Jerome Andre September 06, 2023 Electric Vehicle Features
In a world dominated by gas-guzzling vehicles, a few brave souls dare to challenge the status quo. One such individual is Colby Ashton Good, who took it upon himself to transform his 2021 Tesla Model Y Performance into a cool-as-ice work of art. With a year’s worth of dedication, over $40,000, and the support of the AcrophobiA car club, Colby created a masterpiece he lovingly calls “Cold Shoulder.”
Choosing the color scheme for Cold Shoulder was the easiest part of the entire build. Colby’s fondness for the combination of satin white and baby blue was the perfect fit for his vision. The eye-catching color scheme gives the vehicle a cold, frozen aesthetic that perfectly complements its unique personality.
Colby has built several vehicles over the years, starting in 1998. However, this was his first non mini-truck build. This brought new challenges and new ideas accordingly. Typically, you would find him driving a bagged and body-dropped Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, or Chevy Silverado full size dually. But he wanted to bring as much of that style over into the design for this project. He wanted to give the Tesla a classic, clean look, throwing in the simple two-tone while breaking it up with an accented pinstripe all around. He wanted his Tesla to be as low as possible, and that meant doing the extra work to get that body on the ground.
Every customization project presents its fair share of challenges, and Cold Shoulder was no exception. Working with Tesla computers proved to be an intricate dance as they vehemently resisted any modifications, which would result in a series of error codes. Colby had to navigate through this maze of complications to ensure that the vehicle’s software could be updated and that the charging system worked flawlessly. Nevertheless, despite the frustrations, the end result made every hurdle worth it.
As an old-school mini-trucker at heart, Colby wanted Cold Shoulder to lay as close to the ground as possible. However, the Tesla Model Y’s air-ride suspension proved to be more challenging compared to its sibling, the Model 3. Determined to achieve the desired stance, Colby, Shawn Robinson (now running Old Man Customz), and the crew over at the Fab Lab had to heavily modifiy the suspension to allow the vehicle to properly lay out on the 21-inch wheel and tire setup.
Required in the modifications was cutting the suspension mountings and raising them up a couple of inches, and then welding them back into place and installing the air-ride setup. Having to change the tire size to 265/30/ZR21 up front and 275/30/ZR21 in the rear was required as well to retain the inner fender wells and help the vehicle drop fully onto the ground when aired out. No custom build would be complete without attention to detail, and Cold Shoulder does not disappoint in that regard. Vossen hybrid forged HF-4T extra-deep rims wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires grip the asphalt with confidence. Tesla Performance Sport brakes, clad in TeckWrap RB09-HD Caribbean Blue vinyl, provide the stopping power needed for this speed demon.
Tesla’s service centers often shy away from modified vehicles, especially those with extensive aftermarket additions. To circumvent this limitation, Colby designed the air-ride components to be easily removed while still allowing the vehicle to be driven when necessary. By incorporating a Schrader valve system and carefully planning the installation of the air tank and compressors, Cold Shoulder remains versatile and service friendly.
MADhouse Customs, the wrap shop responsible for Cold Shoulder’s stunning exterior, went above and beyond to bring Colby’s vision to life. The 3M Satin Frozen Vanilla main wrap complemented by matte black accents and TeckWrap Caribbean Blue pinstripes give the vehicle a cold, frozen aesthetic.
The body modifications, including color-matched door handles and Caribbean Blue accents, create an aggressive yet elegant look. TesLux Innovations Plaid Series V2 headlights and Hansshow Model Y Eagle Eye Style taillights add the finishing touches to this hypnotic exterior.
But the transformation does not end there. Step inside Cold Shoulder, and you’ll be greeted by a luxurious interior. Tesla white vegan leather seats adorned with aftermarket white leather seat back covers, provide comfort and style. The TAPTES touchscreen swivel mount has been wrapped in Caribbean Blue and Satin Frozen Vanilla, along with various pieces of trim, including door card finishers. The Tesery modified carbon fiber steering wheel, also wrapped in white leather, adds a touch of sophistication. Ice Blue ambient lighting sets the mood, illuminating the dash, rear seats, puddle lights, and audio setup in the trunk.
In the world of custom vehicle builds, shortcuts are best left in the rearview mirror. Colby’s advice for aspiring EV customizers is to educate themselves thoroughly before diving into a project.
Vision without action is a daydream, and action without vision is a nightmare.
For example, it is much easier to remove the headlights and fog lights on a Tesla with the front bumper removed entirely. The shortcut version of that would be removing as few bolts as possible from the front bumper to gain access to the headlights, but then you risk damaging the bumper itself, the headlights, or fog lights in doing so. Take the time, do it right. This will result in you completing it more efficiently, and professionally for a better end result every time. Research, planning, and understanding the intricacies of the vehicle are key to achieving a professional and efficient build. As they say, vision without action is a daydream, and action without vision is a nightmare.
In any project, there will be both positive and negative reactions from people. Colby was surprised to discover the existence of numerous “anti-electric” individuals. However, this would not deter him from considering another EV build. The nickname he gave to his creation serves as a response to the critics, and ironically, it played a role in shaping the project.
Even those who harbor animosity toward Teslas cannot help but turn their heads and take a second look at Colby’s Model Y because it stands out from the crowd. Unfortunately, many individuals in our society are quick to express their dislike rather than uplifting those around them in a positive manner.
While this is not always the case, some of the extremely aggressive negative opinions about EVs border on being comical. Colby has had numerous conversations with people who fell on both ends of the spectrum, either loving or hating EVs.
Colby noticed that those who love EVs are enthusiastic and enjoy every aspect of the vehicle, even finding motivation to modify their own cars. On the other hand, some individuals quickly change their opinions once they engage in a conversation and learn more about the vehicle itself. They realize that you, as an EV owner, are just like any other “car guy” out there.
Regardless of the vehicle type, we are all part of the same automotive community, and many people forget this fact until they have a friendly conversation. In fact, Colby even admits: “Honestly, I myself was once against getting an electric vehicle—I was ignorant and uneducated, like so many others. Once I drove a friend’s Tesla Model 3 for the first time, I was hooked immediately, changing my entire outlook, and the desire to learn more about them grew from that day on. It just goes to show you that anyone giving Tesla a ‘Cold Shoulder’ could end up customizing one themself.”
He would like to note an excellent manifesto quote from mini-truckin’ legend Courtney “Tito” Halowell (rest in peace) under the pseudonym Wyatt Strange talking about the mini-truckin’ scene, but it holds true for the custom scene as well.
“We have become part of something much more complicated than you or I will ever fully comprehend,” he says. “We build more than just trucks. We build friendships, we build futures, we build our dreams. We drive our trucks low and hold our heads high because we have an unwritten and unspoken agreement that we will live life to the fullest and never fall victim to ‘the norm.’ Others laugh at us when we spend hours on end working on our trucks, yet they shake our hands when we are done.”
Colby hopes that it encourages someone to push themself to open their mind instead of merely giving someone they meet the cold shoulder. Building Cold Shoulder provided him with valuable insights into the world of EVs and the response they elicit. Despite encountering skeptics, he remained dedicated to his vision, and the boldness of his creation serves as a testament to the potential of EV customization.
Colby Ashton Good
Motor & Drivetrain
Battery System & Charger
Chassis/Suspension
Wheels, Tires & Brakes
Body/Wrap
Interior
Stereo
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