We Built Karly’s Nissan Laurel in Two Weeks for Pop-Up Shop 5!

Sometimes the best projects happen on a whim. Just a few weeks before our annual Pop-Up Shop, we decided it was time to give Karly’s C33 Nissan Laurel a new specification. Karly handles all of the shipping for Checkpoint, and we thought it would be the perfect way to surprise her and thank her for everything she does behind the scenes.

Her Laurel was already a strong car with its RB20DET and manual transmission swap, but it had been overdue for refinement. We set out to bring it up to the standard it deserved, both in function and style.

The project started underneath the car. We cut and raised the front crossmember to gain much-needed ground clearance, then swapped out the suspension arms for a full set of Garage Tanoshi pieces. This gave us the adjustability we needed to fine-tune the fitment. Reid took on the exhaust, fabricating an entirely new system from scratch. Not only did it massively improve clearance, it also gave the car a deep, clean tone. The fabrication was done with our Arccaptain MIG205MP welder, which we had recently received as part of a sponsorship deal, perfect timing for this project.

Inside, we addressed one of the biggest eyesores: the seats. Out went the tired, no-name red buckets, and in went a pair of retro Bride Brix seats we had been running in our G35. The difference in feel and aesthetic was immediate. We also pulled the tint, gave the interior a deep clean, and brought it all back to life.

For wheels, we turned to Kyusha Select and sourced a set of Colin Project three-piece Longchamps. With slightly larger rear tires, not only did the stance improve, but the car also became more drivable. To tie it all together, it boasts a subtle yet striking finish that feels special without being overpowering. Next, we focused on the body. The skirts and front lip were adjusted for proper fitment, the panels were straightened, and then the whole car was resprayed. This time, instead of plain black, we buried green pearl into the clear coat. In the sun, the Laurel now carries a subtle but striking finish that feels special without being loud.

The end result was exactly what we hoped for: a clean, functional, and elevated new look that made the Laurel feel like a completely fresh build. When we unveiled it to Karly, and to the crowd at Pop-Up Shop, the reaction was priceless. She was thrilled, and so were we.

This project reminded us why we do what we do. Cars aren’t just machines, they’re an extension of the people around them. Giving Karly’s Laurel this new chapter was our way of showing appreciation, and we couldn’t have asked for a better moment to share it with the community.