I always hated the Fast and Furious movies. I have always felt they portrayed a Hollywood fantasy of a small subculture and made a movie that was in the right place at the right time. I saw it spawn a generation of cartoonish body kits, tack on engine mods, rear spoilers that would look more at home in a sci-fi B-movie, and then the paint schemes that many times seemed the result of a few 6th graders and a stoner in a paint booth. I was annoyed in seeing this movie franchise and Internet myths set the tone for the history of street racing (which I still maintain is dangerous and stupid). Before the movie released, a few buddies and used to go to an industrial park to watch some older cats trailer in older 70s and 60s hot rods race for a few dollars, maybe 100 people would be out there, mostly people that knew each other from the dragstrips, gear heads that found a place in an island of an automotive subculture dying from a lack of public interest in racing, tightening emissions regulations, changes in the way cars were sold to the public, and many other factors. They were nice guys that loved cars, and talking about racing. Good times, and good people. About 4 months after the 2001 release of FnF, my buddy and I randomly decide to head to the industrial park and the scene was far different. About 1500 kids out there racing in family sedans, a lot of booze, a lot of obnoxious alpha posturing, one kid was flashing a 9mm, and then the danger of inexperienced morons that had no idea of car control. I abhorred it all. But then I dont deny that these movies inspired some to get into cars, start turning a few wrenches, and revitalize that was basically on its death bed as far as aftermarket parts, manufacturing, and interest went. But its all fading now. Kids 13-24 could care less about cars. Having a car when I was that age meant you could go see your friends, go see places, go meet girls, but they have smartphones now. They text instead of meet up, why waste the gas and money in a shitty economy to go see a place when you can check for stories and pics on social media by other people that have already been there... done that. There is no need for a car, for new rims, a cold intake, an LS1, a 4AG, 440 Magnum, 351 Cleveland (or Windsor), Cragar Mags, Daytons, metal flake finish .... Its all fading. Hearing about Walkers passing makes me think of all these things this morning. The figurative icon of a generation is gone, soon the kids will be buying cars that remove them from the physical experience of driving. Mercedes is already well into research on completely automated, GPS computer controlled navigation systems. They will likely be safer, more fuel efficient, and much to the delight of the smartphone generation, convenient, and though Im not really into the idea, I understand why it will be popular. RIP Paul Walker
Posted on: Sun, 01 Dec 2013 14:23:49 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015