Every one of us can relate to the saying “It’s a work in progress.” The words show that you still aren’t quite happy with how something currently stands. It may be minute details that others will fail to notice, but when completed it’ll make your creation “finished.”

That’s the way Ben Peterson was feeling about his MKV at the end of last year. It wasn’t quite where he wanted it, so as expected, he dove further into the project. Ben’s been in the game longer than I’ve known him, but as long as we’ve been friends he hasn’t stopped wowing me with some of the stuff he comes up with. From totally refinishing his own wheels with quality that reflects the skill of a craftsman, to successfully carrying a color combination throughout the minute details of the car.

This year Ben wanted to really put the car on the map, showcasing the hard work he has put into it. Working with VIP Modular, he came up with a set of wheels that would set the car off. Stepping up from last year’s 17″ wheel setup, Ben went with a set of 18″ VIP’s VR-15′s. Big lips and a slightly twisted 5-spoke, how could you go wrong?

One of the smaller things that Ben has done to the car in the past year is one of those things that many might not notice, but in the end makes the car feel more complete. Ben has re-vamped his whole air setup, with help from Bag Riders and the guys from Accuair Suspension. Every plastic airline was replaced with sculpted hard lines, adding that small touch to the self-made setup in the hatch.

As always, Ben’s car will never be done. He already has different plans for next season which involve some big changes and some small adjustments that will keep all of us saying that our cars are still a work in progress.

A lot goes in to creating something worth while, and as with everything we do at The Lowly Gentlemen, we’ve gone to the corners of the world to bring a dream to fruition. We’re pleased to announce The Lowly Gentlemen Driving Gloves.

Glove making is a dying trade, with few remaining who are capable of doing it, and even fewer who are capable of doing it well. It was important to us that we found quality materials and patterns to craft the best possible driving gloves. The search led us through the streets of LA and amongst the warehouses of the district as we sifted through the complex network of pattern makers. We knew our search had come to an end when we met with a third-generation Hungarian glove-maker, one of the few remaining in the United States, and perhaps one of the last. For her, glove making has been a life-long passion, passed down from her parents and their parents too. Skillfully hand crafted from Ethiopian lamb leather and tailored to fit flawlessly, her gloves become an extension of the hand. Once we put on a pair of her gloves, we knew there was simply no other option, that no other glove could come close. It was the ultimate opportunity to create something that had been in the works for quite some time, and it was a chance to do it perfectly.

The driving glove exemplifies the essence of The Lowly Gentlemen. The perfect accessory to true driving enthusiasm, it is rooted in the history of racing, embracing the heyday of the open wheels and carburetors. The tradition of the driving glove is one that may have subsided in recent times but it is one that will never die, and it is the mentality behind the driving glove that represents who we are and what we strive for. The driving glove connects a man and his car in ways little else can. It’s as though the tires grip a little bit harder, the engine revs a slight bit higher, and the only 3 elements that comprise the world are air, fuel, and spark. Driving gloves are more than an article of clothing; they are an essential part of the motoring experience.

Head on over to our store and check them out here.

SEMA 2011 was an exciting time for many different companies. The convention is typically a launch pad for new products and concepts and it’s always exciting to see first hand what everyone has up their sleeve. AccuAir is no different, as they announced the release of a product concept that is sure to bring the inner geek right out of you.

Direct from the source:

Scheduled for release in 2012, the “i-Level” app will give users full control over their Air Suspension System through a smart phone, iPad, or iPod touch. The app will be designed to look and operate very similar to the popular e-Level TouchPad interface, yet the iPhone and Android’s vast capabilities will allow for expanded features limited only by YOUR imaginations. That’s right, AccuAir has started their first-ever enthusiast-based Development Team to share thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for exactly how the “i-Level” app should look and perform.

AccuAir expects the “i-Level” app to be used alongside one of the existing hard-wired interfaces like the TouchPad or Rocker Switch, but a full feature-set and more is scheduled for the exciting new e-Level accessory. Some key features currently scheduled for the “i-Level” app are listed below:

- Down-loadable for FREE through the App Store.
- Utilizes WIFI to communicate with a new wireless receiver that will plug-n-play to the e-Level ECU.
- Primary app features will be back-compatible with all existing e-Level systems (some advanced app features may require a FREE ECU firmware update by AccuAir).

Primary “i-Level” app features:

- Select or save from the e-Level system’s three automatic height settings.
- Manually adjust the height of all four corners of the vehicle.
- Select the e-Level’s “All-Down” function for parking.
- Menu driven selection of e-Level system features.
- Menu driven system diagnostics with “push” notifications.

Proposed Advanced “i-Level” app features:

- Tank pressure display
- Compressor status display.
- Real-time vehicle height display (% of travel, or inches based on reference point)

The team at AccuAir Suspension has gotten many requests for this product, and with that a litany of opinions on how it should work in the best interest of the user. They decided that the i-Level should have as much user feedback as possible in beta testing, so they have offered the opportunity for anyone to become part of their Elite Development Team.

Becoming a part of the elite development team requires first signing up here. Applicants will then receive a questionnaire by email. Responses will be judged and the most valuable applicants will become part of the “i-Level” Development Team. Members will get to vote on design decisions throughout the process, add comments related to the development, and have the opportunity to become part of the BETA Test Team in mid-2012.

There you have it everyone. An opportunity to work directly with the creation of a product that is being designed with our enthusiasts in mind. Doesn’t get much better than that.

For more information regarding the“i-Level” app please visit www.AccuAirSuspension.com.