T-Pain’s Bel-Cord Jumpstarts eBay Motors’ ‘Renew Your Ride’ in Atlanta

After years as an undercover daily driver, T-Pain’s beloved 1994 Honda Accord was ready for a refresh. Initially modded 15 years ago, the retro-themed cruiser was in great shape overall. But crucial maintenance and technology issues needed attention.

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Making an old car new again takes elbow grease, imagination, and a realistic budget. Sometimes you need a helping hand. That’s why eBay Motors unveiled Renew Your Ride in Atlanta, a first-of-its-kind program to help you keep the vehicle you already own on the road longer.

Preserving a Unique Time Capsule

To get the job done, eBay Motors teamed up with Donut, the YouTube automotive sensation with over 7 million subscribers. Updating the iconic orange and white Accord was an exercise in bringing a beloved time capsule into the 21st century.

The Bel-Cord draws inspiration from the iconic 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air.

Donut’s Nolan Sykes told us:

This is clearly a vehicle built in another era. Because of the way car trends shift, something built such a short time ago can feel culturally dated. It’s a marker in time.

Resisting the urge to bolt on a turbocharger, Donut’s crew focused on essential maintenance before moving on to the fun stuff. Safety, reliability, and comfort topped the to-do list, along with a commitment to preserving history.

In addition to small but mighty maintenance upgrades—like a new Optima battery, alternator, and spark plugs—the Accord received a series of mods, including:

• Combo LED headlight bulbs. Discover lighting parts to fit your ride here.
• PowerStop Z26 Street Warrior brake kit with drilled and slotted rotors, pads, and calipers. Shop brake kits here.
• Invidia N1 Catback Exhaust. Find more exhaust options to fit your ride here.

The Kenwood Excelon double DIN head unit includes Apple CarPlay.

Donut added some new tech too, including a Kenwood Car Stereo and matching Kenwood backup camera, plus a Diode Dynamics LED Underglow Kit.

Historical Relevance

Preserving a custom cruiser like the Accord requires a commitment to the builder’s initial vision. As a result, the Bel-Cord’s distinctive exterior and interior remain intact. The deep metallic paint sparkles in a way that today’s wraps cannot, while the upholstery (and lack of headrests) pay homage to days gone by.

Longevity varies from brand to brand, but vehicles built in the last 30 years can last hundreds of thousands of miles when properly maintained. Hondas and Toyotas are known for reliability, ease of repair, and availability of affordable maintenance items and upgrades.

With the variety of parts available on eBay Motors and purchase protections from eBay Guaranteed Fit, builders can rest easy knowing they’re getting the right part for their ride or their money back.

Breathing New Life Into Atlanta Rides

Getting under the hood with T-Pain was just the start. On Memorial Day weekend, eBay Motors rolled into the Atlanta area with the first-ever Renew Your Ride garage. The experts from Donut met with real-world drivers and builders at the pop-up shop to provide maintenance recommendations and mod inspiration.

Attendees walked away with the part recommendations they needed to reinvigorate their cars—from basic repair and comfort upgrades to longevity and performance enhancements. The free consultations came with offers for $200 off the purchase of recommended parts and accessories, backed by eBay Guaranteed Fit.

Many drivers are upgrading their current ride instead of buying a new vehicle, making access to reliable parts and accessories critical.

A Spotlight on Atlanta Car Culture

Beyond the bustling garage and consultations, car lovers of all kinds rolled through the event that put Atlanta builders on full display. There were plenty of rides repping the region and what makes the culture so unique—from an original 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass and a 1989 Caprice “Box” Donk, to a 1972 Citroen DS and an award-winning Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.

Atlanta came to show off and be seen. Throughout the day, consumers kept rolling in with their impressive personal rides. The variety of automotive styles were dazzling—from exotics like a McLaren 650s and Alfa Romeo 4c to a slammed Honda Odyssey and big-wheeled Caprices.

Events like Renew Your Ride, Parts of America, and others help connect eBay Motors to the car community, showcasing the power of shopping on the marketplace.