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50 Times People Wanted To Upgrade Their Car But Ended Up With Stupidity On Wheels
You can tell a lot about a person not only by their shoes but also by their car. After all, there are so many choices — some people prefer used ones, others opt for shiny autos rolled straight out of the dealership. But there’s a whole other category of enthusiasts who want their ride to stand out so much, they choose to do the most bizarre improvements money could buy.
And there’s an online group on Reddit dedicated to calling them out. Members of this community are on a mission to share pictures of terrible car modifications that show what stupidity on wheels really looks like. While we can agree that taste is subjective, some of these rides would have been better off the road.
From real pieces of junk to vehicles stuck in the plot of the first The Fast and the Furious movie, we wrapped up some ridiculous pictures from this subreddit for you to enjoy. So take a look below, upvote the ones that surprised you most and let us know what you think about them in the comments!
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Does This Belong Here?
Lightning Mcmeth
Gotta Love Grandma
To learn more about car modifications and why so many auto aficionados find them fascinating, we reached out to Gianni Lamanuzzi. He is a dedicated car enthusiast and founder of Status Error, a place to find clothing and merchandise for people who love the automotive, skate, and BMX lifestyle and culture. He told Bored Panda that he managed to make a career from the modified car scene, so he owes it a lot.
His Instagram account is dedicated to celebrating beautifully upgraded and altered cars. Lamanuzzi mentioned he often feels inspired by them, which allows him to create captivating designs of stickers, clothing, and accessories for his website.
Lamanuzzi explained that a car mod (modification) is when you make a change to a car that doesn’t come from the factory as standard. "From something as simple as changing out some interior light bulbs to glow a different color, to going all out and cutting up the car to add a body kit or even changing an engine. If it changes the car from standard form, it’s a mod!"
It Looks Like Wall-E's Grandfather
Found On Craigslist. This One Kinda Rules, Actually
Today Was My Last Day At Work And This Is What Greeted Me In The Car Park. I Work In Automotive Engineering
When asked what is considered a good car modification, he guessed that everyone is going to have a different opinion on this. "For me, the first modifications I look into doing are usually adjusting the ride height (coilover suspension, air bags, shorter springs) and changing the wheels. Be it a color change, a better-looking tire, or even a whole new aftermarket wheel, I personally think these are good places to start."
He added: "If I was being sensible though, I’d probably look more into starting with engine mods. Make sure the engine is running the best it can, which can be something as simple as upgrading your air filter."
Who You Callin Pinhead
I Have A Hard Time Calling This S**tty Because It's Done So Well
The Car We All Drew In Kindergarten
The founder of Status Error mentioned that when people come up with improvements that will damage the car or put other people in danger, modifications like these are downright useless and even harmful. Questionable appearances of such alterations also prove that some have a complete lack of understanding of what’s considered tasteful or safe. "From experience, I wouldn’t recommend chopping your suspension springs to lower your ride height," he jokingly added.
Pretty Much Just Sums Up This Sub
Leather Seats
Lets Get This Bread
"I think [taste] is subjective because people absolutely love different things in the car mod scene, it’s like fashion for cars," Lamanuzzi noted. "For example, I once had a Porsche that I painted a non-factory color. I thought it was the best thing I’d ever done and all of my friends really loved it."
However, the Porsche community was up in arms: "It wasn’t something that Porsche would do. I’d say 90% of them would have burned it if they had the chance!"
Well, auto enthusiasts sometimes seem obsessed with seeing ambitious car projects and discussing how impressive (or not) they are. Well, at least that seems to be the case with the 1.2M members of this Reddit community in question. Users there applaud and celebrate sleek car modifications and laugh at the most ridiculous ones. According to Lamanuzzi, we enjoy looking at this content because we love to see what new things people are up to.
Overcompensating Much?
Headlights Before Electricity Was Discovered
Airbag Mod
"The car scene has some seriously talented people among it and it’s always moving forward fast," he continued. "Most days you will see something new that has never been done. It also gives you inspiration and ideas to work on your own car if it’s something you’re doing."
He also guessed that there could be a bit of a nostalgia thing going on too. "A lot of cars I spend my time around are from the 90s and early 2000s, so it’s great to see them as it brings back some great memories from being a kid. Even if it was just because a friend or family member had that car and it gave you great memories."
Sliiiiiiiiide To The Left Take It Back Now Y'all
Let Me Introduce You To The Fordfordfordfordford F150f150f150f150
This Window Tint
Sorry, I Can't Go Out With You Tomorrow. I Have To Mow My Van
It would be kinda cool for a gardener type business I guess, maybe get some big daisies on the side spelling out the company name - other than that kind of purpose, why?
Could be a plumbers car or a septic tank cleaner. You know, cause the grass always grows greener around the tank.
Load More Replies...Reminds me in a way of that Cheech and Chong movie, where they made that bus out of weed lol
Back in the olden days we used caution before we got in a van that was carpeted on the inside! Outside now that's a stupid story!
Once was asked out by a guy who had a van. Got in, the entire INTERIOR was covered in this, ceiling, floor, doors- I said " Forgot something ", got out and kept going.
The dogs must really chase this person's van. I wonder how many dog went nuts trying to mark it.
I wonder who astroturfed their vehicle first, them or Ali Spangle?
I seriously saw this type of car in our drive through. It was a lawn mowing company car wit fake Grass. I asked how do you mantain it and the driver without a blink of an eye "mow"
While it’s always refreshing to share opinions, ideas, and laughs about your interests, Lamanuzzi advised you to always go with your gut. "Don’t let other people’s opinions alter the goal you have in your head. Sure, take some ideas and a little advice, but if someone is downright negative about what you’re doing, then just ignore them."
"If you listened to what other people had to say each time, then everything would be the same, and nothing would stand out. Never shy away from putting your crazy ideas out there on social media because it absolutely works both ways. If people are complimenting you on what you’re doing, then it can give you the biggest buzz to get out there and do more modifying," he concluded.
If You Gonna Do, Do It Properly
Silent Killer Mkii
Idk, I Think It’s Kinda Genius
That’s Pretty Accurate
Basketball Taillight
How Is This Even Legal?
This Just Popped Up On The Fb Marketplace
How Long Till They Go Flat?
Let's see what happens when a car with Mentos for wheels drives by... and crashes.
I Bet This Things Has Never Been Offroad
I Bet It Comes In Handy
My County Is A Treasure Trove Of Sh**ty Car Mods And Of Course I Honked
I say LOL a lot without actually LOL-ing. But this made me literally LOL
Literally Why
This Absolute Monstrosity I Saw At The Hospital
San Francisco Studio Apartment, Only $3k Per Month!
If You Thought The Outside Was Bad
What. Is. This
I Don't Think You Can Get Any Lower....
A Whole Gas Station Of S***ty Car Mods
If I Crash Into It, Do I Get Invincibility And Super Speed?
Throwback To The Old Top Gear Days
This Fake Rusted Mercedes
I Think We Can All Agree That Stance Builds Like These Are Incredibly Stupid
If It's Stupid But Works, It Ain't Stupid
Great News
GF Thinks My Car Belongs Here
Backseat Drivers Wet Dream
We Have A Winner
That Poor Door Hinge
There’s More Dumb Crap But This Is My Favorite Part
This May Be The Stupidest Thing I've Ever Seen
The Garbage You See In Memphis
do people not understand that large tires decrease fuel efficiency because of weight and rotational inertia? large tires are only efficient for terrain driving and larger cars are they not?
Note: this post originally had 117 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
I'm gonna be honest...I liked most of these. Sorry! But my inner car geek loves some of these.
Agreed, most of these were just quirky and even cute. A few stupid, but overall these were awesome 🤗
Load More Replies...I dated a guy in the UK a long time ago who custom built his own car. It looked a bit like a big black coffin on wheels. It was great. It also had to pass stringent safety inspections before it could go on the road. In the US, it seems like people can and will drive any piece of junk, and modifications are not assessed properly.
Idk if you noticed, but most of these weren't driving. You can't drive these anywhere serious in the U.S.
Load More Replies...Most of these... ok I think all of them would not be allowed on German roads.
Aber was ist das? Das ist kein auto. Es tut mir leid, aber Sie müssen eine Verkehrsstrafe nehmen.
Load More Replies...Holy crap, some of these are real abominations that made me actually sorry for the vehicle.
I recently saw a blue car with RED as the last three letters on it’s number plate.
In UK you have to inform your insurer of any modifications and they can make the cost of your policy go up. For example, a young man who had flames painted on is car is indicating that he drives fast. Premium will go up. Plus a lot of these would not pass the yearly MOT (road worthiness test) and would be illegal to drive on public roads.
I got a couple of pics that would fit in the post... how do I submit them?
I love these kinds of posts of people who are just "doing themselves." Most of these are harmless modifications. So, the title could be much kinder. Maybe instead of stupidity on wheels, say "hilarity on wheels"?
Death traps on wheels? Safety violation on wheels? I dunno, many titles suggest themselves.
Load More Replies...I'm gonna be honest...I liked most of these. Sorry! But my inner car geek loves some of these.
Agreed, most of these were just quirky and even cute. A few stupid, but overall these were awesome 🤗
Load More Replies...I dated a guy in the UK a long time ago who custom built his own car. It looked a bit like a big black coffin on wheels. It was great. It also had to pass stringent safety inspections before it could go on the road. In the US, it seems like people can and will drive any piece of junk, and modifications are not assessed properly.
Idk if you noticed, but most of these weren't driving. You can't drive these anywhere serious in the U.S.
Load More Replies...Most of these... ok I think all of them would not be allowed on German roads.
Aber was ist das? Das ist kein auto. Es tut mir leid, aber Sie müssen eine Verkehrsstrafe nehmen.
Load More Replies...Holy crap, some of these are real abominations that made me actually sorry for the vehicle.
I recently saw a blue car with RED as the last three letters on it’s number plate.
In UK you have to inform your insurer of any modifications and they can make the cost of your policy go up. For example, a young man who had flames painted on is car is indicating that he drives fast. Premium will go up. Plus a lot of these would not pass the yearly MOT (road worthiness test) and would be illegal to drive on public roads.
I got a couple of pics that would fit in the post... how do I submit them?
I love these kinds of posts of people who are just "doing themselves." Most of these are harmless modifications. So, the title could be much kinder. Maybe instead of stupidity on wheels, say "hilarity on wheels"?
Death traps on wheels? Safety violation on wheels? I dunno, many titles suggest themselves.
Load More Replies...