In order to define what makes a car "exotic" and desirable, one must take a step back and look at the whole picture. Is it amazing performance alone that defines the mold? Probably not. A stripped out, track-bred Lancer Evolution won't be getting chicks anytime soon. Maybe it's pure price tag shock? Could be, but in all honesty, nobody really puts the Mercedes-Benz CL600 in the same upper echelon as Ferrari, and the MB still costs north of $120,000.
A strange twist in the car world, it seems that any automobile claiming Italian heritage is automatically considered an exotic. From Lamborghini to Bugatti, the Italians have the market cornered in terms of rich boy playthings. These cars are notorious for being expensive, cranky, constantly broken, uncomfortable and rarely driven. But since every rich, no-talent clown on MTV's Cribs show has one parked in their driveway, it seems that the world doesn't care about the shortcomings of exotic machines.
Perhaps it's the indescribable allure of owning a machine that wraps together sexy design, years of racing history, incredible performance and a menacing persona. Or maybe it's because of the principle of being, as the Italians say, "decisi e vincenti," or simply, determined and successful. Then again, what the hell do we know? We're all deadbeats anyways.
But as romantic as the Italians are, they are not the only ones with automotive passion. Honda, a company with longstanding interest in Formula One, MotoGP, Indy Car and GT racing, was born from founder Soichiro Honda's own passion for making and racing automobiles. When it came time to develop a true sports car for the 1990s, Honda debuted the NSX, a model that provided super car styling, reliable mechanics and great performance.
The Acura was right on target with the Ferrari 348 in terms of performance, and brought all of Honda's racing heritage and styling cues to the table. Developed with the help of legendary Formula One ace Ayrton Senna, the mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive NSX is still praised to this day for its combination of balance and grip. The body styling is all by-the-book exotic, low-slung and wide, with all the swoops and curves necessary to grab double and triple takes. Reliable as an Accord, yet completely at ease parked in front of Hollywood's trendiest clubs. That is the NSX.
Believing that improving upon perfection would bring him closer to nirvana, Garrie Yeo of Chino Hills, Calif., knew he would be an NSX owner once he laid eyes upon Veilside's Fortune NSX bodykit. An avid widebody fan and owner of the website widebodies.net, Yeo was so inspired by Veilside's work that he had to have the kit before the car.
After making a huge splash at the 2004 Tokyo Auto Salon, the Veilside Fortune kit went on sale to the public with a US price tag of $11,900. The cost for the kit seems exorbitantly high, but Veilside makes sure that you are getting the most for your money. Completely transforming the body rather than just accenting it, the Veilside Fortune kit turns the NSX into a Saleen S7 look-alike, with more than enough exotic looks to stop traffic. Installed by BRS Autodesign, the NSX's all-aluminum sheet metal was chopped to add on the front bumper, carbon-fiber center chin, hood, front fenders, upper and lower door panels, side skirts, rear quarter panels, trunk door, rear wing and rear bumper. Veilside also includes the carbon-fiber headlights, carbon side mirrors, carbon exhaust cover, carbon taillight assembly and two emblem badges made using real Swarovski crystals.