I was sitting in traffic on the highway the other morning, and next to me was a plain white Citi Golf with a set of the shiniest, chromed mag wheels I've come across. All that was missing was a set of those spinning hub caps.
I couldn't help but laugh.
Now I don't profess to understand what possesses people to spend a fortune chopping, changing, bedecking and bedazzling what is in effect a depreciating asset. And in the case of these enthusiasts perhaps they don't realise that in the long run they're depreciating their asset even more because no-one in their right mind will touch a vehicle that's been customised so much. Goodbye reliability, and manufacturer support.
Be that as it may, it is just another one of the weird sub-cultures that festoon the planet, and I have seen some really stupid customisations, such as a spoiler on the tailgate of a bakkie (pick-up to any non-SA readers).
However, what cracks me up the most is when you see small cars that have been customised so readically that the original model is barely recognisable.
My absolute favourite is the Corsa (not the current model, the one that's still being sold as the Corsa Lite).
What on earth possesses someone to spend tens of thousands dropping the suspension, fitting mag wheels and low profile tyres (tyres that absolutely msut stick out at least five centimetres past the wheel arch), smoking the windows and rear light clusters, putting a film across the front headlights that match the colour of the car, boring out the cylinders, adding a free-flow exhaust system to achieve that perfect sound (do they really think they're fooling anyone into believing they have anything more than a 1300 engine under that bonnet?), and adding silly blue lights next to the windscreen washers
Not forgetting the sound system that pumps out 1.21 gigawatts of energy (watch Back to the Future people), and take up the entire boot.
If you can afford to do all this to your Corsa, why not just buy a better car?
3 comments:
As a car enthusiast I would say it's simply about customisation. To build your idea of a cool ride.
For some people of course, I believe the medical term is 'idiot', its just about volume.
That being said, I've never customised any of my cars.
First comment; I guess listing with Amatomu and Afrigator is worthwhile. Thanks for taking the time.
Well it sort of works because there aren't many South African blogs. None of the blog listing services work really well, IMO, because they're just pumping out information the same way it comes in.
Anyway, liked your blog enough to subscribe, but forgot to commend the BttF reference.
Great Scott!
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