Done Right.

Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive.

 - Sir Walter Scott (Marmion, 1808)

A common explanation for the theft of design in the racket of replica parts by the companies is that they are "improving upon the original." To be blunt, this justification drives me nuts. There is no excuse for stealing. Period. There is one particular company that I refuse to reference by name because I do not want to give them any undue attention by way of this blog. Anyway, these parasites add carbon fiber accents to their replica Zele bumper for the V36 coupe. 

"Yeah, we stole the design from Zele once we saw how many G owners liked it, BUT we improved upon it by throwing some carbon fiber over portions of it." 

Not. Cool.

I recently received an e-mail from a follower of JDMphasis with a few pictures of his authentic Zele front bumper modified to his preferences. There is not much to say except that this is the type of enthusiast that should be featured and praised all over the web; not the guy whose car may look the same, but has achieved it by compromising the integrity of the aftermarket industry. This is a guy who refused to cut a corner by supporting a company that stole a design. All we have to say is well done.

Be the funk. Don't fake it.

  

I do not have a final photo of the bumper mounted on the car, but, for those of you who may not be familiar with the Zele front bumper, here is a shot of it (sans carbon fiber accenting, of course)…

JDMphasis… Innovation over Imitation