Ever heard of the show Inside West Coast Customs? We would be very surprised if you hadn’t. This show features an interesting and charismatic crew, led by the famous Ryan Friedlinghaus, as they attempt to restore and customize old cars into customized beauties.
West Coast Customs opened its doors in 1994 as Ryan decided to become an entrepreneur, fed up with the long wait times of independent car shops and the bureaucracy involved. After many years of success, his business grew. He and his crew churned out some incredible modifications that people will still talk about today.
Ten years later, Ryan was a common face on TV. Although there were some disputes about what happened on the show and the crew wanted to keep some things quiet, it was a popular staple in many households.
In 2004, Pimp My Ride graced everyone’s television screens, attending to customers that held superstar status, like Shaquille O’Neal. Although he and the show parted ways in 2007, his fame from this MTV hit shot Friedlinghaus into reality TV stardom - and a hefty bank account.
Let’s check out the car collection that Ryan Friedlinghaus has amassed through his successful business years…
BMW i8
You might think that someone who customizes world-class cars would drive a luxury vehicle himself. However, one of Ryan’s vehicles that he consistently drives is a BMW i8. This space-age type car might not be luxury to some, but is definitely interesting. Let’s see the details.
Details and Specs
This plug-in hybrid sports car was developed by BMW and has been produced since 2014. Marketed as a new sub-brand of BMW, this electric-powered car is a technological revelation. With the ability to be charged by plugging it into an external adapter, Ryan can cruise wherever his heart desires in this environmentally-efficient vehicle.
Acceleration
The BMW i8 accelerates from 0-60 in just 4.4 seconds, with a top speed of 155 miles per hour. The fuel efficiency is a class of its own - it has 2.1-liters/100km. This fuel-efficient and environmentally-protective car shows that Ryan has at least some sense in terms of overall health, who knew?
Exterior Look
The car is characterized by sleek exterior body curves, stylish butterfly doors, and high-class exterior. This is the first production of this type with laser headlights, which reach further than LED lights for added safety. With a low vehicle weight and a very low drag coefficient.
With an already futuristic look, Ryan opted to go for a baby-blue style for his vehicle. This hybrid sports car received a Pontiac Blue finish, along with other modifications to create a super-personalized car for the famous West Coast Customs owner.
Ryan chose a great car for this vehicle. In 2012, it won the 2012 Concept Vehicle of the Year. Top Gear Magazine awarded this vehicle with the Car of the Year award in 2014. In 2015, the World Car of the Year organization gave this space-age vehicle with the 2015 World Green Car Award.
2008 Mercedes-Benz S63
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG runs from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 4.5 seconds, and is available for purchase at just $130,755. Yes, just - in comparison to other luxury vehicles. Ryan purchased a supercharged and high-powered vehicle with 20-inch wheels, a low-profile exterior, and stylish AMG body modifications.
The AMG steering wheel has shifter paddles and sleek, sports seats. The V8 is a powerful engine with a powerful braking system as well, for ample control while twisting and turning. Ryan’s starting bid on this car was $70,000 - a pretty good bargain, right?
1985 Mazda B2000: His First Truck
We also have to talk about the cars that Ryan used to own. The B2000 was one of Ryan's earlier cars, and was well received by critics during its debut in 1986. It was praised for its comfort, smooth handling, and ability to feel like a car while maintaining the capabilities of a truck.
The 1985 Mazda B2000 was available in a 2-door pickup, 4-door pickup, or 4-door wagon. It contained a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive option, or a front-engine, four-wheel-drive option too.
The engine contained a 2.0-liter FE 14 engine, an inline-four piston engine with iron block, alloy head, and belt-driven configurations. The car has 80 horsepower, making for a fairly powerful car.
Rolls-Royce Phantom: His Favorite Car
Even though Ryan doesn't currently own this car, it is definitely on his wish list! Gone are the days of the Mazda B2000, and hello to the days of Rolls Royce cars.
The Rolls-Royce is a full-sized luxury saloon created by Rolls-Royce Motors Cars. The current model is the eighth and current generation of the Phantom.
The platform used by the Phantom is an aluminum space frame chassis, a rigid, lightweight, and truss-like structure that is formed by interlocking trucks in a specific pattern.
The suspension uses self-leveling air springs and control dampers in the front and rear of the car. The suspension is linked to a stereo camera mounted behind the windscreen to scan the road ahead. The Phantom is the first Rolls-Royce that uses four-wheel steering - this system utilizes the wheels counter to the front wheels for maximum control.
The interior of the Phantom is fully customized and personalized to the individual buyer. It features a gallery, which is a display section in the front seat with different materials and artwork that can be integrated with the vehicle.
We would say Ryan has a great taste from his varied car collection, and we also believe that his next addition to that collection will be the Rolls-Royce in the future. What do you think?