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Why not?

For many of us looking to start a new project we run through the gamut of questions…budget, availability of parts, nostalgia and overall difficulty of building a certain model. For Joe and James all of these questions went right out the window when they decided to go off the beaten path and create two of the most unique vehicles roaming the streets and race track in Pittsburgh PA. Instead of asking why they have built these unique machines, we should be asking ourselves, “why not.” These two cars are strikingly more different than anything on the road, and the reason why custom car culture continues to have an endless supply unique vehicles that spark creativity for all ages.

Let’s first start with a little background on each of the cars. One of which you’re probably familiar with in a 1991 Maze Miata, however the other a 1998 Dodge Stratus you’re probably not as versed. The Dodge Stratus was the middle entry of the JA platform, you may remember the Dodge Cirrus being the higher-end model and the Breeze being the lower-end model. A lot of us rode around in these during high school and college. Introduced in 1995, the Stratus had two models, the base, which came standard with the 2.0 L straight-4 and had the SOHC 2.4 L as optional, and the ES, which came standard with the a 2.0 L from 1995 to 1997, and had a DOHC 2.4 L and a 2.5 L V6 as optional. In 1998 the DOHC 2.4 L was standard and the 2.5 L V6 was optional on the ES, and from 1999 to 2000, the 2.5 L V6 was the only engine on the ES model. All three variants of the platform were available with most of the same standard features and available options, such as the following: a four-speed automatic and an optional semi-automatic dubbed “Autostick.” Cue cheesy late 1990’s stock photo…

The Mazda MX-5, sold in Japan as the Eunos Roadster and in North America as the Mazda MX-5 Miata, is the first generation of the Mazda MX-5 manufactured from 1989 to 1997. Inspired by the post-war era British sports car the MX-5 rejuvenated interest in roadsters after the demise of cars such as the MGB and Triumph Spitfire. Since its debut, the MX-5 has won numerous automotive awards and has become the world's best selling sports car. The original MX-5, with standard manual transmission, came with a 1.6 L (98 cu in) DOHC inline 4 cylinder, producing 115 bhp at 6,500 rpm, and 100 lbft of torque at 5,500 rpm. It is also a favorite with enthusiast as there are endless possibilities for customization and performance.

While not the first choice for many auto enthusiast and certainly not for racing drivers, Joe Kurzawski 1998 Dodge Stratus is one of a handful of cars that has been upgraded to a high spec. Little known fact the Stratus saw action in touring car racing in both North America and Europe, and when done up with the low stance, big wheels and bright colors it looks every bit as cool as a BMW or Honda from the era. This was the inspiration behind Joe’s build, so much so that he has tracked down parts from those vehicles that now sits on his.

Joe has had a long history with Dodge’s. The Dodge Grand Caravan was the car he learned driving on…oh how many of us were totted around in these! He has a 1992 Dodge Dynasty that was “like driving a couch,” and ended up getting the Stratus in 2005 that was previously used as an under cover detective car in Mt. Lebanon. That’s right, the Stratus is so pedestrian and overlooked the cops used it as an under cover car.

The first iteration of the car was a full “Fast and Furious” style period body kit, nitrous and large sound system was was indicative of the early-mid 2000s style. Joe still has the Extreme Dimensions kit which now might be worth some coin as the big body kit nostalgic style is making a small comeback! Joe was invited to a track day and took the Stratus out and whipped around with a full sound system, 35 wall tires and no suspension at all. “It was so much fun,” and little by little Joe made the switch from a show car to a race car.

Originally Joe’s Stratus came with the 2.5L V6 but that wasn’t big enough. Joe has now swapped the motor with the Mitsubishi 3.0L out of the 3rd generation Eclipse that makes 205hp. The suspension has been upgraded with coil overs that are NOS (new old stock) and no longer made. The front aero has been upgraded by a Wings West front bumper and splitter that mimics the touring car from the period. The dry carbon rear wing is off of one of the actual touring cars that raced the series giving this some period correct prominence, and a rare piece that you’ll never see at your local car show. The bumper spats and the folding mirrors are from the European and Japanese models. The transmission has been gone through and now has a paddle shift so Joe never has to take his hands off the wheel. One of three guys that are racing Dodge Stratus Joe ,is one of the go to guys in the world for Stratus racing and performance.

On the other hand it’s hard to make a Miata unique however James has pulled it off. He is the owner of the 1991 Glitter Miata and proclaims he’s, “5’5” and the Miata fits me perfectly.” James has owned the car since 2007 and has, “more color changes than Michael Jackson,” the last of which is a hand laid glitter bomb paint job. That’s right this is not a wrap, the glitter was painstakingly hand laid by him and his wife. This was actually done on a dare from his wife who was glitter bombing cups that turned into glittering an interior piece on James’ car. It looked pretty cool and one night James, “ended up drinking a lot of rum and came out of the garage with a whole fender flare that was glitter.” That was so cool that he decided to do the whole car in black glitter.

The first iteration of the Glitter Miata didn’t hold up for very long, again this was hand done with no instructions. The 2nd time in blue didn’t take either however on the 3rd attempt he got it just right where the glitter and paint never faded. The base is about 3 coats of plasti-dip that helps keep the glitter in place. So much plastic-dip that its been hit by a deer and didn’t even dent the car. No telling how many tubs of glue and glitter were then hand laid down to give it the sparkling look. Tons and tons of clear coat was the catalyst that James needed to keep the glitter on the car so he doesn’t “look like I left the strip club,” every time he drives it.

The body mods are endless and features a widened fender flares filled with 16x10 wheels that as James puts it, “it looks like a midget with a big butt.” The swapped fixed flat headlights make the front end look extremely clean while the rear massive wing turns this car into a party rather quickly. To go along with the loud theme, not only is the car straight piped but has a side exhaust and race headers that makes this thing as loud on the ears as well as the eyes. Other than the noise the car is bone stock and simply intimidates people enough with the sound that they never want to race. “Bones the skeleton” rides shotgun all the time, which was a Halloween decoration that sat in the garage so long that it became a part of the car. James reports that he gets an endless supply of thumbs up and is really built for kids and adult kids alike to appreciate and bring a smile to their face. When you listen to the podcast you’ll hear three people see the car live and absolutely freak out.

Both of these cars have been built on a very tame budget. Since there is not a huge number of Stratus enthusiast rare parts for these cars can be had pretty cheap. Many of the upgrades are DIY including the engine swap and wheel refurbish. All in, between the first iteration of the car and the now race version of the car Joe estimates around $15K. For James the Glitter Miata really doesn’t have a number, the car has so much work put into it that he really can’t even calculate it. Most of the parts are from buddies and parts that have come from a junk yard. If I had to put a number on it he probably has under $15k into the build between all of the R&D that went into the paint job. Two great price points for any enthusiast that wants to role around in a car that no one else will have.

I cannot thank Joe and James enough for meeting up with me and to their families that allowed them to take the time to tell their stories.. You can find Joe (Dodge Stratus) on instagram @ragingsun or on Facebook under Joe Kurzawski. James can be found on instagram @glittermiata. We need more people like this in the car community, guys that do not care about being trendy but rather inventive and unique. Fortunately the Pittsburgh car community has embraced both of these gentleman who show up with 2 of the most well known off kilter builds in the Burgh. Be different, ask “why not,” during your next build and maybe you’ll end up with a product that everyone will remember forever!