Editor's NoteAs the Scion was being parked for a quick photo shoot, I couldn't help but have the biggest smirk on my face. I thought to myself,"Holy shit! This thing looks like complete crap!" And, I knew it was going to be one sick ride. As the tires recessed into the wide flare fenders and masking tape held the doors shut the car shook and rattled as if it had just been salvaged from the local junkyard. LJ smiled through the tinted windows and David Choi directed the car into the dirt lot as overcranking the wheels caught the side flares and almost ripped them off while making a 3-mph turn. It's SEMA Show time and, hack job or not, cars have deadlines to meet and trailers to ride as the industry gathers in Sin City to meet and greet familiar faces while making new acquaintances. As you read this article, the kit will be completed and will hopefully be sold as a complete bolt-on unit to consumers. The 12-piece kit will consist of the front and rear bumpers, front door cap, rear door cap, side skirts, carbon-fiber diffuser, etc.
A Widebody Scion?LJ Garcia was approached 6 months ago by Scion to build a car worthy of the show scene in the import industry. With the SEMA Show less than two months, the clock was ticking to devise a plan to execute and deliver a Scion xA that would take the breath away from buyers and vendors attending the show in Las Vegas. The outcome? Well, its' hard to visualize anything worth mentioning with these photos in the article, but you can be sure you'll be hearing and seeing a lot more of this car in the future.
WhyWhy an xA instead of a xB or even a Scion for that matter? With the Scion xB being very boxy in stature, body modifications would be difficult to do to LJ level of standards. The xA was the better choice in the Scion lineup since its bodyline carries more contours, giving LJ the chance to go more crazy with the styling of the car.
Scion, as the rookie marque in the import industry, has been aggressive with its marketing towards the younger generation. By bringing the Japanese spec look to the U.S. market, Scion is a refreshing change from the typical Honda and Acura approach. All the hype promoting Scion as the car to have seems to be paying off, as even sanctioned import car shows have begun to place the Scion in a sub category of its own. People are definitely hearing what Scion is trying to say.
Sky's the LimitA new company such as Scion only comes along once in a great while, especially when that company is willing to take risks and dare sponsors to put their reputations, and products, on the line. LJ believed Scion was the perfect marque for a project car, as the company gave him a "no-holds-barred" limit on what could be done to the car. "Basically, Scion told me to do what I would normally do to a car. We'll see that approach in the end results," said LJ. For those unfamiliar with LJ Garcia's work, he has built quite a reputation on building a wide number of cars-ranging from mild to wild-that have set the import industry standard on what a legitimate show car should look like. Normal to LJ would be considered insane by many import enthusiasts. Scion saw LJ not only as a top-notch show car expert, but as someone within the import industry echelon who had the knowledge and skills to help the marque get the media attention it is working so hard to obtain.