West Coast Customs builds a street-legal Camry at Richmond Raceway

 

Carol D'Agostino for Skirts and Scuffs

 

 

 

Challenges are nothing new for Ryan Friedlinghaus, founder and CEO of West Coast Customs. After all, from 2004 to 2007, Friedlinghaus and his internationally renowned team restored and customized a wide range of vehicles for MTV’s “Pimp My Ride.”

For six seasons, the West Coast Customs team designed and installed some eclectic post-factory additions, such as a hot tub, a yoga studio, terrarium, and even an aquarium, in vehicles that sometimes didn’t even run. However, this race weekend at Richmond Raceway the team is tackling what may be their greatest challenge as they build a street-legal NASCAR Next Gen Toyota Camry TRD during the Cook Out 400 weekend in the fan zone.

The modifications would typically take about a week, but Friedlinghaus will complete the project in 24 hours in temperatures hovering around 100 degrees. Students from the Henrico County Workforce & Career Development (CTE) are assisting the West Coast Customs nine-person team. 

 

When completed, the one-of-a-kind Camry will be auctioned off to benefit The NASCAR Foundation.

As the green flag flies for tomorrow’s Cook Out 400, fans will get to see another example of the team’s work as polesitter Tyler Reddick’s No. 45 Xfinity 10G Toyota Camry TRD is sporting a West Coast Customs inspired paint scheme.

 

Carol D'Agostino for Skirts and Scuffs