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PASMAGEditorial Desk Podcast

Back in October 2024, we sat down at the Editorial Desk at PASMAG HQ and decided to set up some cameras and microphones to broadcast our editorial meeting to the world on YouTube. The idea was to give our audience an inside look at the discussions, planning, and personal lives of our editorial team. The first episode was mostly just the four of us talking about cars, but it quickly became something much bigger.

Harjaan Sivia

Youssef Rahal

Host & Junior Features Editor

Host & Director of Strategic Partnerships

Host & Digital Content Editor Host & Editor-at-Large

In time, we started using the podcast as a platform to have feature vehicle submissions reviewed live on the air, with vehicle owners calling in while we evaluate their vehicle. It turned into a real, live ‘roast or boast’ for feature vehicles, with the best of them landing in future PASMAG print issues. We also check out the week’s latest automotive news, from OEM developments to aftermarket innovations.

These days, the Editorial Desk podcast is a weekly livestream broadcast, available on the PASMAG YouTube channel every Tuesday. Of course, this is always subject to change, so be sure to subscribe to the PASMAG YouTube channel and turn notifications on so you know when we’re going live!

Following up the feature on her IS200t

“Envy,” Jamie Lake earned another spot with a second fun build focused on her 2001 Lexus IS300, affectionately named “Chez.” This car represents a personal milestone for Lake, fulfilling a dream sparked in her teenage years when Team Lexus brought their track-prepped IS300s through the dealership where she worked. After a long search, she found her dream

IS300 in less-than-perfect condition – a yellow model sitting on a military base. Despite a missing front bumper, fender damage, and a failing suspension, she saw the car’s potential and dove into the rebuild with her husband and close friends, completing much of the transformation over just six weekends.

Chez’s exterior is now a fusion of anime-inspired, custom cell-shaded artwork by Just the Dipz and authentic JDM components, including

a vented hood and Elixir-style body kit. The “Grilled Cheese” theme adds a playful nod to Jamie’s personality, subtly incorporated in Japanese text across the side skirts and wing. Widebody modifications, TRD aero accents, and a 64-inch carbon fiber wing give the car its aggressive stance, paired with KRNC wheels that tie into the build’s style. The interior maintains a refined approach with Braum Elite V2 seats and Altezza Z Edition door panels, while a 13-inch Seicane touchscreen radio adds a modern touch.

In its current form, the build sets the stage for future plans, which include an air suspension and turbo kit. With a build that blends nostalgic admiration with contemporary flair, Chez exemplifies Jamie’s ability to turn automotive dreams into reality. One project at a time.

GREEN WITH ENVY

amie Lake’s 2017 Lexus IS200t, affectionately named “Envy,” stands as a personal dedication to her unwavering love for Toyota engineering. As the second iteration of her IS project, this 3IS facelift merges Japanese influences with a highly curated aesthetic, resulting in a build that balances clean design with bold details. Wrapped in AMG Green,

Envy’s exterior is accentuated by carbon fiber upgrades, including a vented hood, fenders, and trunk, while subtle black gloss accents add contrast. A set of retrofitted 2021 IS taillights from Invoke Concepts provides an unmistakable modern touch with RGB functionality. The staggered REVO Forged RR5 wheels, featuring brushed faces and green bolts, tie the look together.

LOCATION: Round Rock, TX

HORSEPOWER: 328 whp

CLUB: Team Diverse

The interior is equally striking, incorporating reflective green carbon fiber accents across the steering wheel, paddle shifters, and trim. Lake’s attention to detail shines with hand-laid vinyl door jambs featuring cherry blossom inlays, seamlessly complementing Braum racing seats and harnesses. The trunk setup, illuminated with custom LED lighting, integrates more flash and glow. Performance-wise, the IS200t sports an Injen intake and Apexi exhaust, opting for subtle performance changes rather than outright power. The combination of personal touches and upgrades makes Envy a build that reflects Lake’s dedication to creating a

that’s as versatile as it is unique.

A PROPER FULL-TIME DAILY

Thanongdeth Chanthavong

@r34akuma

Thanongdeth Chanthavong, otherwise known as “T” to our staff and friends from the PAS365 Rallies, has been driving his 1999 Nissan Skyline sedan with us to and from countless shows over the years. If it’s not the most driven R34 in North America, it’s

certainly one of them. Countless road trips, rallies, shows, and personal use—with a baby seat in the rear— make this 4-door Skyline a proper full-time daily, winter aside.

It’s not all practicality and no go, either. T’s R34 is heavily modified, and the visuals over the years go a long

way to let you know what’s underneath the hood. We’ve seen it go from a full ADVAN livery to a Millenium Jade clean look, and we can’t even decide which one we like more. We’ve seen the car so many times we can replay how it sounds from memory, and it was only a matter of time before T’s R34 sedan ended up in PASMAG pages after his multiple appearances on the PAS365 Rally from Toronto to New Jersey and all the shows he’s joined us at. Besides, who doesn’t love a modified R34?

PHOENIX RISING

Achildhood fascination with cars turned into a lifelong passion for Cora Fontaine that began with a hand-me-down 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Despite early setbacks, including a totaled Eclipse and a serious accident that briefly pushed cars out of the picture, the itch to return never faded for Foun-

taine. By March 2020, she took a leap and bought a Rally Red Evo X MR Touring, which was worn but well-maintained, and committed to turning it into a serious autocross competitor.

The following years, "Phoenix," as it was codenamed, evolved through performance upgrades, show entries, and eventually a bold decision to install

a widebody kit. The process, meticulously executed by Fountaine, her husband, and some friends, took the build to a new level. Despite some setbacks, like a burnt exhaust valve and unexpected tuning issues, her determination never wavered. Years after completion, it brought home major wins at shows, validating years of effort.

Fountaine didn’t set out to build a showpiece. This wasn’t about collecting trophies or dominating social media feeds. Instead, the goal was clear from the start: to create a car that performs as well as it looks, without sacrificing daily usability. The result is a build that toes the line between track-ready aggression and street-friendly refinement.

One of the biggest misconceptions in the automotive world is that throwing money at a car automatically makes it better. Fountaine took a more methodical approach, selecting parts based on real-world gains rather than price tags or brand prestige. Under the hood, a custom turbo setup provides usable power without turning the car into a temperamental garage queen. The supporting modifications – fuel delivery, air flow, cooling, and others – were chosen to improve efficiency and longevity, rather than chase an arbitrary peak horsepower number. Even still, she was pleasantly surprised with 500 all-wheel horsepower.

Some builds live their lives on trailers, only seeing pavement at carefully planned events. That’s not the case here. This car is driven. Whether it’s carving through backroads, hitting the track on weekends, or just making the daily commute a little more exciting, it’s a car that sees real use, and that’s exactly what Fountaine built this Evo X for.

FOR MORE

Photography by Tristan Miller ( @tmillermedia), Cora Fountaine ( @grimdutches)

A CALCULATED, PURPOSEFUL APPROACH

STI

Dean Mixon

@monstermixon

The first time Dean Mixon saw a Subaru WRX in person, it was rolling past his high school in California, finished in World Rally Blue with a set of gold BBS wheels. That moment stuck. It wasn’t just another modified Integra or Civic - this was something different. The distinctive sound of the boxer engine added to the appeal, a signature

song that stood out from everything else he had heard. The love for Subarus took root quickly, fueled by Initial D arcade sessions and the ongoing Evo vs. STi rivalry that played out in local meet spots and fast-food parking lots.

The road to ownership wasn’t an easy one. Mixon didn’t grow up with the means to jump straight into his dream car. Instead, he put in the work. After joining the military, he managed to secure his first WRX. That 2005 model wasn’t just a stepping stone - it was a foundation. Over time, it evolved, culminating in a full interior and exterior swap

so seamless that a COBB Tuning staff member mistook it for a factory STi. That moment confirmed what Mixon already knew: this was more than just a hobby now.

Eventually, the WRX was sold, making way for something he’d been after for years - the 2004 WRX STi. It started modestly, just an exhaust and a tune, but that was never going to last. Over the past decade, the car has gone through four distinct build phases, each iteration refining both function and aesthetics with a calculated, purposeful approach.

The influences behind the build extend beyond the Subaru community. Elements of RX-7 engineering, specifically V-mount cooling setups, played a role in shaping the car’s layout. The drift scene’s emphasis on clean engine bays and tubbed front ends left an impression as well, while the tucked and simplified engine bays common in Honda builds

inspired a similar approach to his Subaru’s presentation. What ties it all together is that none of these choices are about standing out for the sake of it - everything serves a purpose. That philosophy extends to the chassis and suspension, with finetuning happening down to the smallest details. Years of experience have taught Mixon that while high-horsepower numbers are easy to chase, real-world performance comes from balance. It’s about how the car responds - how it transitions, grips, and puts power down in real conditions.

Of course, not everyone gets it. The car draws attention, both positive and negative. Not everyone is willing to accept an approach that deviates from their own idea of what an STi build should look like. But that’s the nature of individuality in car culture. In the end, Mixon’s STi is built to perform exactly how he wants it to, and that’s all that really matters.

RIDES

While we couldn’t find a proper home for some of your Get Featured submissions, your support of PAS deserves all the love. Keep an eye on their progress and support these builds!