ZF Clubsport: IND Distribution Part I: An In-Depth Profile

Everywhere you look, you can see other car owners and drivers Doing It Wrong. Especially in this day and age of cheap taste and tactless style, it is very difficult to find a shop or an individual that Does It Right every now and then. Imagine, then, the astonishment at finding a company that Does It Right -- every single time. Chicago-based Industry Distribution (iND) not only meets those standards, but exceeds them on a daily basis, shooting so far ahead of the curve that the rest of the world appears to be stuck in reverse.

You would first think that there must be a West-Coast-style arrogance or worse, "custom-gangsta" visual to their work, but none of that is the case. The only pride is that of a job well done, and while they do indeed perform custom work, it is that of the highest quality and taste. In fact, those two traits go a long way in describing iND -- utmost quality and discerning taste. Every project they undertake is garnered with the care one would lavish on their own personal car, and the finished product is the very definition of impeccable workmanship. Modifications and parts fitted are carefully selected to maintain a central theme, and highlights are understated but extremely attractive.

One of the most noticeable facets of iND, and one that aids greatly in their perception of excellence, is the magazine-quality photographs that accompany every step they take. Indeed, most magazines could only dream of the level of art attained in an iND photoshoot, just as most other shops could only dream of the level of customer service and expertise they deliver. They are masters of their craft, which consists mostly of the new BMW M3, along with a few other top BMW models. The sheer thought process, creativity, and execution -- often within severe time constraints -- must be seen to be believed. In the last few years, iND has become particularly well-known for their Portfolio Projects, which involve highly in-depth work such as complex paintwork, carbon fiber body panels, and engine or interior removal and replacement.

Not too many distribution companies invest much time or interest in the products they carry, but iND again transcends tradition and trends by consistently involving their partners and visiting their facilities. Not only do they work hand-in-hand with many nearby businesses such as Fall Line Motorsports, they traveled to Germany to tour the factory at Eisenmann, for whom they are the North American exclusive distributor, in addition to the other numerous products and rare pieces they source.

What follows is a three-part chronological showcase of the various iND creations since 2008 (all project titles are clickable links with full writeup and photos). We start in the spring of that year, where the flowers are blooming, birds are singing, and a gorgeous Arctic White M3 is undergoing the process that would transform it into the Eisenmann/iND demonstration vehicle.