Nikita Bridan has never been interested in following the ordinary path. Born in Ukraine, raised in Canada, and educated across Italy and California, he grew up with a mix of cultures that shaped his view of design and innovation. Those experiences gave him and his twin brother a vision for a company that would not bend to corporate convention. Together, they created Oilstainlab, a boutique automotive brand that rejects the polish of mass production and instead embraces imperfection, individuality, and storytelling as the foundation of every machine they build.
Their first car, the HF-11, is not simply a vehicle but an experiment in reimagining what a sports car can be. Rather than chasing nostalgia through retro styling, the brothers looked to the spirit of 1960s racing, when cars were smaller, rawer, and built on ingenuity more than polish. The HF-11 brings that attitude into the present, using modern engineering to make something that feels timeless rather than trendy. In a market that rewards size and numbers, they are intent on capturing the intimacy and ceremony of driving, when taking the wheel was an event that demanded your full attention.
The idea of embracing flaws runs deep in the brand. Even the name Oilstainlab takes something most people see as a blemish and redefines it as proof of creation and progress. Their customer base is not meant to be broad. They use the word “maniac” to describe who they are building for, knowing that it will repel some but resonate deeply with the right few. With only 25 cars in the first production run, they want ownership to feel like entry into a small club rather than an anonymous transaction.
Bridan’s outlook has been shaped by his time in the industry as much as by his time outside it. He and his brother worked for major automakers such as Toyota and Honda, and collaborated with influential designers, including veterans from Rolls-Royce and Land Rover. That gave them an appreciation for the skill of the people inside large companies, but also a frustration with the systems that hold them back. Oilstainlab was conceived as the antidote, free from the bureaucracy that too often drains the spirit out of great ideas.
The HF-11 reflects that philosophy in its engineering as much as in its look. The car is built on a carbon tub, a difficult and expensive choice that tested the small team at every stage but ultimately allowed them to achieve the strength and lightness they wanted. Each step of development required discipline and creativity, forcing every team member to work with the precision of a special forces unit. The result is not only a car that stands apart but also proof that a small, committed group can achieve what many would assume is only possible with a corporate budget.
At the heart of the project is a rejection of planned obsolescence. Oilstainlab’s cars are designed to last and adapt rather than expire. They are created as platforms that can evolve with technology instead of being discarded when the next model arrives. Bridan compares this vision to a house, something that holds meaning for generations rather than a disposable product designed to expire on schedule. It is a philosophy that places lasting value above short-term sales.
What excites Bridan most is not the approval of established collectors but the raw reactions of people who encounter the car for the first time. He recalls the joy of watching children stop in their tracks when the HF-11 drives by, wide-eyed and thrilled by the sight. For him, that spark of wonder is the true purpose of building something extraordinary. Oilstainlab is a company that invites people to stop trying to fit in, to embrace the mess of creation, and to find pride in the stains left behind.
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