SP Rides: The ‘Wow’ Factor
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Year, make, model: 2016 Subaru WRX
Owner: Amber Edgeson
Occupation: U.S. Army
Hobbies: Cars and horses
Color: Crystal Black Celica
Engine: Mishimoto TMIC, Mishimoto air intake, TurboXS BOV, Invidia j-pipe, Subaru performance mid-pipe, Nameless muffler deletes, COBB Accessport, Grimmspeed EBCS, ACT heavy-duty clutch
Exterior: STi front lip, Aeroflow front splitter, Perrin license plate relocator, red vinyl overlays/accents, custom headlights, rally armor mudflaps, STI wing with Perrin stabilizers, ESC rear diffuser, ghost tattoos from Ecowash Hawaii, ceramic coat done by Ecowash Hawaii
Interior: Red racing seats, Sparco four-point harnesses, Kicker speakers, Kicker 10-inch subwoofer, steering wheel overlays, WeatherTech floor mats, red interior lights, Viper alarm with GPS
Wheels/tires: Konig 18-inch deception wheels, Toyo Extensa HP tires in 245/40R18
Amber Edgeson is an automotive enthusiast who likes both domestics and imports. She grew up on American muscle and her first car was a 1964 Mustang. She tends to float between both types of cars and was once the owner of a newer Camaro while she lived in Colorado.
Colorado is known for its mountainous territory and her parents’ house happened to be on a bit of a slope. Every time she’d go to visit them, she couldn’t get up the driveway. Camaros are amazing on dry asphalt. Snow — not so much. Enter this 2016 Subaru WRX.
Edgeson originally wanted to just keep it simple with some wheels and the requisite rally mud flaps that are super popular in Subie world. However, one thing led to another and the current build, although not complete by any means, has shown she’s got major plans for the car.
Visually, Edgeson has gone for a black on red style. The Crystal Black Celica paint really needed to be broken up a bit, and she’s provided that with red vinyl accents throughout its body. The exterior features an STI front lip held in place with struts and an Aeroflow front splitter for an aggressive look. The headlights are custom LEDs with demon eyes for a menacing look.
The STI wing has been fitted with Perrin Stabilizers, which totally change the look, while an ESC rear diffuser slices the air like a knife and fits snugly under the rear bumper. This ride does have a subtle secret to its bodylines, which are ghost tattoos from Ecowash Hawaii. Depending on the light, you’ll catch sight of them, almost hidden from view.
The interior carries the red accent style with red racing seats fitted with Sparco four-point harnesses. The sounds have been augmented with Kicker speakers as well as a 10-inch subwoofer. A COBB Accessport provides tuning and monitoring for the boxer engine ECU. Red LEDs light up the interior and super-appropriate WeatherTech floor mats complete the look.
That Accessport is important because Edgeson has given her engine some mods to help increase the stock HP/TQ potential it already has. A Mishimoto TMIC has replaced the stock intercooler while an air intake and TurboXS blow-off valve plays with the air. An Invidia J-pipe mates up with the Subaru performance mid-pipe and Nameless muffler deletes. This baby is loud and with a little tuning, has some punch to go with its growl.
An ACT heavy-duty clutch helps put the power down to the super sexy 18-inch Konig Deception rims. These wheels are unique because they’re gloss black with inserts of red, which cast a reflection — almost giving the perception that the entire wheel is a shade of crimson. These babies are fitted with Toyo Tires for putting it down on the pavement.
Although there are more mods to come, such as coil-overs, what’s most important to Edgeson is showing that being an automotive enthusiast isn’t confined just to guys. There’s a strong, if small, passionate group of female enthusiasts out there. As far as she’s concerned, “Yes, we build cars, too!”
