The Internet Of Old

After spending a semester studying Danah Boyd and looking into Networked Publics I've found myself spending more time going through the internet of old. Social media has very obviously changed a lot but the internet still plays host to the Networked Publics that came before it, like Zilvia.net (still active).

Despite the level of activity either reducing significantly or stopping altogether these sites still exist. And unlike modern social media ie Instagram or Facebook they never really suffered context collapse, better preserving online interaction or participation.  

My point is many of these sites, even the ones only accessible through the wayback machine are terrific for capturing the otherwise irrelevant moments in history that can later become relevant. Like this one:

This image was sourced from HERE on the Shannons Insurance club page. Rather than unpack what's in the image I'll start with the provided information from user Skelitore;

"Bought the car as a project, was bright orange with chrome mags. But I soon changed that. Painted the bonnet, roof, and bodykit black and mags to match the car. November 2010 a truck side-swiped it whilst it was parked at Jax Quickfit tyres, so I had a massive dent in the front-right quarter panel and scratches all down the side of the car. 2 months passed and I saved up to get a new paint job. The silver is from the new GT-R and I have just recently sold it to buy my new 08' Subaru Liberty."

So as a reader we are told the car started out as a sex spec street car with a bright paint job and I'm guessing massive wheels. Not into the style Skelitore seemed proud to have changed the look. Like any good story we get some conflict finding out about the fender bender which ruined the full black murdered out look. Then we get resolution plus an interesting insight into the time setting with the final paint job using the paint code from 'the new GT-R' which I'm guessing refers to the R35 GT-R. 

It's only a small passage and yet it tells so much, I love the pride in the colour and buzz around it. As for the ending it is kind of sad to find out the car was sold to upgrade to an 08' Liberty. That said it's funny to think even when this was posted the car must have seemed dated or undesirable compared to a newer car, crazy with hindsight. 

Another bit of info I found interesting is under modifications;

"New engine replacement, from a CA18DE to the new SR20DET, custom bodykit added, new paint job, custom made interior to suit the outside giving it a JDM look and bigger extractors."

It's all fairly normal changes for s-chassis owners to make at the time, but I find the statement 'giving it a JDM look' interesting. Because to me this is still a very western look to install on a S13. I think this look at the time was the beginning-of-the-end of sex spec as the notion of more JDM starts to take off. Nowadays that looks more like tracking down old parts, stickers, wheel arrangements and copying cars from magazines rather than Skelitore's stab in the dark at what the perception of a JDM look encompassed. Moving on...

I think the photo is absolutely savage. I honestly envy the blokes innit, cause they look like the world is their oyster. I wear my Cristo Spotters off the back of their steez.