| America's hotrod scene has been one of its most | | | | "...and I wanted to straighten up my finances. I |
| unique features and subcultures since the earlier | | | | knew that I'd never be able to stop modifying |
| 1900s, and most notably in the 1950s. Enthusiasts | | | | cars, so I figured I'd do something that was much |
| would spend countless time and money modifying, | | | | less expensive yet still goal oriented. I still get to |
| tuning, and driving their cars so that they could be | | | | tinker with my car, it's ALWAYS a challenge, and |
| the fastest, the most dangerous, and gain the | | | | I haven't gotten a speeding ticket in a long time." |
| most respect. A resurgence of this culture | | | | Enthusiasts like Matt Todhunter are becoming |
| appeared when small economy cars were | | | | more and more common, and they are even |
| modified, and in the 1990s, the "Tuner" crowd | | | | beginning to earn the respect of the hotrodders, |
| was born. | | | | who are often amazed by the accomplishments |
| Now the same enthusiasts are shifting from | | | | these fuel economy fanatics are capable of |
| speed and power to efficiency and distance. | | | | achieving. |
| One-by-one, back yard mechanics and former | | | | Many of the crossovers from the racing crowd |
| racers are beginning to modify their cars for gas | | | | are able to apply the same principles to fuel |
| mileage instead of horsepower. In this game, less | | | | economy. "Most of the modifications are the |
| is more, and the person with the smallest car, the | | | | same," says Joe Gardner, another fuel economy |
| smallest engine, and the fewest horses powering | | | | enthusiast. "Racers and people interested in fuel |
| their vehicle usually win. Surprisingly, it's not just | | | | economy both want lighter, smaller cars that are |
| the fiscally responsible adults that are concerned | | | | aerodynamic and ultra efficient. The only major |
| about fuel economy, but young enthusiasts are | | | | difference is that we want small engines and they |
| also jumping on the bandwagon. | | | | want big ones." |
| A quick look at websites like will show you | | | | Considering the similarity in process, procedure, |
| hundreds of people all interested in modifying their | | | | and mentality of modifying for speed and gas |
| cars to make them more efficient. That is where | | | | mileage, it is also no surprise that many speed |
| Matt Todhunter, who at one time spent more | | | | enthusiasts are beginning to have two cars: one |
| than $12,000 to make his car fast, now goes to | | | | car modified for fuel economy as their daily |
| talk about making his car efficient. | | | | driver, and another car modified for speed for |
| "I wanted to be unique again," says Todhunter, | | | | their "fun" car. |