Ultimate Stance 2014 – Part 1

Words & Photos by Henry Phull

 

It’s crazy to think we’re midway through November already, and 2014’s show season has already come to an end. So, as not to completely end the year prematurely, we’ve been keeping you waiting for this one. Behold… Ultimate Stance. Having first kicked off the year with Ultimate Dubs at the International Centre in Telford, it turns out the organisers (now fully established throughout the scene), wanted to step things up – to not only host the season starter, but finish off with the grand finale. It’s pretty much as you would expect… Ultimate Dubs, but with lots more non-VAG cars, and a hell of a lot of BMWs. We certainly don’t have a problem with this! With the Telford International Centre being such a huge venue, and the show surprisingly filling up four halls and the surrounding car park, we’re splitting our coverage into three parts. Hopefully this will also give you your show fix over the coming few weeks whilst everything is tucked away for Winter and there’s near to nothing going on.

 

Seeing as we made Ultimate Dubs a weekend affair, we decided to do the same for Ultimate Stance. With our onsite hotel sorted, we headed up and arrived at the venue on the Saturday afternoon, greeted by several cars lining up to get cleaned before parking up inside. It’s always quite interesting and sometimes a right laugh to see some of the bagged cars riding at their driving heights, but we’ll try not to embarrass anyone! Instead, let’s kick off with a shot of two vehicles you rarely see parked up side by side! Sam Beach’s E24 635csi and Matt Clifford’s E31 840ci, both bagged too. The weekend was already set to be good.

 

 

We bumped into Shakey and the rest of the guys from Studio Incar (check out our recent shop visit by clicking here) giving the Liberty Walk M3 and the rest of their line up and good ‘ol clean.

 

 

 

I think this was the first time I’ve seen the new M4 in real life, and I have to say, BMW have seriously stepped up their game with this one. Max Wilde’s example here, looking amazing in white.

 

 

Clearly, all was set for a varied show, after seeing this little Nissan Cube which I absolutely loved. Nice to see something different, this one bagged and sitting on Work Meisters.

 

 

Let’s move inside, to four halls of automotive heaven, not to mention additional spaces surrounding them! You certainly didn’t have to go far before you bumped into something cool.

 

 

Matt Vanstone’s air’d out Audi S3 was looking glorious in it’s stunning Sprint Blue finish, on a set of 18″ 9j Mercedes Segin alloys.

 

 

Another set of flocked 3SDM’s (which are now up for sale) on Cara McNeill’s black bagged Mk5 Golf, a great look.

 

 

There’s something about Vossen wheels on modern cars, Team SPB’s beastly hydro’d Mercedes CLS is a prime example running on a set of CV7s.

 

 

 

The E36 game has become severely over crowded as of late, but Ruairi Coleman has built a car with all the right elements making for a perfect looking example. A 328i, resprayed in Estoril blue, one of BMW’s nicest colours of all time, plus those amber corners set it off nicely in addition to the boot spoiler. It sits really well on air suspension, and topped off with a set of 8j and 10j (rears) OZ Futuras.

 

 

 

We don’t come across too many stanced Alfa Romeo’s, so it was a surprise to see this 156, sitting low on a set of Rotiform NUE splits.

 

 

Alongside the Alfa was another rare car for the UK scene, a Honda Accord CU2 with a super eye-catching paint job, static too – impressive.

 

 

Over on the VIBE Audio stand was Mark’s bagged Mk5 Golf GTI on Lamborghini wheels…

 

 

Dale Masterman’s bagged Beetle always looks great on its Empi vintage style wheels.

 

 

One of our recent favourites is Aneysha’s 1964 Beetle. There are so many tasteful subtle touches to the car, it’s just right. Check out the recently added Albert Swan Neck mirrors…

 

 

 

You can’t beat an Audi Avant, and Myle’s Collins’ (the man behind FittedUK) bagged B7 looks awesome on BBS GT-004’s.

 

 

 

A beautiful set of Vossen CVT alloys on this bagged Audi TT owned by Kiran Attwal.

 

 

So, more hybrids are entering the show scene, check out this VIP style Lexus GS450h on D2 Air Suspension, awesome.

 

 

Good to see the boys from Somerset made it down, with Lee Johns in his bagged Mk5 Golf, sitting on a set of Mercedes Alphard rims.

 

 

Adam Wyatt’s VIP Lexus GS430 which we recently featured (click here to check out the feature).

 

 

 

Absolutely love what Matt Woodgate has done to his B7 A4, from the Rotiform IND-T’s with painted centres, to the Amaretto leather interior to match.

 

 

 

Another favourite has got to be this Mk6 Golf R with widened front arches made to fit the 20″ Vossen wheels. With the addition of air ride thanks to Airlift and AccuAir, the fitment is 100% spot on, making for an outstanding overall package and thing of full beauty.

 

 

 

 

 

So that’s the first hall done, let’s move through to outside, after stopping for a quick look at Shaun Morris’ static BMW E28 on a super cool set of OZ Breyton’s.

 

 

Luckily as the Telford International Centre is such a big venue, the car park is equally as large, with the majority of it being used for an outside area as part of the show. We think we found some real gems, like Tom Stephenson’s incredible E38 740i running on D2 Air Suspension. The rear is tucking so well, we were seriously impressed – this is how a bagged car should be.

 

 

 

We love Mk1’s of all kinds, Travis Price is the owner of this gorgeous Jetta CL on Schmidt TH-Line’s and recently installed air ride.

 

 

 

It’s always intriguing to come across a modified 1 Series at a show, because you simply don’t see many of them. Alex Smithson’s was a lovely example, on Airlift Performance bags and ACS splits with some great fitment.

 

 

 

Balls’d came down to the show in something pretty unusual, a Subaru Forester which they’ve only just slammed on Tein coilovers. Fair play for doing something different, Best Forester we’ve ever seen!

 

 

 

There’s nothing better than seeing a stunning home build. Rory Hamilton’s Mercedes W115 is breathtaking, and in white – a rare colour for one of these big Mercs.

 

 

 

It’s always exciting to see the latest menacing car to rock an SS Autowerks banner. This time it’s Christian Chapman’s Golf GTI. Obviously not just any Golf… but one with crazy aero all round and just generally over the top, but we love it.

 

 

Lewis Maher’s BMW E46 is certainly a strange colour, however the overall result is spectacular, bagged and sitting on a set of Rotiform VCE’s.

 

 

 

Nikki Harris has yet again changed the colour of the Brock B1’s on her supercharged Mini Cooper S. Still not sure which colour is best, they all seem to work equally well!

 

 

 

That about rounds up Part 1 of our Ultimate Stance coverage, and already we’ve seen some truly amazing cars. Check back soon for Part 2 in which we’ll take you through the rest of the outside zone, along with the second hall for more of this year’s best show cars.