Top 6 America’s Craziest Custom Cars

Tuning the car as a way to express individuality
Even the vehicles that make us dizzy
Top 6 unique tuning cars

Since automobiles first appeared worldwide, many consumers have dreamed of owning a unique car. In the early days of the automobile industry, when cars symbolized wealth, the coach-building sector flourished. This industry specializes in creating custom car bodies tailored to individual customer specifications.

Tuning cars modified after leaving the factory also has a long history. Given that tastes are as varied as the population, some modifications can be visually challenging. We have selected six of the most unique tuning cars that have appeared to date.

The World’s Lowest Car
The Decotora Covered in Chrome

The tuning car created by Italian YouTuber Carmagheddon makes a strong impact right from the start. It’s an actual vehicle, not manipulated by computer graphics. Based on the first-generation Fiat Panda, this car was modified to become the lowest car in the world, with a total height of just 55 cm (21.7 inches). The ground clearance is minimal at 3 cm (1.2 inches), barely enough to clear a manhole cover. As a result, it is fitted with small wheels similar to those used on shopping carts to make it drivable.

The second vehicle has a relatively car-like appearance but still shows unusual uniqueness. The stainless steel-like metal panel covering the side, the metal support in front of the A-pillar, and the extended roof are surprisingly not uncommon tuning styles in Japan. It is called Japlish (A compound word in Japanese and English) or Dekotora, which refers to a decorated truck characterized by the extension of chrome-like glossy metal panels throughout the truck body.

A Tuned Car Covered in Dolls
The Box Car is Relatively Normal

The vehicle in this photo, circulating on Reddit, may seem bizarre depending on how we view it. It is difficult to find a place where the car body and wheels are left in their original condition, and if you look closely, you can see that the car body is all covered with dolls. There are slight differences from state to state, but in the US, tuning car regulations are relatively liberal, so tuning this level appears possible to drive on the road with a license plate. However, it is difficult to imagine whether the decorations on the car body will remain attached or what will happen if an accident occurs with a pedestrian.

The box-tuning car that follows also provides quite a visual shock. Decorative elements using boxes and scrap items stand out here and there, and occupants can be seen on top of the vehicle, not just inside. It is presumed to be event-level tuning rather than semi-permanent tuning. However, there are concerns about restricted visibility due to the boxes on the bonnet.

Tuning or self-repair?
Why is the wheel tilted?

A mysterious tuning car whose front part is made of wood. The structure consists of a flat bonnet, which is questionable whether it can be opened or closed, and a square tree below it that acts as a fender. There is also a block to protect the bumper beam and radiator, and on top of it is a headlamp tied with wire. There are even turn signal lights on both sides, highlighting the efforts to create a car that operates appropriately. People who saw the photo speculated that the car, whose front part was severely damaged for some reason, was self-repaired using only wooden panels.

The last photo is a type that can only be seen once on the road. This tuning style lowers the car body to the limit and applies a negative camber angle, commonly called stance. It can be said that driving stability is absent due to the tires being too close to touching the fender and the wheels being tilted at an angle that makes us worry they might fall off. Among car enthusiasts, debates often arise with opinions such as “It’s a preference; let’s respect it” and “It’s a nuisance-tuning car that can’t even overcome small bumps.”