Howdy ladies and gents.
Would the world truly be right if I didn’t go for yet another ambitious competition, now that I’m back? Well, this one will be the successor to another one I ran a few years back.
Welcome to…
Cult of Personality ][!
(not the ][e or //c)
It seemed for many years that car culture was all folded under one of three giant umbrellas: classic cars, exotic cars, and motorsports. And if they weren’t your cup of tea, you were out of luck. Well, thanks to the internet age, those umbrellas are unraveling, and the walls have come down a bit. Enthusiasts of all stripes have shown up, ready to show off their pride and joy, regardless of what the “old guard” may have to say about it.
There is room under the sun for everyone. So here’s what we’re going to do:
Each week or so, I will open up submissions for cars in a given year range. Overall this competition will range from 1960 to 1992, but each round will focus only on a specific subset of those years. Contestants will submit cars to me, as well as posting a picture or ad, and possibly a blurb about the car’s design and history. I will then take the cars, look at them, and write a short car-culture blurb about them, from the perspective of a modern auto blog. Your entry will then be assigned to a car culture group by me, and then ranked within that group. I will make a wide variety available, including both “mainstream” and “counter-culture” groups. Where you land may or may not be where you intended them to go. But that’s also the beauty and the nature of car culture. You don’t know where the next true classic comes from, nor when your car will gain a cult following.
This competition is for Automation Lore or near-Lore vehicles. They can be existing lore that you submit and pitch, new lore to flesh out an underdeveloped country, or a set of period-realistic vehicles that stand alone.
Once submitted, your vehicle will be analyzed and placed into one or more of the following categories, then ranked among the active models in that category for the round:
Mainstream Culture - Muscle/Pony Cars - The favorite muscle and/or pony cars of the era. Real life example: Mustang. Automation example: Ardent Chesapeake 444 Super SS.
Mainstream Culture - Classic Cars - The favorite classic family and cruising cars of the era. RL example: Bel Air, Impala. Automation: Hirondelle Shambala.
Mainstream Culture - Hot Rods and Sports Cars - The favorite sports cars of the era, as well as the most popular cars for turning into hot rods. Examples: Corvette (sports), Chevelle (Rods). Automation: Dominion Atlantic Stag, Silverhare Pegasus.
Mainstream Culture - Retro Motorsports - The favorite cars of the era that made a surprising splash in motorsports. This includes cars that later on were utilized for Drift. Example: Datsun 510, 240SX, AE86. Automation: Courageux Trois 1400 Rallye, Katsuro GT-100.
Mainstream Culture - RestoMod - The favorite cars that people like doing RestoMods on, including lowriders and off-road legends. Example: El Camino, Ford F100, Jeep CJ-5. Automation: Ardent Huron, Bogliq Baller.
Counter Culture - Spiritual Classics - The cars of the era that made a huge impact for spiritual counter culture. Example: Volkswagen Bus. Automation: Earl Vista
Counter Culture - Motor Sport - Cars which, while not high profile motorsports cars, are sometimes used impressively in motorsport by those who elect to use something unexpected. Example: AMC Gremlin. Automation: Ardent Sentinel Mk.3
Counter Culture - Classics - Cars which are sought after for restoration as an alternative to high-priced mainstream classic cars. Example: Toyota Corona. Automation: Silverhare Spear Shamal.
Counter Culture - Import/Export - Cars which are either sought for importation into the USA market, or exportation from the US to other countries. Example: Nissan Skyline. Automation: Suzume Hosho.
Counter Culture - Jalopy Culture - Cars that are sought after for their sheer durability or capability, left in unrestored condition, and either shown or used in events. Example: Most old Domestic trucks, Honda CR-X. Automation: Deer and Hunt Fallow, Hampton Fennec.
This analysis will be done through the lens of classic car cultures as seen in the late 2010’s, 30 or more years after the vehicles’ original design. You may be surprised by where they land. Bear in mind that’s actually normal; a car’s use 30 years after its design may be very different than the manufacturer’s original intent at initial design. And, as with the previous competition, it is possible an individual entry may score in more than one category.
OVERALL Guidelines and Submission
Model and trim year: No car may have a model year later than 1992, or the latest year of the specific round, at any point in the competition. Individual year restrictions will be given each round. Model and trim year do not need to match.
Engine family and variant year: No later than 1992, or the latest year of the specific round, and no newer than the model trim year. These do not need to match.
Banned materials/selections: Full aluminum bodies, space frames, carbon fiber ANYTHING, V16’s, Ultimate Unleaded fuel, or race parts of any kind.
Market requirements: Because this is based around the North American market, all mainstream cars must conform to US design and safety standards of the time. I will spell these out in each individual round. You may submit cars that do not conform to these regulations (example: they have European lighting and/or bumpers), but if that is the case, they can ONLY gain points in the Import/Export category.
Interiors: If you want to make yours pretty and period-correct, by all means do it. However, I will not be checking it, as interiors frustrate the ever loving **** out of me.
Number of Submissions: I reserve the right to close down submissions for a round if I feel I get too many. I’ve run some pretty big competitions before, so I’m hoping this won’t be an issue. But just in case, this is the disclaimer.
Other restrictions: No meme bodies, no meme cars, no meme parts. Starting in 1974 there will be specific restrictions surrounding catalytic converters and fuel type. NOTE: Eastern Bloc cars do not fall under “meme cars” if they are faithfully designed and built. Your bar here is: Would Malcolm Bricklin attempt to import it?
We’re not building exotics or hypercars here (hence the body/chassis restrictions), so if you want to use fiberglass, you have to give me a very convincing reason and story. I don’t have the ability to take/open V16’s. And the engine restrictions are there because I want to see the engine that originally came in the car. While swaps are common, particularly for the MoSport types, that’s more of flavor text and lore than the actual car file. (If you think a swap might be common, let me know what model(s) of engine can fit in the bay from your lineup in your PM) Also, if you have to play with technicalities and loopholes to submit your car, or make absolutely unrealistic engineering choices for the era, your car probably violates the spirit of this competition, and you should think about submitting something else.
Rounds will last two weeks total, but a little less than that for the design submission stage (so I have a few days to write up results). Each user may submit one vehicle per round. Take your time, think, submit what you feel like having reviewed rather than what you think I want to review. Please post a picture or ad, and maybe a little blurb about the production or development history of the model.
At this time, there is no overall deadline or competition end date. Individual round closing dates will be posted at the start of the round, along with round-specific submission rules.
Competition has ended
Final Categories and Rankings
Mainstream Culture - Muscle/Pony Cars
1966 Madison Trebuchet 427
1986 Armor Streethawk
1992 Armor Valencia H33
1990 Hinode Tempest GT Turbo
1968 Angus Vagabond 353 Sedan Deluxe
1977 Quezon Laguna Super Eagle 427
1990 F&S Seax GT
1970 Madison Trebuchet 427 HP (tie)
1972 Turbol Centurion Gladiator 420 (tie)
1990 Keystone Q40 Senator
1986 Schnell LX20 LSi (T45)
1992 Ryuji Goemon RS Turbo (tie)
1985 Kaizen FC22 (TU1) (tie)
1966 Wells 500 Deluxe Special
1984 Kolt Coyote V8
1989 Schnell LX35 LSi
1982 Keystone D3500 ST Savant
1970 Kaizen FCP19s TU1
1991 Hessenburg F-4 1.6T (US Model)
1989 Longley Lightning Speedwagon
Mainstream Culture - Classic Cars
1992 Angus Screamer Octane Edition
1972 Armor Anvil
1992 Ivera Phoenix RXT (NA Market Model)
1988 Rowlari Empress Grand Royale 441ci V10
1986 Ivera Executive
1978 Bricksley Grand Sorcerer Pressurized
1978 Neko Maneki Targa
1992 Wells Apollo
1964 CM Deerhound S410
1985 Kaizen FC22 (TU1)
1986 Schnell LX20 LSi (T45)
1990 Keystone Q40 Senator
1973 Wells 500 Convert
1966 Armor Valencia Convertible
1992 Madison Ballista 500 GT
1970 Rowlari Diamondback (tie)
1970 Solariego Copihue (tie)
1975 Lumbaxo Tornado 5.8L
1986 Munot Millenium
1966 Wells 500 Deluxe Special
1989 Matsuma SI-Z
1965 Bricksley Atlantean
1985 Bazard Tormenta (PE)
1991 Starley Swerve RSi
1972 Turbol Centurion Gladiator 420
1982 CM Terrier S1 (A)
1990 CM Hellhound Z3
1979 Schnell L4 Mk1 Sport 8v
1989 Munot Levant GS Turbo
Mainstream Culture - Hot Rods and Sports Cars
1975 FM Cerberus
1992 Madison Ballista 500 GT
1985 Madison Ballista 350 GT
1986 Lynx L32 V8
1990 CM Hellhound Z3
1962 Legion Mallard Zepar
1992 Angus Screamer Octane Edition
1979 Madison Ballista 350 GT
1978 Neko Maneki Targa
1984 Bricksley Kingsnake 464 Pressurized
1969 CM Husky A20
1977 CM Spaniel B100
1969 Keystone Q2600 GP (tie)
1970 Shidley Chips 231 Street-Stock (tie)
1970 Courageux 1750s Corse (tie)
1991 Arlington Foxhound SR 348 Disintegrator
1984 Kazuki KZR 2200
1966 Schnell New 1700S
1978 Shidley Violet GT180 “Shelsey Walsh”
1989 IP Celestia GT/TA
1976 Mara Hussar Coupe
1972 Cabrera 3700R
1990 Kolt Coyote Mk.3
Mainstream Culture - Retro Motor Sports
1970 Madison Trebuchet 427 HP
1985 Madison Ballista 350 GT
1979 Madison Ballista 350 GT
1966 Madison Trebuchet 427
1968 Angus Vagabond 353 Sedan Deluxe
1964 CM Deerhound S410
1965 GSI Piccolo 1500 Rallye
1982 Keystone D3500 ST Savant
1988 RCM Atlantic Mosport SV6
1978 Shidley Violet GT180 “Shelsey Walsh”
1968 Franklin HiWay GT
1966 Schnell New 1700S
1969 Keystone Q2600 GP
Mainstream Culture - RestoMod
1970 Shidley Chips 231 Street-Stock
1965 Hessenburg H100 (T2) Super Bus
1976 Dixiecar Levitown 519
1989 Schnell LX35 LSi
1964 Zannin 100 1.5
1970 Rowlari Diamondback
1967 King Pike II 2500 Roadsport V8
1986 Armor Streethawk
1965 Shidley Skidmore 3800 Rapide
1965 GSI Piccolo 1500 Rallye
1968 Franklin HiWay GT
Counter Culture - Spiritual Classics
1965 Hessenburg H100 (T2) Super Bus
1990 Bazard Dakar
1976 Ryuji Shisa 1100 CAEE
1991 Starley Swerve RSi
1976 Dixiecar Levitown 519
1964 Zannin 100 1.5
1989 Cabrera Pilgrim GT
1989 Matsuma SI-Z
1984 Kazuki KZR 2200
1977 Keystone C1700 DL Savant
1967 IP Icarus 2000DX Wagon
1990 Sandhurst Louisianno GLE
1984 IP Commuter “Penny Pincher”
1982 Oldman Pristis GL
1975 Armor Cricket
1975 Monterenzio Rana 305NA
1984 Cabrera Fulgor Turbo
1972 Mara Irena Wagon
1965 Bricksley Atlantean
1971 Hessenburg C200 1700E
1990 Mara Irena 2.0i Freedom Edition
1990 FM HiWay 2200L
1981 F&S Jikan Triple Threat
1974 Bazard Lad
Counter Culture - Motor Sport
1972 Armor Anvil
1990 Hinode Tempest GT Turbo
1981 Ryuji Shogi 4x4
1978 Bricksley Grand Sorcerer Pressurized
1982 CM Terrier S1 (A)
1987 EcaMobile Chipleader 4-door (US version)
1966 Franklin Street
1975 Monterenzio Rana 305NA
1970 Courageux 1750s Corse
1981 F&S Jikan Triple Threat
1990 Boulder Boundary LE
1985 Mara Kanyon
1973 Ivera 120 C6-C6T
1985 Bazard Tormenta (PE)
1967 King Pike II 2500 Roadsport V8
1965 Bazard Armada CR8
1974 IP Rugger 1800
1986 Wells i5 GLS
Counter Culture - Classics
1970 Kaizen FCP19s TU1
1990 F&S Seax GTA
1982 STAG MTMWV Civilian Berserker Pickup Convertible
1987 EcaMobile Chipleader 4-door (US version)
1981 Ryuji Shogi 4x4
1967 Ryuji Chariot 1300
1985 FM Overlander
1965 Shidley Skidmore 3800 Rapide
1992 Ryuji Goemon RS Turbo
1988 RCM Atlantic Mosport SV6
1979 Wells 500
1984 Kolt Coyote V8
1978 Hanseung Saturn 2400SE-L V6 Auto
1989 Longley Lightning Speedwagon
1973 Ivera 120 C6-C6T
1966 Franklin Street (Tie)
1963 Keystone D2200 Super (Tie)
1986 Wells i5 GLS
1971 Bazard Flamenco
1984 Cabrera Fulgor Turbo
1991 Hessenburg F-4 1.6T (US Model)
1969 CM Husky A20
1976 Mara Hussar Coupe
1966 Ivera 77S
1982 Shidley Chips Turbo-LXi (DB3)
1976 Ryuji Shisa 1100 CAEE
1986 Jidosha Kogaku Kumo Te
1990 FM HiWay 2200L
1963 IP Rugger Panel Van
1992 Shijiazhuang L1
Counter Culture - Import/Export
1968 Taube 3000 Rennsport
1985 Hessenburg 2000 RSi 16v
1966 Quezon SuperCab 100 Series (Tie)
1965 Neko Kabu Base (Tie)
1973 Quezon Buenavista 427
1982 Quezon Laguna Dual-Cam Turbo
1986 Valiant La Victoire 1.3 Executive
1986 Jidosha Kogaku Kumo Te
1992 Armor Valencia H33
1974 Bazard Lad
1970 Solariego Copihue
1982 STAG MTMWV Civilian Berserker Pickup Convertible
1965 Bazard Armada CR8
Counter Culture - Jalopy Culture
1989 Cabrera Pilgrim GT
1962 Mara Companion SD
1975 Cabrera Trubia GT
1990 Boulder Boundary LE
1971 Hessenburg C200 1700E
1977 Keystone C1700 DL Savant
1984 IP Commuter “Penny Pincher”
1974 IP Rugger 1800
1985 FM Overlander
1990 Mara Irena 2.0i Freedom Edition
1973 Falls Stand Mighty Oak
1979 Schnell L4 Mk1 Sport 8v
1978 Hanseung Saturn 2400SE-L V6 Auto
1963 IP Rugger Panel Van
1990 Kolt Coyote Mk.3
1972 Mara Irena Wagon
1962 Legion Mallard Zapar
1963 Keystone D2200 Super
1990 Bazard Dakar