A  Tesla Named Titanium

There’s a difference between modifying a car and shaping your personal identity through it. For Ryan Sanford, the 2023 Tesla Model 3 Performance he calls Titanium is the end result of obsession, frustration, inspiration, and pride. This is what happens when someone sees potential not just in the car, but in themselves.

Long before Titanium wore its chrome blue sheen or had a crowd-gathering slammed stance, Ryan was driving a car that was far from show-ready. “I drove the same car for 10 years, a 2006 Scion tC,” he says. It had served its purpose, but it was time for something quicker, newer, and most importantly, something modifiable. “I wanted something fast, even if some people would call it ‘slow.’ And I knew I had the intention of modifying it and making it a show car.”

Like many modern builds, it began online. “I stumbled across several modified Teslas on Instagram, like @casper_model3, @tesla_r3x, and @tesla_exllnce, and I realized it was possible to modify a Tesla and make it into a proper show car.” Even better, he noticed that few people around him in Washington State were doing it. “Only a couple folks were building Teslas here at the time. That made it feel unique.” There was just one catch: he’d never even driven one. “I’d only heard positive things like low maintenance and cheap charging, so I jumped into my beat-up Scion and drove to the dealership in Fife. No call ahead. Within five minutes, I was behind the wheel of a Model 3.”

That was the moment. “I’d be lying if I said the first thing I didn’t do was a 0–60 pull. Getting to experience that for the first time was insane! After the test drive, I knew I’d be buying one. Then came the hard part—getting back into the Scion for the drive home.”

From Matte to Chrome: Titanium, V2

Ryan’s original build featured a matte iced titanium blue wrap, a nod to which the car owes its name. But as his taste evolved, so did the car. “I knew I needed to find a more vibrant blue,” he said. “Blue is my favorite color, and going through the design process was the best and easiest part for me. Time-consuming? Sure. But I enjoyed every step.” The rebirth of Titanium as Version 2 took about a year. It wasn’t the complexity of the mods; it was the chaos behind the scenes. “I took the car up to an amazing shop—Legacy Performance in Maple Ridge, Canada,” Ryan explains. “But the real nightmare came when I ordered wheels in the U.S.”

The plan was simple: have his new Infinitewerks wheels delivered while the car was in Canada. But customs saw it differently. “They wanted to charge me nearly $800 per box, and there were four boxes. It was ridiculous and totally incorrect.” Ryan spent weeks firing off emails and chasing UPS and customs to dispute the charges. Then came the kicker. “When the wheels finally got delivered, they were all damaged. Thanks, UPS.”

Forced to start over, Ryan paid to rebuild and powdercoat the wheels. It pushed the timeline back significantly. “Everything had to be reworked, which required more time, money, and patience. The whole process got set back another month or more.”

No Shortcuts

Despite the setbacks, Ryan didn’t cut corners. “You can’t take shortcuts if you truly want to bring your vision to reality. Everything from the color to the sponsors to the shop location has to be planned.” That planning is visible everywhere in Titanium, from the color-matched wrap and Yokohama Advan-inspired graphics to the carbon fiber detailing and massive staggered wheels.

And yet, it’s all grounded in a completely stock Tesla drivetrain. “I didn’t need to touch the motors,” Ryan explains. The Model 3 Performance dual-motor setup remains at 342.95 kW with 741 Nm of torque and a factory-rated, insane, 3.1-second 0–60. Power delivery comes from a 75 kWh lithium-ion pack, with a usable city range of 300 miles. What more could you ask for?

The platform might be stock, but the handling isn’t. The car now sits on Air Lift Performance 3P air suspension with Mountain Pass Performance control arms. This popular combination gives Titanium adjustable ride height and tight geometry under those widened arches.

Dressed to Impress

The exterior was completed by Empire Graphics with a combo of Hexis satin chrome super blue and matte black accents, giving the widebody ride even more definition. The Adro kit lends serious presence, and details like a Robot Craftsman carbon fiber hood, Hacker V2 GT spoiler, and a custom wing light finish the rear end with authority. Underbody lighting, RGB taillights, and TesLux fogs give Titanium serious after-dark personality.

The interior was entirely handled by Ryan himself, who opted for subtle luxury and clean lines. Clazzio stitched seat covers work surprisingly well with the full Hansshow carbon fiber trim set, including the yoke-style steering wheel, dash, door panels, center console, glovebox, and armrest. A swivel mount for the screen adds some functional flair. Additional ambient lighting from TesLux Innovations and custom Luxus car mats round out the cabin.

Standing Out

Titanium has already hit several shows, including Electrify Expo, Import Face-Off, DriftCon, Gearhead Fest in Idaho, and Fall Fest—and it won’t stop there. “I built it to be shown but also driven,” Ryan says. “That’s the fun part. It’s a fully functional daily with show car presence.” While he’s quick to thank his sponsors, including Legacy Performance, Passion Driven Motorsports, Empire Graphics, and TesLux Innovations, Ryan emphasizes that the motivation was always personal. “We all build our cars to our liking and vision. It’s about expressing yourself. Not everyone will get it, and that’s fine.”

Haters Gonna…Charge?

Ryan’s not shy about the challenges of driving a modified Tesla in public. “Get ready for haters,” he laughs. “No matter what you drive, someone’s gonna hate. But for some reason, if you drive an EV, especially a Tesla, it triggers people even more.” His advice? Ignore the noise. “Build the car for YOU. Enjoy it.”

Specs

Tesla Model 3 Performance “Titanium”
Owner: Ryan Sanford – Tumwater, WA

Nickname: Titanium
Model: 2023 Tesla Model 3 Performance
Affiliation: Team Elevate
Build Time: 1 year (V2)
Build Cost: ~$30,000

Power & Drivetrain

Dual Tesla Performance Motors (342.95 kW / 741 Nm)
75 kWh lithium-ion battery
0–60 mph: 3.1 seconds
Range: ~290–300 miles
11.5 kW AC & 250 kW DC charging

Chassis & Suspension

Airlift Performance 3P Air Suspension
Mountain Pass Performance control arms
Built at PassionDrivenMotors

Wheels & Brakes

Infinitewerks 19×10 (front) & 19×11.5 (rear)
Yokohama Advan V107 tires (235/35 & 285/30)
Tesla OEM brakes with R1 Concepts rotors

Exterior Mods

ADRO widebody kit
Robot Craftsman carbon hood
Hacker V2 GT spoiler + custom wing light
Hexis satin chrome super blue wrap
Yokohama-style graphics by Empire Graphics
RGB taillights, underglow, Teslux fog lights

Interior Mods

Clazzio seat covers
Hansshow carbon yoke, dash, doors, console
Swivel-mount display, Teslux lighting
Luxus custom mats