Arlington Toyota Extreme Makeovers Create Cinderella Stories

CHICAGO--Sept. 7, 2005--In conjunction with its own extreme makeover and grand re-opening, Arlington Toyota recently held a contest called "PrIMP MY RIDE." The contest invited all Toyota owners to enter their cars with the winner being offered a complete makeover for their "clunker," entirely customizing it with enhancements. Representatives from each department served not only as judges but as those who would determine what improvements to the car would be made.

The winner of this contest, Christine Croucher of Buffalo Grove, IL, has a unique story, filled with prior adversity, making this a Cinderella story for her AND her car. She turned her car into the capable hands of Arlington Toyota on July 1, and will see it again for the first time when its custom makeover will be unveiled and presented to her, better than when it rolled off the assembly line.

Raised in a non-profit children's home, Croucher, 31, of Buffalo Grove had been experiencing an inordinate number of personal challenges when she found out that she won the competition. At first she thought it was a prank, and then was in shock, finding it hard to believe her car won.

She called this bright jade green 1997 Toyota Tercel "the Pickle." The car has accumulated more than 145,000 miles since it was created. Croucher had been divorced after a brief marriage, homeless, penniless and jobless.

This spirited lady, who currently lives with friends who are helping her get back on her feet and is working at a Christmas decoration company in Deerfield, entered the car into the contest while getting a damage estimate; it had been hit by a neighbor backing onto the street.

Thanks to Arlington Toyota and its owners, Gary and Scott Vicari, her car will not only be fixed but "juiced" so it will be better than ever. A team from each automotive department has created a bumper-to-bumper custom makeover for the car. However, Croucher is not allowed near the dealership, unless she comes in with her loaner Camry and advises them she's coming, before the car is completed. The dealership will return her car to her the day after her birthday, on September 9, at 1:30 p.m.

The dealership is located at 935 West Dundee Road in Buffalo Grove, IL. For additional information, contact John Photopulos at 847-394-5100.