SP Rides: An Affinity for the Infinity
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Name: Brandon Cadovan
Age: 24
Occupation: Service technician at Pepsi
Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends
Year, Make, Model: 1999 Infiniti Q45
Color: Hunter Green Pearl
Exterior: Japan Cima front end conversion, Japan eyelids, hood, roof, and trunk spoiler from Japan, Cima grill, Cima emblem, Japan headlights, Cima front bumper and front lip, side visors, truck tips
Interior: Glass VIP tables sides and center, Japan lace seat covers, Junction produce curtains, Junction Produce Fusa, Junction Produce Kutsinta, Pioneer double din, custom full wood grain mats and trunk setup, custom lace dash cover, Balezza neck pads
Suspension: Full BC coilover suspension
Wheels/Tires: 19-by-9, 19-by-10 SSR Vienna Kreis, powder coated copper, gold rivets, Duraturn tires with fronts 215/35R19 and rears 225/35R19
In another life, Brandon Cadovan was a different sort enthusiast. We’re talking Honda, Acura … the mainstays of the import scene. The car scene here is difficult though, as if you’re not battling toe-to-toe with a gazillion other rides, you’re worrying about tickets on the freeways for driving what are essentially modified ticket magnets. Cadovan has always been a fan of the Infiniti Q45, however, so making the switch to VIP was an easy choice.
The plan was set for Cadovan and that meant building his dream VIP ride that was chock full of JDM goodness from across the seas with a decent stance to boot. The vehicle was acquired online and bought completely stock and the modification began in earnest.
The exterior has been converted to a Nissan Cima, which is the JDM version of the Q45. This consists of the Cima grill, emblem, bumper and front lip. The JDM headlights have also been touched up with eyelids, the front end is also complemented by a JDM hood, roof, and trunk spoiler directly from the land of the rising sun. Side visors have also been installed while the exhaust has been visibly changed with the addition of some flashy truck tips.
This svelte Hunter Green Pearl body rides low in luxury on a full BC coil-over suspension setup. Most would prefer bags, but Cadovan enjoys the stance his ride currently provides. The freshly built 19-inch SSR Vienna Kreis are bold and different from the norm. They’ve been powder coated in Copper and feature gold rivets to hold everything together on the face. This is a special set and you’ll be hard pressed to see another of its like on the island.
One of the most important mainstays of the VIP scene is the interior and this ride is no exception. Whereas other enthusiasts would focus on the power and performance, the VIP scene concentrates on the idea of luxury. One look inside is enough to explain. The interior features full glass VIP tables in the sides and center console. The dash, seats and consoles are graced with gorgeous lace covers while custom full wood grain mats and Balezza neck pads provide for more than a touch of class. The required Junction Produce curtains, kutsinta, and fusa knot are also in full effect. In a word, you’d love to be a passenger in this baby.
The Japanese inspired trunk setup is also a nice touch and features a wood grain flooring with a three-tiered set of samurai katanas and a stylized oni mask. The car club Mansu Familia is also represented amid this display.
Cadovan was inspired by Teddy of Team Mansu, who he looked up to as a leader while being taken under his wing. It’s something that he’d like to exude to others … if you can dream it, you can build it, especially for those young ones just getting into the scene.
