Author Topic: Starting Controversy on Customization..  (Read 2697 times)

Offline ViperMan

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Starting Controversy on Customization..
« on: July 03, 2008 - 02:54:35 PM »
I was just sorta sitting here twiddling my thumbs at my desk, and I got to thinking:

People have been photoshopping modified 2009 Challenger designs for months now.  I've already got some plans on what I want to do with the Viper I hope to buy...  People are perfectly okay with the idea of customizing modern cars.

But anyone even mentions customizing an old 'Cuda or Challenger, and all hell breaks loose.  One member wanted neon lights in his trunk and I think he got flamed off the board!

Why is it that so many of the members get defensive at the idea of customizing an old muscle car and yet an '09 Challenger or a Viper - which are still rare cars - are free game?

I'm not pointing fingers or anything - I'm not really even being argumentative about it.  My generation I think has really raised the bar for customizing cars - and not all in good ways... ...Shopping cart wings on Ford Taurus's....  But I think it's safe to say we've taken it to new levels.  I just have some custom ideas for my 'Cuda - removing the drip rails and window trims for one - and don't want to catch a lotta crap for it!

Begin arguments here:

:)

Jeff

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2010 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye - 3.5L V6, Auto (Wife's!)




Offline The Cuda Guy

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Re: Starting Controversy on Customization..
« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2008 - 03:09:28 PM »
Because they are sacrad pieces of Muscle Car art/history!  Everyone has an opinion but mine is the reason people opt to keep them closer to original as possible is because of the era they were produced.  People who were around during the muscle car age has the fondest memories of this car or that car being the baddest thing in town.  It wasnt a customized retro version of it, it was the real deal.  It didnt need to custom it was a GTX!  It was a Big Block Dart!  It was the first Hemi Cuda/Challenger in two countys eating up all the GM and Ford cars.  These storys have been passed on and have fueled others intrest in Mopars such as that 67 Baracuda that Uncle John was able to stick a 383 in even before they started producing big block A bodies and how he owned Gratiot ave. that summer.  HISTORY!  Mopars have until recently not been the mainstream it was always Z28 this or Mustang that.  Now for what ever reason everyone seems to be jumping on the Mopar bandwagon!  Which isnt a bad thing, it will keep parts in production and keep intrest in the hobby alive. 

But long answer short because they are rolling pieces of art/history. 

Don
« Last Edit: July 03, 2008 - 03:15:55 PM by The Cuda Guy »
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Offline Carlwalski

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Re: Starting Controversy on Customization..
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2008 - 03:26:23 PM »


Mopars, specifically, E-Bodies, have paid their dues and to me I think that equates to respect by car/Mopar enthusiasts. Unlike modern cars, they aren't remaking these vehicles any more and they aren't around every corner. Some Vipers and alike aren't being manufactured any more either but they are still reasonably new in terms of years since build date. When Vipers, LX Challengers, etc reach 40 years old, then you may see a little more respect and a following for them and more "anger" or "feeling" towards someone who wants to chop them up.

Me, personally, I'm all for customizing these cars but hate seeing it when people chop, hack and DESTROY these cars to a point of no return. When they hit that point, there is no going back for them or any future buyer(s). Neons in the truck, 18" rims, subwoofers and non-factory paint is one thing, cutting the back end in half, chopping the roof line and welding half of the Titanic in place is another. At the end of the day, you'll get the "It's your car, do what you want....blah, blah, blah" but when there are limited numbers remaining, it sometimes pays to think for the cars sake, not yours. If the car is an absolute mess and needs all sheetmetal replaced, no drive train, to me, that is fine to go wild with, it's either that or rot in peace.


Good question. :2cents: :wave:
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Offline ChallengerGary

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Re: Starting Controversy on Customization..
« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2008 - 03:34:39 PM »
I am going to have to agree with Don on this one.  One of the main reasons why people get all bent out of shape when an old muscle car is customized heavily is the history factor.  A lot of people are nostalgic about these cars and want to feel that their youth is still in tact.  I also agree that these can be rolling pieces of art.  That being said, art is VERY subjective.  For example, personally I think Picasso's are CRAP but some people (possibly brain damaged) pay millions upon millions for the right to have their eyes offended by these "pieces of history."  So what does this mean?  To me, it's your car and if you want it to look like a trumped up tart walking down Canal Street, more power to ya  :smokin:
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Offline 73Chally

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Re: Starting Controversy on Customization..
« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2008 - 04:08:04 PM »
I think part of it has to do with our perspective in today's market.  Back when these cars were new, people were buying them and customizing them out of the box, just like people will be doing with the new ones today.  It's just that back then customizing was done differently than today, it was mostly done with drag racing in mind, as opposed to show things today, like shiny wheels and lots of body molding.  I would imagine that if the current Challenger only has a 4-5 year run, then in 35 years it will be the same thing all over again.  I for one like the stock look of the originals, and do not care for even the street rod look that a lot of other people do like; to each his own and it's their car.  In 35 years, I'm sure I will still like the stock look of today's new Challenger.

Offline Carlwalski

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Re: Starting Controversy on Customization..
« Reply #5 on: July 03, 2008 - 04:19:48 PM »
I for one like the stock look of the originals, and do not care for even the street rod look that a lot of other people do like; to each his own and it's their car.  In 35 years, I'm sure I will still like the stock look of today's new Challenger.

100% agree. Not to go off topic but I like my cars to look as stock as possible. Making it sit better, bigger meat and anything modern is hidden as best as possible, so well sometimes I forgot it's there. At the end of the day, Lake pipes, 20" chromes, massive rakes and wheels sticking out 5" past the rear guards will come and go but stock will forever remain IN and to me, always pull heads regardless if it's 2008 or 2117.
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Offline ntstlgl1970

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Re: Starting Controversy on Customization..
« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2008 - 04:49:30 PM »
For me, if the car is a rare one/low production, I would rather see it be stock or just mildly modified.
if it's a more "common" (whatever that means) model I don't have a problem with people modifying them.
Start cutting up an original 440-6 or hemi car, yeah I might be a little upset about that but there isn't much that cannot be replaced on these cars anymore.

With mine, it's a 383 2bbl column shift AT with 4 wheel drum brakes (which, along with the stupidity of youth almost killed me a couple of times) most of which was gone before I bought it. No way I'm going back to that. I'm modifying mine to make it more enjoyable without being too outlandish. I like to be able to just get in and drive my cars anywhere for hours without having to worry about braking distances, turning a corner, sweating to death during the summer or passing a gas station.
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Offline drewcrane

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Re: Starting Controversy on Customization..
« Reply #7 on: July 03, 2008 - 07:10:39 PM »
i feel like alot people, if its a origonal car,well purists will frown on any mods, but if the car doesnt stop , or corner, ita kinda a sled,so i feel it is nessary to at least do a brake upgrade,as for my car its a 383 car that almost went to the crusher, so i have changed alot, so im for the custom mods. if they make the car better,including removing the drip rails! :stirpot: :popcorn:

Offline NoMope Greg

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Re: Starting Controversy on Customization..
« Reply #8 on: July 03, 2008 - 07:33:16 PM »
I'm with Eric (ntstlgl) on this - if it's rare and in good shape, then I'd like to see it stay somewhere close to original, with the only mods being things that are easy to put back.  For example, if it's originally a Hemi car, then I have no problem with someone putting a 542 in it - but do mods along the lines of the G-Force Cuda to an original Hemi car and  :aarg:  Our own tj40Ounce is making significant changes to his (or Dad's  ;) ) 318 Challenger and I've seen nothing but positive comments about the level of workmanship involved, even though it uses some GM parts :22yikes:

I've long been a fan of old VW bugs and nothing chaps my hide as much as finding that someone took an old '58 split-window and made a Baja bug out of it when '70 Beetles are all over the place.  I would feel the same way about anyone taking a '71 Hemi Cuda out of a barn and going the Pro_Street route with it.  But your car is a plain 'ol '73 Barracuda, just like the yellow one I pass every day on my way home from work.  If you want to shave the drip rails and door handles, put in an XV front suspension and four-link rearend, power it with a blown 6.1 Hemi and a Keisler conversion and drop in eight-way power seats out of a Mercedes and a in-dash DVD player - I say, go for it!  :2thumbs:
Greg
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Re: Starting Controversy on Customization..
« Reply #9 on: July 03, 2008 - 09:17:44 PM »
I love the customs, stockers, low mile survivors, street rods and pro-street cars. Regardles of body style.

My T/A (when done, whenever that is) will have some things done to it to make it "my way". Some of them are done already.

If I die, the next owner is welcome to change it as they wish.  :thumbsup:

Barry

Offline DAYTONA

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Re: Starting Controversy on Customization..
« Reply #10 on: July 03, 2008 - 10:48:49 PM »
...again, being an old dog....back in the day :roflsmiley:, there WERE customized Cudas and Challengers on the streets...mostly flared fenders to accomodate M50 Mickey Thompson tires on 10" Cragar S/S mags...custom paint and interiors were common, quite a few hood scoops "glassed" on...extra hood pins (like the lift off cars)...today, it is rare to find a customized relic from the way back machine...I prefer stock, but it's your car and your choice, go for it

Offline torredcuda

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Re: Starting Controversy on Customization..
« Reply #11 on: July 04, 2008 - 06:34:59 AM »
I`m not a big fan of over the top customs but can appreciate most modified cars.Just don`t cut up the rare ones as they are a part of history-leave them for the resto guys and find a /6 or 318 non-performance model to have fun with.Bascially the rarer the car the more you should leave it stock or at least easy to put back.As far as over the top customs go if you were around in the `60-s-80-`s ther ewere a lot of  cars back then which most look back and cringe about-air shocks,side pipes,hood scoops,wild multi color paint jobs.I grew up in the late `70-s early 80-`s and back then I thought those customs were cool,fads and styles change and in 5-10 years the pro touring look will be dated and something else will be "in".
Jeff
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Offline dutch

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Re: Starting Controversy on Customization..
« Reply #12 on: July 04, 2008 - 07:09:01 AM »
I think customizing is great ... when it `s done to make a car look better...   that`s why you don`t cut up an E-body

just my  :2cents:
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Offline abodyjoe

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Re: Starting Controversy on Customization..
« Reply #13 on: July 04, 2008 - 08:54:46 AM »
i think a variety is good.  some cars are meant to be stock and others are meant to be wild customs. if ya side on the common sence side you should be ok. i can appreciate a 100% stock resto but at the same time love to see alot of the custom stuff that has been done to the same cars over the years.  to me the cars were intended to be modified when built in the first place. now i don't like cutting the crap out of them either but  some metal work is easy to reverse.

Offline drewcrane

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Re: Starting Controversy on Customization..
« Reply #14 on: July 04, 2008 - 09:05:24 AM »
just look at what it takes to make a challenger onto a race car, the fenders, quarter panel etc,it almost has lost the true challenger look ,so if you go radical custom, its very easy loose the origonal look of the car! :popcorn: