There are two different paths that car fanatics follow: quantity and quality. You've seen the guys in the quantity camp; whale tail spoilers, slammed on 12-in rims, every light bulb in the car changed, and of course an uneven, self-painted interior. But the ones you always remember subscribe to the ideal of quality and neat, tidy showmanship. A sense of style is required to take a variety of parts and turn it into one clean, impressive automobile. Nothing quite says style like the touch of a lady. This 2001 Lexus IS300 proves that its owner, Connie Lam, indeed paid attention to the house of style.
The Lexus IS300, known as the Toyota Altezza in Japan, is quite a remarkable platform on which to begin. Featuring a double wishbone suspension, a front-engine, rear-drive platform, a smooth straight six and a luxury interior, the IS300 comes packed from the factory. Even stock, this car is a force on the road. With amazing examples such as the TTE IS430, Advan Altezza racecar, Grand-Am Cup and World Challenge efforts and numerous Supra-engined IS300's, the potential and enthusiasm for the car is far from lacking. Lam, like any car nut, wanted a perfect platform on which to begin her buildup. After seeing an Altezza in a Japanese Advan advertisement, Lam set about to transform her lucky Lexus into the car she had in her mind.
The IS300's stock 3.0L inline-six engine produces 215 hp. That's enough power to propel the car through a 0-60 run in 7.5 seconds. To cut down that time, Lam added an HKS intake and carbon titanium exhaust system to improve breathing. A 50-shot of nitrous oxide, courtesy of a Nitrous Express kit, adds power when called upon. Helping stop the car after getting a big nitrous-induced power surge is stainless steel braided brake lines and a Stoptech 14-in big brake kit, installed front and rear. To fit those big clampers on to the Lexus, Lam grabbed a set of gunmetal 19-in Advan Model 5 wheels. Connecting the wheels to the tarmac is a set of Nitto NT555 tires, sized 225/35R19. But what's a lady without the sexy swing in her hips? Wanting to give the IS300 that seductive, low-slung look, Lam dropped the car using a set of HKS Hipermax Damper coilovers. Right above those dampers is a carbon JIC strut tower bar and various TRD engine bits.
The next step was to tackle the exterior and interior of the car. Accenting the huge Advan rims is a full body kit, carbon-fiber rear wing, and carbon-fiber door panels. Spicing up the interior is a set of Bride Ergo racing seats with Takata harnesses, which also happen to aid driver inputs during harsh maneuvering. Interior carbon-fiber door panels and a pair of HKS gauges give a hint of performance and looks. A complete in-car entertainment system was installed, tossing out all the factory equipment. Audio Options of Torrance, Calif., filled the IS300 with an Alpine CVA 1005 commander unit, Alpine DVD Player and an Alpine 12-disc CD changer. If that wasn't enough, these audio geniuses threw in two PPI PCX 400 2-channel amplifiers, PPI PCX 440 4-channel amplifier, two PPI digital capacitors, and two 12-in JL Audio 12W3 subwoofers. Whew.
The pictures speak for themselves, the ultra-clean JDM style is pouring out of this lady's chariot. Every modification has been installed with both style and functionality in mind. With entries in shows such as Hot Import Nights, Import Showoff, Import Revolution and numerous place finishes, it proves this car has the look everybody loves. The world needs more ladies with this kind of Midas touch. What a world it would be.