Friday 24 June 2016

AERO POWER: the Work Equip Aerodynamics Series..

We Have Passed Through The Wall of The Air. Now, We Run with The Wind.

...

A little more detail on something I'd posted on Instagram a couple weeks back...
..and another eight-six-in-advertising.. from the same year, but the other side of the world; a pre-facelift (..fine.. *zenkI*..) Sprinter Trueno flogging the somewhat unusual and seemingly little-known Equip aero parts, in this 1984 Work (the wheel manufacturer) advert. Both surprised and a little sad that I don't see this front bumper/lip more; it's a little brutal, but seriously looks fantastic...

Juust sneaking into the lower edge of yesterday's shot of the 1984 Work 'Equip Aerodynamics Series' advert, was this gem; an aerodynamic front 'mask' for the 1st-gen Honda City. How have I not seen this before..? Did three decades of nose-to-tails take them out? ..because the City's target audience were too busy with the (admittedly adorable..) white-on-white-Courrèges look? ..or is it because maybe City-owners weren't particularly interested in how well their little commuter cuts through the air... in traffic... at 9km/h? I'm all for aerodynamics - they're great, fantastic - but I know *I'd* have been all over this for those badass 240ZG-channeling good looks! I love it.

...so here I am. As for posting it again on Instagram..? Pah - I can do one worse!
Here it is.
In blog form.

The full advert of Work Wheels Japan dabbling in aero components.. 1983/1984; a single page with a fantastic AE86-meets-formula-car hybrid illustration.
5 of the supposed 54 different aero pieces available are shown.. and for what is really quite a wild assortment of early-eighties Japanese vehicles....

... there's the actual front spoiler and a rear lip on this silver AE86 Sprinter Trueno coupe...

 ...the surprisingly epic front mask on this first-gen Honda City...

A Hiro-esque slatted lower spoiler on this red BD Mazda Familia...

...and this strangely-sporting front bumper for the 430 Nissan Cedric/Gloria.

I'm definitely going to have to keep an eye out for the other 49 items.

Despite what seems to have been OEM-like ABS/Urethane construction (rather than fibreglass) and what would have been - going by their wheels - quality fit-and-finish; these parts just haven't lasted.
Where did they all go?
Maybe no one bought them when they were new? Maybe they were especially expensive? Maybe Work only offered them for a short time?
Whatever the reason, it's a bit of a shame...




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