Wayne Watkins' 2003 Acura RSX

As part of our 20th anniversary retrospective, we're showcasing some of our favorite vehicles of the past two decades. You'll be able to vote on your favorite car later. Here's another stunner for which to choose from.

Shunning video sources and monitors, competitor Wayne Watkins set out to build a pure, solid audio system in this 2003 Acura RSX. After stripping the interior and applying Dynamat Extreme to all accessible sheet metal surfaces, Watkins got to work on installing some key audio equipment. The central hub of the system is an Eclipse CD8053 source unit lined by an acrylic panel that holds the RSX's custom gain controls, status LEDs and a switch for the linear actuator in the sub enclosure. With built-in crossovers, time alignment and equalization, the Eclipse negated the need for addition processors.

Seeking solid power for the front stage, Watkins settled on a 3-way system installed in the doors, kick panels and dash. A pair of Focal 165K2P 6 -inch midbass drivers sit in custom inserts in the doors, and a Focal 100KP 5 -inch component set rests in custom kick-panels on each side of the front stage. Tweeters were flushed into the factory dash location.

The car's rear hatch houses a handcrafted silver fiberglass amprack and subwoofer enclosure. The rear sound is filled out by two JL Audio 13W6v2-D4 13.5-inch subs molded into the custom enclosure, which was constructed out of MDF and fiberglass. A switch controls a linear actuator that opens and closes to tailor the bass response. Watkins' meticulous work paid off as the car earned him the title of 2005 IASCA Ultra-Pro 601-and-up World Champion.

Here are some of the other vehicles we've featured in our 20th anniversary retrospective:

Mark Fukuda's Chevrolet Blazer

Earl Wills' Chevrolet Impala