Article and Photos by Bryan Fross
When showing your car, the object is to take home that first place trophy for your class and leave the competition in the dust. That's what Shirley and Jerry Centeno do at shows throughout Southern California. This mother and son team from Whittier, California are unstoppable with their Honda Civics.
Shirley's 1998 4-door is lowered via Eibach springs and rolls on 17 inch Niche Geffels with 205/40/17 Falken tires. Her car sports a long list of additions starting with a Trenz billet grille, clear corners from APC, and PIAA bulbs in the headlights. The interior was recovered in red/black/gray tweed by E and J interiors and includes white face gauges, billet shift knob, e-brake and pedals. Stereo upgrades like the Kenwood head unit with 10 disc changer, MB Quart mids and highs, and three 10 inch JL Audio subs powered by an Optima battery and P.P.I. Amplifiers keep this car sounding as good as it looks. Tanabe exhaust, Billet engine dress up items, and Magnacore spark plug wires finish off this clean ride.
Jerry's 1995 2-door is the wilder of the two with its adjustable suspension and Multimedia entertainment system. His suspension was installed at his home by Jeremy Kaufman. It consists of a Prohopper Hydraulics kit with 2 chrome pumps and 4 dumps, 4 Trojan batteries, chrome hard lines, 8 inch front cylinders and 10 inch rear cylinders. The kit is activated by a 10 switch box inside the car. Tucking under the fenders are 16 inch Niche Bellas on 205/40/16 BF Goodrich tires. The interior was covered in gray tweed by his good friend Steve. A shifter by Momo and Pedals by Razo were also added. Entertainment in this Civic is provided by Orion mids/amps/highs, a 6 inch TV., Playstation, and Kenwood head unit. Engine mods include Magnacore spark plug wires, K&N air filter, HKS exhaust, and a DC sports header.
Shirley and Jerry are proud members of Southern California's Local Finesse Car and Truck Club. So if you are planning to bring a car to a Southern California show, Don't bring your moms Sentra or Camry that she let you add some "accessories" to because your going to go home without a trophy.
