OREANDA-NEWS. April 13, 2012. Toyota Racing will debut a custom-built Scion FR-S Speedster show vehicle on Friday, April 13 to celebrate the 38th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Designed and built by Joe Iacono of Iacono Design and Jeremy Lookofsky of Cartel Customs, the car will be both showcased on site and featured on a limited edition poster commemorating the race event.
 
The vehicle will be on display in the Lifestyle Expo lobby on Friday and Saturday and will serve as the official Grand Marshal vehicle on Sunday, escorting this year’s IZOD IndyCar Series race Grand Marshal Parnelli Jones. It will be piloted by race car driver and 2012 Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame inductee Scott Pruett. Following the Grand Prix, the Scion FR-S Speedster will be available for select appearances.
 
“The Scion FR-S Speedster is a true sports car that embodies the spirit of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach and our commitment to motorsports,” said Toyota National Motorsports Manager Les Unger. “We think enthusiasts are really going to enjoy seeing this vehicle during the race weekend festivities.”
 
The custom show vehicle--the result of a collaboration between Toyota and its youth brand Scion--is modeled after the 2013 Scion FR-S, a rear-wheel-drive sports car with exceptionally balanced performance and handling, compelling style, flexible utility and surprising fuel economy. The FR-S was most inspired by the AE86 generation of the Corolla, better known as the “Hachi-Roku,” meaning “8-6” in Japanese. It was designed around the core goal of achieving “pure balance,” as demonstrated by its compact size, flat shape and strategic use of the world’s only flat boxer engine in a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration.
 
Cartel Customs styled the car in a nod to Toyota’s rich racing heritage. The vehicle proudly bears the number 86 on its door panels and rear wing. It also features Toyota Racing’s iconic paint scheme. Exterior modifications include Cartel Traditional Signature Series Chop Top, modified front fenders and hood, custom-molded rear deck with hand-made sheet metal speed blisters, custom metal fabrication interior and exterior panels, APR Performance Custom 61” carbon fiber wing, and custom formed and cut glass front windshield and side door glass. Interior modifications include custom-shaped metal door panels with carbon fiber insets, carbon rear panel false wall, modified dash center drive gauge cluster and carbon switch panel, and red and white accented seats, dash and center console.
 
In addition to the Scion FR-S Speedster display, Toyota will also host a live art event on Saturday, April 14 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time in the Lifestyle Expo lobby. Urban artist Justin Bua will be on site to recreate the scene featured in his commemorative poster for this year’s race. Grand Prix fans are invited to take part in the live reenactment.