You know, I'm starting to think '01 is going to be a breakout year for women in the scene. Think about it. Wasn't it novel when, a couple years ago, Battle introduced the Quick Chick class? It gave girls who wanted their pictures taken in the driver's seat of a car rather than draped over the fender an outlet to compete in a class where they would be recognized. Back then though, what they were mainly recognized for was going slow-and as for the show scene, female-owned rides were few and far between. Not anymore.
Today we've got two of the top racers on the 1320 in Ms. Proudfoot and Turbo's own ROTY, Ms. Kubo-and 2NR is starting to lose count of the gal-jocked show rides that have graced these pages (except you, Gemma!). In fact, we're seeing more female-prepped, quality rides at every event, both race and show. My friends, the times are a' changin'.
Which brings us to our next jewel, Rochelle Christmas' jazz blue turbocharged Toyota Tercel. To be honest, it's hard to know where to start because everything about this car is fine. It's daily driven, it's rare and no detail was overlooked. An uncommon choice for tuning, this Tercel is an uncommon commodity in a land dominated by Honda badges. And we're proud to present you Christmas' goods.
The front clip is a Wings...
The front clip is a Wings West Big Mouth intended for a Civic. The custom work is impeccable and was performed by Today's Kustoms. Inside the big mouth is a GReddy V-spec chiller that keeps charge air temps to a minimum.
"A Bit More Original..."
Christmas said she just wanted to make her Tercel "a bit more original," so she started with the gold-finished 18-inch Axis Se7en wheels wrapped by gooey 215/35ZR-18 Toyo Proxes FZ4s. Then in went the B&G sport springs, then onto the paint-and that's where all hell broke loose. She and her boyfriend Ali spent two weeks tearing down the interior and sanding every inch of sheetmetal before the Toyota made its way to Fair City Auto Body in Fairfax, Va. Fair City shaved the badges and antenna before massaging the 'Cel with a Wings West body kit and several quarts of VW jazz blue hue. A Fuba antenna was applied, along with a custom mesh front grille, APC fog lights, Mackin Industries Koito headlights, clear corners and clear taillights. If you're wondering (and we know you are), the front clip is a Wings West Big Mouth piece for a Civic that was custom-fitted by Johnny at Today's Kustoms in Delaware.