We actually ran this interview of Eddie on our last site, but I figured it would be even cooler on the new one. Enjoy…
I met Eddie Hahm 3 years ago when he joined up with FISM in our very first Speak Easy Show. Commune and The Lovewright Co. were in their premiere seasons and sharing the same frustrations of starting new brands helped us to become quick friends. Eddie has always had a his own way of doing things. Something that made him a perfect fit for the FISM crew, and an interesting dude to have a beer with. I caught up with Fast Eddie, last week to talk about the Scion build-off he just destroyed last month at SEMA. I haven’t had a beer with him in a while, but as you can see he’s still doing things his own way. Thanks for being the sacrificial lamb on Lovewright Co.’s Unlucky Interview series.
1. So why do they call you Fast Eddie?
Well, as everyone knows, it’s an old iconic name, as everyone seems to know a “fast eddie” somewhere. But I originally got it when I started street racing waaay back in the day. I was known to have a pretty quick car and the name just stuck with me.
2. Fast cars are pretty much in your blood, what was the first car you ever
worked on and how did it turn out?
Hmmm… first car I ever worked on was a buddy’s ‘64 Nova in auto shop in high school. And our final for the year was to rebuild the bottom end of a small block from start to finish. That whole thing was funny because that was when I was a huge street race rat and had an Integra. So I was working on domestics in school and my personal race car was a japanese car. Go figure…
3. If they called you slow eddie, do you think scion would’ve still tapped
you for one of their SEMA TCs?
I think it would’ve been more along the lines of a beach cruiser? Scion beach cruiser anyone? That made no sense…
4. What possessed you to build this crazy contraption?
Well, being that the build off was for the “Tuner Challenge” I wanted the concept to revolve around something that I was into and that would represent me and what I am about as well. I didn’t want to do a typical and cliche’d concept of a “tuner”- y’know carbon fiber everywhere, super tall gt spoiler, transformer wide body kit, unnecessary tv’s, blah, blah. I wanted to inject things that interested me and, at the same time, push the boundaries of what a “tuner” car can/should look like. So I was a bit surprised when Scion chose my concept as a finalist, as it is pretty much the farthest thing from what is perceived as a “tuner” and is pretty much a borderline art car. Nevertheless,- stoked.
5. 2nd place ain’t bad, but I think you got completely robbed. I’m guessing
the judges were the first place dudes mom, David Hasselhoff, and the
orangutan from Smokey and The Bandit. I know that’s not a question, but feel
free to comment.
LOL- everyone knows what happened and who “should’ve” won. I’ll keep it at that.
6. Whats the next project for Fast Eddies Garage, Commune, and/or Eddie
Hahm?
For Fast Eddie’s Garage, the plan is to hopefully move into a new brick and mortar location for the coming year, expand our product base, while keeping our brand integrity (vintage pieces anyone?) and a possible website re-vamp. For (Commune), I feel as though we have adjusted to the market’s situation properly and are continuing to do our thing. We’re currently in the works with a new distribution relationship for europe and to expand our presence in asia, particularly Japan and Hong Kong. You can continue to expect the premium garments that we’ve always produced, along with a few surprises for ‘09. As far as my personal work, I just recently launched my own studio and am currently in works toward the new website (www.verumstudio.com). I am, and always, continue with the freelance design work and am lining up to do another car for next year’s SEMA show, and a good amount of things that I can’t really speak about publicly.
7. If Jesus asked you to build his hotrod, what would it look like.
Jesus’ hotrod would look like the magic from a unicorn’s aura, mixed with the fluffiness of thick white clouds, sitting on Halibrand mag’s with a righteous flake and lace paint job…
8. Pin-up or Import models?
Women- love ‘em all. So I’d have to say both, though they’d both have to be of upstanding quality.
9. The American car industry is going to shit, what would you do to fix it.
Not to go within a mile’s distance of that situation. That thing is so fucked. But it would help tremendously if the company heads didn’t floss and waste what money they had left, when they’re asking for A TON MORE to bail them out.
10. Who would you like to punch in the face?
Too many to list here…
11. Who would you like to lose your virginity too?
Oprah circa ‘92. If she’s not available, the Roseanne Barr circa ‘93. Ewwww…
12. Who would you like to buy a drink?
I’d like to buy one for anyone and everyone that has been good to me and my crew and family. Thank you so much!
13. Whats the best advice you’ve ever gotten, and by whom?
“Do as I say and not as I do.” From my Uncle. Maybe thats not the best now is it? Whatever, it IS question #13…
