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Mercedes-Benz - A Lovely HaulCar Audio Magazine - Oct 01, 2007
Adrienne Janic, aka A.J. to fans of the TLC show, spends a lot of time around vehicles that have seen better days. Far better days. In every episode, the Overhaulin' team takes a junker that's been languishing in someone's driveway and rebuilds it under the direction of automobile designer Chip Foose. The results are one-of-a-kind rides that anyone would be proud to drive. But when you're surrounded by these overhauled rides everyday, it's nice to take a break with a bit of luxury. Enter this Mercedes-Benz. A pair of Arc Audio Foose FD2200 amplifiers boosts the audio signal. One amp powers the sub and the other feeds the components in the cabin. Both sit in a fiberglass amprack in the trunk. Anderson built the rack with an MDF skeleton that he wrapped in fleece and reinforced with fiberglass. For some eye candy, he added a 5.6-inch monitor, whose MDF frame is glued at an angle to the amprack. 
The stealthy install took under two weeks to complete at a cost of about $7,000. With all of the factory luxury intact but with enough customization to keep it interesting, this Mercedes-Benz makes a perfect escape for Overhaulin's knockout co-host. Useful additionsIn the center stack, Anderson mounted a Pioneer AVH-5700DVD above the Arc Audio XEQ preamp. The preamp allows for greater adjustability of the system and a 5-volt output to the amps, while a cable attached to the head unit lets A.J. hook up her iPod. As a surprise, Anderson also ran a backup camera to the receiver. "I've backed into a few things and my bumper had a few dents," A.J. confides with a laugh. The "A.J. cam" prevents future incidents (and Anderson was so nice as to patch up her bumper to conceal the previous accidents). For a cohesive look, a CNC-machined piece of ABS plastic trims the new electronics in. Its burl wood appearance matches the dash to help maintain a semblance of stock. Driver Profile: Actress Adrienne Janic enjoys her Mercedes-Benz every day. "This isthe main car that I drive," she says of her perfect ride. "It's not too small and it's not too big." A.J. liked the Benz before the install, but now she loves it. "Sitting in L.A. traffic is a whole lot better than before I had the system," she enthuses. She just hooks up her iPod to play hip-hop, rock, or dance music - the selection depends on her mood. In addition to giving her a new system to enjoy, the experience let this Overhaulin' cohost know what marks on the show go through. "It was like a mini overhaul," she reveals. "You're kind of nervous and kind of excited." In the end, "I was more than happy." 
Getting Personal: The front doors hold a set of Arc Audio Foose Series 6.5" components. To fit the new speakers in, Anderson had to rebuild the lower half of the door panels using fiberglass, body filler and grille cloth. With a custom grille on top, the new components and refashioned door panels look almost factory. The actual factory speaker locations he saved for something special. "I love the door panels," A.J. exclaims. By moving the location of the front speakers, Anderson made room for a personal touch: a set of custom door lights. When the doors open, they beam A.J.'s initials in a cool blue glow, which looks especially fantastic at night, A.J. says. In The BackTo save space per A.J.'s request, Anderson built the enclosure for the Arc Audio 10" Foose Series subwoofer at the side of the trunk. Consisting of MDF and fiberglass, the 1ft3 pod required a lot of sanding to get just right. If you try this at home, don't forget your dust mask! Anderson says that the slight angle toward the rear of the trunk improves the sub's performance, making it sound like two subs instead of just one.
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