Nic's Infiniti G35 Date: August 1, 2007 Article: mike | More by this author Photos: Mike Bender

2004 Inifiti G35 Coupe Owner: Nic Ashby Location: Murrieta, CA Website: My HINcity Profile Team: California National Guard Nic built this car, "The Fallen Soldier Tribute Car", after losing some of his close friends while serving our Country in Iraq. He is a member of the California National Guard and decided, while in Iraq, that after returning home he was going to turn his car into a memorial for 3 of his friends whose lives were lost while serving our Country. (1LT Andre D. Tyson, SFC Michael C. Ottolini and SGT Patrick McCaffrey Sr.) While still in Iraq, Nic helped save the life of an Iraqi that had been wounded by insurgents. "We were on patrol in Baghdad and some insurgents shot up some Iraqi Citizens while trying to hijack their semi. I heard the shots, we moved to the area and I saw the guy reaching out of the cab covered in water and blood. I jumped in and pulled the guy out (He was 6'4",280lbs, I was in full armor) put him on the bank and attended to his wounds. He lived. He has six kids, 4 boys and 2 girls. His name is Muhammad and he lived to go home to them a week later." (There is a photo of Nic helping him included in the feature's gallery.) All of the images you see on the car were hand airbrushed by Cory Saint Clair of 3rd Element Designs, they are not decals. This took many hours of exacting work and was the key to the overall look of this project. Some of you may recognize this car from recent Hot Import Nights events, various military magazines/newsletters or the cover of the August Import Tuner Magazine. It's been making many appearances, most of them along with Nic, at car shows around the Nation. I had the opportunity to meet him and photograph his car before the Orlando HIN. Car and Model staff would like to thank all who serve, and who have served, our Country!   Question & Answer What is your occupation? I'm a Superintendent for a construction company and A Demolitions Expert in the California National Guard. How long did it take to build the car? It took about 3 months to get the sponsorships and about 3 months to build the car. What is your favorite single feature or part of the car? My Friends faces; it feels like they are back home... How close were you to 3 people memorialized on your car and did you know any/all of them in the U.S. before going to the Middle East? Yes, they were great guys, still are... Lt Tyson was my mentor. I loved him, I was closest to him, and he was like a brother. I hit me knees and cried, when I heard the news... I feel numb every time I think of him. How many tours have you done in Iraq and for how long? Luckily only once, but it was for a year. Some people I know have been there 3-4 times. Do you drive it on the street? If yes, then how often? No, my artist said, "If you wreck it you won't have to worry about calling the cops or an ambulance because they won't make it in time...."(because he will kill me) What is the funniest thing someone has ever asked you about you or your car? Why didn't you put that on an American Car? What other cars do you own? I also own a 4 door 06 Ford F-150 and it's getting all fixed up, too many mods... I'm addicted..... What's next? Sleep, then finding a life again......   Car Specs Engine and Drivetrain Stillen Torque Dampner Stillen Master Brake brace Stillen Carbon Fiber engine cover Stillen Caps Stillen Cold Air Intake Stillen Grounding Kit Stillen Y-pipe Stillen Catback Exhaust System Ohio Generator Custom Alternator Left hand battery cover UTR Titanium Engine shroud Suspension Eibach Springs and Sway Bars Wheels and Brakes DPE Custom Cut One Off Wheels 8" in the front, 10.5" in the rear (Powder Coated, then Airbrushed then Cleared Wheels) Dunlops Sport Maxx 245x35x20 in the front, 285x30x20 in the rear AP RACING FRONT BIG BRAKE KIT AP RACING REAR BIG BRAKE KIT Exterior Stillen Front Bumper Stillen Rear Bumper Stillen Side Skirts Stillen Sti wing Stillen Hood Cowl Vertical Doors Inc Doors Street Scene Black Chrome Main Grille Street Scene Lower Valance Grilles Interior Red, White and Blue Custom suede interior done by STITCHCRAFT interiors and KALI STYLEZ Custom Seats, Door Panels, Center Channel, Stearing wheel, Rear Deck and custom fabed trunk wrapped in red, white and blue suede In-Car Entertainment (I.C.E.) ValorDVD- Double Din, 2 Headrests, 3 Flipdown monitors Audiobahn 3 sets of 6" Audiobahn 1 set of 5" Audiobahn 1 set of 4" components Audiobahn 4 high excursion 10's Audiobahn 1-1800 watt class D Audiobahn 2- 600/2 and 1 400/2 amps Full Monster Cable, Audio and Video Kinetik Power Cells, (1-1800 and 2-1400) Awards Best Paint - Nightshift - SAN DIEGO,CA 2007 Best Paint - Hot Import Nights - ORLANDO,FL Best Paint - Nightshift - ELMONT, NY Infiniti 1ST Place Mild - Hot Import Nights - ORLANDO,FL Infiniti 1ST Place Wild - Nightshift - ELMONT,NY Sponsors and Shouts-out www.socalcustomcars.com- STANGWERKS www.3rdelementdesigns.com www.stitchcraftinteriors.com www.myspace.com/83028721- KALI STYLEZ www.stillen.com www.dpengineering.cc www.dunloptire.com www.audiobahninc.com www.valordvd.com www.verticaldoors.com www.eibach.com www.monstercable.com www.ohiogen.com www.kinetikaudio.com www.hushmat.com johnppc@msn.com- PRECISION POWDER COATING WHEN YOU CALL PLEASE TELL THEM THAT THE FALLEN SOLDIER'S TRIBUTE CAR SENT YOU!

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