FLASHBACK: Ultimate Dubs 2016

Ultimate Dubs is one of the UK’s must-attend shows and it’s not hard to understand why.

It’s the unofficial start of the UK’s show season –the first “proper” event since the winter break back in November. Plus, it’s indoors! So, even if the Great British weather rears its ugly head, it doesn’t matter. It can rain all it likes – we’ve got a roof AND heating in here.

But, of course, the real reason to visit Ultimate Dubs is to witness the red-hot show cars that are in attendance. Those dark winter months make us car fans a bit mental, and there is no better cure than spending time, money and effort switching up your ride for the next show season. From refreshed classics to the latest VAG models, Ultimate Dubs combines ’em all together for a weekend of VW celebration (and er, quite a few non-VWs…).

2017 is going to be a MASSIVE year for Air Lift Performance at Ultimate Dubs, but we’re not going to spoil any surprises until the show kicks off on Saturday evening. Instead, we’re taking the clocks back to March 2016 for this week’s #FlashbackFriday, complete with a gallery of all our favorite Air Lift Performance rides from last year’s event.

Make sure you stay tuned to the Air Lift Performance blog, Facebook and Instagram, where we’ll be uploading Ultimate Dubs content over the weekend. Until then, check out our top picks from last year and, if you’re heading to Telford, make sure you stop by the stand!

Keeping a project under wraps before the show is no easy task, especially considering the ever increasing temptation to show off your shots on social media. Matt Woodgate (@bagged_997 on Instagram) managed to resist,  and only first showed his Porsche 997, slung low on 9 and 12 inch-wide Rotiform LHR, at the Telford International Centre.

Car Audio Security created a masterpiece with their 2016 demo car. An exercise in understated class, this BMW M4 hit the public eye for the first time at Ultimate Dubs show last year. Believe it or not, the BMW M4 features only factory upgrades to the bodywork. Those are BMW Performance carbon fiber additions, not aftermarket parts. This means the fit and finish on the body is absolutely flawless with perfect carbon work throughout.

It’s safe to say Nick’s M3 broke all the rules, way back in 2014. For a start, the original 200bhp 4-pot engine has been swapped out for a 325bhp 6-cylinder S54, found in the E46 M3 – serious performance gains without the need for a turbo or supercharger. Exterior-wise, the bodywork remains nearly 100% OEM with the addition of a fresh orange repaint courtesy of Steve Denton @ Stylehaus in Northampton, and slammed with Air Lift Performance suspension.

Another favorite from the 2014 show was the Player’s Show Datsun truck. Imported from California (and believed to be one of just four in the UK right now), the “Playdat” Datsun 520 runs a full Air Lift Performance air suspension setup to sit just millimeters from the ground. Skillfully fabricated by family business Ballsd.co.uk, the Player’s Datsun also features an exposed flatbed, beautifully showcasing the air setup in action – not to mention the insane framework needed to get so low!