» Engine: 4.6-liter V-8
» Horsepower: 350 (modified)
» Paint: two-tone paint job
» Wheels: American Racing 20-inch
» Performance: Steeda cold-air intake, Borla mufflers, custom tuned performance chip, Eibach lowering kit
» Exterior: Roush front bumper, smoked taillights, Streetglow neon kit, window tint
» Interior: embroidered headrests, interior neon, custom painted interior
The Larson family loves their cars. From fast ones to stylish ones, the automotive hobby has been a part of their heritage for many years, in large part because of the patriarch’s business interests and a career spent with cars.
Craig Larson, the eldest son of the car clan, was exposed to cars at an early age, which gave him and his younger brother Kyle the opportunity to form opinions over time on the cars they themselves would one day own.
Of course, if your father is in the business, it’s not unrealistic to assume that when that day comes you’ll be at the receiving end of a dilapidated Celica or a hand-me-down Taurus. And as he approached the most important rite of passage for a young man, his parents encouraged him to find a car to his liking. After browsing a wide cross section of vehicles, he decided on a 2004 Ford Mustang. But as it was a transition year for Ford and the new body style was about to be introduced, his parents once more encouraged Larson to hold off on a SN95 models and pre-order the new Mustang, classed the S-197. Early in June 2004, Larson made his way to the dealership.
“It was like a dream come true, said Larson. “I was so excited but knew that I would have to wait a long time for the car due to the fact that I was the first person to order a new 2005 model from that dealership and even one of the first in the state to do so.”
That very same weekend he took delivery on his 2005 Ford Mustang GT and drove it straight to a local car meet, delighting throngs of onlookers that gradually encompassed the new model trying to get a closer look at a car many were seeing for the first time. But the real story is Larson’s continuing care for the Mustang. To run with the big dogs at the shows, there was no skimping on the true potential of GT’s aluminum block and 4.6L V-8 that cuts an even 300 horses. Perfunctory upgrades included a cold-air intake and Borla exhausts. The car received a custom performance tune. The windows were tinted for style and security. Larson even had the headrests embroidered to match his own signature.
Larson’s younger brother, who had his 2006 Pontiac GTO featured in our pages earlier this year, had his car custom painted, which eventually convinced older brother Craig to follow the same path and the same painter. So off to Gary Best Kustumz in Waldorf, Md., where both painter and owner planned out a two-tone paint scheme and ordered Roush parts to enhance the body’s streamlined finish. The paint job consisted of a red fire metallic color coupled with a paint that optically shifts depending on your angle, and is known as Blasberry.
Next, Larson dropped the suspension using an Eibach lowering kit and a set of 20-inch American Racing Wheels were married to the axles. Smoked taillights and a purple Streetglow underbody neon kit were also quick additions. The entire interior was painted to match the exterior where plastic made itself available and additional purple neons were installed under the driver and passenger dashboard area to light up the night.
Larson’s efforts have paid off. Despite the time-consuming nature of the appearance changes, the result has been a number of top prizes at area car shows around the Beltway. He even took home a Top Ten prize in a field of hundreds at the Ford Fever Car Show at Maryland International Raceway.
What do you drive? A 2005 Ford Mustang GT.
Why do you drive it? I drive my car because it is an expression of my personality. It is totally unique and I like showing it off. It definitely makes you feel cool when you are driving around and you get a bunch of stares and thumbs up from random people.
What makes this car so special? It is special because it is one of the first of the 2005 models to ever be produced. It is my first vehicle and it has a unique look unlike no other car on the streets. When it comes to the paint job and overall design, hate it or love it, one thing you have to agree with is that it is different.
What is your most memorable driving experience? When we went to pick up my car from the dealership, I was 16 and did have my license but had never driven a stick shift before. My Mom knew how to drive stick so she drove my brother and I home in it. It was funny because it had been a while since she had driven a stick shift car and she was really nervous about making sure she drove it properly and didn’t mess the car up since it was brand new. When we were merging on the highway, two funny things happened. First, when she was going to shift from second to third gear, she accidentally went into fifth and we were doing like 30 mph on the highway. Then, since we were going so slow, she pulled over on the shoulder and we went over a bunch of rumble strips. I was freaking out because I didn’t want anything to happen to my brand new car.
What was the first car you owned? This is my first car.
What music are you currently listening to in your car? I listen to a whole bunch of stuff when I drive. Anything from rock to rap and even some country. Definitely some oldies stuff and since I play the guitar I also enjoy listening to some Jimi Hendrix from time to time.
And your first ticket? What was it for? I have actually never gotten a ticket and I hope to keep it that way.
