The Motor Trend experience is all about overloading the senses with everything the industry has to offer in the coming year.

In each of its 17 incarnations, the local car community is invited to participate, so each town offers its own variation on the theme. Baltimore is one stop where “Aftermarket Alley,” a display composed of modified vehicles owned by locals, has been largely successful drawing huge crowds.

Adam Palanker is a member of Prestigious Images, a 12-member club with the honor of showing 10 vehicles this year. Palanker is an electrical engineer who has put his blood, sweat, tears and a lot of know-how into his vehicle, a pavement-kissing Chevy S-10 for which he did almost all the work.

Unlike the Essex, Rosedale and Middle River areas, where lowriders have a tangible presence in various clubs or independent ventures, the same cannot be said in north Baltimore County.

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From Towson to Sparks, the tuner culture and Japanese Domestic Market, known as JDM, hasn’t quite caught on. Palanker said his is the only late-model club in the Interstate 83 corridor north of the city.

In his hometown of Phoenix, Md., it’s all about the rise — that is, how high you can suspend a truck frame in the air.

Palanker could have jacked his truck up on monstrous wheels and purchased a lift kit to stabilize the height.

Instead, he swore off what the majority in his area was doing and decided to take his S-10 in the other direction, by planting it squarely on the asphalt.

Now, Palanker’s vehicle, a favorite among fender-dragging enthusiasts, is one of the better examples of lowrider engineering in the area.

Even dragging his bumper around, he holds his head high with this award-winning vehicle.

Q What do you drive?

A 2001 Chevy S-10 Xtreme.

Q And why do you drive it?

A I’ve always wanted an American vehicle, and I like trucks.

Q What makes this truck so special?

A The fact that it’s my first vehicle and I’ve done just about all the work myself. It’s my pride and joy. It’s very different from any other S-10.

Q What’s your most memorable driving experience?

A Last night with drag blocks throwing sparks (laughs).

Q What was your first vehicle?

A This one. I’ll never sell it.

Q What’s in your CD player?

A A lot of rock and a lot of country.

Q And your first ticket? What was it for?

A I have not ever had a speeding ticket or any real ticket other than having my neon lights on in Ocean City. I got a $50 fine for having neon lights while parked. I got pulled over a couple of times, but I’ve never gotten a ticket.

Check Out My Stats:

Engine: 4.3 L Vortec 4300

Horsepower: 190

Wheels: 22 X 9.5 Eco Taz

Interior: Corbeau A4 Racing Seats, custom battery box in bed with Plexiglas windows, AutoMeter gauges, billet accents, Alpine 5.8-inch sun visor LCD monitors, Alpine head unit with 7-inch flip-out screen

Exterior: Sharp 20-inch flat-screen TV in tailgate with PlayStation 2, camera in front emblem, backup camera in rear, Phoenix Gold power and distribution blocks, Streetglow