When the exterior was complete, Monsod turned his focus to the inside of the car. Me, well I'd be lazy and call it a day, but not Monsod-this was a man on a mission! The MR-2 made its move to Apollo of Alhambra, Calif. (My old stomping grounds. East Side represent!), to have a custom leather and red suede interior installed. Apollo applied leather over the MR-2's already custom-fitted dashboard which contains angled GReddy gauge pods and monitors installed by Hard Wired of Van Nuys, Calif. Also wrapped in leather and suede were the seats, door panels, and headliner.
Hard Wired was also responsible for installing the rest of the multimedia goodies that included a Panasonic DVD player and Alpine TCS-V430A Smart AV System Controller/TV tuner. The next step of course was accessorizing. Monsod selected a TRD Quickshifter, Sparco Flash 5 steering wheel and Sparco red anodized race pedals. For when homeboy actually does want to roll with his lights on he does it with style in JDM smoked taillights (courtesy of Body Pros) powered by HID.
OK, I have held you in suspense long enough. You know you just wanted to get to the good stuff and hear about all the crazy camera action! Let me just start off by saying that this MR-2's night vision is so high tech, it's ranking up there with our military's hardware in Iraq. The way it works is it uses infrared signals (like military-spec night vision) to make images from the front show up in the 10-in monitor and 7-in heads-up display reflected on the windshield. He does this even without the car's lights on. How buff is that?! Reflected display? It's like your own personal video game! Not one afraid of being extreme, Monsod explains how it can come in handy when running away from cops (not that we recommend that of course, ahem) or going on stealth mode when he drives without any lights on.
The rest of the cameras (yes, there are more!) are useful too. Since there are two located in the turn signals, they can be used when the driver wants to peek down left or right side streets while there is a car parked on either side. They are like a second set of eyes for the driver. How cool is that? Additionally, the two cameras located on the left and right side fenders work to cover the vehicle's blind spots so theoretically, the car could roll without the use of side mirrors. We know the real reason he has them, however, is to be a "peeping tom" for models during import events. Priority on the left and right side cameras are controlled by a turn signal module and a quad splitter. Finally, the rear camera captures in color and works well for backing up the ride into those tiny spaces they give you at car shows (ya know, in between the mama in the lawn chair, a couple of import hoochies putting on even more make up and the beat up Civic that makes your car look good). Mind you, this rear camera was conceived three years ago, before the SUVs starting using them. All in all, these cameras serve as Monsod's third eye, not of course to be confused with his third leg, however.
Now if you didn't think this was crazy, over-the-edge shit already, Monsod is thinking about adding more cameras! Now ask yourself, what would you use a camera for in your ride? I'd tell you to get your mind out of the gutter but that is of course where I am going. There has been talk about placing a camera on the bottom of the driver's seat, facing upward...I'll let your imagination fill in on how that one would work. Hope I didn't blow Monsod's cover for future female passengers. Aside from more, um, visual aids, Monsod is planning on installing an IR receiver on the monitors to allow the use of TV and laptops via remote control. That way he'd be able to use his laptop from outside the vehicle and it would show up on the 10- and 7-in monitors in the car.
Monsod would like to thank Loren from Rotora, Hernane from Star Shield, James from iMotorgear, Ted from Importfan, and John from TG Designs. He also would like to thank Jackadeal, Body Pros, Speed Options, and Falken tires. Monsod would like to send his condolences to Hard Wired's owner, Alex Umansky, who was sadly murdered while his car was in his shop. Out of all the places Monsod had his car done, Umansky was one of the most helpful and considerate shop owners around. Monsod says his memory of Umansky will be that he really knew his stuff and was very hands-on with his work.
While it took a long road of three years and 60,000 hard-earned dollars to complete this project, the outcome makes it all worth it. Monsod has the sickest looking MR-2 turbo you've ever seen and he's created a steady following for this vehicle even after just five months on the show scene. He's already picked up first place Toyota, first place Best Body at Extreme Autofest and first place at the Burnout Car event, both in July 2003. If you are a lucky Southern Californian you might have had the pleasure of seeing this ride at Chinatown Showoff, where he garnered third place, Best MR-2; February 2003, Hot Import Nights Del Mar (my personal favorite, the OG) and Long Beach, Import Xtreme Showdown, where he received second place Best MR-2; March 2003, Import Revolution, Swift Showcase, SEMA International Auto Salon in Long Beach, and DUB Superseries. You can also find Monsod's lovely ride in a Thrust Video feature. So until then, watch out for a stealthy wide-body MR-2 on the prowl and all you import models take note at who's watching you at the next show! And most importantly: Hate the game, not the player.