Car Show Coverage: 2012 Forgiato Fest

Last Saturday was the first annual Forgiato Fest thrown by, you guess it, Forgiato Wheel Company in Miami. The one great thing about Forgiato having their own car show because Forgiatos aren't cheap, and people aren't going to put Forgiatos on just any vehicles. From donks, to exotics, to SUVs, Forgiato stamped their mark.



Thank goodness Forgiato had the show in Miami, so if you combine quality of paint jobs from Florida with Forgiato wheels, this was probably one of the best car shows in Florida-- which means I'm jealous because I wasn't there.



So... because I'm resourceful, I found some great photos (note: Bernie doesn't show off bullshit photography, pardon my French). Thanks to 305photos.com, James Whitehorn (courtesy of facebook), Dell Pierre, ADBC Media, Solomon Lunger (another Facebook jewel), and everyone favorite- Derick G, I was able to come up with one serious compilation. I picked these six because the quality, detail, and COMPOSITION of their photos, they deservered to be shown off.

Doing Donuts With Bernie has moved to a different server, so to see the rest of the 2012 Forgiato Fest Coverage, click here to see it on DoingDonutsWithBernie.com

Derick G Shows off Birdman's Mercedes Sprinter

This is probably the most customized Mercedes Sprinter Van ever, but Birdman is always glad to "one-up" everyone.  Thanks to Derick G, you get to see an exclusive tour of Birdman's Sprinter Van... it's not a truck.


BIRDMAN's NEW 2013 TRUCK from DERICK G on Vimeo.




Source: DG

Alpine’s INE-Z928HD with 8-inch Screen Sets New Standard for Aftermarket Audio/Video/Navigation Systems

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. is setting a new course in the aftermarket with the arrival of the INE-Z928HD Audio/Video/Navigation (AVN) system with 8-inch WVGA screen.  Perfect Factory Integration Technology (F.I.T.) kits complement the INE-Z928HD’s 8-inch screen, for a seamless factory look in the dash.
“We know that new cars are coming with larger screens, which are popular not just for the size, but also because they offer great performance for features like navigation and rear-view cameras,” said Steve Crawford, vice president and general manager, aftermarket business unit, Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.  “Our INE-Z928HD and Perfect F.I.T. dash kit program is an industry game changer, since it’s the first aftermarket 8-inch platform with integrated installation solutions.  We are filling the need for a large-screen format for aftermarket consumers, which then creates sales opportunities for our 12 volt retail specialists.” 

Key Entertainment and Information Features of the INE-Z928HD The INE-Z928HD is loaded with entertainment and information features, including: ·        Audio sources -- HD Radio™, through the built-in HD Radio tuner; Pandora^® internet radio, with control from Android™, BlackBerry™ and iPhone^® smartphones; SiriusXM satellite radio, using the SXV200 Vehicle Connect Tuner (separate tuner and XM subscription required); iPod^® and iPhone music. ·        Navigation -- Free lifetime traffic service; 3D view which depicts major landmarks, buildings, and terrain details in main metropolitan areas in 3D; and Smart Zoom, which zooms-in as the next driving maneuver is approached, automatically displaying a close-up view of the maneuver location. ·        Bluetooth^®  Wireless Technology --  BT Plus advanced Bluetooth^® wireless technology which includes secure simple pairing (SSP), icons for phone battery and cellular signal level; and a digital sound processor (DSP) for a better audio streaming experience. ·        “My Favorites” Screen -- The “My Favorites” screen lets users add, delete, and re-arrange up to eight shortcut keys for their most-used audio, phone and navigation commands.  The settings are kept as a profile linked to the user’s smartphone, so the user can access the shortcuts on the INE-Z928HD. ·        iPersonalize Sound Settings -- The built-in iPersonalize feature allows the vehicle’s sound field settings to be easily adjusted and comes pre-loaded with data about speaker sizes, locations and upholstery type for the vehicles in the Perfect F.I.T. dash kit program.  Alternatively, users can choose their vehicle type from the built-in database, and the INE-Z928HD will calculate and apply the optimal sound field settings to that vehicle. ·        Camera Inputs – The INE-Z928HD has direct camera inputs to accommodate various Alpine rear and front view camera systems (sold separately).
Perfect F.I.T. Dash Kits 
Perfect F.I.T. dash kits provide a factory-finish look for the installation of the INE-Z928HD.  Ten kits are initially available which fit a total of 20 specific vehicle models, and kits for additional vehicles will be available in 2013 (all kits are sold separately).  Each kit matches the shape, color and texture of the vehicle’s dash and comes with the accessories needed for the plug-and-play installation of the INE-Z928HD.  The universal trim bezel (KTX-UTB8) can be used with vehicles that do not have a compatible Perfect F.I.T. kit.
“The Perfect F.I.T. dash kit program is based on Alpine of Japan’s highly successful Perfect F.I.T. business model, but has been adjusted to meet North American business needs,” said Steve Brown, product marketing manager and Perfect F.I.T. program lead, Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.  “We’ve implemented a Just-In-Time shipping model for the kits, to ensure that our specialist retailers receive them quickly in order to provide a quality installation experience for their customers.”
Availability 
The INE-Z928HD is available now for $1,499.95 MAP at authorized Alpine retailers.  Several Perfect F.I.T. kits are available now, with the rest due in September.  Please contact an authorized Alpine retailer for more information.
KTX-GM8-O, SRI: $399.95 Chevrolet Avalanche, 2007-2012 Chevrolet Silverado (excludes fleet trucks & models with the factory radio in the upper dash),   2007-2012 Chevrolet Suburban, 2007-2012 Chevrolet Tahoe, 2007-2012 GMC Sierra (excludes fleet trucks & models with the factory radio in the upper dash), 2007-2012 GMC Yukon, 2007-2012 GMC Yukon XL, 2007-2012
KTX-FPU8, SRI: $299.95 Ford F-150 (without navigation), 2009-Up
KTX-ECP8, SRI: $299.95 Ford Escape, 2008-2012 Mazda Tribute, 2008-2011 Mercury Mariner, 2008-2011
KTX-FUS8, SRI: $299.95 Ford Fusion, 2010-2012 Mercury Milan, 2010-2011
KTX-MTG8, SRI: $599.95 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012
KTX-CMY8-S, SRI: $249.95 Toyota Camry (non-JBL models), 2012-Up
KTX-PRS8-S, SRI: $199.95 
Toyota Prius (excludes C, V and navigation and JBL models), 2009-2012
KTX-RV48-S, SRI: $299.95 Toyota RAV4 (non-JBL models), 2009-2013
KTX-TCM8-S, SRI: $199.95 Toyota Tacoma (non-JBL models), 2012-Up
KTX-VW8, SRI: $249.95 Volkswagen Jetta, 2011-Up Volkswagen Passat, 2012-Up
KTX-UTB8, SRI: $29.95 Universal Trim Bezel 

Video: Riding Clean Magazine and 813 Customs Shows off a Chromed out Camaro...

Riding Clean Magazine released a great video, showing off a chromed out Chevy Camaro by 813 Customs. Although the exterior was wrapped, they did paint the interior to give it the matching red chrome that's is partly on the exterior as well. Also, the Camaro is comfortably wearing 32 inch Forgiato Maglias.  Check this out...

Vossen Wheels Shows off a Audi A7

The great folks at Vossen Wheels released photos of an Audi A7. This A7 is wearing their Matte Graphite Machined VVS-CV5 wheels in the 20x10.5 size. Check out the remainder of the photos.