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.
customize your ride, 310-style
Celebrity entertainers and athletes may visit more upscale dealerships than you do, but there's no reason why your car shouldn't rival theirs on the road when it comes to looks. Take the DIY approach with these 10 introductory tips, and, soon enough, your ride will rival that of any multi-millionaire.Because of Marc Laidler, 310 has come to represent much more than the area code of West Los Angeles. As the visionary behind 310 Motoring - the automobile customization shop to the stars - Laidler helped to create the trend of customized cars as a fashion statement for the rich and famous, and license plates sporting "310" have become a celebrity "must."
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