The Battle of the Hummers: Ultimate Auto vs The Auto Firm

Photo borrowed from Car and Driver

In 2010, General Motors dismantled the whole Hummer brand. After the economy tanked, people changed how they spend money on automobiles. Finding Hummers on the road is few and far between, but that's not stopping people from getting them customized.

Within the past week, two of Florida's most respected customization shops (Ultimate Auto of Orlando and The Auto Firm of Miami) released instagram photos of Hummers they've customized. First up, Ultimate Auto and the Hummer H1 that they worked on.

An owner of this Hummer H1 came to Ultimate Auto to get his truck customized. He went to the right place because this H1 got the full UA treatment. Exterior customizations include Full Kevlar exterior, UA hand made bumpers, and roof rack, 40 inch Toyo Tires, JL Audio sound system, police lights for days, and my favorite comment... Enough Rigid lights to light up Yankee Stadium. (Side note: I love any comments that mention the New York Yankees)

Now for the interior... all black Napa leather and black suede, full JL Audio sound system with 3 TW5v3 13" subs mounted in the roof, zero space lost in the trunk and bass for days....

Ultimate Auto was kind enough to give you a instagram peek...



Now, further south in Miami we have the Auto Firm. One of their customers came to the Auto Firm for some work done on a Hummer H2, and of course they received the royal AF treatment.

Customizations include custom satin black paint, custom interior, sound system and 22 inch XD Series Wheels. And if you want to have a look at the vehicle...



The Auto Firm included an instagram peek as well.

But now for the main question... who won this round? Was it Ultimate Auto and their H1? Or was it The Auto Firm and their H2? I know one thing, both shops performed some miracles on these gas guzzling vehicles.

Ironically, both Hummers are for out-of-area clients. Remember, if and when you find a customization shop that does high quality work, please stick with them. That was a PSA announcement.

The Battle of the Ferrari 458s: Lexani vs The Auto Firm

Just a regular stock photo...

Two videos were released of Ferrari 458s. The first video is a 458 Spider by Lexani Wheels. It has an all black finish with Lexani's LZ-101 Wheels.




Now the second video is from The Auto Firm. One of Miami's biggest customization shops customized an Avorza edition 458 Italia, and it was designed by Alex Vega.  



So... both of these black 458s look great, but which one do you like the most- Lexani's 458 Spider or the Auto Firm's 458 Italia?

Bernie's Cargram Feed: February 8-9th

I decided to do another Instagram Feed, where I share my favorite photos (well, the automotive related ones) of the ones that I follow from a particular day. Well, this time I decided to compile the best photos from this weekend that just ended.

To kick things off, I decided to include a photo that was taken the previous weekend at Atlanta's Caffeine and Octane. Now, I'm not a person who poses in photos, and you can see that with my Instagram page (@CarShowBernie).

And I decided to pose, thanks to @teamlmp.

Adventus Forged Wheels (@adventusforged) posted a photo of a Lexus IS wearing their AVS-2 Wheels. The bottom of the pic has their AVS line.

One of my favorite customized cars, this matte blue Mercedes Benz CLS that belongs to one of the Swift Car Club members (@swiftrazo). This photo was done at a photo shoot in downtown Los Angeles, and have I mentioned that I want this car. Like I really want it.



Everyone's favorite divorce lawyer from Long Island, NY and his very interesting girlfriend (@teamsalamone) are celebrating their 6th anniversary and posted this flipogram highlight their love for each other... and also Lamborghinis.

Oh and yes, there is an uncensored version.

Vossen Wheels (@vossen) had a presense at the Tag Motorsports event. One of the cars out there was an Audi A5 wearing Vossen's CV7 wheels. 

Savini Forged Wheels (@SaviniWheels) also was at the Tag Motorsports event, and they brought this Rolls Royce Ghost.

Branded Customs (@BrandedCustoms) from Dallas, TX released a photo of a blacked out Chevy Camaro that they've done. Looking good...

Topo of TS Designs (@wide_body_king) released another picture of one of his most successful projects. Remember how TS Designs, JC Kustomz, and Forgiato created the widebodied Corvette Stingray??? Well, now aside from the hardtop, you can get the same widebodied goodness in a convertible. If it ain't broke, don't fix it...

MC Customs (@MCCustomsMiami) posted this behind the scenes shot of two cars- one's wearing Savini Wheels, the other is wearing Vossen Wheels. Side note: I'm extremely happy that the photographer is shooting with a Canon.

Forgiato Wheels (@forgiato) reposted this photo from MC Customs of this Mercedes Benz S550 wearing their wheels.

Exclusive Motoring (@exclusivemotoring) posted this shot of a Mercedes Benz G550 customized with painted black exterior trim grilles and badges smoked lights and color matched Forgiato wheels.

Diamond Black Exteriors (@diamondblackexteriors) celebrated a birthday (a fellow Aquarius) and his mother-in-law made this gorgeous cake.

Asanti Wheels (@asantiwheels) released a rendering of a Lamborghini Aventador sitting on the Asanti 805 wheels.

Aimee Shackelford (@petrolgirl) posted a college from Ferrari Day hosted by Petersen's Automotive Museum. California is the perfect place to have a Ferrari Day.

Dub Magazine (@DubMagazine) is kicking off their second tour stop of 2014 at the Philadelphia Auto Show.

Butler Tire (@ButlerTire) released this photo of a Porsche Panamera S wearing Forgiato Wheels.

Onyx Concept Vehicles (@onyxconcept) asked their followers if matte black is timeless or if it's a fad. I think it looks great... when done correctly. I've seen some horrid matte paint jobs.

To round out the weekend recap, The Auto Firm (@theautofirm) released a photo of a complete brush titanium wrapped Maybach with all gloss black trimmings sitting on the first set of 24 inch new Avorza AV10 Wheels.

Bernie's Instagram Feed: December 18 2013

2013 is winding down and Christmas is around the corner but that's not slowing down the work that the customization shops are putting out. I was able to put together a post of my top 12 photos (in no specific order) of some of the great companies I follow on Instagram. And hopefully after this post, you can follow them (as well as me) too.

West Coast Customs (@WestCoastCustoms) photographed this custom matte white and carbon fiber Range Rover Evoque.

Trendsetters (@Trendsetters214) along with Forgiato Wheels (@forgiato) Showed off this 2014 SRT8 Jeep Grand Cherokee sitting on Forgiato's Monoleggera Tratto-M series wheels in 24 inches.

These seats look so comfy. Platinum Motorsports (@platinum_group) has teamed up with the Bentley Motor Corporation to present the Beverly Hills Platinum Series. Bentley definitely collaborated with the right customization shop.

Exclusive Motoring (@exclusivemotoring) is finally showing off a BMW 550i customized with carbon fiber mirror covers, painted red calipers, and lowered on 20" Vossen wheels with color matched inserts and center caps.

Orlando's own Ultimate Auto (@UltimateAutoBoutique) released a photo or two of this 2014 Ferrari 458 Spyder wearing Savini Forged Wheels (21" in the front, 22" in the back), Novatech lowering springs, smoked lights, painted trim, an Escort radar, 3M clear bra and a partridge in a pear tree.

Straight out of New Jersey, Lux Motorwerks (@lux_motorwerks) released a shot of this all black Range Rover Sport Autobiography edition with custom emblems.

The only rainbow I'm allowed to taste (I'm on a diet/eating clean) is courtesy of Long Island's own Martino Auto Concepts (@MartinoAutoConcepts). Keep in mind that this is a very, very tiny percentage of Lamborghinis that Martino Auto Concepts have put their hands on.

MLB's favorite custom shop, MC Customs (@mccustomsmiami) was hard at work painting these brake calipers matte orange for a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. 

One of Miami's big three, The Auto Firm (@theAutoFirm) released a photo of a vehicle that I don't really show off. I'm not a fan of pickup trucks, but I decided to show off one that the Auto Firm customized. This Ford Raptor is painted in Satin Black with gloss black accents, 2" lift kit, LED lights on the front, exhaust system, Audison Hertz Sound System, wearing 20" Custom painted Fuel Wheels, and on top of that, the proud owner of this vehicle is Michael Beasley of the Miami Heat.

Dub Magazine (@dubmagazine) released a collage of a 2014 Lexus IS350 F Sporton 20" Concept One CS-20 Wheels. 

Asanti Wheels (@AsantiWheels) is giving their followers a sneak peek into their 2014 Collection. Here we have the new Asanti 811 Wheel.

Right out of Kansas City, KC Trends (@kctrends) photographed a 2014 Mercedes Benz G550 factory painted matte black, but they added Forgiato Wheels' Maglia wheels in 24" mounted with Pirelli's Scorpion Zero Tires.


After seeing some of these photos maybe you found someone new to follow, other than me (@CarShowBernie)

The Auto Firm Customizes Jaguar for Yankees' Pitcher Ivan Nova

Just what I've been waiting for.... Miami's own, the Auto Firm, finally-- FINALLY customizes a car for a pitcher that plays for the greatest professional sports team in the history of sports. Yes, Ivan Nova of the New York Yankees dropped his Jaguar XJL off to Alex Vega and his team at the Auto Firm.


Customizations include full Hertz sound system, custom exhaust, and sitting on custom painted 21 inch Forgiato wheels. The end result...

The First Ever Jeep Wrangler Avorza SRT8 Edition Customized by the Auto Firm

Miami's own, The Auto Firm, customized a Jeep Wranger. However, this isn't just a ordinary Jeep Wrangler. This is the first Jeep Wrangler Avorza SRT8 Edition and it was customized for Jesus Guzmon of the San Diego Padres.



P.S. The Auto Firm really did drop a 392 Hemi engine in a Wrangler. And yes, I would love to drive it.

Bernie's Cargram Feed for July 30th

Instagram has become a great way for customizers to show off new projects that they've done, car shows they're at, or random things that they're up to. I'm getting my feet wet more and more with instagram, and it's a great way to show instant car show coverage of wherever I am. The last photo I've added on instagram was a photo of a Chevy Camaro's engine.

I follow some great people/companies on Instagram, so I'm going to show off some of their pics from yesterday. Hopefully I can keep doing the Carstagram review, because pic of the day is too hard. There's so many great cars to choose from.

My favorite wheel and tire company, Butler Tire (@butlertire), released a photo of a fully customized Hummer H2. Customizations include matte black wrap, custom Fuel Offroad Wheels, Toyo Tires, Rhino Lines bumpers and trim and full exhaust system.

Forgiato Wheel Company (@forgiato) released a photo of a gorgeous dual tone BMW X6. Not only is this X6 both glossy and matte, a Hamann body kit was added, and we can't forget about the Forgiato F2.16 ECL Wheels.

One of Miami's big three, Exclusive Motoring (@exclusivemotoring) released a photo of an Audi A7 with smoked lights, black roof and accents, and lowered the Audi and he's now wearing custom color matched 22" XO Wheels. If you're wondering which shops are included in Miami's big three, keep scrolling.

Orlando's own, Ultimate Auto (@ultimateautoboutique) posted a sneek peek of what they're bringing to SEMA (which is roughly 3 months away). Get to work guys, because I can't wait to see it.

Fellow female in this Automotive game, Aimee Shackelford (@petrolgirl) took a photo of a hot rod as she was at In and Out Burger. I discovered the greatness that is In and Out Burger on one of my trips to LA. They don't have it in the South, and definitely not in New York.

Wide Body King (@wide_body_king) posted this repost of Dub Magazine (@DubMagazine). I can't wait to go to the Dub Car Show in Anaheim because I honestly have respect and became a fan of Jae Bueno's work. I know the tribute will be as great as his work, and I know that his wife, Stephanie, will continue capturing the art of lowriders.

Another one of Miami's big three, MC Customs (@mccustomsmiami), released a collage of a Nissan GTR ($100,000 car before customizations) sitting on Vellano Wheels. MC Customs has the highest percentage of MLB players as their clientele (extremely smart. MLB has guaranteed contracts), and this GTR belongs to Florida Marlins' Jose Fernandez. P.S. MC Customs also customizes Robinson Cano's vehicles.

Cars of Atlanta (@carsofatlanta) FINALLY updated their instagram by showing off an Aston Martin Rapide that they changed the wheels and tires for. This Rapide is now wearing 22 inch Forgiato Maglia ECL brushed face, chrome lipped wheels wrapped in Toyo Tires. Can I just tell you how happy that they're actually showing off their work?

The final shop that rounds out Miami's big three... The Auto Firm (@theautofirm) shows off a 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited that was converted into the first SRT8. From there, they replaced the engine, upgraded the transmission, full brembo brake system, full exhaust, 6" lift kit, custom SRT8 interior, Audison Hertz Sound system, led lights, full custom paint, body kit, AND it's sitting on Fuel Wheels. Thank goodness Alex isn't shy about showing off the great work that the Auto Firm produces.

Asanti Wheels (@asantiwheels) shows off a throwback photo of a fully customized Hummer H2 wearing my favorite wheels of all time, the Asanti AF143. Yes I like rims that look like flowers.

Savini Forged Wheels (@saviniwheels) posted a photo of an Audi S8 wearing their SV37-S wheels.

And rounding out the picture feed, Butler Tire (@butlertire) had a visitor yesterday, Block of Block Ent (@bigblockesc). Butler Tire has done a lot, if not all, of Block's vehicles- including that Camaro he's sitting on and his recently retired Caprice Cutlass better known as the Donkasaurus. Those color matched Savini's do look good.

Remember, follow me on Instagram at CarShowBernie