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Between those
tips offered by Pimp My Ride, Overhaulin',
Monster Garage, and a slew of other similar programs, there's a lot
of car customization information out there. From
an entertainment perspective, this is a good thing. But for the guy who's
serious about beefing up his own ride, this glut of often contradictory
resources can be a bit bewildering. So where does one go for straight,
solid advice on modifying their ride?
We knew
exactly who to turn to: Marc Laidler, the founder
of Los Angeles-based 310 Motoring. Since 1999, Laidler
and the 310 team have transformed the cars of Shaq,
Denzel Washington, Britney Spears, and countless other athletes and
entertainers. And while you may not be in quite the same income bracket as
these personalities, there's no reason why your ride should suffer for it.
Here, then, are 10
basic customization tips.
1- Employ contrast
You don't need
multiple exterior colors to make your ride stand out. In fact, multiple
colors often make a car look tacky. Instead, go for the simplicity of a
two-tone contrasting. Two contrasting colors can look elegant and make the
entire car pop at the same time.
310's
execution: When
you want to complement a white car that has a dark interior, I suggest
using white piping for the interior on the seats and the doors. We did just
this with Wyclef's car, and the effect was
powerful.
2- Don't neglect the interior
Just because it
isn't in the immediate public view, you shouldn't neglect the interior of
your car. After all, not only do you want the inside to look as good as the
outside, but you want it to be comfortable, too.
310's
execution: If
you are a fan of couture fashion, you can inject it into a custom interior
fabric. For Brandy, who loves designer Louis Vuitton,
we customized her car by using the classic Vuitton
fabric for the interior.
3- Create unique wheels
Rims are usually the
first investment that a beginning customizer will
make. The result is that everyone and his brother has a set of shiny wheels
-- so you're going to have to try that much harder to make yours stick out.
310's
execution: Chris
Mills, NBA pro and my 310 partner, knew that his wheels had to stand out
from the pack. He made them do just that by using a customized logo on
their center caps; the original design distinguished them from the masses.
4- Don't shy away from color
Simplicity is always
good, but if you have a favorite color, there's no reason to shy away from
it. Remember that your car is first and foremost your car. Make your
wishes a top priority as you approach your custom work.
310's
execution:
Rickey Henderson
told us that he loved brilliant silver. Even though that is a Mercedes
factory paint color and Rickey drives a 2004 Cadillac Escalade, we complied. He was
thrilled with the results.
5- Customize for your size
Most customizers devote most of their time and effort to
their car's looks. But don't forget that you ultimately want your ride to
be comfortable. And I'm not talking about Louis Vuitton
interiors here; rather the basic comfort of having the
interior accommodate your body type.
310's
execution: For a
tall driver, comfort is both key and often elusive. Kevin Garnett is
6'11", and that frame isn't going to fit into too many cars -- we had
to move his seat back a few inches. An even larger driver required larger
measures: Fitting Shaq into his Ferrari meant changing his ride entirely.
6- Customize for your lifestyle
Your car is an integral part of your life;
accordingly, it should suit your lifestyle. This might mean not sacrificing
the practicality that comes with lots of trunk space (by filling it with a
sound system, for example), or easing off on the power if you'll be sharing
it with a younger driver.
310's
execution: For
many 310 clients, like Kobe
Bryant, anonymity is an integral part of lifestyle. We
incorporated some discretion into Kobe's
car by tinting the windows with a shade called Limo, which appears black
from the outside.
7- Incorporate your personality
In your efforts to
set your car apart, your best weapon is yourself. Infuse the unique
elements of your personality into your customization.
310's
execution: For
our female clients, I generally don't recommend using large wheels, which give the car a more
aggressive and masculine look. I definitely wanted to stay away from them
for Britney
Spears, as she wanted her car to reflect the femininity that has
come to define her. To do so, we equipped her ride with 20-inch wheels -- in keeping with her
petite physique and womanliness.
8- Accommodate luxury
Few of us have the
budgets of a Shaq or a Rickey Henderson. But that doesn't mean
that we should deprive ourselves of small luxuries entirely. If you're a
music fanatic, make that extra investment for a good sound system -- the
pleasure that it adds to your drives will prove worthwhile.
310's
execution: One
of the entertainment business' most famous music lovers, Master P, does
have a sizable budget. We equipped his Bentley with a $25,000 Alpine sound system.
9- Don't be scared to be subtle
Flash isn't
everyone's style; some prefer a smoother approach. Many people equate
customization with excess, and let themselves get lured into luxurious
accessories that they may not really want. If subtlety is your thing,
embrace it.
310's
execution: Mark
McGrath wanted his car to stand out without screaming. We used a matte
finish on his wheels, instead of the flashier chrome.
10- Keep it functional
Your ideal custom job
will be unique, comfortable, accommodating, and reflective of your
personality and lifestyle. But don't lose sight of the forest for the
trees: Your car is there to get you from one place to another safely. Don't
let all your new bells and whistles compromise that role.
310's
execution: Most
310 clients -- and most customizers in general --
opt for bigger wheels. What they overlook is the fact that an upgrade in
wheel size requires a corresponding upgrade in brakes to handle them.
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