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Time to read 8 min
If you have been reading our blog or any of the articles published within the pages of "The Mod Report" magazine, you'll know that we have told some amazing stories about a unique collection of Subaru enthusiasts from all walks of life and all backgrounds. Surprisingly enough, as you read about their lives, the origins of their interest, and the birth of their modifications, you realize that they are just like you. This is what is so important about their stories and giving respect to their creativity. The common thread through all of their journeys has been one of inspiration, education, and creation which solidifies the similar and unique quality that exists within the membership of our close knit community. Our articles were created through a desire to perpetuate the inspiration we felt from the story, and also reach out to the minds and motivation of those in the community who may be just starting on their journey with that beginning fear or doubt surrounding the intimidation of taking that first leap into the commitment of being a true modifier. Traditionally, Subimods has given tribute to car platform, driver, and product through its line of clothing, whether it be iconic motorsports practitioner or dedicated enthusiast with their rolling exhibit of vision and creativity. We have chosen to feature three individual enthusiasts who now have a forever wearable tribute through our merchandise while pointing back to their origin stories. If you haven't had the opportunity to learn about these individuals, sit back and take a read. Hopefully this will lead you to choosing their inspired shirt and wearing a tribute to their enthusiast journey.
One of the first impressive profiles we published was on December 6, 2024. Simply, it was about a man who was pulled into “the life” by creativity, the passion and adrenaline behind the build process, and the obvious mechanical skills and rewards developed inside the automotive life. In the article we learned about a Cape Cod kid, Evan Polin who, as the piece describes, "was not very different from many of the individuals who have dreamed and lived to pursue the Subaru enthusiast life". Because he followed the passion that drove his ideas and fueled his ingenuity, he was able to bring this energy forward and effectively help him build the vehicle that lived to bring to reality. At the time of the article's publishing, the 34 year old Polin, had become the proud owner of a brilliantly modified 1998 Subaru Impreza WRC Custom and grown from that young, hopeful boy into a seasoned Subaru enthusiast, mechanic, and experienced mechanical engineer. In the article, Polin remembered, "Growing up I was fortunate enough to be around a lot of talented mechanics and body men. So, as a young boy playing in the yard I would always love seeing the project cars/hot rods come to life.” Later as an active motorsports gamer, he would always choose a Subaru to drive, not realizing how he was paving his enthusiast destiny. These subtle fantastical moments as a boy and teen would be instrumental in changing his life dramatically. As he remembered when digging through his history further, Evan would state in the article, "After that, I picked up a project 2.5RS and things just snowballed into what I have now.”, he said. “I used this car to hone my mechanical skills along with my body work skills that I learned in my younger years."
Looking deeper into his story through this article, the reader will understand why his car inspired the design now available on the back of this shirt. This is one design within the “The Street Legends Series” that captures both the spirit of the build, the inspiration that brought it into existence, and the driver who leaves their permanent mark through the effort and investment which gives it a continued life. Scroll through the gallery below and see the details of this product. To choose one of these quality shirts to pay tribute to an iconic platform, but also the inspiring story of Evan Polin, someone in the Subaru community who lives to build upon a vision he sees each day. Go to our online catalog to purchase "THE OG" Short Sleeve Shirt” from the Street Legend Series and show your support.
During the middle of this year, event season was at full swing and our team was busier than they had been in years. Of course, the hundreds of interactions we have had over the years makes it difficult to choose a select few subjects to research, interview, and cover with articles, but there are some that have stories which cannot be passed by without taking a second look. A tale came our way about another New England native that drove a car that had crossed our path both at events and within our circles at Subimods HQ. Growing up in Western Massachusetts, Joe Altiere's early life in the Berkshires was a perfect garden to help his automotive enthusiasm blossom. In an article published back in late June this year, Joe shared fond memories of his beginnings as a young enthusiast by saying, "I grew up fascinated with watching rally racing, particularly Colin McRae driving for Subaru. Spending many hours playing his namesake Rally video game, I developed a love for the look, sound and performance of a Subaru." Like many walking beside him in our vast community, Joe let the bug bite and convinced him confidently that he will be behind the wheel of his own Subaru vision before too many more years pass him by. After years of wrenching, moving through the waters of modification, learning the lessons, and paying his dues, Altiere would finally align with all those visions he had as a boy. The article tells us that Joe eventually bumped into his dream head on in late 2024, purchasing his 2019 Subaru STi. He began the next phase of his modifier's life. "My goal in building my Subaru was to have a car that I could work on with my son that we would be proud to take to a show as well as the track.", he confirmed in the article. "My vision was to have a great looking car with very usable power and cornering ability to tackle the winding back roads of New England."
Reading more about Joe Altiere’s story, the investment, and the education he received during his recent journey, will make anyone appreciate the dedication and motivation a true enthusiast will pursue to bring their inspirations to reality. Again, as another wearable tribute option within “The Street Legends Series”, this inspired design taken from Joe's cherished choice of platform, truly fits the shirt's title of "The Final Boss". This is a true symbol of respect to all of those similar builds and individuals who can identify with Joe's journey. Anyone who shares the love of this platform with Altiere and can relate with his story so completely covered in this year's article, should consider reviewing the images below and picking out one for their personal shirt collection.
Finally, through a recent article titled "Introducing a First Degree Enthusiast", we learned that there is no recipe for the true enthusiast. We will not be blessed to find a book that lays out rules, regulations or standards to meet when following this lifestyle. Even amongst those who pursue and practice within the genre of motorsports, whether traveling around a track to compete for the best time, or drift to display the most impressive command over your vehicle, there still is no amount of checkboxes to select that stereotypes one driver or car as the perfect combination. With only the consideration of safety and skill to be strongly argued for success, his pursuit is the perfect confirmation of freeform individuality, uniqueness, or creativity. "All visions, walks of life, and backgrounds welcome" should have been the border statement around the story of Chaz Kingrea, a Virginia native, dedicated automotive junkie, and extreme enthusiast who mastered his pursuit of everything performance through years of trackside study, engine bay education, and cutting his teeth behind the wheel. Performance and adrenaline are the mix that fuels his life. The article outlines a great journey and close relationship with his modified 2004 Subaru Forester XT, the platform and performance vehicle which has educated every step he has taken to bring him to the current position in life. Speaking about his creative vision and what he pictured for his journey past, present, and future, Chaz said proudly, "I bought the Forester XT in 2020 and have been modifying it since - but it has been through many different stages since then. I am very experienced with Subarus...almost at Master Tech level. The ultimate goal for my Forester is for it to be a competition drift car that I can take to places like GridLife, Hyperfest, and smaller drift competitions." he said in the article. The challenges Chaz has met and conquered came with stress, but also a unique level of reward, but Kingrea shows no sign of stopping his momentum.
Again, like those others featured, Kingrea has earned a tribute through the boldness of his performance pursuits and also the unconventional path he has chosen to follow. Reading more about his story, background, and level of dedication will definitely push even the most passive enthusiast to be encouraged in the exploration of options for their own journey. This product is certainly an accurate example of both a platform's extreme personality as amplified by its owner's vision and unique sense of style. In this case, the appropriately categorized and spirited “Advance Beyond the Stars” themed t-shirt, is available as an amazing wearable tribute to Kingrea's muscled passion and soulful modification to truly exhibit a piece of art that is always on the move. Grab one of the "Golden Skids" shirts, if you are a Forester owner or just want to support his inspiring build and promising motorsports career.
Take a look at the wide range of merchandise options we have in the Subimods catalog. This is a great time of year to pick up a few gifts for that enthusiast family member or friend that wants to support their favorite brand, platform, product, or inspired driver.
Check out our product gallery below to sample a small selection of just some of our quality shirts and hoodies:
Please reach out to our team to ask specific questions about specific products. We would love to help!
For more information regarding aftermarket parts for your Subaru, please visit our website and explore the section dedicated to your platform.
Write your comments below and continue this conversation. We are always thrilled to hear your opinions.
THANK YOU!
Bryon Turcotte - Managing Editor/Writer
Turcotte has worked as a writer, journalist, and digital content developer for 30 years. He began his career in music journalism in 1995 then worked for several years as both a staff writer, managing editor, and a freelancer for both regional and national music publications. Over the next three decades his contributions extended beyond the music industry as he served within the realms of higher education, science and technology, manufacturing, and finance. He has been serving as a content developer and writer on the Subimods Marketing team since August 2023.
