Styling - choosing a theme.

"Doing it in STYLE."

This is typically a matter of taste and many people go in with a halfhearted effort buying a few mass produced parts and get left with something that looks tacky.

Although the cost of styling a car can add up quickly there is money to be made through sponsorship deals and offers of appearances in movies, pop videos, magazines and adverts.

If you have established a good reputation as a regular on the show circuit you will find that many companies will offer you work at cost price if you agree to advertise their business and this can be a great way of achieving a £30,000 look for £10,000!

Get it right and the rewards pay off - mess things up and you'll end up with a tacky mess!

When styling a car make sure you have a theme in mind. Just like decorating your home you need to carefully choose colours that blend or contrast well.

The theme is vitally important and will make your car stand out. Look through our member only gallery of show cars for inspiration. Attention to detail and a sense of humour also go a long way.

You might base your theme on a movie, a superhero or an alien technology look but make sure it is applied all the way down to the little things like dashboard, gear stick and other interior features.

Inspiration may also come from the world of motorsport where team colours, spoilers and wheel styles are imitated. This can look very tacky if not done propertly so please exercise caution.

One word you should keep in mind is originality. Off the shelf body kits are fairly easily modified and create a totally unique look. I have seen kits from sports cars modified and fitted to typical hot hatches and lift them into a new level. 

People have fabricated their own wide body kits and made the car look much more agressive and powerful. The more people that have to ask you what car is it the better the job you have done!

Enjoy the attention you will receive. If you are shy and retiring then styling options are not for you. You will be expected to talk to people about your car in great detail at shows, meets and even in the local petrol station.

You also need to be patient as people will typically ask the same questions, "How often do you clean it?", "How fast does it go?", "Does it pull the birds?", or the plain rude "How much have you spent on that thing?".

Never ever cut corners and see that any damage or cracking of paint is dealt with promptly or the car will look really tacky on closer inspection.

If you liked this page please share it with your friends, drop a link to it in your favourite forum or use the bookmarking options to save it to your social media profile.

Check out TorqueCars new YouTube channel, and see their awesome new content...

Feedback

Please use our forums if you wish to ask a tuning question, and please note we do not sell parts or services, we are just an online magazine.

Help us improve, leave a suggestion or tip

Your Constructive comments on this article





TorqueCars Forums

Join TorqueCars our sister site to read over 300,000 posts on modified and tuned cars and tips.

This will also allow full access to their car project features, gallery and some and exclusive member only areas.




Forum Hot topics

  • I must say this is one of the friendliest forums ever...
    Sign up now


  • What is the biggest NOS jet I can add ...
    Sign up now


  • How do I wire up neon lights. I want to add ...
    Sign up now
  • Thats the funniest thing I have read in ages ...
    Sign up now
  • What engine oil do you prefer to use ...
    Sign up now
  • RS Tuning service in Middlesex wanted
    Sign up now


Remote Turbo Kits

Fitting a remote turbo charger kits
Read more...

Twin Scroll Turbos

Twin scroll turbos
Read more...

Chrome Paint

Custom car Chrome paint effect
Read more...

Spray Art2

Stunning sprayed art on car body panels
Read more...

Polishing Waxing

The difference between car polish and wax.
Read more...

Tuning Mistakes

Common mistakes made in car tuning
Read more...

MPG Calculator 2

MPG calculator UK miles per Gallon – calculate MPG
Read more...