Weird Car Subcultures

Just the like the saying, "the clothes make the man [or woman]," your automobile can say a lot about you. Even if you're not going for a particular aesthetic in your car selection, observers will still make assumptions about you. And it turns out what you drive is often, if unintentionally, used to define oneself as well. Last year I as in the market for a new auto, and while I briefly considered something classic, I ended up with a 2011 Dodge Avenger Heat. That's what I mean; it can't just be a Dodge or an Avenger, I need to include the year and trim.

Want some more examples? Psychologist Geoffrey Miller concluded that cars represent a consumer's personality and creativity. CNET conducted an online poll and found that minivans make you less attractive. Hybrid cars are popular amongst affluent individuals. Car color is indicative of personality as well: silver cars are driven by individuals who are cool, calm and aloof; white cars are driven by people seeking status, and black cars are driven by rebels. Democrats are more likely to drive Japanese-made cars.

Well, here are three odd car subcultures that are open to interpretation.

1. Raggare

Pop quiz. What country is home to the most classic American autos? If you said the U.S., then you're wrong.

Thanks to a growing subculture in Sweden called raggare, up to 5,000 classic American autos are imported there each year. Raggare are met with mild amusement or contempt by much of the general public, but outside the raggare's regular car shows they don't seem to be much of a nuisance. Many Europeans consider raggare white trash or Euro-rednecks, mostly because of their public intoxication and poor attitudes towards sex, violence and education. They also embrace the flag of the Confederacy, despite being ignorant of all its connotations.

Raggare value the American 1950s and how the automobile drastically changed that coming-of-age generation. Raggare idolize James Dean, V-8 engines, and large-bodied cars which are uncommon in Europe. The Big Power Meet, held each July in Västerås, Sweden, is the largest car show in the world, often accommodating 15,000 cars and 75,000 people, and is open only to American vehicles from the '50s and '60s. It was a time when the large open road, and the U.S.'s equally-as-large cars, represented equality and a fresh start, and some believe that's what the raggare pay homage to.

View the raggare gallery.

2. Dekotora

Apparently, truck drivers make a lot of money in Japan because they can afford to modify their truck like this.

A Japanese film franchise, whose name roughly translates to "Truck Rascals," is responsible for the growth of garishly-decorated trucks. They regularly feature neon lights, LED screens, extensive murals, chromed bumpers and fenders, and just about anything else ridiculous you could put on a truck. These trucks aren't just for show either: drivers use them to haul freight around the Japanese countryside. Of course, there are laws that prohibit truck drivers from driving around in a giant glow stick; the lights can only be activated in park.

There seems to be little purpose to dekotora outside of attention grabbing. Many modern dekotora take design cues from anime and robots.

Of course, dekotora are best enjoyed with a thorough gallery.

3. International lowriders

Lowriders exploded in popularity in the 1970s thanks in part to the song Lowrider by the band War, as well as the lowrider's numerous appearances in Hollywood films. Lowriders have mostly remained popular in Hispanic and inner city communities centered around Los Angeles, developing a membership which regards themselves as "cholos."

But somehow, it is this specific segment of lowrider culture that has gained popularity in Spain, England, Brazil, and Japan. In Brazil, the lowrider subculture attempts to recreate Los Angeles lowrider culture right down to the tattoos and attire. But not everyone in Sao Paolo can afford a lowrider, and assortments of lowrider bicycles have crowded the city's streets. Japanese lowriders have gained momentum from music videos featuring Spanish, English and Japanese rapping. Japanese lowrider magazines feature men and women dressed "like gangsters" who are waving Mexican flags.

England is the only country who hasn't embraced the cholos culture along with the lowriders. However, most English lowriders are made from Volvos or VWs, since it's hard to come by classic El Caminos, Impalas, and Monte Carlos in the U.K. Unfortunately, some lowrider purists might see these lo-Volvs and lo-VWs as abominations to the scene, but I'd argue the lowrider's status in gang culture to be just as obscene.

View the gallery of international lowriders.

It's unknown the means by which the above auto cultures have spread, but one thing is clear: people see themselves in their cars. Whether they believe themselves to be American rednecks, Japanese "truck rascals," or inner city gangsters, cars are as much about image as transportation.

Resources

Wikipedia - Raggare; Dekotora

Huff Post - Japanese 'Cholos': Chicano Subculture...

The New York Times - Lowrider Culture Spreads to Brazil...

Telegraph - Lowriding: the lowdown