It’s hard to predict the appeal any car will have once you roll it off the assembly line. Long after the focus groups have weighed in and the marketing strategies have been submitted, true success falls squarely on the shoulders of the buying public. Fortunately for Chrysler, it struck gold when they introduced the radically redesigned 300 series in 2004.
Eugene Nunnally may not have been privy to the history of the 300 series cars or even cared about the earliest generation’s boatlike profile when he spotted his own. The new model’s luxury look feigned the facade of a poor man’s Bentley with the motor options of a sports car at a much more affordable price tag. All of this aligned to make for one of the most attractive vehicles of the last decade.
One of the appeals for Nunnally was how clean the car looked given the right amount of elbow grease. His entire young life he stood in the glimmer and shine of cars managed under the careful stewardship of his uncles and cousins. As a youngster, he mimicked this care by exerting the same effort toward his parents’ vehicles. In September 2005, Nunnally finally found the car he wanted in Winston-Salem, N.C. Even before he sealed the deal, he had ordered a custom grille, chrome accents and even wheels, taking the car to a custom wheel shop in Danville, Va., the same day he took delivery on the car.
Nunnally’s full indoctrination into modified-car bliss came when he searched the Internet and found forums and Web sites dedicated to Chrysler 300 owners. His curiosity was piqued.
“After seeing all of the things you can do to these cars, I just had the bug to keep going with the modifications,” he said.
Soon after, the modifications came fast and furious. The engine bay received more power, with a performance chip and cold air intake. On the other end, a custom exhaust system sounded off what was happening in front. For those seeking visual stimulation from within, TV monitors were installed into the headrests. Sun visors with Nunnally’s name on them branded the car in a unique way. The door locks, switches, gear shift plate and radio knob cover were all upgraded with aftermarket touches.
Soon after, the modifications came fast and furious. The engine bay received more power, with a performance chip and cold air intake. On the other end, a custom exhaust system sounded off what was happening in front. For those seeking visual stimulation from within, TV monitors were installed into the headrests. Sun visors with Nunnally’s name on them branded the car in a unique way. The door locks, switches, gear shift plate and radio knob cover were all upgraded with aftermarket touches.
» Performance: ECU chip, K&N cold air intake, custom exhaust system
» Wheels: Custom-painted 22-inch
» Paint: Custom paint by Doug Turner at D&L Auto Body
» Engine: Billet oil cap, strut covers, washer fluid cap, power steering cap
» Interior: Custom floor mats, two-tone leather seats, monitors in headrests, 35 percent window tint, gear shift plate with custom engraving, radio knob/switch covers
» Exterior: Custom grille, taillights, headlights
To achieve the look he was going for on the exterior styling, Nunnally took the car to Johnny Flores of Wheels Inc. in Woodbridge. A full custom body kit was installed. The taillights were painted, and strobe lights were added both there and in the grille to give that extra “pop” when cruising down the strip during low-light conditions.
What do you drive? A 2006 Chrysler 300
Why do you drive it? It’s a car that can be sporty as well as luxurious.
What makes this car so special? It was the very first brand-new car I owned. All others have been secondhand used cars that I fixed up.
What was your most memorable driving experience? There’s too many to count.
What was the first vehicle you owned? A 1978 Ford Pinto
What music are you currently listening to in your car? A mix CD that my boy Rodney Greene (aka DJ Hotrod) made for me.
And your first ticket? What was it for? My first ticket was for speeding. But that was so long ago.
