Reimagined: Griff’s One-Off Widebody Model Y

When you think of a modded Tesla Model Y, you probably imagine a grocery-getting, practical EV with a cool wrap and a sweet set of wheels. What you don’t picture is a freaking orange, carbon-clad widebody showstopper built by a retired U.S. veteran with a serious eye for detail. Sturgis Griffin III, better known as Griff in the Tesla scene, has transformed his 2021 Model Y into a one-of-a-kind head-turner called “Unique Y,” and it’s become an icon in the highly modified EV show scene.

From Stock to Show-Ready

Griff’s Model Y customization started almost by accident. After test-driving a Model X and deciding he didn’t need that much size, he went with the Performance Y instead. “I absolutely loved the car,” he recalls. The Performance option gave him the speed and insane torque he was after. “I thought something was still missing. It wasn’t until attending a car show with a friend that the vision started to crystallize. My buddy told me, ‘If you want to stand out at shows, you’re going to need to customize it.’”

What started as a modest idea to get his Tesla to stand out with, say, a new set of wheels quickly snowballed. At first, Griff mounted Lamborghini Urus wheels to add some punch, which required custom adaptors to go from the Tesla Model Y’s 5×114.3mm bolt pattern to the Urus’ 5x130mm pattern. Eventually, he opted for carbon-look Strasse wheels to match the car’s evolving carbon fiber motif.

A Widebody Engineered from Scratch

Like many Tesla owners, Griff was frustrated by the lack of truly custom widebody kits available for the Model Y when he started his build. Most lacked the aggressive flair he was after. So he did what few have done: he sat at his computer, designed his dream widebody kit from the ground up, and found a manufacturer willing to bring it to life. The result is a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind carbon fiber body kit that adds drama and width without compromising the clean Tesla silhouette. From the fender flares to the side skirts, every piece flows together with precise fitment and superb exposed carbon touches. “I wanted the carbon to show through in small ways,” he explains. “It’s about balance—enough to catch your eye, but not overwhelm the design.” Even the rear diffuser was his own design, sculpted to finish off the rear end with aggressive lines and downforce-enhancing function.

The ‘tonic’ exterior isn’t paint—it’s a wrap. Executed by the experts at CoderZ in Palm Harbor, Florida, the wrap is so meticulously done that people constantly mistake it for a full repaint. They even wrapped the door frames, interior parts, and jambs. It looks like the car came painted this way from the factory. The color flips slightly depending on the light—deep hues shift from rich amber to fiery orange. The wrap hugs every angle of the custom bodywork, making the carbon overlays pop.

A Cabin That Matches the Vision

Griff brought the same level of detail to the interior of his car. Working with Karbon Works, he added forged carbon overlays to the center console and armrest, with vibrant orange flake layered into the resin to match the car’s outer color. The seats wear stylish, perforated, white aftermarket covers to depart from the usual black Tesla interiors. Perhaps the most jaw-dropping addition is the starlight headliner. It turns the cabin into a celestial lounge, perfect for showcasing the immersive Alpine audio system installed throughout the vehicle. “This has been a dream of mine since I was a kid,” Griff says. ‘‘A great audio system is not just about the bass; it’s about clarity. They replaced every speaker with their new carbon fiber models, and the difference is incredible.’’ The upgraded system transforms music and movie playback into something theater-worthy.

As nice as it is, Unique Y isn’t a garage queen. Griff commutes 30 miles each way with the car daily, thanks in large part to the Air Lift Performance suspension system installed by CoderZ. The adjustable ride height allows for a slammed stance at shows or extra clearance for daily duties. “It actually rides smoother than stock,” he explains. “A friend said it felt like riding in the ear cushion of a Cadillac CTS. I’ll take that!” The system allows for fine-tuned control, and even when lowered, the car handles potholes and speed bumps with grace. It’s a setup designed for form and function—exactly how Griff envisioned it.

Not Ruined—Reborn

Griff is part of the growing Ruined EV Club, a community that celebrates radical builds and boundary-pushing creativity in the EV world. The name was born from criticism—people claiming mods had “ruined” their Teslas, but Griff and others wear it as a badge of honor. “I don’t think I ruined anything,” he says. “I’ve elevated it. People stop me all the time to ask questions. Some are shocked it’s a Tesla. And when they find out it’s mostly designed by me? Their jaws drop.” Griff’s build has already won 8 of 9 shows he entered, and he’s not done yet. He plans to keep refining the design, enjoying the rapidly growing modded EV scene, and maybe—just maybe—offering his body kit to the public someday. But for now, the Unique Y lives up to its name: a deeply personal, meticulously engineered Tesla unlike any other.

SPECS

Sturgis Griffin III’s Tesla Model Y—Unique Y

Base Vehicle

• Model: 2021 Tesla Model Y Performance
• Drivetrain: Dual Motor AWD
• Power: 456 hp
• Battery: 82 kWh
• 0–60 mph: 3.5 seconds
• Range: ~303 miles (EPA est.)

Exterior & Aero

• Custom-designed widebody carbon fiber kit (one-off)
• CMST carbon fiber hood
• Adro carbon front splitter
• Custom carbon rear diffuser
• Multi-layer color-shifting wrap by CoderZ (Palm Harbor, FL)

Suspension & Handling

• Air Lift Performance air suspension system installed by CoderZ

Wheels & Tires

• Current: Strasse carbon fiber-look wheels

Interior Upgrades

• Custom perforated seat covers
• Karbon Works forged carbon center console and armrest with orange flake
• Alpine Electronics full audio system
• Starlight headliner

Club Affiliation

• Ruined EV Club