ISU Bengal

Issue date: 2/5/03 Section: Life

Media Credit: Tagen Towsley, The Bengal A dustbuster, some flooring supplies, a high quality coffee can, white and chrome spray paint, a device for making real bullet holes and a passion for maximizing performance and aesthetics were all the components that ISU sophomore Travis Brown needed to create his modified sport import racer on a budget.

How phat is your ride? Is it souped up with fins in the back? Can you comb your hair in the window's reflection? Did you dedicate your entire financial aid package on modifications aimed at making your ride more dope, as they say? If such questions perk your interest, you may be intrigued to know that you, too, can "phatten" up your ride for mere pennies on the dollar. First, for the uninitiated, a little background.

You've all seen them or, at the very least, heard them. On any given night, particularly weekends, you can see them cruising the Pocatello streets that have unofficially been ordained "the cruise." These cars are known by any number of names among those who are into them, but are simply called "modifieds" or "modified imports" by many. The makes and models differ (Hondas, Toyotas, Ford Neons) but the common characteristics are easily identifiable. These include but are not limited to things like rear spoilers, camshafts, white taillights, tinted windows, purposely loud mufflers and a decided lowness to the road.

Obviously, there are technicalities and specifications, and costs that escalate accordingly. However, what if it's just the look you want without all of the messy details? More to the point, what if eating is slightly more important to you (but not by much) than having the phattest ride around? With a bit of ingenuity, ISU sophomore Travis Brown may have arrived at the perfect solution.

It's the Dustbuster that first grabs you. Brown's 1985 Honda LX Hatchback boasts a typical household Dustbuster from its hood. Brown says that he first added the modified appliance two years ago, but recently switched in favor of an upgrade.

"I wanted one that actually works," he said, a far-off look in his eyes. "Now when someone wants to race I just turn on the vacuum because it's actually a supercharger."

Continued...

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