From So-Cal to Nor-Cal the racing scene is SIZZLING!!! Cars are being modified to the extreme, which means a grip of money, time and effort in building one mean looking machine. And of course, to be the ONE car that turns everyone’s head and have them say “did you see that car!” Being in the south bay I see many car enthusiasts cruising the streets, showing off their pride and joy.
During the last car show, Import Motion Tour 2003 in San Mateo, Gene was amazed with one of Team Light Speed’s cars a 2000 Toyota Celica owned Gary Villanueva. Could it have been the “Winter Green” color or the Playstation 2 system he had? As Gene stated in his article “From a far, this car was glowing from its green paint job”, for me what I liked was the little replica of his car, which I like to call “mini me” car and how his car reminded me of my favorite Tic-Tac flavor “winter fresh” hee hee.
As an assignment, I was sent out to get the scoop behind this winter green Celica that cruises the streets of the south bay. My story begins the first day I met Gary, he came by work so I can get my interview started and plan a good day to take pictures of his car. Me being the talkative person and he a shy one, it didn’t take me long to get him to open up, by the end of the interview I got him laughing.
Gary’s has been part of team Light Speed for 2 years now. It was an “accident” Gary says “I never expected to be in a car crew when I got my car”. As I questioned him, I noticed that he looked worried and always looking back at his car. I never questioned why he was uncomfortable. I thought to myself, “Did I smell?” or did I bore him to death and he was just looking for a quick way out of my work?” (Btw…I didn’t smell!!! I swear!) I guess Gary couldn’t hold it in longer and he blurted out”, I’ll be back I’m going to move my car!” I couldn’t help but laugh, not at him but it was cute on how he so worried that something was going to happen to his car. Safe and sound his car was in plain sight; he walked back in the store and before I could make a comment Gary said, “Don’t write that I moved my car closer, please!” Sorry Gary but I have to let the whole world know how much you love your car!
Back to Gary…he joined Team Light Speed by “accident”; he lived next door to Roland Sagmit, head of Team Light Speed San Jose, and admired his car. He was told by a mutual friend of his and Roland that he was the leader of Team Light Speed and from then on, her wanted to be part of the team. Never expecting anything, Gary was in search of springs for his Celica as another project. One of his first projects was turning the plain black Celica to a winter green color and the buddy club kit he has now. He was introduced to Roland so he can get hooked up on ground control coil over springs with Tokico gas shocks, but instead his friend told Roland that Gary wanted to be part of the team and from there all is history.
He got his springs along with many modifications he has done over the two years. About $10,000 plus on his car, Gary clinched himself 6 trophies as having the “Best Toyota Class”. The last car show, Extreme Auto Fest 2002 at the Pomona Fairplex, Gary won 3rd place for “Best Celica”. Congrats Gary on having one badass car! Now, you wonder what makes his car the “best”? From the many LCD screens and not to mention the Playstation 2 system he has, who would have guessed that his car would be an eye catcher? Well, he judges thought so!
Gary has a load of “ish” that makes his car stand out. The obvious eye catcher is his winter green color with a pearl blue tint. His car also has 5 LCD screens. Yes, FIVE screens! He’s got one practically in every corner of his car. One in the trunk, in the dash and even one in the engine bay! When I first saw the one in the engine my reaction was “OMG, the engine, cool!” and the other two are on the sun visors. I’d love to be a passenger in his car any day. I wouldn’t be giving him directions; I’d be on the PS2 playing MADDEN! Yes, I love playing videos games too! With the PS2 system, a good sound system is a must! Gary has 4 12” Kicker competitions, 4 6 ½ round speakers, a Kicker amp and Titanium tweeters all good for playing games or checking out Vin Diesel’s sexy body on “Fast and the Furious”! He’s HOT!! Am I right ladies? Hee hee
As I mentioned earlier, I got Gary laughing by the end of my interview, well he was laughing at me because my knowledge of cars was a minimal. I say Gary let’s talk cameras! For some reason, without me even knowing, the tables turned and I was put on the spotlight. “Uhoh” was the only thing going through my mind. “What do you notice on my car that doesn’t belong on a Celica and never done yet?” was the question Gary asked. For cars and me…hmmm don’t see eye to eye!! And the truth comes out, me not knowing the correct terminology I pointed at the different things I thought that didn’t belong on a stock Celica. I kept my fingers crossed hoping that the next thing that I pointed at was correct. I circled his car over and over and with no luck I couldn’t figure out what it was! It wasn’t the Tanabe style mufflers or the Elegante by TYC taillights. Nor was it the Wing Man spoiler or the H-1 premium blue bulbs he has. Being a nice guy Gary helped me out and told me what they were. It was a molded MR2 side vents and the M3 grille. I wouldn’t have guessed that in a million years! His car also has an Eclipse fuel door; blue Street Glow under car kit lights, TRD emblems on the grille, green tinted windows and 17” white 5ZR rims with Falken tires. Gary also has two blue Street Glow sound-activated accent tubes a customized trunk and 2 two blue Indiglo gauges. His engine has an Injen cold air intake, OBX racing battery tie bar, Billet oil cap and blue wire looms. Several sponsors of Gary’s car are Team Light Speed, Seafarer’s Auto Body, Elegante by TYC and partially by Speed Image and many more. One of my last questions for Gary is what will be his next project and he responded by saying “it’s a secret” so look out for this Celica cruising the streets and check back with us here and we’ll keep you guys up dated.