Resident Creates First Convertible Scion

By Steve Irsay
Staff Writer

At first, there is nothing special about a ride in Belmont Shore resident Charles Tentindo’s black Scion xB.

The air conditioner is cranking, keeping the boxy interior cool. The gentle purr of the 108-horsepower engine occasionally revs to a growl courtesy of a cold air intake system that kicks out a few extra horses.

Nothing special, that is, until Tentindo pulls over, unhooks two metal latches on either side of the windshield, lowers the back windows and flips a small switch on the console.

In a matter of seconds, the car’s black ragtop peels back effortlessly, allowing the Friday afternoon sunshine to flood the previously dark interior. Tentindo, a self-described “creative type,” has created what he claims is the world’s first convertible Scion.

“That we know of,” he adds quickly.

But maybe not for long. Tentindo, a Long Beach native who also runs his own video production company, FlyingDirector.com, has teamed with Placentia-based Newport Convertible Engineering to market the Scion xB convertible conversion, with his own car serving as the prototype.

The custom process takes four to six weeks and cost about $7,000 for a manual top and $9,000 for hydraulic, he said.

So far, it’s just a concept. But the concept may have more than just cottage industry potential.

Car customization may be as old as the automobile itself, certainly dating back to the mid-20th century rise of the hot rod. Now, more than ever, some experts say, manufacturers are looking to — even following the lead of — innovative enthusiasts like Tentindo in developing their lines.

“I saw a lot of people doing really unique things with Scion, but they never structurally changed the car,” said Tentindo, who bought his xB two years ago. “We live in Southern California and I thought this would be a cool vehicle as a convertible.”

Matthew Kahnamelli, vice president of Newport Convertible Engineering (NCE), agreed when Tentindo pitched the idea last year. NCE has a history of pioneering popular convertible lines, often before the car manufacturers themselves.

In 1998, the company introduced a limited line of Beetle convertibles five years before Volkswagen did. And in 2001, the NCE chopped the tops off several four-door PT Cruiser models, four years before Chrysler introduced it’s two-door convertible version. Kahnamelli said he sees potential for the Scion xB convertible.

“The car is in high demand,” he said. “Making it a convertible — that is the ultimate look for any car out there.”

Making Tentindo’s xB convertible involved much more than just chopping off the top. The four-month process involved completely stripping the car, reinforcing the undercarriage and adding other safety features like a roll bar just above the front headrests.

“The car is safer now than when it came out from the manufacturer,” Tentindo said, noting that the procedure does void the manufacturer’s warranty. “And when you drive it, it’s tighter and feels more solid.”

The prospects for his Scion convertible line are further bolstered by the fact that the cars are expressly made to be customized.

Toyota debuted the Scion line in mid-2003 with the xB and compact hatchback xA. The next year, the sport coupe tC was added. All three are offered with up to 40 interior and exterior accessories from the dealer.

Steve Hatanaka, accessory operations manager for Scion, said the company was aware of Tentindo’s convertible conversion and admitted “that is the first one we’ve seen.”

“We think it’s pretty cool,” he said. “The brand itself is all about personalizing and customizing. The fact that someone went out and personalized the car to the point of making it a convertible is pretty interesting for us.”

Of course, Scion did not pioneer accessorizing. The company essentially tapped into the thriving culture of compact car customization known as “tuning,” according to Peter MacGillivray, vice president of marketing and communications for the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association, a trade group for companies that sell automobile accessories.

Aftermarket modification — anything added to a car after it is purchased from the dealer — is a $31 billion a year industry, MacGillivray said.

Ten years ago, SEMA did not even track the sport compact, or tuner, niche, he said. Today, it is the fastest growing market segment, accounting for $4.1 billion in retail sales last year.

Some of the most popular tuner cars include the Honda Civic, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Subaru WRX and Ford Focus — relatively inexpensive models that are easy to personalize, even for people who do not consider themselves “gearheads,” MacGillivray said.

“We are seeing more and more mainstream consumers taking an interest in personalizing their cars,” he added.

And manufacturers are taking notice too, often looking to custom shops and individual enthusiasts for design ideas.

Tentindo, who also is an actor, said he would love to see his Scion creation catch on. (His other recent invention is a six-foot standing music keyboard he calls the “zen riffer.”)

For now, he said he will enjoy the curious looks he gets when he’s stopped at a red light with the top down.

“It’s just fun to be unique,” he smiled.

For details, go to www.xvertible.com, or call 434-7777.

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