Patricia Weston went along to Mondello's first modified show
Gleaming silver alloys, throbbing turbo exhausts, blue tinted windows on iridescent body kits, stereo speakers pulsating from car boots . . . the strange world of the modified car may seem to many a twilight zone. Yet the surreal is becoming increasingly real on Irish roads.
When customised by the owner, the bland, functional small car can undergo a metamorphosis into a shimmering, modified machine.
The weekend saw the latest in a series of modified shows at Mondello Park. Visitors were treated to an impressive array of modified cars at the Overdrive show where enthusiasts could wander through a veritable kaleidoscope of colours, lights, mammoth sub woofers, and unique body kits.
It was the first event for modified cars at Mondello. "It was new territory for us," said managing director John Morris. "We've never done anything with the modified car scene before but it turned out to be a huge success. These guys have a laddish image but they were orderly and pleasant."
The modified scene is taking off with full turbo force in Ireland. Nicolas Lim, from Singapore, says the scene there is years ahead of Ireland. "In Ireland it's about 5 to 10 years old and about 10 years behind Singapore."
Lim, a doctor in St James's Hospital, Dublin, works on cars in his spare time. "Modifying cars is a hobby, like collecting stamps," he says. "It's my interest. I spent €3,000 modifying my S2000."
Modifiers take average pre-2000 Opel Corsas, VW Polos or Nissan Micras, modify them, and cruise around showing off their expensive handy work at organised meets and shows.
"All my friends have modified cars," says David Aughney. "We want to stand out and be noticed. We meet up at different locations to chat and show off any new gizmos we've added. The meetings are arranged through websites."
Aughney spent €8,500 modifying his VW Polo. "I've added a stereo with speakers on the inside roof to be different. The paintwork I chose reflects the sun so the colour stands out. It's something I enjoy.
"My insurance costs €1,700 and I'm 20 years old. I have to insure the stereo and anything else I add separately under household and hobby insurance."
It's a costly hobby. Enthusiasts can spend up to €10,000 adding expensive extras. The ultimate stereo system - three amplifiers to power massive sub-woofers in the boot with two upgraded batteries for maximum power so the base can boom from the vehicle - can knock a modifier back €5,000.
According to Rob Dowling of Multi Dynamic Systems, "in-car DVDs are becoming very popular with modifiers. The DVDs are fitted to the passenger and driver's visors and cost up to €1,000."
Modifiers also go for noisy exhaust pipes to draw maximum attention. "The original exhaust is cut and a universal back box exhaust pipe is fitted to make lots of noise," says Nicolas Lim. "These cost around €250 to €300."
Bryn Maine, an auto-tinting specialist, says he's doing great business tinting windows for the 17- to 19-year-old age group. "The two-tone colours blue and gold are becoming popular with the young guys. Suppling and fitting tinted windows costs €260 per car."
So, to the question of image - the modified scene is a youth culture that does have a negative image. Lim agrees: "Modifiers do have a bad image because some young guys do crazy stuff. They slap on an exhaust and a body kit on their cars and do doughnuts around a car park and give the scene a bad name."
Darren O'Rourke of Modified Motors magazine points out that "modifiers invest a lot of money in their cars. They are not little boy racers - little boy racers are lads who are named drivers on their mother's cars and drive around like idiots."
John Morris of Mondello admits he was surprised at how well behaved the modifiers were. "I have to admit they were a well-behaved bunch," he says. "We'll certainly think about organising another event.
"We worked closely with the Gardai to ensure there wasn't any trouble on the way to and from the event."