1991 Honda Accord
The Secret's Under the Hood
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At first glance, you wouldn't know that Paul Flood's 1991 Honda Accord could blow away a BMW 325. But that is just what Flood wants -- part of the fun is in the surprise.
Flood's love of improving his car started when he was 17 and first bought the Accord. While driving around his home town of Philadelphia, the car's lights started to flicker. The alternator was shot, and a new one, with installation, would cost $300.
Instead, with "literally five bucks" in his pocket, Flood bought a repair manual, borrowed tools from his friends' fathers and started working. A day later, the alternator was fixed and Flood was hooked.
"When I was done, I started yelling and ran down the alley," Flood said. "It feels good to accomplish [repairs] on your own."
Flood, now 22, is a senior economics and criminal justice double major at the University of Maryland. He still has the Accord, but it has changed significantly after nearly six years and $7,000. Flood has made visible alterations, including tinted windows, new rims and even a PlayStation with screens mounted in the sun visors, but he is more proud of the car's improved power. He replaced the engine (doubling the horse power), added a new exhaust and, in his crowning achievement, changed the transmission from automatic to manual.
At U-Md., Flood found like-minded gear heads and became president of College Park Tuning. The group tallies more than 160 members (mostly students). At first glance, his car, which group members have nicknamed "Stella," doesn't seem to fit in with the customized Cobras, BMWs and Volkswagens that others drive, but that's okay with Flood.
All the repairs are made using money he earns from being a manager at a Potbelly Sandwich Works, and even if he strikes it rich after graduation, Flood says, "I want to keep my car as long as I can."
