Steve Platt from Torrance, California bought his 1999 GMC Sonoma brand new back in October of '99 with the idea that he would only be lowering it and rolling on some 18 inch wheels. At the time, he was working for Mattel Toys doing prototype building. He came up with an idea that was going to take his truck in a whole different direction. His idea was to have his truck duplicated in a die cast form. Steve and a Hot Wheels designer named David Martis spent a while trying to encourage upper management that the project would be a success. After finally getting the project approved, Steve put together one of the finest custom vehicles I have ever seen.

   To start off the massive buildup, the truck was taken over to Sportruck Specialties in Carson, California for a fast bags setup with CO2 and one back up 100% duty cycle compressor painted to match the truck. For height adjustment, the suspension uses half inch air lines and solenoids. A 6 inch step notch, raised cross member, custom lower control arms, and a KP components 6 link were added to build his suspension like no other. Chrome plated shocks were bolted in at all four corners, The front suspension and 6 link are powder coated silver. The next hurdle was to get his 20 inch Colorado Customs Paradox wheels with 245/35/20 Nitto NT-555 tires to tuck without rubbing anything. The firewall was then tubbed before the Pro-Street wheel tubs in the front and rear were utilized and modified to get that job done.

   Next on the list was the buildup of the 4.3 liter V-6. Using a  Vortech supercharger, ported heads, custom built exhaust from the Y-pipe back, and a Gibson muffler was a good step in the right direction but Steve wanted more power. A K&N air filter, Hypertech programmer, MSD ignition plug wires, and supercharger ignition box provided that boost that he needed. He also installed a Posi rear end with 3.42:1 gears. The brakes were upgraded to discs in the rear so that slotted rotors and performance brake pads could be used in all four corners.

   The project was going along nicely and it was time for some major cosmetic changes. Steve installed a GMC envoy front end with HID headlights and Trenz billet grille inserts. Kaotic Kustoms in Compton, California shaved the door handles, wiper squirters, third brake light, and the gas door which was then relocated to the bed. Steve built a set of one off taillights using billet buckets and acrylic lenses to replace the stock ones. A window cowl and signal mirrors from Street Scene were bolted on for a smooth appearance. In the rear, a Sir Michaels roll pan and an air-retractable license plate that Steve built can be seen. A custom mix of House of Kolor paint he calls "Fabulous Blue" was sprayed over the entire truck at Kaotic Kustoms. The graphics consist of silver tribal flames painted to look like liquid metal, and a lime green pinstripe. Blue micro flake was also laid over the "Fabulous Blue".  There is a real $100 bill in the tailgate with the Kaotic Kustoms logo painted around it and ghost skulls were airbrushed everywhere.

In the cab of his truck the seats were chopped and re-wrapped by Stitchcraft using leather and suede. The headliner and the Sprint flush mount bed cover were stitched with 2 colors of suede in a paint-matching flame pattern. The custom fiberglass center console holds his Panasonic CD/DVD player, air-retractable EQ and gauges for boost, fuel, oil, volts, and air fuel. More fiberglass was used to build the dash bezel that holds a 7 inch wide Panasonic screen and the speaker box with amp rack that houses four 10 inch Crossfire subwoofers and 2 Crossfire amplifiers. Mids and highs are supplied by Crossfire components in the doors and dash. All of the fiberglass and the door panels were painted to match. A Colorado Customs Fire steering wheel was also added.

   Steve would like to thank Jay Larossa from Sport Truck Specialties, Ryan Evans from Kaotic Kustoms, Revo Reeves from Stitchcraft Interiors, David Martis from Mattel Toys, and Xtreme Lowz (his club). The die cast version of Steve's truck  should be out in toy stores soon.