Libertywalk Acura NSX - Team F7LTHY
Dr. JJ Dubec seamlessly blends his medical expertise with a passion for outrageous custom cars. Dive into his creative process, favourite builds, and the upcoming projects under his F7LTHY banner.
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A Paradoxical Passion: JJ Dubec's World of Custom Cars
My Instagram is @DocZilla12.
I was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. I am a Physician with special training in Emergency Medicine and Family Medicine. I have two boys aged 11 and 6.
The F7LTHY Mindset
I also like to illustrate in my spare time and customize cars. I have been invited to the SEMA show in Las Vegas every year since 2014 to show my builds. I created F7LTHY, a mindset that encourages people to flex their creative side in all aspects of life, whether it be cars, art, music, sport, dance, writing, or any form of creative self-expression.
My doctor's life is clean and calculated, my life with art and cars is F7LTHY and breaks convention.
The SEMA Experience
I am a regular at The SEMA. Below is a Q&A I did during the show to help give some perspectives on myself and my builds.
The LibertyWalk NSX Build
Your NSX was one of the most talked-about vehicles at SEMA. How did this project all start out for you?
This project began at SEMA the year prior when I had a discussion with LibertyWalk's founder Kato Wataru. He asked me what projects I thought would be cool to do in the future, and we both agreed we were excited to see the concept drawings and renderings of the new (2nd Gen) NSX. I told him that I would be excited to do a LibertyWalk widebody project once the car was in my hands.
Of course, the signature LibertyWalk widebody kit transforms the NSX into an instant classic. How did the process go, and how long did it take to put it together?
The LibertyWalk kit, in my opinion, really morphs the stock design into a more muscular, aggressive look. The process of assembly went very smoothly. The suspension and exhaust were months in development as we had to virtually design from the drawing board. There were no aftermarket air suspension and exhaust upgrades available at the time, and we had to design and manufacture our own parts with the assistance of great sponsors like AIR REX, SerialNine, and TNEER Exhausts. Once LibertyWalk had the world's first kit finally made, they shipped it out to me ASAP, and we had the kit fitted and painted in about three weeks, just in time for SEMA.
The Appeal of LibertyWalk What is it about the LB styling that keeps you coming back?
I love cars with the widebody look and slammed stance. They represent extremes in terms of design and customization. The LB styling provides a great platform for me to add my own unique touches and make each project personal.
Meticulous Details What are some of the other stand-out modifications you have done?
I personally love some of the meticulous details that most eyes except the keenest will tend to overlook. For example, the paint throughout this car has been painstakingly redone to include gloss black painting of all the stock black parts, and every vent opening and most of the contours around openings were extended to include a black silhouette. This gives the car a very subtle but noticeable ferocity. It is best seen when next to a stock NSX. Also, the littlest things like using titanium tapered heads and washers with threaded inserts instead of screws. Custom inner and outer diameter hardware with meticulous repainting of those parts to the body colour codes.
Overcoming Obstacles During the process, what was the most difficult obstacle to overcome?
The toughest obstacle to overcome is a common factor for most teams putting together builds for SEMA, and that is the timing of getting parts (often prototypes and fresh off the assembly line) and installing them in time for the show. Often there is limited room for error because of time constraints. If mistakes are made, imagination, skill, and effort are precious commodities. These obstacles are often the basis for wonderful friendships and stories because as we endure challenges or hardships, we get to know our team really well, and it also shows you who can withstand pressure and deadlines best.
The SEMA Experience What were your feelings on the experience before, during and after SEMA?
SEMA has a special place in my life now. I was merely an observer 7 years ago with no experience in the customization scene. Because of the generous invitations and sponsorship support since 2014, I'm happy to say that this was my sixth SEMA show in a row that I have brought new projects to each year. It's very humbling for me because there are times when I feel that being a Father and Physician are my main roles in life, but this illness that I have for customizing cars keeps me coming back, and I'm so grateful that I get the opportunity to do so. It really boils down to the friends and fans that support my builds, smash the like button, smash the follow button, and give encouraging comments; a lot of that helps fuel my desire to do more and aim for #whatsnext.
Future Builds So you've showcased the GTR, Ferrari, Jeep, and two NSXes. What can we next expect to see from your custom collection?
Hahaha!! You know, I really want to do something crazy with my Ferrari 458 Spider. I'm gonna start planning.
The Motivation Behind the Builds What motivates you to keep building cars?
Doing these customization projects is so much fun, and I love cool cars. The motivation to keep going is innate. It stems from the desire to be artistic and flex that right-brain creativity. All day, I spend in my clinics using my left brain, the analytical, ordered, scientific side. These cars require imagination and thinking beyond constraints, and help me exercise that F7LTHY part of my personality. As a result, cars bring a sort of balance to my life.
The Favourite Build Do you still own the other cars? Which has been your favourite and why?
I am happy to say that I still own the GTR, Jeep, and both NSXes. I sold the Ferrari coupe, but I replaced it with a 458 Spider. The NSXes are just so well-balanced, and their relative rarity makes them my favourite for now.
The F7LTHY Brand Tell us about F7lthy and how it comes about. Why call the brand "F7lthy"?
F7LTHY has been a stamp that I've put on all my projects because it is such a meaningful symbol for me. F7LTHY represents the artistic expression that I mentioned previously. It is the paradox of my usual clean, clinical, by-the-rules lifestyle as a physician in my daily grind.
The scientific, calculating left-brain side versus the creative, artistic right-brain side. Clean half vs F7LTHY half.
So no matter what type of creativity or art a person loves to express, whether it be music, dance, writing, graffiti, sports, etc., everyone has that F7LTHY side to them, and I encourage them to let it out and let it be a part of the balance in your life.
The Future of F7LTHY What's next for F7LTHY, and where will we be seeing more of the brand?
I don't think I can neglect F7LTHY any longer. I have gotten so many requests for decals and clothing and collaborations. I think that I will really make an effort in 2021 to get a proper website going and perhaps work with retailers and established companies to get it going. I'm happy to say that I'll be doing a fun collaboration with LibertyWalk and 808ALLDAY out of Hawaii, as these guys share a common vision
F7LTHY
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Read our Article On What Is Liberty Walk
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