Business inside the Flex-ible Fun About halfway between Chicago and Davenport, Iowa, is Mendota, Ill., a small city that says of itself, "Through careful planning and foresight" it "demonstrates a steadfast commitment to quality." In Mendota is a restyling outfit, Rick Bottom Designs. And with a new CUV that's captured top honors both in Restyling magazine's 2009 awards and a Ford Design Award, the company's president, Rick Bottom, and his staff are restylers extraordinaire. Bottom took a 2009 Ford Flex, and as would any customizing pro, began to see it in another light. The five-door, sixseater CUV became more than a ride, it became a four-wheeled event. Externally, a casual two-tone cream look from tri-coat BASF paint in vanilla and butterscotch. Add chrome by Clayton Machine that separates the two colors. Plus, include some brightwork: hood vents and grille, door handles and wheel lips. Nice "shoes" with 22" Dunlop Sport Maxx on Avarus AV2Wheels; Eibach lowering springs complete the CUV's rolling package. And a CGS cat-back exhaust gives the Flex some vroom to grow. And, oh yeah, plugged into a trailer hitch was a Freedom Grill portable gas grill, ready for the poshest of tailgate parties, picnics or any other open-air outing the CUV can go. Internally, the real fun began. Pump it up! A pair of custom-mounted subwoofers in the cargo area brings out the sound from Eclipse three-way components up front and two-ways in the middle. For added entertainment Eclipse DVD in headrests keep rear-seaters entertained. Custom suede seating from Trent's Trick Upholstery all around comforts the passengers. HushMat sound absorption and vibration damping materials keep the music and conversation inside, and the din of the road outside. M&M Custom Finishes further trims up the interior with its custom "wood grains." And another, "oh yeah": a factory-installed console refrigerator. Everything but the kitchen sink. Maybe that's next on Rick Bottom's list. Restyling magazine wants to see the inside of your business. Whether it's a project car you're especially proud of, a newly remodeled showroom, a great photo of your staff, or a clean, well-organized installation area, send us a large, high-resolution picture and a description of what you've done and why you're proud of it to reeditor@nbm.com or Restyling Magazine, P.O. Box 1416, Broomfield, CO, 80038. 44 · · MAY 2009 WWW.RESTYLINGMAG.COM