Scion remains a special venture by Toyota to create a collective amnesia in a demographic that traditionally avoids their automobiles, having lost ground to Nissan and Honda in the battle for the hearts, minds and wallets of younger drivers by offering them fun, affordable and hip vehicles. Since 2003, this strategy, formerly known as Project Genesis, has largely been a success. The median age of the buyer is one of the lowest in the industry, and from a car enthusiast's standpoint, the Scion quickly made a reputation for itself on the aftermarket car show circuit as a valid purchasing option for those looking to modify vehicles. Other upstarts, like the defunct Saturn marque, never enjoyed the same kind of reception.
Paul Spilker's 2007 Scion tC started out like any other off the assembly line. In 2009, Spilker was driving his tC when it was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer, causing major damage. The car would be out of action for some time while the insurance money was paid out and repairs were made. So Spilker determined to use the opportunity to make a number of modifications he had been planning.
His inspiration came from a likely source. Spilker had been a longtime fan of racing and avidly followed race car driver and Speed Channel personality Tanner Foust, whose own modified Scion tC pointed him in his own quest to build a one-of-a-kind version all his own. While the body work was being done, Spilker wanted to increase the performance output and purchased a full turbo kit. He soon added styling features that included a body kit, and had the car finished off in a custom blue paint job.
| » Engine: 2.4-liter dual overhead cam four-cylinder |
| » Performance: T3/T4 ball bearing turbocharger, Raptor blowoff valve, Evolution waste gate, Unichip engine management, Cast ductile exhaust manifold, black chrome mandrel bent aluminum intercooler pipes, K&N filter, four drop-in Motron high-flow injectors, Sparco front-mount intercooler, turbo back exhaust, Roadmagnet lowering springs |
| » Wheels: 18-inch Konig Tuner 2 |
| » Exterior: full Raven body kit, light-emitting diode taillights |
| » Interior: 7-inch double din head unit, Kicker amplifier, door speakers, two Kicker L5 subwoofers in custom enclosed box, color-matched interior trim pieces, blue LED accent lights, Sparco shift knob |
The sound system was ramped up significantly. The head unit links up with two Kicker L5 subwoofers, which push bass through a custom enclosed box, while the door speakers are powered by Kicker amplifiers. Blue accent lights color match the exterior and provide additional environmental lighting along with blue interior pieces. A Sparco shift knob grabs attention in the interior as well.
What do you drive? A 2007 Scion tC.
Why do you drive it? It is an extremely reliable car, never had a problem with it. I also like the smooth drive and slick look of the tC.
What makes your car so special? It is one of the only 2007 turbocharged tC in the area. I had a custom turbo kit installed.
What is the most memorable driving experience you had with your car? After getting the turbo installed and not having my car for two months and then driving it again.
What was the first vehicle you owned? A Dodge Stratus.
What music are you currently listening to in your car? Anything from new hip-hop to some rock.
And your first ticket? What was it for? Speeding.