1998 Honda Prelude - Cobalt Koncept

For many years the import automotive scene has been flooded with sick-ass rides from both coasts of the United States. The West Side has always produced blazing fast race cars and pioneered many race and show events. But, not to be outdone, the East-Sidaz have quickly grasped the idea and duplicated enormous race/show events. However, all too seldom do we get treated to a glance of what is brewing in the Midwest. Are their rides not as fast or not as extravagant? Hell no. It just seems that these boys like to keep things on the down low so they can creep up on all of us in the big race events or in the gigantic sport compact shows. A prime example is a name that is now all too familiar: the new-wave "Lone Ranger," Kenny Tran. In 1999 Kenny and his Jotech Civic would take home the "World's Fastest" title from the West. Before that day Kenny had not rocketed down the 1320 outside of his home state of Texas, which made many ponder where this 9-sec. trailblazer came from. And, just like that, the Quick Class had another worthy opponent.

Also hailing from the Lone Star State is Shreedhar Patel and his 1998 Honda Prelude. The Prelude is definitely something worth showing off and even took second place "Prelude Pro" while still in its development stage at Import Expo 2 in September 2001. Now completed, you can barely tell this masterpiece started life as a Prelude. With its sheetmetal wide stance, 19-in. HREs and an array of Japanese supercar components, you have to agree a picture is worth a thousand words.

Shreedhar takes part in a crew called Team Koncept Racing, which, he says, is one of the first crews in Houston. With a name like Team Koncept it isn't hard to imagine why this vehicle took on a shape of its own. When he originally purchased the car it was a bone-stock White Diamond Pearl Prelude fresh off the Honda dealership's lot. Nowadays, the ride sports a custom modified Black Widow body kit, sporting Lexus GS400 foglights. The bumper and doors have been retrofitted with sheetmetal, not fiberglass, to achieve its wide-body effect. The original gas door has been shaved and a chrome Sparco gas door has been installed, along with NSX side vents to give it a more race-like appearance. The door handles, emblems and key holes were also shaved to keep consistent cleanliness. Factory headlights and taillights were removed in favor of Skyline R34 headlights and Skyline R33 taillights. The whole car was then shot with House of Kolor's Candy Cobalt Blue. All of the exterior modifications were performed by JC Auto Body in about 7 months. When being an innovator you have to be patient, and the wait was well worth it as the Cobalt Koncept took home best paint at the World Import Challenge in 2001.