Sunday, October 21, 2007

APC Mazda Protegé

Along comes the Mazda Protegé and Ashley's concept is put into motion. Built in five weeks, this unique subcompact features removable puzzle pieces. The missing puzzle pieces expose clear-coated bare metal, and there are magnetic puzzle pieces painted to match the graphics to complete this giant rolling puzzle. A striking combination of gold and copper, the APC Mazda Protegé's airbrushed detail work was the most time consuming modification, taking Prax Garcia nearly a week to complete. The results were worth the wait.

APC invested quite a few particulars to ensure a well-thought out design. The muffler is finished in a copper-look, as are the intake tube, strut bar, wheels, pedals and billet pieces. The universal mesh was painted to match the Orion Silver/Pagan Gold Candy flames. LED turn signal road vision mirrors and Speed-Glo gauge replacements carry the theme.

All interior pieces were primered and sanded smooth and painted saffron pearl. AS Kustomz installed the Audiobahn sound system, which boasts AEQ-7 EQ, A18001D subs, A2801 kick panel speakers, A2401 rear door speakers, aluminum 12" subs, ABC 5002 5.25+1 and AS65C coaxials. Bush Custom Interiors covered the seats in cream snakeskin-print suede with various puzzle pieces and camel color carpet throughout. "This car is mainly about appearance and all the details that add to the whole," says Ashley. "There was almost no stone left unturned in making this car look the part".

Audio:
Audiobahn: Audio system Pioneer: DEH-P7300 deck
AS Kustomz: Installation of audio system.
Puzzle shaped box lifts with actuators to expose the chrome amps that are lit with red neon lights. The box is painted saffron pearl.

Styling:
"405" Rear wing
APC: Speed-Glo Gauge replacements
Intake tube finished in copper-look
LED turn signal roadvision mirrors
Pedals finished in copper-look
Stainless steel muffler in copper-look
Strut bar finished in copper-look
Billet rear view mirror in copper-look
Billet shifter knob finished in copper-look
Billet accessories in copper-look
Billet fire extinguisher in copper-look
Bush Custom Interiors: Seats covered in snake skin with creme snakeskin print suede with various puzzle pieces and camel color carpet throughout.
Paint by Praxx: Dupont Saffron Pearl and Dupont
Chromabase graphics. House of Kolor flames in Orion Silver with Pagan Gold Candy.
Universal mesh painted to match flames

Suspension:
Intrax springs

Tires:
KMC "Boost" 18x7" wheels face finished in copper-look
Falken Tires 215/35/18