SP Rides: The Family Guy
By Michael Kitchens
Name: Chad Ries
Age: 35
Occupation: Fleet mechanic
Hobbies: Cars, aquariums
Year/Make/Model: 2012 Toyota Camry SE
Color: House of Kolor White Ice Pearl
Build Time: More than two years
Engine: K&N Typhoon intake, Borla Xs mufflers with Flowmaster tips, color-matched engine shield cover
Exterior: Wind visors, roof spoiler, fiberglass eyelids, makeshift front lip, manual hideaway license plate bracket, Duplicolor “copper plated” Toyota emblems, 8,000k low beams, 3,000k foglights with lamin-x yellow film over housings, Cree led drl/high beams, LED license plate lights
Interior: LED interior lights, Wet Okole front and rear seat covers, Britax B agile baby seat
I.C.E.: Pioneer double din DVD player, Hifonics Brutus 1,600-watt amp, JBL DVC subwoofer, JBL coaxial 6x9s with aftermarket passive crossovers filtering JBL tweeters
Suspension: BC Extreme low coilovers, modified SPC camber bolts.
Wheels and Tires: Custom copper powder coated 20×8.5+35 Mrr Hr2s, Toyo Proxes 225/35/20 plus 4s
Shout-Outs: Special thanks to My Wife Cara and daughter Penelope. Dino at Dj’s Motorsport’s. Francis at Chance Customs. Elgen Verdadero of Outsiders Car Club. Marky Perkins. Rod at Aloha Radiator. Jord at 808xclusive_rides. Camry Nation.
Chad Ries is no stranger to automobiles. His first car was a 1962 Impala, and that beauty was followed by an ’81 hot rod Monte Carlo and multiple low riders. And although he’s been into the modifying scene since then, his decision to start a family meant transitioning into something a bit friendlier, like this 2012 Toyota Camry SE.
Although the Camry seems like an unlikely vehicle for modification, it actually has a huge following. Camry Nation is one such Facebook group dedicated to this “common” grocery getter. Chad is the founding Hawaii chapter president and has joined thousands of fellow Camry enthusiasts dedicated to making something special.
The Generation 7 body style features a much more aggressive stance in comparison to previous iterations which encourages modification. Chad took it upon himself to repaint the vehicle to a stunning combination of Toyota Supra White with House of Kolor White Ice & Blue Pearl laid over. He finished up with a DuPont clear coat, which has resulted in a stunning frozen white exterior.
Additional exterior details include a custom-made front lip, JDM style wind visors, fiberglass eyelids and a stealthy rear roof spoiler. 8000k low beams with 3000k fog lights layered with Lamin-x yellow film light up the night when he needs it.
Power is rated at 270HP from the factory but Chad hasn’t neglected the stock power plant. He’s added a K&N Typhoon for better air intake as well as Borla Xs Mufflers that have been fitted with Flowmaster tips.
All of the Toyota emblems have been color matched to the aggressive wheel set. These 20×8.5+35 Mrr Hr2’s have been custom powder coated with a metal flake silver base coat and Prismatic Powders transparent copper for an unbelievable look. They’re absolutely brilliant and tuck nicely under the fenders thanks to BC Extreme Low coilovers with modified SPC camber bolts. The wheels are fitted with 225/35/20 Toyo Proxes plus 4s.
Last but not least is the interior sound system, which has been upgraded to a Pioneer double-din DVD player with a Hifonics Brutus 1,600-watt amp powering a 12″ JBL DVC subwoofer. JBL Coaxial 6x9s and JBL tweeters round out the audio package.
Our best passions reflect ourselves. Chad’s automotive hobby now reflects his family, which is a change for the better. Overall, the car is a stunner and it’s dedicated to his 2-month-old baby girl, Penelope. Chad says he themed it after his daughter…leaving us with the meaningful “Penny for your thoughts.”
