SP Rides: Here Comes ‘The Cookie Monster’
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Name: Jake Padeken
Age: 20
Occupation: Assistant Chef
Hobbies: Art and bodyboarding
Name: Esket Padeken
Age: 48
Occupation: Chef, Hawaii Rainbow Cookies
Hobbies: Models, cars, family
Year/Make/Model: 1993 Corolla Wagon DX
Color: Dark Sapphire Blue with Gold Holographic Flakes, Custom pin-striping
Engine: 7A-FE swap, worked cam and header, custom headers, TRD timing chain, Spectre Performance air filter, Flowmaster catback exhaust
Exterior: Chrome mesh grill, chrome accent handles and badging, clear Altezza-style headlights and taillights, aftermarket LED fog lights
Interior: MOMO steering wheel, water, oil, temp gauges, Super Tach II gauge
Wheels/Brakes/Tires: XXR Wheels’ XXR 002s with NEXEN 205/45ZR16s rear, Goodyear 195/55R15s front, cross-drilled and slotted rotors
When it comes to photographing rides, I always enjoy the out-of-the-ordinary experience — something a bit off the beaten path. This week’s featured automobile — a 1993 Corolla Wagon — may seem like an ordinary car, but as I discovered soon after pointing my lens in its direction, this beauty is actually more beast than typical ride.
The automobile is a joint project between father and stepson Jake and Esket Padeken. Originally, the Corolla was purchased with the following mission in mind: to spend its last days as a delivery wagon for Esket’s company, Hawaii Rainbow Cookies. Found in a junkyard with a completely blown engine, the car had considerable interior wear and damage to its frame. In other words, it wasn’t a pretty picture.
The Padekens, however, were undeterred. Immediately, they acquired a 7A-FE engine and thoroughly massaged, stripped down and built up the car with a smoothed cam for longer duration and a thoroughly worked head. The timing chain was replaced with a TRD spec one, and a Spectre Performance Air Filter was added. The 7A-FE was dropped into the waiting engine bay with new motor mounts designed specifically for the swap. The ever-popular Optima Yellow-top battery was co-located next to the swap, while a custom 2 and ½-inch header was added. A Flowmaster catback exhaust was installed to give it some growl.
Jake got to sanding the body while Esket filled in the few low spots. After finishing the prep, the Padekens wheeled the ride off to Custom Innovations for a paint job. A generous coat of Dark Sapphire Blue was laid down as a base. Gold holographic flakes were then added to make this car sparkle, and both men were blown away after seeing the result. Esket laid down some sweet custom pinstriping to complete the look.
More accents were added, including a new mesh chrome grill bookended by clear headlamps and corners. Super bright LED fog lights were installed to give Esket something to look at while he’s driving down the road. The rear lamps have been swapped out with some Altezza-style wagon lamps while chrome-accented door handles round out the body.
The wheels have a staggered look that the Padekens enjoy, featuring XXR Wheels’ XXR 002s wrapped with NEXEN 205/45ZR16s on the rear and 195/55R15s in the front. Cross-drilled and slotted rotors have been added for a bit more braking power and the entire ride has been stiffened up with front and rear chassis strut bars.
The cabin features a completely rebuilt interior with a MOMO steering wheel added for a better grip. The interior is lit-up by several gauges for water, oil and temp as well as a Super Tach II to watch the RPMs.
All of this adds up to what I have affectionately dubbed “The Cookie Monster,” because of the car’s owners and its purpose. If you’re wondering why Jake and Esket built this daily driven delivery monster, just consider Esket’s to-the-point response: “Why not?”
