"I wanted to do something that people would not forget," says Ashby. After my first look at his G35, I somehow knew that they wouldn't. Purchased instantly upon his return Stateside, Ashby took about a year to "re-adjust to society," as he put it, before modifying this G35. That nagging concern wouldn't leave the back of his mind and an ambitious tribute had to be undertaken.
Ashby is also apparently quite the savvy professional, rising through the business world with all the voracious speed of a young go-getter. His employer, Douglas E. Barnhart, Inc. is a massive engineering and construction firm responsible for building homes, offices and schools across the United States. Ashby joined as a journeyman carpenter and now is a superintendent in charge of multi-million dollar accounts. He's all too willing to show me proposals, presentations and plenty of documentation. It's his natural fervor that got him this far with this project.
After calling up nearly every state office with his proposal, Ashby got in contact with a certain Sergeant First Class Stone in Washington, D.C., who dumped his own project and put the National Guard's full nationwide effort behind Ashby's tribute G35. With his momentum up, Ashby hooked up with local Southern California-area shop Stangwerks and hit the ground running. "I literally started bugging every company I could for help. For every 'yes' I got, there was easily 100 or 200 'no's,'" said Ashby.
And what a list of yes'. For a first-time builder, Ashby blew the roof off. Dunlop Tires sent over their SP Sport Maxx tire without batting an eye, Monster Cable filled the G35 with their entire lineup of cables and connectors, Audiobahn jumped straight into its warehouse to dig up subwoofers and amplifiers, Vertical Doors gave their namesake kit, Intrax came on with a full suspension, Ohio Generators donated an up-rated alternator and Stitchcraft Interiors took out of its own pocket to participate in the tribute. John Zinn, director of marketing for Stillen, ended an email correspondence with the line "Finally, a build worth doing." Stillen would step up in a big way, outfitting the G35 with engine accessories, air intake, exhaust, body kit, hood, wing and a four-wheel AP Racing big brake kit.
But the thing that garners the most looks, the work that Ashby is most proud of is the airbrushing by Cory St. Clair of 3rd Element Designs. Ashby waxes on about the custom painting, the most poignant area of the build. On the driver's side lies Sgt. McCaffery, on the passenger's is Sfc. Ottolini and on the hood is the likeness of Lt. Tyson. Creeds, mottos and each of his friends on their own side of the car, just the way Ashby had envisioned it.
By this time, Ashby is getting more and more excited and it's apparent that the story is coming to a close. Ashby suddenly blurts out, "But this thing didn't just come together, it was lots of late night work and [it] came down to the last minute. Oh yeah, and tell Steve he's the man." Our photographer extraordinaire, Steve Demmitt, had showed up to 3rd Element Designs for the photoshoot, one day before the car was to debut at Hot Import Nights. Needless to say, Demmitt sat around for 4-5 hours before the car was in a photogenic condition. Seats, parts and wheels were frantically thrown onto the car to get it ready for our pictures and for the show. Ah yes, I remember the frantic phone calls from Steve like it was yesterday. Finishing up the final touches on the G35 not one hour before the HIN show, Ashby literally parted the crowd like Moses in order to enter the show and park his car.
And it was all worth it. With an excited hurry, Ashby relives the debut of the G35. "We unveiled the car to the families of Ottolini, Tyson and McCaffery. There were mothers, grandmothers, cousins and children on hand for the debut. They cried because so many cared about their heroes," says Ashby. He takes a slow pause, sighs out loud and then takes a solemn tone. "They loved the tribute, but found the faces difficult to look at in the beginning," admits Ashby. The car is a viscerally real and fitting tribute to fallen soldiers, with detailed faces and a context so real, it practically brings them back to life.
With the Infiniti G35 now in the hands of the Hot Import Nights crew, for a show tour across the nation, Ashby has only the future to plan for. Ashby's logically excited about the enthusiasm and support he's received along the way, with many sponsors and show goers that just "get" the G35 and understand the importance of the soldiers airbrushed on its sides.
Ashby's Infiniti is looking forward to a SEMA and CES appearance with Valor Multimedia and a showing at the upcoming Wheels, Wings and Rotors Expo (wwrexpo.net) later this year. The exposure for this G35 has been nothing short of staggering and it's unlikely Ashby's fallen heroes will be forgotten. But every project runs its course. When asked what's next, Ashby can only answer, "Probably another project, but not quite this ambitious." Ambitious is an understatement. With the level of dedication and work poured into this coupe, any member of the United States Armed Forces should be proud to receive this kind of recognition for their service. We will remember.