT TO TURTLE WAX, USCAG,SECTION 8,
UNIQUE FABRICATION, BDL INDUSTRIES, HRE WHEELS, PIRELLI TIRES, STOP TECH,
BASF, MOB WORKS, BELL INTERCOOLERS, PWR, ARP, TIAL, IGNITED, BARRY GRANT, NX, STATUS
SEATS, MAGNAFLOW, ADRENALINE MOTORSPORTS, VIBRANT PERFORMANCE, AND THE ALL
STAR CREW. |
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