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Funk Master Flex on the Custom Ford Flex
Kimatni: Coming back at you Flex, the last we hooked up we were down in Atlanta bowling at a media event for Ford with the new Flex.
Flex: Yeah, it was nice out there.
Kimatni: Gotta’ love Hot Atlanta.
Flex: How hot was it out there? We were sweating, we were like wow!
Kimatni: Now we’re at SEMA, of course you know what SEMA is all about. If you are into customizations or a car nut this is the place to be. So you are here with Ford and Nelly. How did the relationship manifest and what was your input on the design cues he wanted in his vehicle?
 Flex: I guess I used all the other cars he owned as a barometer. So he came up to the garage in the Bronx. He came with Melvin Batcourt who is a Ford designer. We sat and talked and came up with some good ideas. He was happy, I was happy and Melvin made the dream come true. It was good.
Kimatni: Now working with artists you know that when customizing a special edition that usually their level of capacity in vehicle understanding is...
Flex: Ha ha…is usually off. Is usually low. Absolutely right. Well, he’s a car guy and that’s what helps. He knows what’s on his cars. He collects, he’s not a gaudy collector…he’s not a gaudy customizer…like he doesn’t get anything that looks foolish or silly. So he understands it. Like it was key in just saying he wanted 24s, it didn’t take him long, He was okay with “alright we are going to do 22s, that seems better, I understand why.’
Kimatni: Yeah….understanding the recuperations of such a big wheel on that size vehicle.
Flex: Yeah, which was key…key…man…key. Because some people don’t care you know and he wanted a clean, classy look -- a unique look and that was cool. He loves cars. To work with…there are only a few guys I know.. I’m going to tell you a car guy…a new car guy T-Pain.
 Kimatni: Yeah, because he was the one originally interested in this?
Flex: Well, we are doing one for him too.
Kimatni: Ahh!
Flex: What’s cool about T-Pain is… T-Pain has a shop where he does customizations in Atlanta man.
Kimatni: Really? Is it the real deal?
Flex: Real deal. They are in there grinding, bringing in some old joints. He’s kinda’ hands on. If you give him a call he’s into it. I did a ‘73 Super Sport Chevelle for him…383 small block…put a 400 tranny in it. I made it a beast. You know, gave him a little taste. He got with some people out there and began building their own cars now.
Kimatni: Your relationship with Ford, I know times are economically tough for the domestics. In terms of where you guys are headed strategy wise…what are the plans with Funk Master Flex, the Ford Flex and some of the other vehicles that Ford is coming out with. I know you are a Mustang guy…what’s in the piping?
 Flex: I’ll tell you what I feel like I can be most use to the Ford Motor Company is the bringing together of Ford Racing, Ford Accessories and Ford Marketing. Because they are so powerful right now. Ford is streamline, clean and there are a lot of car guys in the mix, that I think are real cool. We need to bring those three things together…Ford Marketing, Ford Accessories and Ford Racing so that all of these eyes can get into the car.
Kimatni: So you do work hand in hand with SVT?
Flex: Well, I’m working.
Kimatni: From an engineer’s perspective?
Flex: I haven’t, but I’m working from such a distance…but it’s fun, I like it. You know, I think it’s going to grow.
Kimatni: Cool, my man. You know I need that Funk Master Flex drop.
Flex: Oh okay. You know what it is…Funk Master Flex Car Show King. You know my status out here…ok. Checking out Automotive Rhythms if you want to know what’s going on with this car game…Automotive Rhythms got it poppin’…ya heard!
Kimatni: My Man, Hundred Grand!
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