The video posted yesterday of a stretched tire exploding on a dyno got me thinking about all of the fads that develop in automotive culture. Whether or not we want to admit it, there’s a fair amount of cross-pollination between all of the various subcultures, and what is “new and original” for one group is nine-times-out-of-ten a variation of an idea that is either partly inspired by, or completely ripped off from, another group. This isn’t a bad thing by any means as most fads subtly change as they migrate across boundaries, with the good ones becoming long-lasting trends and others fading away, only to be remembered through barn finds and old back issues of magazines.
This list isn’t about the fads that we’re going to look back on fondly. This list is about the current fads that have jumped the shark; a list of fads that need to be sat down in front of their sobbing family members in a televised intervention and told by a complete stranger “Look how much you’re hurting your mother! Are you proud of yourself now?”
Some of these fads used to be cool and may be able to be saved before it’s too late. Others on this list suck now, and sucked from their moment of creation.
Normally we state these these Top 11 lists are in no particular order, but for this one we’re counting down based on how irrationally angry I get whenever I see one of these offending fads in the wild.
11. HID retrofit kits
Yes kids, we all get that factory HID projector headlights are pretty sweet: They’re typically brighter than traditional halogen bulbs, last longer, and have that cool light cutoff at the top of their beam pattern. I’m on-board with a properly designed aftermarket HID projector headlight, but 99% of the retrofit kits being used are either a DIY hack job or worse, a cheap HID bulb that is designed with a base that will fit into a halogen bulb socket in a headlight designed for a halogen bulb.
The average end result is stupidly bright headlights that blinds oncoming traffic and generally piss other drivers off. Either do a correct retrofit with an HID projector that is properly aimed (Which is still technically illegal, but I don’t work for the DOT, so go for it), or buy some better quality halogen bulbs and spend the money on making your car faster instead.
10. Billet parts
Not looking to get into the “forged versus billet” debate here; let’s just say that billet parts look cool, and they’re strong. That said, you don’t need billet pedals, billet hood hinges, a billet rearview mirror, billet wheels, a billet coolant overflow tank, billet door lock knobs, and billet earrings for your wife to wear while she rides in your billet car back to your billet house.
Pro-touring guys are the worst offenders of billet overload, but I’ll get to that later.
9. LSx swaps
Look, I get it: Like the small block Chevy, you can’t go more than five minutes without seeing a newer GM car or truck powered by a member of the LS family of engines. The 4.8 and 5.3 truck iron-block versions are going for short money these days, are ample pickings in junk yards, and make a good amount of power with simple bolt ons. Heck, if and when the LG4 in my white Monte gives up the ghost, I’ll be looking for an inexpensive 4.8 or 5.3 to stuff into the engine bay. For less than a grand I have have an extra hundred horsepower over my 5.0L mill and better drivability and gas mileage to boot.
However, it’s so BORING. While I make take some heat for revealing this, let’s just say that at a particular Pro Touring event that I attended, not a single engine bay photo was taken by me. Why? EVERY single engine bay had some flavor of LS motor in it. I will admit that General Motor’s finest made up the majority of the field, but there was a serious lack of a Rat motor or even an LT1 to be seen. You know what it’s like to hear 20-30 LS motors running around a track all day? ZZZZZ…
I know that there are still people out there that appreciate the exhaust note of a big block ford, Hemi, V10, rotary, etc, so we need to see more of those out there being flogged. Next time you’re building a Foxbody for a drag strip project, think about swapping in a 2JZ or something interesting instead of an LQ9; that way you’ll piss off both the Ford AND GM guys.
8. Hating LS motor swaps
Huh? Didn’t I just write several hundred words on how LS motor swaps have jumped the shark? Sure, they’re in danger of bordering on the mundane now because of how common they are, but there’s many reasons as to why they’re so common: Cheap, fast, reliable.
Every time I read a comment online about “Less” motors, it cracks me up because I know that it’s out of jealousy. You know why people hate ::insert local sports hero/current movie star::? It’s because they’re angry that it’s not them.
End of the day, if it was cheaper to build and swap a modern Hemi or modular Ford than an LS motor, people would take that option. It’s not like Bob Lutz personally holds your family ransom until you pony up the $400-500 for a 5.3L out of the local pick and pull for your project car.
So, LS-engine haters: Sit back, pop a few Xanax, and come to the realization that the LS motor was touched by the hand of God himself. Nevermind the piston slap or oiling issues under hard cornering, that’s just a test of your faith as a True Believer.
7.“Electronically-enhanced” exhaust notes
Modern cars are quiet, and driving a 26-year old rattlebox every day, I can appreciate the need for this. As car companies have realized that people that actually enjoy driving their cars typically want to hear the exhaust note, their engineers have resorted to all sorts of ideas to increase the rumble of the exhaust to the cabin while muting the rest of the outside world. In the past, Ford added a tube to the Mustang that feeds noise in from the engine bay, and the new Corvette has a “tunable” exhaust note. This is cool stuff.
However, leave it to those crazy Europeans to bring us one step closer to being divorced from our vehicles by artificially adding an exhaust note through the speakers of the car. Among others, the BMW M5 has had this for a few years now, and the Renault Clio 200 turbo (A little “hot hatch” sold in Europe) allows you to simulate the note of various engines in place of the 1.6L that sits under the hood.
If you’re ok with a simulated exhaust note, at what point do you accept a simulated driving experience as well?
6. Plasti dip’d paint jobs
There are times when plasti dip “paint” jobs, much like a rattle-can paint job, are perfectly acceptable. If you’re still finishing the bodywork on your project and need to get the car all one color so that it’s somewhat presentable and/or to keep surface rust at bay, I’m all for it. However, plasti dip looks like primer, and like primer it’s a difficult look to pull off properly. If it’s not a classic hot rod or some other vehicle with some killer lines, flat/matte paid can look like crap.
The worst offenders are the guys that plasti dip their brand new, off the lot, “still making the first payment” performance car. You know, because there’s nothing like covering up a nice factory paint job with some rubbery stuff that you sprayed out of a $5 can.
Luckily, unlike spray paint, plasti dip is reasonably easy to remove as long as you prepped and masked off the car properly prior to spraying it.
5. Sticker bombing the inside/outside of your car
In case you’ve been lucky enough to have avoided seeing a sticker-bombed car either in person or on the interwebs, here’s a brief explanation: Have you ever seen one of those cars (Why is it ALWAYS an old Subaru Forester or Volvo station wagon?) that’s covered in tacky bumper stickers from years-past trips to Mt. Washington, failed political campaigns, and fifteen-year old catchphrases? Ok, now replace that clapped out beater with a newer import, and substitute in tens or hundreds of cartoon stickers all over the exterior, interior, or both.
I’ll admit that this was kinda neat when I first saw a sticker bombed drift car, but those are the motorsports version of clown cars anyways, so it fit the part.
Your uncle’s hand-me-down 2004 Camry? Not so cool covered in Hello Kitty stickers.
4. The 1969 Chevy Camaro
(I know that I’m getting removed from the Reynolds Christmas card list for this one, but the truth hurts)
Building a ‘69 Camaro is like building a volcano for your high school science project: No matter how cool it looks, everyone knows that you couldn’t think of anything more creative. At least the volcano shoots out lava, which is more than I can say for the average “big dollar” Camaro build.
Nothing against the DIY guy pouring his blood, sweat, and tears into a first-gen Camaro build, because I have a ton of respect for the work that takes. However, you need to understand that your car is like the Big Mac of muscle cars. Everyone likes them, but being forced to eat them every day gets old fast.
Maybe next time you’ll build up the initiative to build a diorama of the solar system or something, but in the meantime enjoy the vast catalog of bolt-on speed parts available for your cookie cutter project car (Hmmm, maybe you’re on to something…).
3. Converting fuel injected motors to carbs
If I’m being honest, this is a fad that is already starting to fade out with each year as gear heads get acclimated to both OEM and aftermarket fuel injection tuning, but I’d love to see what’s left stomped out for good.
I understand that carbs have been around for decades, are relatively inexpensive, and can be tuned with a screw driver. However, can we all agree that we’re less than three weeks away from the year 2014, and the last carbed car for North America was produced around 1990? There are people old enough to drink that are younger than that.
Converting a fuel injected engine to a carb may have made sense even a few years ago seeing where the available tuning solutions were at that point in time, but there’s really no reasonable justification for the backwards conversion these days unless you like reduced drivability, less power, and worse gas mileage. Hey, there’s nothing like the look of a Dominator on a single plane manifold though, right? Right?
Function over form, my friends. Function over form.
2. Donks
I could write an entire novel on how much I loathe Donk/Bubbles/Boxes/whatever stupid name they’re called these days. Instead, I’m just going to go punch a hole in the wall of my living room. Be back in a bit.
1. Pro Touring
(If putting a ‘69 Camaro on the list wasn’t enough to get some people frothing at the mouth, this one will)
Why is this number one?
Remember how I mentioned some current fads needing an intervention? Well, come and sit over here, Mr. Pro Touring. I have all of your friends here that have been through this before, including Lowrider and Pro Street. Don’t worry, we’ll be having a similar discussion with your buddy Rat Rod later on, as he seems to be headed down the same path.
Pro Touring, you used to be one of my favorite things. Don’t get me wrong, we’re still pals and I’ll defend you every chance I get, but it’s getting to be a little tough when you’re too busy showing off the $8000 set of 20 inch wheels you just bought to clear the 15 inch rotors and six-piston calipers, front and rear. Sure, I understood when you missed last week’s autocross because you needed to keep everything clean for an upcoming car show, but then you trailered the car there anyway to avoid putting wear and tear on your new LS motor and T56? At least you installed that really nice stereo and $$$ Vintage Air setup so you can cruise the fairgrounds in comfort.
Anyways, listen: I’m going to be at a road race with your younger brother, Street Fighter, tomorrow. You know he’s not as worried about his paint job or marring up all of his fancy billet parts, and he even drives in the rain! Let me know if you’re up for doing all of the fun stuff that you used to do before you got really serious and worried about money.
There we have it, my Top 11 current fads that jumped the shark. Did I miss any? Completely screw up the list? Let me know in the comments!
Good read Nutting!!
Good read Nutting!
the ricer scene here has pretty much fallen off the face of the earth… maybe they went pro fairground too. The “Stance” movement never really seems to have gotten off the ground – welding skidplates onto your car is beyond most teens. Pro truck is pretty dead. You know what is worn smooth ass out around here? GIGANTIC lifts on Diesels, and black smoke through stacks. Any of the tuners will tell you that is stupid, modern trucks don’t need smoke to make power, but what are they doing? Selling smoke tunes.
To be real honest, stock is wearing thin on me. There is nothing more boring than a 300 mile trip where all you see is stock BMW’s, Mercedes, and Lex-finiti left lane bandits who pass you at 95 only to get in your way when they get a text.
I’m gonna go so far as to say I welcome seeing anything modified, no matter how bad it is… at least it’s got some character. 🙂
ok.. I agree with most of this.. but some of it nope..
1)billet parts.. I’m unlikely to use them. as I’m to cheap.. but the issue with billet is the guys/gals that use to much of it.. I was never one for the chrome everything under the hood either.. but a few well thought out pieces of billet can make a huge detail to a car.. sadly most owners buy every item in a catalog
2)the lsx swaps.. yes they are in everything.. here is where I need a capital investment firm… as there is $$$$$$$$ to be made here..
3) as a monte SS owner.. I agree on the lsx swap and it’s simple now with everything made for it..
4)the plastic dip paint.. if I had a new car that was a limited model (Shelby/zl1/etc) and I wanted to use it.. but not need to restore it body wise down the road.. I’d coat it.. just to save the paint and to keep it from going missing.
5)the big wheels, going past the donk thing, as that’s not an issue in my eyes they are making the car into what they want.. so.. tho. not my taste. it’s other group into cars and that’s not a bad thing.. my issue is the 18-22″ rims on everything.. most times they look like ass, are heavy as hell, and ride like crap.. some look wicked.. but more look stupid.. the oem’s. do it as the new cars at 4000 lb or more NEED those pizza platters to stop the dam things.. most don’t and will never use the brakes they install.. and brakes that fit inside a 15″ wheel will put you through the windshield…
other bi_ch is the oem’s news flash rims with a dish and a lip look 1000X better than those inverted crap installed today.. I’ll take .01 less skid pad spec for a tuff looking dish with a lip wheel package.. as 99.9% of the cars will never use the car at it’s limits.. and the public roads can give the grip anyways..
6)sticker bomb’n.. must have missed this as I’ve never seen many.. other than a few in walmart parking lots..
7) 7.“Electronically-enhanced” exhaust notes, I’m on the fence here. as I’m so temped to get that aussie thing. add a elcheapo radio and a pawn shop amp and speakers.. to the outside of the fiero and rumble into a show.. just for the headturning WTF is in that looks .. haha..
8) 69 Camaro.. man I wish the dynacore bodies where cheaper.. yes the 1st gen f body had been in your face since it came out. and mags tend to have given ink to everyone ever made.. but they look so good.. I’d gather a 70/77/79 t/a but that’s me..
9)pro touring. is just the politically correct name for SHOW CAR.. many never gets used for the way they are built,, and those that are, are awesome when done right. but way way out of the reach of the reg joe car guy.. but like prostreet/profairground.. it’s another part of the car hobby to lift ideas from..
10)HID light kits.. yes I have to agree most are done wrong. and blind you. and are unsafe.. if I add something like that to my monte it be on the high beam bulbs.. and that’s 99% of the problem. most cars don’t have a low beam /hi beam separate fixtures.. and sadly we get this.. oh and projector lights look stupid on older cars and very few new models can pull of them looking like they belong there..
11)the going backwards efi to carb.. I have no issue with this.. as many in the hobby are not efi savie and others want the look of the carb.. and frankly the k.i.s.s. has it’s merits.. the lsx looks 100x better carbed.. and gives up little with one on it.. many like the idea of an all new crate engine. or low mile take out over rebuilding a older gen engine and it costing more..
12) (not listed bonus) the gocart lowering. lowered cars look cool.. but there is a point. if you have to drive 25-30mph and swerve all over the road to not bottom out, and the car bounces like a gocart, it’s to low.. many of these things (imports the worst offenders) bounce more than a mid 70’s f-350 unloaded.. and if you are going to lower it that low.. re engineer the underpinning so the tires don’t have the triumph spitfire rear camber at all four corners..
that’s my rebuttal.. your mileage may vary..
Re #7.
I bought a “Sound Racer V8”. My recommendation… don’t do it. I thought it would be fun in my Geo Tracker to make me feel better in the winter when there’s no hotrod available. Sure, it goes vrroooommmm as long as it’s charging. When the voltage regulator kicks in, its back to idle sounds and stays there. Not much fun. 🙁 50 bucks wasted.
‘ Donk’ism … the sooner its gone … the better off ( and safer ) we’ll all be . An eyesore trend from the get go thats only getting worse by the minute
My #12 … Streetified Drift Cars . They look like hell on the track … and even worse on the street !
As to Billet … a wasteful and ludicrous trend that never should of gained any traction ….. blame that one on Boyd Coddington
69 Camaro’s … love em but … yeah … enough is enough
Chevy small blocks in general … again … enough is enough …. plenty o’ options out there … so get creative instead of pastiche
As to crazy’s #11 rebuttal … You gone stark raving mad there with full intent of destroying the Hot Rod hobby there Crazy ? Yeah … real smart …. make ‘ clean ‘ efficient power filthy and gas sucking … that’ll endear the hobby to the masses in this day and age . Wake Up .. Grow up ( to your actual age …. not your shoe size ) and get a clue 😉
sorry efi isn’t for everyone.. and FACT a carb can and does get as good or better emmissions as the fancy efi..
until the holyar than thou. stop adding ethnol to the fuel that gives you less mpg and more emmissions per gallon burned..
they got nothing to say to the hot rodder that uses his/her car on a limited basis..
as for the name calling and other parts of your post I won’t stoop to your level..
do you say the same to those that choose to run tbi instead of mpefi?? as it’s no cleaner than a well tuned carb..
but to each their own..
if I ever install an lsx in my car it’ll be efi . that doesn’t mean everyone should..
but some like to tell others what to do.. and how to build their junk.. I have my opinions on things but I’d never bash a person for choosing to go with what they like and are comfortable with.. guess you don’t fit into that ..
FACT a carb can and does get as good or better emissions as the fancy efi……………riiiiiiiight, that’s why all the OEM’s went to FI
oem’s went to efi because it stay in tune throughout the feds 100 thousand mile requirements.. and not rely on the owner to keep it in tune.. try using facts and not b/s..
same reason they removed the trans dipsticks and many other items. like the fuel filter.
they don’t want to rely on the owners to do the correct service.. same reason the distributor went to ecu control then it was removed all together.. better chance of it staying in spec longer without any service from the owner. that they don’t want touching the car at all.. hell they don’t want anyone but the dealership service dept touching them..
you just keep believing that…………
I know where your coming from crazy, and I respect your opinion, unfortunately GuitarSlinger would rather resort to name calling when he doesn’t respect your opinion.
I sure am tired of those stinkin’ smokin’ diesel pickups.
If they’re smokin that ain’t tuned right. But explain that to the rednecks that have them. I own a diesel pickup, it doesn’t smoke and runs rings around the smokers.
11. What’s wrong with just plain old HIDs? 10. Strong yes. Maybe stronger than forged. And inside the engine is about the only place to have billet parts if ya can afford them. 9. Death to the LS. 8. I don’t hate the LS because I don’t have one. I hate the LS because it’s a Chevy motor and I hate Chevys. 7.Electronically – enhanced what? If it ain’t real, it ain’t an exhaust note. 6. No way. There’s to much plastic on cars now days as it is. 5. NHRA and/or your football team. And only one of each if ya think ya need a sticker. 4. That’s why I build off the wall Mopars. I don’t want belly button cars. 3. It dependes on whhat your putting it in. To put a new fuel injected engine in a say, 1955 car you’d have to put a computer in also. Some guys don’t have the savy or pocket book for that. 2. Anything bigger than an 18″ wheel looks stupid on most cars. And even 18″ looks stupid in a lot of older cars. 1. Hopefully pro cruise will go the way of the Vega.
I’m with ya on #9, #4 and #3 there 44 6Pac
That is why my current ride is a flathead 6 powered 48 Plymouth coupe with a finned aluminum head, dual Carter-Webber carbs and to avoid the pitfalls of #7 a set of cast iron headers.
No belly-buttons to gather lint for me.
#13 Ford Flatheads: Want to spend 8k on 150 HP? Here ya go. They do lool cool though.
I cant afford any of the things on this list so I automaticaly hate it all anyway….
The pro touring trend baffles me as well. They all look the same, and all arrive in a trailer. They should have built real race cars, it would have been more fun, and likely half the price.
Way too many donks where I live, and I can only imagine how well they stop with stock brakes on them.
Wasn’t Plati-dip designed for using on tools to help with grip? It looks like paint with sand in it.
Billet parts serve their purpose well. I think most people burned out on the billet wheels and valve covers…which were actually die cast. The pulley systems are great, and without cnc machined parts, builds would take alot longer.
#6 plasti dip. Granted there are hack jobs. Jobs that just scream STOP. But there are now many high quality Plasti Dipped vehicles on the road. To make a statement as you have without clearly researching, shows a total disregard for relaying any sort of factual information. I am one of those with a fully dipped car which receives compliments on a regular basis. It does not look like a bad primer job. But I sincerely doubt you care if you state any type of fact as long as you get a pay check for turning out crap.
I agree that there are plasti dipped cars that look decent, but it needs to be done properly with a good spray gun and good technique, similar to a traditional paint job. It seems that many dipped cars are done so without proper prepping of the surface or application of the product, resulting in a finished product that looks worse than what was started with.
I’d be more than happy to see more quality plasti dipped cars on the road, but as fads grow in popularity this often results in poor quality implementations and copies, resulting in the fad “jumping the shark” (Which is a bit of a tongue in cheek writeup anyways if you notice by the other entries).
Anyways, glad to hear that you’re happy with the way your car looks and thanks for the read.
Go to dipyourcar.com and look at their products. Then check out their forums. Then you’ll realize how ignorant you’ve been. Plasti dip doesn’t just come in rattle cans, they come by the gallon and you can even get a spray gun to go with it. I mean, I don’t know what to say other than haters are just going to hate.
Go here DYC YouTube Channel and learn a bit of how it is applied to the surfaces. I say surfaces cause plasti dip can be applied to not only cars and motorcycles but also boats, seats, airplanes, and others including laptops computer cases etc. DYC YouTube Channel
As anything grows in popularity there are those trying to mimicking or DIY. The one thing about Plasti Dip is that it is an easy DYI. Most of the lower quality jobs result from people using spray cans from someplace like Home Depot to do an entire car. I’ve seen these same results when people try and paint their car the same way. I don’t see you trashing painting cars.
It still seems you are playing the hater and picking the down side. While this does draw attention to your artical, it does not relay the true story or info about the trend.
I have had conversations with the DipYourCar.com owner and founder regarding quality. He already has an authorized network of installers, which is growing. We have discussed ways of insuring the highest standards are met.
I invite you to contact me directly to discuss plasti Dip and the growing market. This IS NOT a fad. You would be severely mistaken to treat it as such. But again you have my invite to judge for yourself.
Pretty much true, except for number 8.
“Every time I read a comment online about ‘Less’ motors, it cracks me up because I know that it’s out of jealousy. You know why people hate ::insert local sports hero/current movie star::? It’s because they’re angry that it’s not them.”
That’s just wrong. You admit the “Less” is overhyped. But more fundamentally, it’s a hideous appearing, obsolete throwback that’s less efficient than modern DOHC 4-valve engines (see e.g. 2013 Engine Masters . . . )
Moreover, many of the “Less” disciples are obnoxious to the hilt.
To take out an interesting and capable Brand X engine (especially one of the BOP V8s ) and swap in a “LESS” is the apogee of uncreative lemming catalog rodder fad following. And that includes the sponsored stupidity that DF & Finn are pulling at PRI with the “Crusher Camaro” and such cross-bred awfulness as the “Fast and Furious” Superbird.
To be jealous of something, you have to actually want it. I’d rather have nearly any vintage engine than a belly-button, sleep-inducing “Less.” The LESS is quite possibly the most boring and overhyped powerplant ever known to man. Its aesthetic awfulness and technological obsolescence are almost too much for words.
But it is the newish badge of dishonor for cheapskates everywhere. Nothing says I’m cheap and uncreative better than a LESS. Nothing.
Nicely done, Mr. Nutting. Keep up the good work!
Note Roadkill’s project of the day: featuring Camaro, LS, and carbs-on-the-fuelie-motor.
PATINA, especially fake patina, just looks lazy
Let me finish your list.
12. ’80s cars played off as good projects
Nothing says I don’t know how to find a good car & gave up like building an ‘80s smog era car. These things are not muscle cars & they very rarely look like anything to be desired, about the only exception would be a ‘86/’87 GN. The interiors could possibly be considered to be the worst looking of any era, GN included. Any restoration can be frustrating as these cars have so many plastic clips and cheap, flimsy plastic components. These cars are although good for parts such as disc brake conversions, AOD donors and that’s about it.
13. Late model wheels on old cars
Yep, you figured out boring the center hub and possibly some wheel spacers can let you have that awesome 1992 17” wheel. Too bad the thing looked horrible when it was on its original car. Now that it’s on your ’71 GM A-body it looks like your running 4 donut spares. They look completely out of place and while you did “upgrade” to 17” wheels, it is horrendous.
well I guess you feel that way as mopar had zero in the 80’s
but I’ll take my 86 SS over a 62 chevy anyday..
Dave, I enjoyed reading your article but I do find that I have a different opinion about some things you mention. I’m likely to be a good deal older than you, as my first car was 16 years old when I paid $150. for it, a running ’40 Ford. I have had many cars since then, all American made, and none of them were left in stock form. Grew up in So-Cal during the “Hay Day” of the car culture and I have seen the Hobby grow in many directions. Not all of them did I care for since I was generally after speed and performance, but as new things came along my friends and I tried them. I just settled into street driven performance GM stuff. But what came to mind after reading your article and the 11 things you don’t care for and think should go away, all of us that are into cars, regardless of what type, make up the automotive after market family tree, ie in the broad sense, the consumers and the folks that make up SEMA. So I wonder, without all those folks that make the huge billet wheels that grace the ’64 Chevy, or Holley that makes the double pumper that sits atop the Holy Grail LS3, or the folks that make restoration parts for the cookie cutter ’69 Camaro, where would we all be and what would you be writing about?
Not that I got ticked off reading your article because I didn’t. It just made me realize that we all make up the fabric of the automotive tapestry. Without all of us the industry would not look the same.
Rick
Thank you Rick you are totally correct but i also agree sometimes with the list .
But at the end of the day we all make up this whole hobby from the pro-touring to the imports to the diesels to the rat rods . We need to know that the common thread is the car ,truck, what ever it is we fix up or drive.
Michael