Antonio Alvendia ~ Author, Journalist, Publisher, Photographer, Traveler, and a Connoisseur of Fine Automobillia

First off many things can be said of one of the most creative talents in the Automotive industry. But before that can be said you must first do a little history lesson on the man behind the lens, the pen and the wheels of some of the rides we dream, we imagine and of course lust after.

So sit back and read a few words from the man himself, 

I am… a nonstop buyer of Japanese magazines even though I can’t really read them, a long-time collector of rare steering wheels, horn buttons, deep offset wheels, fresh Kangols, hip hop mixtapes, phone numbers from umbrella girls, and vintage Japanese automobilia. 

I’m addicted to taking photos (especially with my Canon SLRs and my iPhone 4) - I shoot at least one photo every single day. My background is in shooting advertisements and editorial photos for print magazines, as well as working with major motion picture studios in Hollywood. 

I love cars. I have a huge collection of vintage Toyota memorabilia and rare parts to go with all the cars in my collection. Life is too short to drive a car that sucks. Enjoy life with your favorite car! This is the lifestyle that I lead; it is a lifestyle that was built around the cars and car culture that I am so passionate about. At the same time, I grew up around the culture of hip hop music, with a reverence for graffiti art, underground mixtapes, fresh sneakers and street fashion.

I’ve been involved with the emerging drifting scene in the USA since the late 1990s, and back in 2004, I decided to quit my corporate job as a Director of Sales and Marketing for an internet company so that I could chase my dreams, traveling all over the world to document drifting as it evolved from Japanese subculture to pop culture.

After several years of working with magazines, I accomplished a big goal of mine in 2006, by authoring my first hardcover book, entitled “Drifting: Sideways from Japan to America,” the first book ever produced on the topic of drifting. One year later, I was contracted to create the first mass-produced and internationally distributed calendar on the topic of Drifting (2008 release). These projects were just a labor of love for me, so I never expected them to be as successful as they were; I certainly didn’t expect to randomly see my book on bookshelves and coffee tables in other countries. That book certainly opened a lot of doors for me! 

In fact, one of the many doors that my book opened up for me was that of a big video game company in Canada -Electronic Arts. They somehow came across a copy of my book, and I was shocked and honored when they told me they used its photos and stories as a reference to add authenticity to their video games. Soon enough, I found myself getting flown up to Vancouver to consult EA on the Need for Speed franchise’s marketing/brand extension projects. I became one of the presenting hosts on camera for EA’s Birth of Pro Street documentary film that aired on SpikeTV and Motors TVinternationally. Soon after, we formulated some plans and began working to create one of the biggest corporate-owned car culture blogs on the internet - Speedhunters.

It’s hard to believe that it’s only been about a year and a half since I left the Speedhunters team and got together with several of my close friends to build up the MotorMavens Movement. 

Our website has come so far in just over a year. MotorMavens is driven by the passion and hard work of each of our contributors. MotorMavens does not have a corporate expense account or huge multi-million dollar corporation paying our bills. Instead, every individual member of the Motor Mavens Crew works hard, spending hard earned money on traveling and camera equipment. I think I can speak for all the members in the crew when I say that I don’t mind putting my own money and sweat into the project because I passionately believe in what we’re doing.

I love to build and be productive - I’m extremely goal oriented and motivated to be successful in what I’m passionate about.I’m all about chasing my dreams NOW, and I’ll never stop pushing forward. Of course undertaking big projects can be difficult at times, but nothing worthwhile comes without a struggle. I just feel that people shouldn’t waste any opportunities to do something that drives them. Isn’t that the whole point?

-Antonio Alvendia

Now being caught up a little let me say that if you have ever had a chance to meet him in person then you have been fortunate to have had a rare treat. I myself from meeting him in person can say that you get a real dose of what “keeping it real’ really is. So whether your on Twitter, Facebook, Car Show, Drift Event, or at a local garage, The Motor Maven is working hard to bring you the best of the things we all love, Fast Cars, Beautiful Models and Epic Lifestyle.

That said,

Happy Birthday Antonio!

From me to you and from all the Mavens that are out there.

Len