Modified car
Encyclopedia
For the American oval track automobile racing series, see Modified racing
The term modified car is given to any vehicle that has been altered from its original state; most commonly with aftermarket
components. The term denotes a car that has been significantly altered for the purpose of appearance or for increased engine or handling performance, the process by which this is carried out is known as car tuning
.
The term is generally used in reference to modern vehicles that have been altered, and not typically used to describe other types of modified cars such as Hot rods, however the definition can include this, as well as any other car that is not in its original form as was purchased from the manufacturer.
Modified cars are commonly small hatchback
and coupe
cars such as supermini
s and small family cars.
A modified car can consist of any of the components associated with car tuning
, however common upgrades include replacing the standard factory issue wheels with aftermarket alloy wheels, usually of a larger diameter to improve the aesthetics
; lowering the suspension of the car to give it a more aerodynamic, stable look by replacing the springs (often in conjunction with shock absorbers) or torsion bars
; replacing the existing exhaust system
with one with less gas-flow restriction, louder and deeper sound and often small improvements in performance (due to exhaust gas-flow rate). Other common upgrades include the installation of a short shifter
as well as an aftermarket shift knob
, or a performance oriented Weighted Gear Knob.
Common non-mechanical upgrades include a cars audio system; though not performance oriented, are nevertheless a very common-place modification. This includes upgrading the head unit itself, and upgrading and/or installing additional speakers.
Significant modification to a car could involve adding a fiberglass
body kit
to improve the aesthetics, a complete respray to a more unusual, distinctive and noticeable colour and finish, increasing the engine performance with ugraded components such as a high-flow air filter
, additional components such as turbocharger kit
, as well as more permanent modifications like port and polish
.
Traditional customizing methods, more common when modifying classic cars to create cars such as Hot rod
s, include roof chops, two door stretches, suicide doors, channeling and lights, trim and sheet metal from another car. Sectioning is also used sometimes.
Modified racing
Modified stock car racing, also known as Modified racing or simply Modified, is one of the oldest types of racing in the United States, dating back to the days of the post-World War II coupes. The name for modified racing cars come from the fact that they are not stock but, rather, modified...
The term modified car is given to any vehicle that has been altered from its original state; most commonly with aftermarket
Aftermarket (automotive)
The automotive aftermarket is the secondary market of the automotive industry, concerned with the manufacturing, remanufacturing, distribution, retailing, and installation of all vehicle parts, chemicals, tools, equipment and accessories for light and heavy vehicles, after the sale of the...
components. The term denotes a car that has been significantly altered for the purpose of appearance or for increased engine or handling performance, the process by which this is carried out is known as car tuning
Car tuning
Car tuning is both an industry and a hobby, in which an automobile is modified in order to improve its performance, handling and appearance. As most vehicles leave the factory set up for average driver expectations and average conditions, tuning has become a way to personalize the characteristics...
.
The term is generally used in reference to modern vehicles that have been altered, and not typically used to describe other types of modified cars such as Hot rods, however the definition can include this, as well as any other car that is not in its original form as was purchased from the manufacturer.
Modified cars are commonly small hatchback
Hatchback
A Hatchback is a car body style incorporating a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—and features such as fold-down rear seats to enable flexibility within the shared passenger/cargo volume. As a two-box...
and coupe
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
cars such as supermini
Supermini
A superminicomputer, or supermini, is “a minicomputer with high performance compared to ordinary minicomputers.” The term was an invention used from the mid-1970s mainly to distinguish the emerging 32-bit minis from the classical 16-bit minicomputers...
s and small family cars.
Common upgrades
For associated article see: Car tuning#Areas of modificationA modified car can consist of any of the components associated with car tuning
Car tuning
Car tuning is both an industry and a hobby, in which an automobile is modified in order to improve its performance, handling and appearance. As most vehicles leave the factory set up for average driver expectations and average conditions, tuning has become a way to personalize the characteristics...
, however common upgrades include replacing the standard factory issue wheels with aftermarket alloy wheels, usually of a larger diameter to improve the aesthetics
Aesthetics
Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste, and with the creation and appreciation of beauty. It is more scientifically defined as the study of sensory or sensori-emotional values, sometimes called judgments of sentiment and taste...
; lowering the suspension of the car to give it a more aerodynamic, stable look by replacing the springs (often in conjunction with shock absorbers) or torsion bars
Torsion beam suspension
thumb|250px|A front [[VW Beetle]] suspension cross-sectionA torsion bar suspension, also known as a torsion spring suspension or torsion beam suspension, is a general term for any vehicle suspension that uses a torsion bar as its main weight bearing spring...
; replacing the existing exhaust system
Exhaust system
An exhaust system is usually tubing used to guide reaction exhaust gases away from a controlled combustion inside an engine or stove. The entire system conveys burnt gases from the engine and includes one or more exhaust pipes...
with one with less gas-flow restriction, louder and deeper sound and often small improvements in performance (due to exhaust gas-flow rate). Other common upgrades include the installation of a short shifter
Short shifter
A short shifter, also known as a short throw shifter, is the result of an automotive aftermarket modification of the manual transmissions' stick shift either by modification of the existing stick shift or, alternately, by the replacement of the entire part.The purpose of the modification is to...
as well as an aftermarket shift knob
Shift Knob
A shift knob also known as a gear knob, gear shift knob and stick shift knob is the physical interface between the manual transmission stick shift and the drivers hand. Made of many materials from simple plastics through to platinum it comes in many shapes sizes and weights...
, or a performance oriented Weighted Gear Knob.
Common non-mechanical upgrades include a cars audio system; though not performance oriented, are nevertheless a very common-place modification. This includes upgrading the head unit itself, and upgrading and/or installing additional speakers.
Significant modification to a car could involve adding a fiberglass
Fiberglass
Glass fiber is a material consisting of numerous extremely fine fibers of glass.Glassmakers throughout history have experimented with glass fibers, but mass manufacture of glass fiber was only made possible with the invention of finer machine tooling...
body kit
Body kit
A body kit or bodykit is a collection of exterior modifications to a car, typically composed of front and rear bumpers, side skirts, spoilers,paint jobs, and sometimes front and rear side guards and roof scoops. There are many companies that offer alternatives to the original factory appearance of...
to improve the aesthetics, a complete respray to a more unusual, distinctive and noticeable colour and finish, increasing the engine performance with ugraded components such as a high-flow air filter
Air filter
A particulate air filter is a device composed of fibrous materials which removes solid particulates such as dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria from the air. A chemical air filter consists of an absorbent or catalyst for the removal of airborne molecular contaminants such as volatile organic compounds...
, additional components such as turbocharger kit
Turbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
, as well as more permanent modifications like port and polish
Cylinder head porting
Cylinder head porting refers to the process of modifying the intake and exhaust ports of an internal combustion engine to improve the quality and quantity of the air flow. Cylinder heads, as manufactured, are usually suboptimal due to design and manufacturing constraints...
.
Traditional customizing methods, more common when modifying classic cars to create cars such as Hot rod
Hot rod
Hot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. The origin of the term "hot rod" is unclear. One explanation is that the term is a contraction of "hot roadster," meaning a roadster that was modified for speed. Another possible origin includes modifications to or...
s, include roof chops, two door stretches, suicide doors, channeling and lights, trim and sheet metal from another car. Sectioning is also used sometimes.
See also
- Car tuningCar tuningCar tuning is both an industry and a hobby, in which an automobile is modified in order to improve its performance, handling and appearance. As most vehicles leave the factory set up for average driver expectations and average conditions, tuning has become a way to personalize the characteristics...
- Custom carCustom carA custom car is a passenger vehicle that has been modified in either of the following two ways. First, a custom car may be altered to improve its performance, often by altering or replacing the engine and transmission. Second, a custom car may be a personal "styling" statement, making the car look...
- Hot hatchHot hatchHot hatch was originally an informal automotive industry term, shortened from hot hatchback, initially coined by the British motoring press in 1984, for a high-performance derivative of a car body style consisting of a three- or five-door hatchback automobile.Vehicles of this class are based on...
- Hot rodHot rodHot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. The origin of the term "hot rod" is unclear. One explanation is that the term is a contraction of "hot roadster," meaning a roadster that was modified for speed. Another possible origin includes modifications to or...
- Import sceneImport sceneThe Import Scene or Import Racing Scene or Tuner Scene refers to the subculture that revolves around modifying imported brand cars , especially those of Japanese brands, for street racing.-History:...
- Leadsled
- LowriderLowrider]A lowrider is a style of car originated by Chicano communities that sits lower to the ground than most other cars. Many lowriders have their suspension systems modified so that their ride can change height at the flip of a switch...
- Pimp My RidePimp My RidePimp My Ride is a TV show produced by MTV. Each episode consists of taking one car in poor condition and restoring it and customizing it.The original United States version was hosted by rapper Xzibit...
- Rice burnerRice burnerRice burner is a pejorative describing Japanese-made—or by extension, Asian-made—motorcycles and automobiles. The term is often defined as offensive or racist stereotyping...
- scanger
- Sleeper (car)Sleeper (car)A sleeper or Q-car is a car that has high performance and an unassuming exterior. Sleeper cars are termed such because their exterior looks little or no different from a standard or economy-class car. In some cases the car appears worse due to seeming neglect on the owner's part, typically...
- Street racingStreet racingStreet racing is a form of unsanctioned and illegal motor racing which takes place on public roads. Street racing can either be spontaneous or well-planned and coordinated. Well coordinated races are planned in advance and often have people communicating via 2-way radio/citizens' band radio and...
- Tuner (car)
- Asian Term: Ah Beng Chia (ABC)Ah BengAh Beng, from , is a stereotype applied to a certain group of young Chinese men in Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore and Malaysia. The stereotypical view of an Ah Beng is a young Chinese man or teenager who lacks cultural refinement or indulges in criminal activity or is involved in brawls or...
- Australasian term: HoonHoonHoon is a derogatory term used in Australia and New Zealand, to refer to a anyone who engages in loutish, antisocial behaviour. In particular, it is used to refer to one who drives a car or boat in a manner which is anti-social by the standards of contemporary society, that is, fast, noisily and/or...
- Japanese term: DekotoraDekotoraThe , an abbreviation for "decoration truck", is a type of loudly decorated truck in Japan. Commonly having neon or ultraviolet lights, extravagant paints, and shiny stainless or golden exterior parts, such decorations can be found on both on the exterior and the interior...
- UK Term: Boy racer (subculture)