Scion Owner Spotlight> PUNK2M1D

BY Scion CM
June 14,2012

All photos courtesy of Daniel Richter and Mavrik Photografix.

With a family involved in Toyota/Lexus, Scion was an easy decision for Scion Owner "punk2m1d". Although he's been living in LA for 2 years now, he still goes by the nickname "Oregon," where he bought and began modding his 2008 tC. Read on to hear more about this owner's ride.

What made you choose your Scion? I've always loved the quality and longevity of Toyotas, so choosing the Scion was an easy decision. I liked the fact that the tC looked so different from every other boring ride on the streets. For $18k, or whatever I paid, you couldn't beat the suspension and styling. And I can't believe how easy it is to mod out a tC. These cars were definitely geared towards our generation.

How did you decide which modifications to make? I started with a Fujita CAI – knowing that I wanted more than 161hp, and that I/H/E were easy mods to start with. I knew right from the get-go that this car needed to be not only my weekend fun on wheels, but also a reliable grocery getter. Seeing as I'm a social worker, I don't always have the budget for the parts I want, so I have to wait and save (or wait for my birthday.)  While I waited for sufficient funds to be available, I would do minor mods - like painting my interior and engine block, or tint my side markers on my mirror. Then eventually I could afford Weapon-R 4-2-1 headers and the whole cash cycle would start over again.

In Eugene, Oregon where I bought the car and lived for 6 years, there wasn't a car scene. No shows, races, nothing! So I was on my own. My dad and a couple friends who were also into cars helped give input on best steps towards my goals of an auto-crossable daily driver; and I was able to check out a few forums for help too. When I moved to LA I joined up with a local Scion crew, Team Sciontific, and that's when my build really took off - getting input from other trophy-winning Scion owners. Although my car is built for speed and handling, and my team was all about show cars, it still worked out in the end. A mod is a mod.

Does your car have a name? I named my car April for a show on Speed TV I appeared in called "My Ride Rules" (Episode 6: Racer Meets Roadster). They made us name our cars. I liked the name April because I thought that's when I bought her. Turns out I bought her in March of 2008. March doesn't make a good name, so I stuck with April. (See picture below).

Who did the work on your car's modifications? 98% of the work done to my car was done by me alone, or with the help of a team member (What up, Johnny!). Built not bought. I think it's important to work on your own car, so you know exactly what's goin' on with it.

What's the next modification? On 4th of July this year, I walked out to find my car had been broken into. My window was smashed, and the car had been ransacked. Immediately, I used this as an opportunity to motivate myself to build my car to even higher standards. As the pay-out check from insurance is coming in, I plan to upgrade some parts that I wasn't happy with, and make the car even better than before. Til then, if you see someone with a black NRG Pilota steering wheel with wear on the 12 o'clock position, punch 'em in the face and grab my steering wheel back for me.

What's your favorite Scion-community event? The Unlock the tC event at the Santa Monica Airport was pretty sick. And the Scion VIP at Irwindale was a blast too.

Any other build or interesting car stories? At the Freeway Series in Anaheim this past March, I won my first trophy ever. I took home 1st Place tC in the Street Class. I was stoked and my teammates all knew how much it meant to me to finally win a trophy.

More recently...While I was stuck in traffic down in Beverly Hills, a guy in a Solara pulled up next to me and shouted, "Hey man, I like your hot-rod!" I looked over, smiled, and said, "Thanks!" He responded, "Yeah, I drive one of those professionally." It was then that I noticed the sideburns, and realized who I was talking to. In great excitement I yelled, "Oh shit! You're Chris!" "Yeah" he added, "Nice ride" as his lane cleared up and he drove off. I couldn't believe that Chris Rado had personally liked my car. It felt great because most cars down here are built for show. So it was especially complimentary that a pro racer appreciated the work I put into my, "Hot Rod".

EXTERIOR

• Seibon Carbon Fiber Hood
• Carbon Fiber Wing
• Custom Windsplitter
• Carbon Fiber Canards
• 6000k HIDs
• Gold 18" Enekie OR 52s
• Tinted Mirror Signals
• Gold Roll Call
• Badgless Top Racing Grill
• Sick Speed Carbon Fiber Short Antenna
• 35% Tint All Around
• OEM Fog Lights
• Black Rear Scion Badge

ENGINE

• Blue Engine Head
• Fujita CAI
• Weapon-R 4-2-1 Headers
• Weapon-R Down Pipe
• Custom Super Tuning Performance Mid Pipe
• Injen Exhaust
• NST 20% Underdrive Pulley
• House of Billet Throttle Body Spacer
• Blue Oil Catch Can
• Blue Sick Speed Super Tone Horns
• Gold Radiator Stays
• Blue Fusebox
• Blue (+) Battery Terminal Cover

SUSPENSION/BRAKES

• TRD Coilovers
• TRD Front Strutbar
• TRD Rear Swaybar
• DME Rear Strutbar
• Megan C-Pillar Bar (94 Integra)
• Megan C-Pillar Bar (05 xB)
• EBC Slotted Rotors
• Stop Tech Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines
• Blue Calipers

INTERIOR

• Completely Stripped and Painted Black
• C&G Racing Seats
• Crow Enterprizes  4pt Harnesses
• Harness Bar
• AEM UGO A/F Ratio Gauge
• NRG Quick Release Hub
• NRG Steering Wheel
• Blue Accents (Waterfall, Handles, Gauge Cluster, etc.)
• Mesh Shift Knob
• Blue RS1 Pedals
• Leather Shift Boot With Blue Stitching
• Purple Dome Light
• Purple Gauges & Needles
• Stereo Hack
• Ken Gushi Autograph

It's great to see someone who puts so much work and pride into their Scion to win a trophy for it! Congrats Oregon and thanks for sharing! Leave a comment and let Oregon know what you like most about his tC!