CLIENT FOCUS: CUSTOM SOFT ENAMEL BADGES, LANYARDS + AIR FRESHENERS FOR 46LABS / 2FUTURE.

Life has many unexpected turns, both good and bad. Some we welcome with open arms, and some we would rather they didn’t show up. For the uninvited, what matters most is how you deal with them. Our long time client Ryan who runs 46labs and 2-FUTURE is heavily invested in the UK custom car scene, for some 25 years or so now. His latest build, a 2001 BMW 330ci, took him two years to build. A total nut and bolt restoration, from engine bolts, to rods + pistons, body kits and custom paint jobs. One of the very last jobs was to trailer the 330ci to STG Performance in Wakefield for a custom exhaust, during this journey there was a malfunction on the trailer and it, along with the Volvo that was driving and the 330ci on the trailer, ended up crashing. Thankfully Ryan walked away (with some injuries) but the Volvo and the BMW (now on its roof) were a total write off! Let’s find out how our custom soft enamel badges saved the day!

We were approached by 46LABS / 2-FUTURE to manufacture custom soft enamel badges, lanyards and car air fresheners

Merchandise we mad for 46labs!

We decided we better get the low-down on Ryan and his projects and find out how he dealt with the unfortunate incident mentioned above and how the custom custom soft enamel badges, lanyards and car air fresheners helped him get over all of it!

Tell us how you got involved in the car scene?

Even before I had my driving licence I used to enjoy reading modified car publications such as Max Power and Fastcar, so it was inevitable that I would modify my own car once I had one.

Once I was driving I began to go to local car meet ups and larger national cruises. I really enjoyed the social side of it and met some of my best friends through it. I only really attend organised events these days but I try be as helpful as I can towards the younger enthusiasts in the scene as I remember the valuable support I was given by the more senior enthusiasts when I first started out.

What was the first car you tinkered / modded with?

The BEAST!

When I first started driving I had a Mk1 Fiesta that I didn’t really do much too due to lack of knowledge and money. I had several different cars after, that I lightly modified with things like exhausts and suspension. My Ford Focus Zetec was a fantastic car to drive but unfortunately met its demises on a slippery road on boxing day 2002. After that I bought a ready modified Mk4 Polo that had already been featured in Max Power, this enabled me to attend more shows as a exhibitor and not just a visitor. After a couple of years of owning the Polo I had the itch to build something for myself. I wanted some thing quick, good on fuel and a little bit different. I settled on a Mk2 SEAT Arosa 1.4TDi, as this shared it chassis with the Lupo there were already a lot of modifications available for it. After a trip to Belgium for a show over there I became a huge fan of the Euro look. Shortly after my return I sourced the parts and built an Air suspension kit I had all the body work on the car smoothed and fitted a set of wider wheels with lightly stretched tyres. After this the Arosa began gaining interest from show organisers and magazines, culminating in a 7 page feature in Performance VW and a 5 page feature in Redline.

Why BMW?

I’d only driven VW/Audi and was looking to down size from a VW Transporter I had at the time. Whilst browsing eBay, by sheer look I came across a BMW E36 328i Sport Coupe. It was super low with style 32 wheels and a M3 GTR replica wing. Every thing about it looked right to me and it was love at first site. After collecting the E36 I knew immediately that I had been missing out. The BMW just felt so different to every other car I’d owned. It was the perfect combination of comfort and sportiness. As much as I loved my VW/Audi cars I knew it was time for a change!

Tell us about the recent 330ci build? (red one)

Id always wanted to do a ground-up rebuild on a car to keep me busy as long term project. I had previously owned an E46 330ci Clubsport which was an absolute joy to own and drive. The 3.0l straight 6 was fast and the chassis was tight. This led me to wanting another 330ci as my project. Good examples had become very expensive at the time so I looked for the cheapest 330ci in the UK. To my surprise it was an Imola Red M Sport with a none running engine, an even bigger surprise was it location, 15 minutes from my house! A deal was done and the car was recovered  to my house. I had always planned to go big with this car so over the next 2 years I fully rebuilt and turbo’d the engine, fully rebuilt the chassis with polly bushing and set of factory order BC extreme low coilovers. I have always loved the look of drift cars especially the Style Bangers crew from Poland, so for the body I went for the Musk Customs 12 piece wide body kit. I stuck with Imola Red for the colour.

What happened to the red 330ci recently?

BMW 330ci Before and after the crash!

I was taking the E46 for its final bits of fabrication before it could go for an MOT and finally see the road. I decided I wanted to transport the car myself so I borrowed a car and hired a trailer. Whilst traveling down a relatively quiet stretch of the M62 motor way I felt a vibration coming from the rear of the car I was driving. At this point it was too late and the trailer had begun to fish tail. In a flash, the trailer flipped over, putting the E46 on it roof and me into the motorway barrier. Just like that 2 years of blood, sweat and tears had gone!

How did Studio Dais help you? How have the custom soft enamel badges and other merch helped?

Backing cards for 46lab’s soft enamel pins!

I have worked with Studio Dais in the past on small projects so it seemed the obvious to approach them with the idea of some kind of fund raiser campaign to help with the enormous costs of my accident. So I got to work and set up a GOFUNDME page. Studio Dais came up with the idea of a Pin badge of my car that people could buy to show their support and help a little towards the costs of a rebuild. We bounced around a few more ideas and came up with the idea of some branded lanyards and custom car air fresheners too that could serve 2 purposes, help raise funds and promote a new car parts business that I was launching. Within a couple of days Studio Dais had confirmed all the designs with me and the order was placed. The one stop service they provided really helped to take a lot of stress off me at the time.

What’s next after the crash. How Do You Plan To Raise Money With Your New Custom Soft Enamel Badges, lanyards and air fresheners?

Merch we made for 46labs!

Luck must have been on my side the day of the crash. Not only did I walk away relatively unharmed, the only irreparable damage to the car was on the shell. The engine and chassis were unharmed and the MUSK kit was repairable. The outpouring of support from the car community was nothing short of astonishing. Within 3 weeks I had sourced and funded another shell. The E46 will live again even if in another skin and it will give me the opportunity to carry on enjoying my passion for cars and spending time with one of the best communities in the world. I will continue to sell the merchandise at car meets and shows as well as our online store and give them away as frebies in competitions.

A Word From Studio Dais

Studio Dais HQ

It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Ryan and to help him overcome this crazy situation he found himself in! The team at Studio Dais worked hard to get this job planned out, designed and then manufactured on time as we knew Ryan was keen to get to some car shows this year! All in all we managed a fairly fast 23 day turn around on all 3 product categories. The soft enamel pin badges with backing cards, the custom printed lanyards and the car air fresheners all come out to the highest quality and we have heard there has been a huge demand for them already on his GOFUNDME page.

If you are a car enthusiast please go give Ryan a follow on his social media page 46LABS and 2FUTURE.

A man and machines say goodbye!

If you have been inspired by this story, or have ideas on how you can raise awareness for your brand, business or cause, then get in touch. We work on a one to one basis, we thrive on challenges and we have seen it all. You can also order online with our custom product builder available on most products.

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The New BEAST!