Image via Complex Original
Vanilla ice cream. It’s mild-tasting, non-offensive and… well, vanilla. The flavor’s only saving grace is it’s mass appeal.
Screw the masses.
Why stick with basic when there are syrups, cookies, candies, nuts and all kinds of other tasty shit you can mix into ice cream? Life is way too short to be stuck with vanilla. The same can be said about a stock car. The vehicular equivalent to vanilla, a stock car is a vehicle that is still in the same bland state it was when it rolled off the factory line. And no, dents or scratches do not count.
For those of you looking to add some sugary sweetness to your ride, here is a list of shops that specialize in car customization. Not simply tuning or performance modifications, but full-on visual bah-zing with aftermarket parts such as wheels, body kits, suspension, exhausts and full-on audio systems to help you floss on the street. Think rainbow sherbet with all kinds of nom-nom-ness.
Written by Carter Jung
Related: The 25 Best Custom Cars of 2012
Related: Customize Your Car With Class
Related: List of Best Custom Cars of 2013
LIKE COMPLEX RIDES ON FACEBOOK
20. Monster Customs
Location: Atlanta, GA
Specialty: Domestics, SUVs, exotics
Monster Customs has built a reputation stemming from their expertise in the 12-volt arena. From an aftermarket head unit radio swap, all the way up to a completely custom car audio installation with one-off speaker enclosures and lighting and everything in between, Monster Customs can do it all. In the ATL, they are a "monster" in the customization game. Ha! All lists need at least one bad pun...
19. 813 Customs
Location: Tampa, FL
Specialty: Domestics
If the 22-inch wheels on your '80s-era domestic sedan are just not cutting it, hit up 813 Customs. Not only can they lace you up with some ridonkulously humongous wheels, but they can spray the exterior with a custom paint job and install a banging stereo system that is equally loud. What better way to cruise the Dirty South?
18. Krazy House Customs
Location: South Brunswick, NJ
Specialty: Exotics, Trucks
Established in 2007, Krazy House Customs expanded from its off-road roots to include domestic muscle, as well as European luxury and sports cars. Equipped with an all-wheel drive dyno, Krazy House Customs builds cars that not only look better on the street, but also perform better. Is that Crazy? No, it's Krazy.
17. Godfather Customs
Location: Decatur GA
Specialty: Trucks
If you're a truck guy, Godfather Customs has the parts to fit your steeze. For 33 years, Godfather has steadily grown its business to offer mail order alongside retail and installation at its Decatur, Georgia facility. With access to a broad depth of products, Godfather has built custom project vehicles such as a Hot Wheels Chevy S-10 truck.
16. Xclusv Autosports
Location: Staten Island, NY
Specialty: Japanese, European, Luxury, SUV/Truck, Domestic
Having worked on Hondas, Lambos and everything in-between, Xclusv Autosports truly runs the gamut. Unfortunately, this gamut depleted a chunk of vowels from the shop's name. All joking aside (I mean this is a serious list, right?), Xclusv works on custom interiors and audio systems, forced induction (supercharger or turbocharger), one-off paint, clutch jobs, car wraps and more! Their work is so reputable, Xclusv has supplied vehicles for the likes of 50 Cent and Cam'ron for their music videos. Just don't ask them to try and spell the shop's name. Instead, have them peruse the shop's new clothing and sneaker showroom. New kicks, to match the modified whip.
15. 713 Motoring
Location: Houston, TX
Specialty: Domestics, Trucks, SUV, Luxury
Based in Houston, 713 Motoring takes pride in repping their clientele and their area code. They take pride in driving the same type of cars as their customers, sharing the same music tastes, and partying at the same clubs. Borderline stalking aside, 713 takes pride in their builds, working on cars from humble domestics to Italian supercars. One other point of local pride? 713 claims to be the first shop in Houston to install halo lights on a car. Boom!
14. Globe Tire
Location: Los Angeles CA
Specialty: Luxury and Exotics
Outlasting the numerous fly-by-night custom shops, Globe Tire has been in the Los Angeles area since 1932. Not only does Globe win the oldest shop award for the list, the shop earns a few points for having the word "motorsports" in its title. What does that mean? A track day might be in your near future with Globe's roster of service including suspension, custom exhausts and cross drilling and slotting brake rotors. In addition, Globe offers the obligatory wheel, body kit and window tinting.
13. AutoFashion
Location: San Diego, CA
Specialty: Japanese Luxury
For enthusiasts of Japanese luxury brands such as Lexus, Infiniti and Acura, Autofashion USA is the spot to go to for VIP style tuning. What, pray tell, is VIP style? Slammed sedans on wide wheels and understated body kits with interior accents such as curtains, tables and pillows -- like a boss. In regards to this unique type of JDM modification, the San Diego-area Autofashion is the VIP of VIP style.
12. CNC Autosports
Location: Kirkland, WA
Specialty: Japanese, Euro, Luxury
The shop formerly known as Car Nutz Customz, CNC Autosports is based in Kirkland, Washington, the former home of the Seattle Seahawks and Costco's headquarters. Unlike the aforementioned institutions, hopefully CNC Autosport will abstain from moving out of the 20th largest city in the state. Otherwise, who else will cater to the kings in King County with aftermarket brakes, exhausts, suspensions, wheels and tires, body kits, custom interiors and the like? Starbucks? Grunge music? We certainly don't think so.
11. Rayco 2
Location: Little Ferry, NJ
Specialty: SUV, Luxury, Trucks
In the customization hustle for over 16 years, Rayco 2 refers to themselves as "the premier Northeast retailer of luxury automotive accessories." And with a list of services that includes rims and tires, body kits, suspension, window tint, alarms, navigation, brake kits, paint protection and wheel repair, they just might be.
10. 702 Motoring
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Specialty: SUV, Trucks, Classic Cars
Touted as the largest, not to mention best, custom shop in Nevada, 702 Motoring has grown tremendously in its nine years. One of the shop's biggest achievements? Appearing on the TV show Rides on the Discovery network where they restored a 1969 Lincoln, complete with fiberglass interior, custom gloss black paint and alligator skin leather. When 702 Motoring isn't tanning and stitching hides of a large reptile, it lowers, lifts, supercharges and builds custom audio systems for SUVs.
9. Dreamworks Motorsports
Location: Roxboro, NC
Specialty: Muscle, SUV/Trucks, Boats, Bikes
Not to be confused with the Spielberg's film studio, Dreamworks does live up to the first half of its name by modifying almost any mode of transportation. Muscle cars, SUVs and trucks with four wheels, motorcycles with two wheels and boats with one propeller. Another dream its competitors would like to steal is Dreamworks Motorsports' client list: Chris Paul, Antwan Jamison and Jeff Gordon. All three have taken advantage of the shop's custom paint jobs, restoration, performance and aesthetic improvements.
8. Progressive Autosports
Location: Houston, TX
Specialty: Luxury, Exotics
A full-service shop, Progressive Autosports has an in-house paint shop, wheel and tire machines, and an auto detail facility capable of custom paint jobs, body kit installation, upgrading wheels and bringing back a car's new car shine. Almost anything your transformative heart desires, Progressive can do, all under one roof. Now that's progressive. Or maybe it's just a pun. You decide.
7. Lux Motorwerks
Location: Keyport, NJ
Specialty: Luxury Exotics
Own a Bentley, Rolls-Royce or Maybach, live in the Northeast and in dire need of a way to spend some extra cash? Damn you and your first world problems. Deep-rooted hating aside, Lux Motorwerks is your jam. With an on-site wood shop, upholstery station and welding and metal fabrication equipment, Lux can create custom pieces such as motorized curtains for a Rolls-Royce Phantom and a writing table for a Bentley Flying Spur. You know, so your assistant can do your tax write-offs in the car. Oh, who are we kidding? You wouldn't let your assistant in your Rolls or Bentley.
6. BLVD Customs
Location: St Petersburg, FL
Specialty: SUV, Luxury, Exotics
If you were to judge a shop by the prestige of its clientele, BLVD Customs would score really high, especially considering their St. Petersburg, FL base of operations. Tiger Woods, Hulk Hogan and Nelly have all cruised to BLVD Customs, leveraging the shop's air conditioned installation bays stuffed with wood and metal fabrication tools, and advanced wheel equipment. For those who like to count speed by knots, they even work on boats.
5. Action Tire
Location: Lodi, NJ
Specialty: SUV, Luxury, Trucks
Listed as one of the 10 best custom shops in North America by DuPont Registry, Action Tire is more than just tires. Custom audio systems, integrated monitors, exhaust, suspension and wheels are but just a sampling of their wares. Action tire was also featured in The DUB Magazine Project and Ice-T's TV show Ice Loves Coco. Apparently, Ice loves Action, as well. But, don't we all...
4. CEC
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Specialty: Luxury, Exotics, European
For a more, how shall we say, tasteful type of build, CEC may be more your flavor. The craftsmen at CEC can manipulate carbon fiber, leather, aluminum and wood trim to customize your vehicle. Although CEC heavily promotes its own wheel brand of the same name, the customizer also distributes the top European brands such as Hamann, Mansory, Carlsson, Novitec Rosso and Speedart through their Los Angeles and Miami storefronts.
3. West Coast Customs
Location: Corona, CA
Specialty: Vintage, Muscle, Luxury, SUV/ Truck
If you haven't heard of West Coast Customs, it's time to upgrade to cable or satellite TV, stat. For four seasons, West Coast Customs dominated MTV programming turning automotive turds into polished, colorful automotive turds on Pimp my Ride, turning the shop into a recognized brand. Embarking on its third season of Inside West Coast Customs TV show on Velocity Network, tune in to see what they can do to a car just like yours.
2. Galpin Auto Sports
Location: Van Nuys, CA
Specialty: Trucks, SUVs, Luxuries and Exotics
The customization division of a Ford dealership, Galpin Ford was established in the suburbs of Los Angeles back in 1946. Ancient for California, Galpin has been the number-one volume Ford dealer for multiple years. The ability to slang mad F-150s aside, Galpin Auto Sport works on all makes and models, but specializes in Ford builds ranging from rally-inspired Focuses (or is it Foci?) to lifted Raptors to quarter-mile dominating Mustangs.
1. Platinum Motorsport
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Specialty: Supercars
For musicians, actors, debutantes or athletes who do regular stops in L.A., Platinum is one of the go-to spots to drop off their rides. Kim Kardashian, Carmelo Anthony, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne and Lindsay Lohan are but just a few of their celebrity clients. Although known for their high-end European luxury and supercar clients, they offer full collision center services for vehicles spanning all socioeconomic brackets. Just make sure you have insurance.