some of the best looking cars out...

[gearheadE30]

Wow, that's the most plywood splitters and plywood/posterboard wheel flares I've ever seen in one place. I'm not even sure how that could be construed to look good.

[Jand3rson]

Wow, that's the most plywood splitters and plywood/posterboard wheel flares I've ever seen in one place. I'm not even sure how that could be construed to look good.

The point isn't too look "good". So many of you are totally missing the point of these cars. It's too be as outlandish as possible. It's all in fun.

Do you really think these guys are building these cars to look "good" in the traditional modifying sense?

[mikegar]

this one isnt too bad

[tg318is]

The point isn't too look "good". So many of you are totally missing the point of these cars. It's too be as outlandish as possible. It's all in fun.

Do you really think these guys are building these cars to look "good" in the traditional modifying sense?

i understand that, but i cant justify spending money on that.

[ejnight]

i understand that, but i cant justify spending money on that.

+1 or Time.

[Raxe]

That's because western culture emphasizes value and efficiency over satisfaction and enjoyment.

[CorvallisBMW]

That's because western culture emphasizes value and efficiency over poor taste and lunacy.

fixed

[shmutzigE30]

were talking SERIOUS downforce with those cars

[maniacmatt]

That's because western culture emphasizes value and efficiency over satisfaction and enjoyment.

I would say if you are comparing North American culture to Japanese culture you have that totally twisted. Not that I have ever been to Japan but it would seem to me they emphasize value and efficiency more than we do, and we value satisfaction and enjoyment more than they do. Just look at all the North American soccer moms cruising around in H3's and Suburbans. I don't think we really place a huge emphasis on value and efficiency at all. Just my opinion though, and in my opinion those cars are just a case of different strokes for different folks. I love rat rods and that styling, others hate it. Same thing here.

[Jaygo333]

Second Last car looks good ... without the splitters.

[Raxe]

I was talking more in terms of cultural values rather than individual lifestyles and attitudes between the two. One very clear example of this is architecture. In North America (you're in Edmonton too so you know what I'm talking about here) the big buildings are quite dull with slab sides and box shapes. Traditional Japanese architecture is very elaborate, colorful and detailed. There's a great deal of work and emphasis put into the "art" aspect of the building, especially compared to the traditional buildings on this side of the world which were clearly built with cost, time and maximum usability in mind. Then there's the incredible floral work that is present throughout Japanese design, the bright colors and the traditional heritage in everything which is just not a big deal in North America. Our way of thinking tends to be "how much could I get for how little money, and how quickly can I get it?". Generally our car culture is the same way. How much performance can I add for how little money, and what's the easiest way of getting it? Or how much horsepower does it have, how much can it tow/haul and how much does it cost?

Bringing up the H3 and Suburban, look at how it was designed and built. Two of the biggest things on the design board for that truck was "How cheap can we sell it for?" and "How quickly/easily/inexpensively can we manufacture it?". Lower down the list would be aesthetics, material quality and craftsmanship. Then again Japanese cars are not exactly known for their superb materials either, but they're targeting the same demographic and market as the domestics so there's only so much they can do while remaining competitive here. I'm quite positive in Japan a small, weak but very well built and crafted car would sell much better than it would here.

Not saying there's anything wrong with this of course, or that it's the same for everyone throughout the respective countries. Just pointing out that their car culture does not revolve around the same principle ours does.