writer: Scott G.
Enrico Del Mar of Modern Image in San Diego was an enthusiast before he even had his license. Car audio was the hot topic amongst his peers then. So once he graduated from school and got a job he used most of the money to pay for his vehicle modifications. So much for food and other necessities. His dedication has paid off. One look at the vehicle in these pages is enough to tell you that.
Enrico spent a good deal of time researching how car audio works, and how to achieve the best quality sound system. His many hours of studying and hard work have become the foundation for his company's latest project car, a 2001 Lexus IS300. He is well aware of the scene in his area and knew in order to turn heads and keep them focused he was going to have to take some risks. Looking at the finished product I would venture to say that he has surpassed most, if not all of his original goals. Let's take a closer look at the details that bring this eye and ear candy to life.
Exterior/HandlingThe Lexus factory yellow paint just screams, "Look at me!!!" Considering that, Enrico wanted to change up the exterior a bit to keep the attention the bright color draws. He started with the stance, slightly lowering the car on a B&G coil over suspension system designed to keep this machine glued to the earth. Assisting with road adhesion are Yokohama AVS sport tires wrapped around 19" x 8" TSW Pin Drive wheels. With basic handling out of the way, it was time to further enhance the lines of the already smooth Lexus body. Enrico chose a Stillen body kit, which complements the platform perfectly and leaves a race-ready image burned in your memory. An aftermarket grill and front valance grill were added to enhance the body modifications. Of course to finish off the outside, Modern Image cut the vinyl to give props to all of the people that helped him complete the project.
Power/PerformanceThe exterior is eye-popping certainly, but what about the machine under the shell? First off, Enrico wanted to upgrade the acceleration and the braking. The standard 3.0 liter motor was outfitted with an intake system from Injen, and an exhaust system from Fox for better breathing. The all-out punch is heavily boosted by a Nitrous Express kit (just in case, of course). Brembo brakes were installed to get him out of the trouble the Nitrous Express kit gets him into. The guys at AEBS (Ben and Roger) were the masterminds behind the tuning of the complete package. With improved performance and stunning looks there was only one thing left to work on. They saved the best for last.
Interior/EntertainmentWith the early stages of any big audio system install comes the removal of almost every interior panel within the cockpit. This makes for an excellent opportunity to dress up certain components and focus your attention on interior detail. Enrico teamed up with the guys at Wetworks Garage. Together they took advantage of the time available and went to town with the aesthetic side of the creature comforts. Notice that on the dashboard all of the grain of the plastic has been removed, smoothed out and painted to match the exterior. The door panels and all of the speaker bezels received the same special treatment where possible. The factory seats were replaced with Sparcos for that race feel without compromising comfort. Dynamat was installed on every interior panel possible to eliminate the possibility of unnecessary noises. A nice interior touch are the floor mats with the Eclipse logo.