Car Modification by John
From Mod Mania
Car modification is the process where by the owner of a motor vehicle modifies his or her car to improve its performance, looks or drivability. Through the customization of a car, the owner can input there own personal style and flavour to make his or her car a “one off,” which is sometimes the main inspiration for the modification. In modern day, car customizing has become a culture with followers of all ages and nations around the world. The general consensus about car modifying is that of a simple hobby or past time but to the owner it is a passion and can be a way of life. Customizing cars dates back to the 1930’s where by American car owners would take the roof off a typical model T Ford, lower the car by modifying suspension and upgrading the performance with a big v8 engine. These vehicles came to be known as hot rods. Today the modifying scene is dominated by Japanese sports cars or “jap imports,” which are “done up”, turbo charged vehicles with flashy paintwork, stickers and neon lights.
The question can always be asked why the motor enthusiast goes to such lengths sometimes when modifying a car. The answer is simple. It’s a passion and true love for cars which the modifier possesses and cannot be understood or explained to someone who doesn’t share the same devotion to the car. The car can be ones own pride and joy and sometimes a form of escape from all other problems and distractions, a release from everything else. “ I live my life a quarter mile at a time. Nothing else matters: not the mortgage, not the store, not my team and all their bullshit. For those ten seconds or less, I'm free.” Vin Diesel – “The Fast and the Furious”
Car modification can be an addiction to most, where once you have started it becomes almost impossible to stop. The modifications can be endless and in time it is easy to find yourself indulged into a car to the point where it leaves you still wanting more and already planning the next modification. Almost nothing is seen as impossible in the tuning world when it comes to cars, which a lot of the time keeps the enthusiast guessing and inspirers their creativity and desire to be original. The extent of ones modification is really only restricted by the size of their wallets. A lot of car modifiers spend sometimes double or even triple the cars original value.
The new age “tuner” culture seems to attract the major demographic of males between the ages of 17 to 25. Hit cult film “The Fast and the Furious,” closely portrays the culture amongst the new age of young car modifiers. Often this car culture is depicted on the news in a negatively light as “hoon” related behavior. “ Hoon is an Australian and New Zealand colloquial term applied to individuals who typically drive fast and dangerously. The term is also used as a verb: "to hoon" or "to hoon around", meaning to act in a reckless or otherwise less than sensible manner.” Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoon) This new age of “petrol heads,” constantly receives bad press for illegal drag racing, burnouts and speeding, which has tainted the image of the car modifying culture. Though it goes without saying that even this new era of modifiers will tell you that they care more about their cars than anything else.
As well as being commonly recognized for visual and aesthetic modifications, many owners opt out of this to pursue more performance based mods. Whether it is all about whose car is the fastest or who’s handles the best, modern day modifiers are always looking into different ways of improving on factory performance specs. Though in some cases with older vehicles, it is the complete opposite. Whereby it is a matter of making the car look and feel like it just rolled off the factory floor. This is usually referred to as restoration and not modification.
Like everything else there are pros and cons when it comes to modifying. In some cases, especially when it comes to performance enhancing mods, the increased power and torque output of the car causes factory parts to be stressed or even break. This is mainly due to the fact that the car was never designed to handle the increased power modifications, which in tern causes supporting parts to fail.
When it comes to the law, police and modifiers can be worst enemies. There are strict guidelines in terms of what is legal and illegal when it comes to car modification. Most enthusiasts are aware of the laws, though fail to abide by them for the reason being; that they either don’t care for the law, don’t want their cars mods to be restricted by the law, or they can simple afford the fines and don’t mind the hassle. Most flashy looking cars are easily noticed and tend to catch the attention of police.
There are many online car forums, which allow users to view pictures of each other’s cars, ask questions and chat to one another. Car clubs have been around ever since the 1950’s, and have provided modifiers with new ways of exchanging information, as well as becoming a median to buy and sell parts. Little has changed since.
“ Car Clubs provided an opportunity for people with similar interests to learn from other members, discussing their Hot Rods and perhaps to even locate a hard-to-find part. Car Clubs gave you a sense of belonging, an identity.”
By Tommy Gatsby, excerpted from Motor Sports Digest
The main objective to some modifiers is to finally display or “show off” their car at a car show. This gives the owner the chance to show other enthusiasts what has taken them sometimes many years, countless long hours, and thousands of dollars to build. It is a form of self-satisfaction and a chance for the owners to receive the gratitude and admiration they rightfully deserve for their hard work. A car show such as “Auto Salon” is an event strictly catering for modified cars and awards owners with trophies in various categories ranging from best engine bay, best paintwork, best interior, etc. From personal experience, I can honestly say that after attending some of these shows, you have a greater deal of respect for the cars and their owners. Some of the quality of work and lengths of modification is amazing which really has to be seen to be believed and appreciated. It may come as a shock, that many of the cars on show are often driven regularly or irregularly on our roads with numerous illegal modifications.
“ Auto Salon International has through experience and research uniquely tapped into the automotive lifestyle culture where innovation, evolvement and mass appeal governs the publics and enthusiasm to see what’s next in the near future- or just around the corner at the next show.” Auto Salon International - Corporate (www.autosalon.org)
On the other hand not all owners like displaying what they have created to the public. A lot of modifiers opt out of showing their cars on the main stage. The main reason for this may be that the owner does not want others to copy certain modifications which may be unique. Many owners simply don’t include themselves because they don’t want their cars to be well known, or receive too much attention. Owners that share this view and want to keep a low profile, feel that these shows can be a form of advertising to police and law enforcement.
The tuner scene and culture has even made it’s way onto the reality TV scene in later years with programs such as “Pimp My Ride” on Mtv, “Trick it Out” also on Mtv, and “Overhauling” hosted by well known Chip Foose, on the Discovery Channel. These shows take the same methods and processes used in customized/modified cars. They perform modifications which would take the typical tuner months or years, and complete them all within an unbelievably short time frame.
Various terms or titles are used in the world of car culture which may make little if no sense to the mainstream community. One strong example of this is the term “rice,” which is the title given to “done up” Asian cars with bolted on mods. Out of these modifications body kits are the most popular, which don’t really make the car go any quicker. Instead the cars look a lot uglier and give a bad name and image to legitimate modifiers. It can be a constant struggle for the tuner to keep his or her car authentic without looking cheap and “ricey.”
1. Rice Car Any cheap car, especialy Asian, that has been "upgraded" with after-market parts(exaust, body kits, nitrous, spoilers, speakers, lights, etc...)in an attempt to make it faster and/or "pimpin". In reality, instead of making a car better, "ricing it up" makes it utterly and completly gay.Also, anyone who owns a rice car is looked down upon and seen as shameful by non-ricers.
Karim Al-Basiel (www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=rice+car)
2. Rice Car An automobile, generally of import classification, that is “souped up” and characterized by use of stickers and decals that do not match any manufacturer of the car, spoilers that look like airplane landing gear, and hideous paintjobs and “fart cans.”
By Raphael (www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=rice+car)
Almost the complete opposite to a “rice burner” would be a “sleeper,” a term given to a high performance car that is in reality a very quick car. Though from the exterior looks completely factory or “stock standard,” giving the illusion that the car may be slow and could easily be beaten. Its stealth like appearance also makes it impossible for unsuspecting drivers to know what exactly they could be up against, and makes the car less of a target for police.
Classic Hot Rods are the originators of car modification, and paved the way for car enthusiasts a like. A lot of similarities can be derived between the cars of modern day tuners and “Old School” Hot Roders. These includes: · Distinctive paint schemes: with hot rods, flames and pin striping were a cult favourite. Today, various life like air brushings or colourful graphic vynals replace this old tradition.
· Engines and performance: Hot Roders opted for big block, petrol guzzling, v8 engines. Today’s tuners prefer the power of boost, specifically turbo charging, on smaller four and six cylinder engines.
· Suspension modification: the desire to sit your car as low to the ground as possible is still a goal of modern day customizes. Though rather than chopping parts of the suspension to sit the car lower, nowadays there are aftermarket compressed springs, coil over suspension, and as well as some modifiers using hydraulic suspension.
“ Most early hot rods were Ford Model T or Model A roadsters—cheap, plentiful, and lightweight, having no top and only a single seat. Standard procedure was to strip off all nonessential parts—fenders, running boards, ornaments, even the windshield—to achieve maximum weight reduction and aerodynamics. Eventually coupes and sedans joined the ranks. Typically, these heavier models underwent drastic surgery to chop their tops lower and slope, or rake, their windshields backward.”
By John Warde (www.hot-rod.com.au/history.htm)
Car modification can be seen as a true form of art and design to many fans. It compromises the best of both form and function. It need not be answered as to why the enthusiast devotes so much time, effort, and money into a car. Though for that matter, it isn’t just a car, it is a symbol of pride and achievement for all to see. Whether it’s the young or old, the passion and love exerted to create and build up these cars is unquestionable. After endurering the highs and lows which are bound to arise in this field, owning a car that is uniquely their own is simply priceless, and in its own way self gratifying. The general public is now more aware than ever when it comes to the modified car scene, mainly due to various forms of media such as movies, tv shows, or through video games. The tuner culture will continue to grow and build momentum amongst the youth, which will eventually force authorities to crack down even harder and implement further restrictions when it comes to modified cars, or “hoons” in general.
