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Dana Balthasar - 2015 Lexus RC F

Story by Adam Gordon
Photography by Minh Truong (@itsminhty)

Dana Balthasar’s 2015 Lexus RC F has been through more than most show cars will ever see. Picked up in 2017, the RC F was quickly transformed into a Toyo Treadpass feature vehicle at SEMA that same year, followed by an appearance at the LA Auto Show—not bad for a car that hadn’t even had time to sit in its own garage. Since then, it’s been a constantly evolving project, shifting from deadline-driven showpiece to a personal expression of craftsmanship. Dana refers to the build as an ongoing adventure.

Visually, the RC F isn’t trying to blend in. A fully molded Pandem widebody kit stretches the factory lines into something more aggressive, while the custom chalk-gray paint brings a subtle contrast to the aggressive stance. Inside, the details get more personal. A six-point orange roll cage splits the rear view, wrapping around Recaro Sportster GT seats finished in distressed gray leather and Alcantara. The door cards carry the same finish, while a carbon digital steering wheel and custom shift knob add tactile reminders of the build’s purpose beyond turning heads at shows.

Performance hasn’t been ignored. Under the hood, a Takeda air intake and PPE unequal-length headers feed into an Armytrix stainless exhaust system, all tied together with a Stage 2 tune from Delious. The setup doesn’t just sound good on paper—it gives the RC F the powerband and response Dana wanted, all without overcomplicating the formula. In the trunk, a custom audio setup adds just enough tech to round out the build for a perfect street cruiser. It’s the kind of car that doesn’t need to try too hard to get your attention—you just need to take a second look.

Originally featured in PASMAG Issue #180