ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (WAVY) — You know how the song goes: It’s a man’s world, especially when it comes to car shows. However, one local woman is ready to compete.

Teresa Dew of Elizabeth City used to be on a racing team, but when the owner retired in 2022, she fell in love with the idea of car shows, and, having owned a black Mustang since 2020, she decided to make it fire.

“I created a beast,” Dew said. “She was start-out plain Jane, I mean, nothing done to her. She was all regular doors, wheels, seats, everything from inside out, top to bottom. So I started out with the motor. I gave it more horsepower. I gave it fresh air to breathe, and then I started off with the seats and put custom racing seats in there. I put custom floor mats in there with her name on them, custom doors, and then I did the front bumper all the way to the back bumper. We modified those as well.”

She loves to show the Lamborghini doors she installed in the car she now calls Black Beauty, which will be at the Coastal Virginia Auto Show at the Virginia Beach Convention Center Nov. 22-24.

“There’s hardly any Mustangs around here with that on there,” she said.

Dew said she had a vision for the car, drew up what she wanted and then took it to local pros to make sure it was all done to her specifications.

“I hired professionals to do it because I want it done the right way,” Dew said.

Knowing there are not a lot of women who compete in car shows, Dew said she wants to lead by example.

“It’s a lot on my shoulders when I’m competing against, like, $130,000 cars,” she said. “These guys are mint condition. They know all about this, so I have to really step my A-game up and make sure she’s on point. She looks good inside and out.”

Dew wants to be a role model for other girls and women who want to get involved, but aren’t sure how.

“I started a YouTube channel dedicated to them to show them how to wash the car, how to get her detailed [and] get ready for the show,” she said. “So by the time you get to the show, you just do memorable stuff. Sit down, relax and wait for the spectators.”

Dew said the men who are involved in the car shows are very welcoming to her and will give her pointers when she asks for them.

Since 2022, Dew has won more than 30 car shows with Black Beauty. Most recently, Black Beauty placed in the top 75 out of 275 cars at a Nov. 9 show. Dew said the reaction to her car from people at the shows is so rewarding.

“It warms my heart to see the little kids walk up and they say, ‘Mommy, look at the car,'” she said. “And then I get down to their level and say, ‘Hi, this is Black Beauty. You want to go look at her?’ I sign autographed pictures for them, and that just makes their day. If it hadn’t been for the kids or the adults, I wouldn’t be where I’m at right now.”

To meet Dew, and to see Black Beauty for yourself, go to the Coastal Virginia Auto Show Nov. 22-24 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.