I spend a large proportion of the working week frustrated at the lack of time I can allocate to working on my cars. This is all entirely my own fault: I chose to buy them, I choose to keep them so I what I actually need to do is establish a healthy balance. So recently I’ve been concentrating on how to make sure my projects actually progress, because they’re only going to be amazing if I do something with them. I can do this by working on them myself, farming the work out to a third party or selling some of them to concentrate on those that remain. Something has to give though: focus is needed and plans need to be made. So with that in mind, this February we’re headed back to the garage to get ready for the year.

Our mini-theme for the month will be garages and workshops – the places where people bring metal to life and inspire us with skills beyond our own. Each one is different and I love seeing how problems are solved, storage taken care of and all the little quirks and nuances that develop through use. To kick things off, I’ve had the team select their favourite tool to share with you, so here’s my vice. It’s not big or particularly clever in any way, but what this tool enables me to do is why I love it so much. It’s one of those that I really don’t know how I survived without, so Clampotron 3000… I salute you! Can you guess what everybody else picked? One other thing I like about this picture is that the vice is mounted roughly two metres from where I’m sat in my office. So inspiration is always near by.

Being based in the UK, February means a few things for me. It used to mean I’d be abroad; why moan about the weather when there are plenty of really good planes that can take you to warmer climates? It’s summer right now in the southern hemisphere, so that’s why I used to head for Australia or New Zealand each year to sample some great weather, people and car culture. So here’s what one of our resident antipodeans has planned for us. Brad found this Mitsubishi Minica, a crazy little creation out of Brisbane although not quite a feature car yet, this RWD original Kei car will be the subject of a teasing spotlight. And another reminder that I spent last February in that same city. Time flies huh?

One aspect of Australian car culture we only rarely get to see is the Holden community, of which I’m a massive fan. From the late model Maloo Ute’s to badass street cars like this twin-turbo LS-engined Torana. You want horsepower? Well it’s all here. I’m hoping to bring you more out-there Australian content in 2014 – the scene is a wild ride of horsepower and anarchy, so I’d love to take a wander around it with you.

Oh, you like twin turbos? You like black cars? Well that’s good because I went along to Santa Pod Raceway in the UK at the end of last season and spent some time with one of the most unlikely R35s you’ll have ever seen. You’re either going to love or hate this thing. Did I mention the Ford engine? Or that it’s street legal? Runs 7s on the quarter mile? I have your attention right?

Don’t worry, back on planet Dino (or Japan as most people call it) we’ve redressed the balance with a proper dream drive that’s been getting us all envious since he mentioned it. The Overtake carbon R35 is achingly purposeful and looks amazing sat still, so imagine how good it must be to drive, right? As much as we love a good car show, there’s nothing like taking your heroes out for a date huh?

Last month we asked if the boxy R30/1 is the least desirable Skyline ever? It would appear not by the number of you that got off on the old school flavour and night time shoot. This month Dino is going to bring you a breakdown on the anatomy of a soukoukai car. These grassroots level cars provide us with an insight to the bedrock of the Japanese tuning industry – the fact that this shot comes from an endurance race at Fuji makes it all the sweeter. Do you think we should do a grassroots round up of motorsport across the globe?

Sarto Racing unveiled their Mercedes CLK at TAS and Dino was quick to track it down for a shoot. It’s interesting to see how the Japanese treat European models and I love the fact that in this day and age, with globalisation being what it is, you can still tell that this picture was taken in Japan, such is the distinctive style. And Dino’s watermark of course.

Talking of world matters, we’re not stopping there…

As I write this, Mike is more than likely tucking into some noodles whilst flicking through an obscure comic book, watching some anime and contemplating how to ship home the half ton of goodies he’s bought on his annual pilgrimage to Japan. Or maybe that’s just my dream?

Keeping his nose to the ground and getting amongst the culture, he always comes home with a ton of cool stuff. But hang on, we’re still in Japan right? Well yes, and in case crazy camber and hard parking aren’t your thing – oh, and you love people carriers…

Well have we got a treat for you (and us for that matter). Larry spent most of January getting on and off planes, travelling an average of just over 1000 miles a day in his quest to bring us international flavour. Then within hours of getting home to LA he was skimming the tarmac to bring us the incredible 1029hp Bisimoto Honda Odyssey. So no matter how you like ‘em, we got ‘em!

That Australian culture I was talking about earlier is embodied for us by the World Time Attack event, and Dino still has a story or two to bring you, like this Daihatsu Charade hiding a powerful Honda-based secret. Oh hang on, I just blew that didn’t I?

He also stopped by legendary tuners Croydon Racing Developments. We visited them nearly four years ago but times have changed, so it was good to find out how they were doing.

I’ve been doing a little looking back too. It was only twelve weeks ago that we were at the massive SEMA show in Las Vegas but so much has happened in between. Straight after the show finished, I knew I was going to need to escape the bright lights and 24hr culture, so I grabbed the keys to the Double Down RTR Mustang and headed for the desert. It was good for the soul and gave my right foot some much needed exercise. So how does it handle on the Airlift Performance suspension?

You’ll have to wait and see how I got on. What I will say is that looking this badass in the desert is the perfect antidote to the stifling air of Vegas. Thanks Vaughn!

February and the desert means Larry will be back for more King of the Hammers insanity. I said last year that I wanted more off road content and you guys seemed to really enjoy the barking mad big V8s and wild terrain, so we’re starting back there.

It all looks so otherwordly, right? It just makes me want to get out of the office and get busy on my beach buggy build.

So it’s back to the garage and time to find out what tools the team can’t do without.

Brad was going to send me a picture of his beer fridge and as much as I’d want to see that, we decided to go with his new tool box as it’s the first proper one he’s had and means everything now has a home. Speaking from my own experience, the first box I bought (which was almost identical to this one) made me feel all grown up, as I finally had a garage for it to live in. Big steps my friends!

Somewhere else in New Zealand, Taryn is waving her C spanners, because they mean she can adjust the ride height of her Z. For a lady who runs a blog called I Heart Stance, you can see why they’d be so valuable, eh?

As a brief distraction you’ll be be able to find out the latest on her Datsun project too. It’s been a dramatic couple of weeks and she seems to have come through it unscathed. So has it fired up yet? Is she happy? Did those pesky kids rob the amusement arcades?*

*Some questions added for dramatic effect. Not that it’s needed, trust me.

Forgetting the watermark. The sumptuous, perfectly nourished leather that this digital air gauge sits on can mean only one thing: it’s Paddy’s. Our man in Ireland is precise and likes to keep on top of his maintenance, so the weekly routine includes checking pressures.

There’s a bit of theme in our the way our Speedhunters have selected their tools; there aren’t any welders or massive bending machines, just simple hand tools which serve the purpose of keeping us moving. Jonathan opted for some spanners, as the only time he sees his Alfa Coupe he has to remove the battery and put it on charge due to lack of use.

Which is because Dino had already bagged the battery charger! Owning a GT-R is a great experience, except he suffers from the same #SpeedhunterProblems as we all do; massive amounts of travel mean his Skyline lays dormant for a large proportion of the time and requires a boost before playtime.

Now we all know Suzy loves her Evo, it sits outside her office each day patiently waiting for some abuse, and along with Paddy she’s the only member of the team whose project car provides their sole means of transport. Not saying anything, but I think Paddy should up his game given Suzy’s #MaximumAttack style on everything, including food shopping missions. For that reason she’s gone for a torque wrench. Either that or she needs it because of the two sets of dedicated wheels and tyres she runs depending on that day’s task. Yeah, that’s why.

Mike went for a simple hand-held light and left me with words to the effect of ‘because my cars have lots of dark places’, before boarding that plane to Japan. Given his inquisitive nature, maybe we’ll find out what he’s discovered in them.

Last but not least there’s Larry and his racer’s tape, because as he says, he can use it on his cars and his cameras. Plus I’m guessing it’s light and as we all know Larry likes to work fast! As the old saying goes, if it moves and shouldn’t, tape it down, and if it shouldn’t move and is, tape it down. Make sense? Funnily enough our resident engineer Keith has been so busy in the garage he didn’t have time for pictures, but with projects like he has, his credentials are never in question. So what’s your favourite tool or part of the garage?

I’m going to wrap up this editorial with the first image you will have seen and there’s a very definite reason for that: the astute amongst you will have noticed that the watermark says ‘Linhbergh’, which refers to Linhbergh Nguyen. That name will be familiar to long-term readers but I’m very happy to say that after we had a catch up at SEMA, he’s back to contribute some of his stunning imagery to Speedhunters. The first will be a look at the recent running of the Daytona 24hrs and I can’t wait to see what he’s come up with.

So wherever you are guys, get in the garage, out on the road or just get with it. Because we’re on the move and we’re not slowing down!