
1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse - Solar Eclipse
This Eclipse Overshadows The Competition
writer: John Jarasa
photographer: Jason Mulroney
Much like a solar eclipse, this 1998 Mitsubishi is a special phenomenon that does not come along very often.
Take a good look at this Eclipse; chances are you'll never see another one like it. While it won't blind you, it will definitely make you appreciative of the time and effort the owner put into its creation. The 1998 Mitsubishi, which is owned by Mark Meneses of Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., is the perfect blend of fluid design and pure craftsmanship. From each angle of the car, you can't help but notice the contours of the Blitz body kit, which features a flush installation all around and shaved door handles.
The custom fender flares were molded by Auto Explosion in Gardena, Calif. and required countless hours of detail-oriented manpower. The flare adds girth to the car and helps to accommodate the 18-inch Blitz wheels. As your eyes follow the curves to the rear, you will find the incorporation of a 2000 Eclipse gas cap along with an APR GT2 wing that hovers over the rear hatch. "I wanted something different so I decided to paint it a color that nobody had, at least at the time," said Meneses of the solar gold paint. The paint, which is manufactured by House of Kolors, leaves a brilliant glow that perfectly displays the work put into the body.
The intense demeanor of the car is further accentuated through the addition of the 18x8-inch Blitz Technospeed 21 rims. The aluminum has been wrapped with 225/40-18 Nitto NT-555 "Extreme ZR" tires, which are known for having one of the biggest contact patches in the industry, and are constructed of a specially formulated compound that provides superior traction and steering control. The 10-spoke design of the rims helps brake ventilation, while providing a window to display the front and rear Power Stop cross-drilled rotors.
The addition of the rims would not be complete without turning the suspension down a notch to help remove any unnecessary gaps. The car's ground-hugging stance and high-g performance is a result of Eibach springs and Tokico shocks that work in conjunction with the front and rear sway bars by Pilot.
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