It’s been said that you can’t reinvent the wheel. But custom wheel impresario Dave Barron proves that his 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe doesn’t have to reinvent much of anything to create its own spin on the one essential aftermarket accessory that no car enthusiast can neglect.
Barron, 31, is the owner of No Limit in Baltimore. Since 2000, he’s been outfitting cars for people throughout the tristate area and for an exclusive group of Baltimore Ravens players, basketball great Alan Iverson, and swimming sensation Michael Phelps.
After personally owning six $100,000 cars, including everything from Mercedes-Benzes to Porsches, Barron made a conscious decision to distance himself from pricier models and vowed to return to basics.
“It got to the point that people in my industry couldn’t even relate,” Barron said. “I wanted to get back to buying the $40,000 car and make it look cool. Instead of being the guy who shows up and shows off, I’d rather be part of the crew.”
So Barron purchased a 2009 Chevy Tahoe, a car that lacks the clout of more prestigious brands such as the Cadillac Escalade, but remains a modifiable ride nonetheless. Barron wanted a look that defied the superficial glitz of luxury sport utility vehicles, so he looked to Strut, an aftermarket company, which provided him with a triple chrome grille. Interested in artistry, he stripped the chrome off and painted it to match the exterior. Next, he purchased a bare GM emblem bezel, removed the stock Chevy emblem and molded a custom Strut logo on the GM emblem bezel, replacing it on his Tahoe.
Barron, being on the cutting edge of the wheel industry, had to reflect a sustained trend in his own ride without creating a fly-by-night phony. A 26-inch Giovanni wheel and tire package was selected, costing more than $7,000. The lips of the wheels were painted white to match the truck, while a small red accent line ran the circumference of each. Barron had originally chosen a 28-inch wheel, but knew that in doing so he’d have to sacrifice for a smaller tire, which would turn potholes into his SUV’s sworn enemy. So he devised an easy fix.
“I painted my rims and then I lowered the truck down to make the wheels look bigger.”
The interior was tastefully remodeled. A faux brown wood trim was ripped up from the roots and refinished in a high-gloss piano black. The rear bumper was the only modification that caused a few anxious moments when it was decided to run a custom exhaust through a direct hole Barron would have to cut. But once the surgery was deemed successful, he powder-coated the exhaust tips in black and set them in place.
Now Barron has the Tahoe looking exactly how he wants it: only vaguely resembling a Tahoe. It’s a transformation that demonstrates that while production vehicles are made for mass appeal, it’s not until you do some creative editing of your own that you can turn a $40,000 car into a million-dollar ride.
What do you drive?
A 2009 Chevy Tahoe.
Why do you drive it?
I drive it first because I enjoy it. Kids love it. Old people love it. I’ve had expensive cars, and everywhere you show up, you’re afraid of what’s going to happen to them. You’re worried about how often you drive them because you’re spending so much money to have them.
What makes this SUV so special?
You have to look at it, I guess. The fact that you’ll never really see one like it unless you go to California or Miami, where people thrive on this. In Baltimore, because of the seasons, not everyone is so vehicle-oriented.
What is your most memorable driving experience?
To be honest, I just got this vehicle, we just finished a month ago. But my most memorable rides are when we are going to the Motor Trend show or the Ocean City car show. Last year, to the Motor Trend show I took 13 cars. When you’re going through the tunnel with a Lamborghini, two Ferraris, and everybody is wide-open, I guess it’s just like guys who are in motorcycle gangs, it’s the same feeling. There’s a reason why they ride together.
What was the first car you ever owned?
I think I had an ’85 Honda Accord. I bought it for 200 bucks. I ended up painting it money green. The seats had holes all through them. I got some crazy seat covers from Salvo. I tinted the windows myself and it was all peeled up off the windows. I had some stereo … it was lying up in the back seat, just an absolute mess. But that was just me starting.
What music are you currently listening to in your car?
I go in and out. I’ll listen to hip-hop for three months and then as I’m listening to it, it will start to drive me crazy. You would look at me or look at the car and think I’ve got Biggie Smalls and DMX playing 24-7, but I don’t. It’s also about becoming 32 years old. I still play with cars, but that doesn’t mean I do everything that comes with it.
And your first ticket? What was it for?
When I had my Volkswagen, I got pulled over on Route 40 doubling the speed limit. I was petrified. I went to court. My lawyer didn’t show up. Then I was really nervous. And then the cop didn’t show up. So I got completely off. I get pulled over a lot for tint and front tags. I don’t get pulled over in the city. The city police don’t care; they are more concerned with real crime. The County is more worried about the easiest stuff they can get you on.
