{"id":92294,"date":"2010-05-25T18:43:38","date_gmt":"2010-05-25T23:43:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nicekicks.com\/?p=92294"},"modified":"2018-05-05T22:00:51","modified_gmt":"2018-05-06T02:00:51","slug":"beamer-benz-bentley-kicks-inspired-by-exotic-cars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/beamer-benz-bentley-kicks-inspired-by-exotic-cars\/","title":{"rendered":"Beamer, Benz or Bentley? Kicks Inspired by Exotic Cars"},"content":{"rendered":"
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“Beamer, Benz, Or Bentley, Beamer, Benz, Or Bentley, Beamer, Benz, Or Bentley, My jeans are never empty<\/em>” – Lloyd Banks<\/p>\n
G-Unit Lloyd Banks’s single is currently one of the hottest songs on the airwaves. So, how does this song connect with sneakers you ask?<\/p>\n
Over the years, an abundance of sneakers have been constructed and inspired by automobiles. Just recently, Nike released the extremely-limited Kobe Bryant “Aston Martin” Pack and PUMA unleashed its collaborative effort with Ferrari and Canada retailer Livestock just to name a couple. However, this list includes many more sneakers that have drawn inspirations from cars or car elements. With that said, check out our Beamer, Benz or Bentley? Kicks Inspired by Exotic Cars<\/strong> feature.<\/p>\n
Nike Air Zoom Generation<\/h3>\n
Inspiration: H2 Hummer<\/h4>\nNike Air Zoom Generation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nH2 Hummer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Our first Beamer, Benz or Bentley: Kicks Inspired by Exotic Cars installment comes in the form of the Lebron James’s first signature sneaker, the Nike Air Zoom Generation<\/strong>. The sneaker community expected big things from LeBron’s signature line after hearing that he signed a seven year, $93 million contract with Nike. Therefore, Nike called upon the efforts of masterminds, Eric Avar, Tinker Hatfield and Aaron Cooper to design this sneaker that was inspired by a dark cloud around LeBron’s senior season: his H2 Hummer (LeBron received the $80,000 Hummer H2 as a birthday gift from his mom). As for the direct design cues, the H2’s metallic tinted windows are represented by the window-like attribute on the heel panel. The plastic tongue guard features King James’s first name in embossed letters which is inspired by the H2’s taillights. Lastly, metal eyelets and lace rails seen on the lacing system are inspired by the H2’s rims and rail guards.<\/p>\n
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FILA Ferrari F2002<\/h3>\n
Inspiration: Ferrari<\/h4>\nFerrari & Ducati x FILA Collection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFerrari & Ducati x FILA Collection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFerrari & Ducati<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Portland, Oregon-based designer Olivier Henrichot hooked up with FILA and constructed an entire conceptual collection of sneakers derived from the Ferrari and its two-wheel counterpart Ducati. The sneakers look just as fast, futuristic and rapid as the cars itself. Interesting features include Ferrari logos throughout the base of all of the sneakers involved in this collection. Can you imagine stepping out or stepping off of the Ferrari\/Ducati with these on? We’ll be sure to check the miles per hour on these. \n<\/p>\n
Air Jordan XIV<\/h3>\n
Inspiration: Ferrari 550 Maranello<\/h4>\nAir Jordan XIV "Last Shot"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFerrari 550 Maranello<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The Air Jordan XIV was one of the few sneakers in the Air Jordan series that was inspired by a specific car. In detail, Jordan’s Ferrari 550 Maranello was the focal point of this Tinker Hatfield\/Mark Smith design Tinker. Released during the 1998-1999 NBA season, this shoe owned a number of Ferrari-inspired attributes such as the Ferrari shield-esque Jumpman logo, a tread-like pattern at the heel and an air-intake vent on the medial side of the midsole. If you recall, the Air Jordan XIV was the last model Jordan sported before his second retirement.<\/p>\n
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Livestock x Ferrari x PUMA Mid Collection<\/h3>\n
Inspiration: Ferrari Stock Cars<\/h4>\nLivestock x Ferrari x Puma Mid Collection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nLivestock x Ferrari x Puma Mid Collection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
PUMA and Ferrari have done a ton of work together; however, they brought along Canada retailer Livestock for their latest joint effort. This recently-released project was brought about when PUMA sent some of Livestock?s crew out to the Montreal Grand Prix a few years back. This collection consists of four PUMA Mid colorways (white, red, yellow, black) that are all inspired by Ferrari stock cars. Yet, the color is only one attribute that is derived from these stock cars. PUMA chose to apply tire rubber on the midsole trim, and the leather insoles possess a racetrack imprint with turns pertaining to the three brands involved in this collaborative effort.<\/p>\n
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Air Jordan XVII<\/h3>\n
Inspiration: Aston Martin<\/h4>\nAir Jordan XVII<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAston Martin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Of course, the majority of you will remember the Air Jordan XVII for coming in a suitcase and owning the highest price of any Air Jordan ($200). However, did you know it was inspired by an Aston Martin among other things? Yes, its sleek, elegant, low-profile silhouette was influenced by the Aston Martin, another car MJ had in his driveway parking lot<\/span>. Jordan Brand released this sneaker in February of 2002, and MJ wore the Air Jordan XVII while playing with the Washington Wizards. Sources say he also used this sneaker to beat Kwame Brown when he played poorly (just kidding)!<\/p>\n
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Nike Air Max Light “GT3 RS”<\/h3>\n
Inspiration: Porsche<\/h4>\nPorsche x Nike Air Max Light GT3 RS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nPorsche x Nike Air Max Light GT3 RS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nPorsche x Nike Air Max Light GT3 RS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nPorsche x Nike Air Max Light GT3 RS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nPorsche x Nike Air Max Light GT3 RS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nPorsche x Nike Air Max Light GT3 RS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
In 2008, a Porsche store in Groningen blessed overseas retailer Purchaze with a Porsche Cayman S for its promo team to drive around for the retailer’s store opening. So, what would you ‘thank you gift’ be if you someone gave you a Porsche? Retailer Purchaze decided to hook up with Leyp? produce a special Nike Air Max Light lineup inspired by the GT3 RS Porsche. These Nike Air Max Lights, colored in silver, black, green and orange, mimic the four Porsche GT3 RS colors that were put on the market. In addition to the colorways, each shoe also owned a Porsche logo on the tongue. Not quite a Porsche but a really good return gift, right?<\/p>\n
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Air Jordan XX1<\/h3>\n
Inspiration: Bentley Continental GT Coupe<\/h4>\nAir Jordan XX1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBentley Continental GT Coupe <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The Air Jordan XX1 is second Jordan sneaker on our list that was influenced by a car. Specifically, Jordan Brand designer? D’Wayne Edwards had the Bentley Continental GT Coupe in mind when creating this sneaker. The most notable Bentley Continental GT Coupe inspiration is obviously the lower-foot air grilles seen just above the midsole; this attribute undoubtedly mimics the Bentley’s grill. Other features include a seamless diamond-quilted bootie and a phylon midsole. Does this side-by-side comparison make you want to get one? We’re speaking in regards to the Air Jordan XX1…<\/p>\n
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adidas Kobe II<\/h3>\n
Inspiration: Audi TT Roadster<\/h4>\nAdidas Kobe II <\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAudi TT Roadster<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
When the 2000-released adidas Kobe 2 first surfaced, many of us thought it was derived from some outer-space object and rightfully so. It is definitely one of adidas’s most unique sneaker ever, let alone any brand.? However, its actual inspiration came from the Audi TT Roadster. adidas actually joined efforts with Audi to design one of Kobe’s most recognized sneakers to date. adidas mimicked the front-end grill of the Audi TT by altering its legendary shell-toe and incorporating it at the tip of this shoe. In addition, the continuous line that runs along the midsole resembles the line that runs along the wheel arches of the Roadster. \n<\/p>\n
Nike Kobe Bryant “Aston Martin” Pack<\/h3>\n
Inspiration: Aston Martin<\/h4>\nNike Kobe Bryant "Aston Martin" Pack<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n