Captain_Kirk
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http://www.superstreetonline.com/cars/japanese-cars/toyota-gr-supra-varis
Varis aero, Project Mu brakes and Volk Racing TE37 wheels are among some of the updates for this A90 show stopper.
I don't break my neck often, but damn, I was all over Tom Nguyen's 2020 Toyota GR Supra two months ago when I ran into it at the Supras in Vegas car show. The car was set to debut inside the Mackin Industries booth, but with a physical SEMA Show cancelled this year, Tom decided to make the trek from NorCal to Vegas to reveal his A90 project car to his fellow Supra familia.
I've known Tom for a few years now as he's a well-known, respected and extremely kind car enthusiast in the Bay Area. Last year, we featured his track-inspired E92 BMW M3, when he successfully blended JDM parts and styling into a German sports car using Volk Racing TE37 6061 wheels, Edirb seats and a unique aero package comprised of 3D Design, Varis and Voltex gear.
His A90 Supra was finished last year for SEMA 2019 and put on display in the Whiteline booth; however, it did look more like a rolling billboard with excessive sponsor logos which overshadowed its clean street look, rocking an Artisan Spirits lip kit and Advan GT wheels. This rebirth of his car is a more admirable, much more aggressive, track-look that features the Varis Arising kit that debuted earlier this year at Tokyo Auto Salon. It's constructed of carbon fiber and includes a towering GT wing, vented carbon hood and an aggressive spoiler package with canards that scream for attention. The kit comes together nicely with the dark green wrap and bronze TEs. Just gotta say, well done Tom, and keep the stickers to a minimum!
Big ups to local Las Vegas photographer Joan Santana for snapping these dope shots of Tom's car following the Supras in Vegas event!
INTERVIEW WITH TOM NGUYEN
Howdy Tom! Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.
Hi, my name is Tom Nguyen and I sell wheels for a living. I'm the sales manager at Speed Image USA, which is located in Northern California. I also enjoy going to Las Vegas often and using the gambling winnings to build my cars.
Can you share with us some of your previous project cars?
I had a 2018 BMW M3 that was built a year ago for SEMA 2018 and featured in Super Street in October 2019. Also, a 2007 Lexus GS350 that was originally a daily, but after a few years I had it equipped with D2 air suspension, Aimgain VIP GT body kit, SSR Executor CV04 wheels, custom paint and Project Mu brakes.
The A90 Supra continues to receive its fair share of criticism even a year after its release. What drew you to it in the first place and why did you pick it up?
What made me like the A90 was the factory body lines. I really like how it resembles the Toyota 2000GT. Since the 2000GT was out of production way before my time, I believe the Supra was the next best car for myself. I wanted a fun weekend car and got bored of the M3 so I picked up the Supra as the M3 replacement. I bought the car in August 2019 from Longo Toyota, sight unseen and had a good friend take delivery of it. I didn't see it until first day of SEMA 2019.
This is the second stage of your Supra. Why'd you want to change it up, and what makes it special now?
I originally had one of the first Aimgain aero kits, first to install TE37s, first to install stealth paint protection film, one of the first to take it on track as well. After a handful of track days and run offs, the car needed a refresh. It was Spring 2020, Mackin Industries asked if I was interested in having the first Varis Arising-I aero kit and new Project Mu big brake kit stateside. I opted to take up their offer and locked in my spot for SEMA 2020 with the acquisition of some help from old/new sponsors.
What's unique about the Varis kit to you?
I always liked Varis aero parts when I was younger, because they've always been known to produce really high-quality kits. One of my favorite pieces of the exterior is the front spoiler as the lip has resemblance to the front of a Formula 1 aero package. The front middle is actually higher than the side section to develop higher downforce when at higher speeds. It also just looks gorgeous and ties the front together!
The car used to be white and now you chose this green. What's the story there?
I selected the Inzotek Metallic Midnight Green shade because my favorite color is green. It is also my good luck color. Green has been said to bring growth, wealth, health and youthfulness. Who wouldn't want to feel young again? Haha! I always wanted to try out the color as all of my other cars are white and I felt this was a good time as the car was all taken apart.
What's next for the Supra?
Install my Pure700 turbo upgrade and tune for more power and also install the first set of Advan Racing GT Beyond in the States.
Looking forward to it!
Varis aero, Project Mu brakes and Volk Racing TE37 wheels are among some of the updates for this A90 show stopper.
I don't break my neck often, but damn, I was all over Tom Nguyen's 2020 Toyota GR Supra two months ago when I ran into it at the Supras in Vegas car show. The car was set to debut inside the Mackin Industries booth, but with a physical SEMA Show cancelled this year, Tom decided to make the trek from NorCal to Vegas to reveal his A90 project car to his fellow Supra familia.
I've known Tom for a few years now as he's a well-known, respected and extremely kind car enthusiast in the Bay Area. Last year, we featured his track-inspired E92 BMW M3, when he successfully blended JDM parts and styling into a German sports car using Volk Racing TE37 6061 wheels, Edirb seats and a unique aero package comprised of 3D Design, Varis and Voltex gear.
His A90 Supra was finished last year for SEMA 2019 and put on display in the Whiteline booth; however, it did look more like a rolling billboard with excessive sponsor logos which overshadowed its clean street look, rocking an Artisan Spirits lip kit and Advan GT wheels. This rebirth of his car is a more admirable, much more aggressive, track-look that features the Varis Arising kit that debuted earlier this year at Tokyo Auto Salon. It's constructed of carbon fiber and includes a towering GT wing, vented carbon hood and an aggressive spoiler package with canards that scream for attention. The kit comes together nicely with the dark green wrap and bronze TEs. Just gotta say, well done Tom, and keep the stickers to a minimum!
Big ups to local Las Vegas photographer Joan Santana for snapping these dope shots of Tom's car following the Supras in Vegas event!
INTERVIEW WITH TOM NGUYEN
Howdy Tom! Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.
Hi, my name is Tom Nguyen and I sell wheels for a living. I'm the sales manager at Speed Image USA, which is located in Northern California. I also enjoy going to Las Vegas often and using the gambling winnings to build my cars.
Can you share with us some of your previous project cars?
I had a 2018 BMW M3 that was built a year ago for SEMA 2018 and featured in Super Street in October 2019. Also, a 2007 Lexus GS350 that was originally a daily, but after a few years I had it equipped with D2 air suspension, Aimgain VIP GT body kit, SSR Executor CV04 wheels, custom paint and Project Mu brakes.
The A90 Supra continues to receive its fair share of criticism even a year after its release. What drew you to it in the first place and why did you pick it up?
What made me like the A90 was the factory body lines. I really like how it resembles the Toyota 2000GT. Since the 2000GT was out of production way before my time, I believe the Supra was the next best car for myself. I wanted a fun weekend car and got bored of the M3 so I picked up the Supra as the M3 replacement. I bought the car in August 2019 from Longo Toyota, sight unseen and had a good friend take delivery of it. I didn't see it until first day of SEMA 2019.
This is the second stage of your Supra. Why'd you want to change it up, and what makes it special now?
I originally had one of the first Aimgain aero kits, first to install TE37s, first to install stealth paint protection film, one of the first to take it on track as well. After a handful of track days and run offs, the car needed a refresh. It was Spring 2020, Mackin Industries asked if I was interested in having the first Varis Arising-I aero kit and new Project Mu big brake kit stateside. I opted to take up their offer and locked in my spot for SEMA 2020 with the acquisition of some help from old/new sponsors.
What's unique about the Varis kit to you?
I always liked Varis aero parts when I was younger, because they've always been known to produce really high-quality kits. One of my favorite pieces of the exterior is the front spoiler as the lip has resemblance to the front of a Formula 1 aero package. The front middle is actually higher than the side section to develop higher downforce when at higher speeds. It also just looks gorgeous and ties the front together!
The car used to be white and now you chose this green. What's the story there?
I selected the Inzotek Metallic Midnight Green shade because my favorite color is green. It is also my good luck color. Green has been said to bring growth, wealth, health and youthfulness. Who wouldn't want to feel young again? Haha! I always wanted to try out the color as all of my other cars are white and I felt this was a good time as the car was all taken apart.
What's next for the Supra?
Install my Pure700 turbo upgrade and tune for more power and also install the first set of Advan Racing GT Beyond in the States.
Looking forward to it!
| Tuning Menu | |
Car: | 2020 Toyota GR Supra (A90) |
| Owner: | Tom Nguyen |
Hometown: | San Jose, CA |
Occupation: | Sales Manager, Speed Image USA |
| Instagram: | @t0mnguyen |
Power: | 425whp; 530 lb-ft of torque |
Engine: | 3.0-liter 24-valve turbocharged B58 inline-six; GruppeM carbon intake; AMS catted downpipe; Akrapovic Slip-On Line titanium exhaust; Akrapovic Evolution Link pipe set; Ecutek ProECU tuner |
| Drivetrain: | 8-speed ZF automatic transmission |
Footwork & Chassis: | KW V3 coilovers; Whiteline front and rear sway bars, end-links; Kyo-Ei Project Kics lug nuts; Wheelmate stud conversion kit |
Brakes: | Project Mu 380mm FS6 Forged big brake kit, PS rear pads |
| Wheels & Tires: | 19x9.5" +23 front, 19x10.5" +35 rear Volk Racing TE37 wheels in Ultra M-Spec Blast Bronze; 275/30R19 front, 295/30R19 rear Yokohama Advan Neova AD08R tires |
Exterior: | Varis Arising-I carbon fiber aero kit (front spoiler, front bumper canards, side under skirts, rear shroud, rear diffuser, vented cooling bonnet, Street II GT wing); OEM carbon mirrors; Inozetek Metallic Midnight Green film |
| Interior: | Bride Stradia II Japan carbon seats, seat rails; DCTMS carbon steering wheel |
Thank Yous: | Andrew at Speed Image USA; Brian, Steve, Victor at Mackin Industries; Yoshi at Project Mu; Wakana at RAYS Wheels Japan; Varis Japan; Linh at Garageworks; Vedar Do; RJ's Paint Shop; Bun at Lot USA; Danh at More Japan; Sam at GruppeM USA; Imperial Works team; Frank & Chris at KW Suspension; Daryl & Chris at Turn 14; Ivan at DCTMS |
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