2018 Ford Edge Sport owned by Matt Hoover

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Issue

November 2024

Owner

Matt Hoover

Ride

2nd Chance
(2018 Ford Edge Sport)

Meaning Behind the Name

I was given a second chance at life May 13, 2020 after I was in a highway speed accident in a 2015 Ford Edge Sport that I owned.

Photographer

Jason Carroll

Ride Details

Original Cost

Roughly $32,000

Build Cost

I try not to keep track of that. If I had to ball park it I have around another $20-25,000 invested.

What was the inspiration?

For as long as I can remember people have always known me for turning a normal everyday family car into something that you never knew it was capable of being. This build is no different. As mentioned in my explanation of the car's name, in May of 2020 I was in an accident in, at the time, my 2015 Ford Edge Sport. I had only owned the car for about a year at the time, but it was the start of what this car has become. This accident was one of those accidents where you look at pictures and go "How did you make it out alive?". Between believing that the car saved my life and having the body kit that is currently on this car already I chose to buy another one and start over again.

How long did it take you to build?

I am currently on year four of my build. We (car people) all know that a build is never really finished.

How long have you been building?

Four years and counting.

Club Affiliations

Kostly Obsessions

Your future plans?

Many plans moving forward. Big brakes are in the near future(brand to still be determined). Full hatch rebuild including new false floor and window showing all amplifiers and few other electronics. Reupholstered seats. Custom engine cover. More carbon work. Custom tail lights.

Vehicle history

Car was purchase May 30th of 2020 from Rockford, IL after my near death accident May 13th of the same year. The body kit that is on the car was actually meant for the previous car and was sitting in the body shop as I was suppose to be taking the original car into the shop the Monday after my accident. Soon after I lost a very good friend of mine who was a real inspiration to me and started using the car as a bit of a coping mechanism. He was someone who always told me how good my car looked and at that time it wasn't anything near what is is now. He was someone that always pushed the envelope and I wanted to build something that he would be proud of. Many of the parts on the car are either one off custom made or the only ones in the US as the parts come from Ukraine.

Thanks to

Next Level Neo for answering every question I ever had when building my retrofit headlights and the continued sponsorship. Glowe Industries for being on as a sponsor and being eager to get products to me as soon as I needed them. Seamless Autoworks for all the time and effort they have put into correcting many paint and body work issues with the car. Also for allowing me to use shop space to do some of the projects you see on the car and allowing me to work side by side with them. Droppin' Hz Car Audio for the continued help and sponsorship. SS Tuning from the Ukraine for working with me and doing everything they could to get me parts with everything that is going on in their country and their continued sponsorship. Lastly, but definitely not least, the continued support from my family, especially my grandfather. I wouldn't be able to do most of what I do with this car without him teaching me all this stuff and feeding the car customization fire in my younger days.

Previous Rides

2001 Chrysler Sebring Sedan 2012 Ford Taurus 2015 Ford Edge Sport

Engine Details

Make

Ford 2018

Cylinders

Engine Add Ons

Livernois tuned S&B Air Intake EcoPower Intake pipes RamFab Charge pipe

Chassis Details

Drop or lift inches

Full air out drop - about 4 1/2"

Front Shocks

BC Coilovers

Rear Shocks

BC Coilovers

Compressor Info

2 - Viair 444c

Airbag Info

Vera

Wheels Details

Front Wheel Type

AMF Forged F020

Rear Wheel Type

AMF Forged F020

Front Wheel Size

22x10.5 +32 offset

Rear Wheel Size

22x10.5 +32 offset

Front Tire Size

285/35/22

Rear Tire Size

285/35/22

Paint Details

Color

Lightning Blue Metallic

Paint Type

Factory

Painted By

Zach White at Seamless Autoworks

Graphics By

Body Details

Hood

Factory modified hood with vents from a Mustang GT500 and Mustang GT.

Grille

Aftermarket honeycomb

Wing

SS Tuning spoiler extension

Body Mods

Full SS Tuning body kit / flare kit

Body Mods by

Zack White at Seamless Autoworks

Interior Details

Steering Wheel

Carbon skinned trim w/ color match accents

Console

Carbon skinned trim w/ color match accents

Head Unit

Custom molded 9" Pioneer

Amps

Sound Digital 5500.1, Sound Digital 1200.4, Sound Digital 400.4

Speakers

6.5" PRV Audio 6MR500-NDY in all doors, PRV Audio TW400Ti-Nd4 Tweeters in all doors, Sub stage 2 12" DC Audio Level 4s with XL upgrades and carbon caps

Stereo Installed by

Myself

Seats

Factory

Tint Percent

20%

“2nd Chance”

Owned by: Matt Hoover

Photos by: Jason Carroll

This November 2024, we spotlight Matt Hoover’s custom-built 2018 Ford Edge Sport, aptly named “2nd Chance.” After a life-altering accident on May 13, 2020, involving his previous 2015 Ford Edge Sport, Matt’s journey back to the road has been both a story of survival and a relentless pursuit of automotive perfection. His Edge Sport now represents not only a personal triumph but also a tribute to loved ones and an emblem of unique automotive artistry.

The Inspiration Behind “2nd Chance”

Matt’s motivation to build “2nd Chance” came from his near-death experience, emerging from an accident that left him grateful to be alive. Following the wreck, Matt bought a 2018 Ford Edge Sport and decided to rebuild using the body kit he’d planned for his previous car. Losing a close friend soon after the accident, Matt poured himself into this project, using it as a means to honor his friend’s memory and push the limits of what a family-oriented SUV could achieve.

A Unique Approach to Customization

The Edge Sport build is loaded with custom parts, many sourced from Ukraine and among the only ones in the U.S., giving it a unique international flair. The SS Tuning body kit and flare kit were meticulously applied by Seamless Autoworks, along with a modified factory hood fitted with Mustang GT500 and GT vents for added style. With its Lightning Blue Metallic paint, custom honeycomb grille, and SS Tuning spoiler extension, the Edge Sport is both aggressive and elegant.

The custom-made AMF Forged F020 wheels measure a bold 22×10.5 inches with a +32 offset, paired with 285/35/22 tires, giving the SUV an assertive stance. The vehicle sits on BC Coilovers, with a full air-out drop of approximately 4.5 inches, powered by a dual Viair 444c compressor setup and Vera airbags for a flawless stance and superior ride quality.

Performance and Audio Power

Under the hood, the Edge is tuned by Livernois Motorsports, and it includes an S&B Air Intake, EcoPower Intake pipes, and a RamFab charge pipe, providing a robust and refined driving experience. The sound system is equally powerful, with Sound Digital amplifiers (5500.1, 1200.4, and 400.4 models) and PRV Audio speakers delivering top-notch clarity. The subwoofer setup includes two 12″ DC Audio Level 4s with XL upgrades and carbon caps, making this Edge Sport as much an auditory powerhouse as it is a visual one.

A Tribute to Community and Family

Matt attributes much of his success to the support of his sponsors and family. Key collaborators include Next Level Neo, Glowe Industries, Seamless Autoworks, Droppin’ Hz Car Audio, and SS Tuning in Ukraine. Matt also acknowledges his family’s unwavering support, especially his grandfather, who instilled his passion for car customization from an early age.

Future Plans for “2nd Chance”

Matt’s plans for “2nd Chance” are far from over. Upcoming modifications include a big brake upgrade, a complete rebuild of the hatch with a custom false floor, visible amplifiers, additional carbon fiber accents, custom tail lights, and reupholstered seats. As he continues to evolve this unique SUV, Matt’s dedication to pushing boundaries serves as an inspiration to the car community.

“2nd Chance” is more than a custom Ford Edge Sport; it’s a symbol of resilience, innovation, and homage to those who inspired Matt to reach new heights. With plans already in motion, Matt Hoover’s “2nd Chance” is on track to become an enduring legacy in the world of custom builds, demonstrating how personal stories can shape the art of automotive transformation.