Oh the Humanity!
Ordinarily, I’m all for car customization. Nothing speaks more to individuality than taking a car that rolled off a factory line, and turning it into a one-of-a-kind work of art. I’ve even seen some otaku-inspired custom graphics that looked great (you may have heard of the Japanese Grand Touring Championship car painted with an Evangelion-themed livery).
This is not one of those times.
Why, God? WHY!?
The cutsey imagery. The paint color combination. The big chunky rims. Everything about this is wrong.
But the worst part of this is the car that’s been bastardized. Normally, if this was just a crappy Scion or faceless Honda, I’d just shake my head and chuckle. The car in question is a Stratos. Now admittedly, this is probably a modern kit car (probably a Stratos Hawk), but it’s based on the Lancia Stratos.
The reason the car guy inside me is getting all upset is because this car is a legend. Styled by Bertone (one of the most legendary car designers of all time), powered by a Ferrari V-6, and built by what Top Gear called “the most charismatic car makers of all time.” Not only is it an insane super car, it’s a legend in the World Rally Circuit. It won the 1974, ’75, and ’76 World Championships (it probably would’ve won more, but parent company Fiat wanted to promote their own models, so it was replaced by a less successful Fiat 131 Abarth). Here’s what this beast SHOULD look like.
Ah, much better.
I wouldn’t normally rant about cars on this site, but this comes down to what’s appropriate. One person I was discussing this with claims the orange paint job looks better than the original. I say this is the equivalent of painting over the Mona Lisa in neon colors. Just because it’s eye-catching doesn’t make it a good idea.
And remember kids, pimping your ride anime-style is all well and good, but leave the Classics alone. That’s what the Honda Civic is for.