Some builds are clean. Some are fast. A rare few are unforgettable.
Rusty Slammington falls squarely into the last category.
Originally born as a neglected 1985 BMW E28 5-Series, Rusty Slammington has become one of the most recognizable custom BMWs ever built. What began as a rough, rusty street car evolved through multiple lives — including a catastrophic garage fire — into a radically re-engineered, space-frame, race-inspired machine that blends raw aesthetics with serious engineering.
This isn’t a restoration. It’s a resurrection.
From Forgotten Sedan to Rolling Legend
Rusty Slammington first gained attention for embracing its decay. Rather than hiding corrosion under paint, the build leaned into it — celebrating scars, wear, and age as part of the car’s identity. Slammed aggressively and dripping with character, the early versions were unapologetically different.
Then everything changed.
After a fire nearly destroyed the car, the decision was made not to rebuild it as it was — but to completely rethink it. The factory unibody was discarded in favor of a hand-built DOM tube chassis. The wheelbase was shortened, the body widened, and the four-door sedan silhouette was transformed into a brutal, Group 5–inspired two-door form.
Despite the extreme visual presence, this phase of Rusty was never just about looks. Every major system was redesigned with performance in mind.
Powertrain: BMW Heart, Race Intent
Power comes from a BMW S38 inline-six — a fitting choice for a car that still honors its BMW roots. The engine was bored and stroked to approximately 3.7 liters and built with motorsport intent, producing roughly 500 horsepower.
That power is delivered through a lightweight, rigid chassis designed to make full use of it — which made suspension design absolutely critical.
Suspension Spotlight: Modified CorteX Racing SLA Builder Kit
One of the most impressive aspects of Rusty Slammington lies beneath its rusted exterior: a custom front suspension system built around a modified CorteX Racing SLA Builder Kit.
Rather than relying on a bolt-on solution, the build uses CorteX control arms, spindles, and hubs as the foundation, adapted to integrate with a completely bespoke chassis and a pushrod-actuated suspension layout. This approach perfectly illustrates the intent behind the CorteX SLA Builder Kit — providing race-proven components that can be re-engineered and adapted for unique applications.
Built to Be Adapted
CorteX SLA Builder Kits are designed as engineering platforms, not rigid systems. In Rusty’s case, the arms, spindles, and hubs were modified to work within a shortened wheelbase, widened track, and inboard coilover configuration — all mounted to a custom tube frame.
This level of adaptation highlights the kit’s versatility. By starting with proven geometry and robust components, the builders were able to focus on innovation without compromising suspension fundamentals.
Pushrod Suspension Meets Proven Geometry
The front suspension uses a pushrod-actuated design with inboard-mounted coilovers, allowing for:
- Reduced unsprung weight
- Improved center-of-gravity control
- Enhanced packaging freedom
- Race-inspired adjustability
By pairing this layout with CorteX SLA components, the system retains all the advantages of a proper short-long arm suspension:
- Consistent camber gain through suspension travel
- Predictable roll center behavior
- Reduced bump steer
- Stable, communicative steering feel
These characteristics are especially critical on a car as low, wide, and powerful as Rusty Slammington.
Builder Kit Versatility on Full Display
Rusty Slammington is an extreme example, but it perfectly demonstrates why the CorteX SLA Builder Kit is such a powerful tool for custom builders. Whether used in a classic muscle car, a modern track build, or a one-off space-frame chassis, the kit provides:
- A known-good suspension geometry baseline
- Race-ready arms, spindles, and hubs
- Freedom to integrate custom mounting solutions
- Compatibility with conventional, pushrod, or pull-rod configurations
It’s a system designed not just to bolt on — but to be engineered.
More Than a Show Car
Despite its appearance, Rusty Slammington isn’t a static display piece. Every major design decision — from chassis construction to suspension geometry — was made with function in mind. It’s a car that blurs the line between art and motorsport engineering, proving that unconventional aesthetics and serious performance don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Rusty Slammington stands as a reminder of what’s possible when creativity, fabrication skill, and sound engineering come together — and it’s a perfect example of how adaptable components like the CorteX Racing SLA Builder Kit can serve as the backbone for even the most unconventional builds.
