Whether it be any sort of tech or gear, or cars even, I've always found the whole process of modification quite interesting.
Customizing something from top to bottom, starting with the bodywork or performance, giving it a few personal touches, turning it into your own, such addons says a lot about the person. It also shows how much love they have for that certain thing.
Buying a car bone stock, giving it a custom paintjob, upgrading performance parts, adding body kits and decals one by one, it's an exhilaratingly hectic process, because sometimes you just don't know how the end result will turn out. The possibilities are endless too. The process is costly though, depending on the type of parts and upgrades you choose, but I say making a car your own and it standing out in the crowd, being 1 of 1, that is a priceless feeling right there.
ᴵᵐᵃᵍᵉˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳᵃˡˡ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵉⁿᵗ ᵃʳᵉ ᵐʸ ᵒʷⁿ ᵘⁿˡᵉˢˢ ᶦᵗ'ˢ ᵐᵉⁿᵗᶦᵒⁿᵉᵈ
I've always wanted to have a project car, starting with the process of buying one of my favorite cars from someone else for a bargain. Because the cars I really like are mostly old, belonging to the 60s to 70s era, some from the 90s even. So I doubt that I'll be able to get my hands on a brand new unit, best I can hope for is an used car that is in mint condition.
The process always starts with a paintjob, in a shade that suits the certain car well. Not every color suits every car, black is probably the safest bet, but if I'm gonna customize it then I'm gonna try my best to make it stand out.
Performance parts like the brakes, tires, air filter, a proper exhaust system and a turbo are the ABCs, and I'll be more than happy with the ABCs. Bodywork comes next, decals, vinyl wraps, rims and body-kits. Body-kits being the toughest choice of them all I'd say. Finding a proper kit takes time, and most of the time you don't even have too many options, it depends on the car and the availability of aftermarket parts.
Even though I don't plan on going overboard, it seems that this little project of mine will have to wait for now. Because we're starting off with some repairs first.
Since she's been collecting dust in our garage for 7 years almost, a lot of things need fixing for now.
The tires are all deflated, so we surely need a new set of those, the paintjob is ruined, one of the taillights needs replacing, the power steering is inconsistent and many more. The engine however, it's still kicking, almost the same as we left it. That's just classic Toyota reliability for you.
Yes, Toyota, her heart was changed back in 2011, when it was slowly becoming tough to find and import parts for the original Chevy engine. The original engine surely was something and it was a manual too, I actually learned to handle the stick in this car. Unlike auto transmissions, a manual is way more practical, and when driving, the bond with your car is much stronger too.
I know we won't be able to restore her fully, bringing this beauty back to her original form, but for now we're trying to get close. It's surely a challenge, but it's a challenge that I'll happily accept.