WHAT
DIRECTION AFTER STANCE?
Posted:
11 December 2012 by Nicholas Abrahams| Images: Various.
<
back
Definition:
via French from Italian stanza place for standing, from Latin
stans, from stare to stand.
We all know by now about this not so new trend that has hit
the world and truth be told it’s really not that new at
all. The tools to achieve the end product have just become a
whole lot better. It’s been around for many years like
most other trends and has just come full circle to fruition.
I found it as far back as the 70s when low-riders were achieved
with hack saws and angle grinders. And Mini trucks in the late
80’s and early 90’s used air suspension descendant
of Hydropneumatic suspension that was the brain child of Citroen
and first used in 1955.
Stance like most other car trends seems to have started its
life in some sort of racing code and been put on steroids to
“work” on the road. A lot of racing application
suspension parts are being used to get maximum effect to the
detriment of the vehicle. Crazy camber and extreme lack of ride
height is achieved from sometimes extremely expensive coil overs.
I with many others can’t justify the amounts of currency
thrown at E-bay just so you need to plot a route to avoid all
possible speed bumps on your way to buy a loaf of bread. The
primary function of the vehicle till today is to move objects
effectively and efficiently from point A to B and as a recreational
tool to entertain the masses in open battle. These activities
all facilitate motion and Stance is the anti-motion movement.
It seems as if Stance has come full circle and the question
is what next? Millions of people all over the world follow F1
and is there a possibility that fenders are coming off in the
near future to create the open wheeler effect.
Or are we going to lift vehicles and add sponsor decals with
larger night shattering spotlights to mimic our favourite WRC
cars.
Rally cross has already made a big statement on the roads as
it is with larger mud flaps and massive monster and DC decals
being added daily.
For all we know oem might even be the result of JDM and USDM
with cars sporting stock standard factory fitted parts and standard
interior trims and completion to see who’s ride is most
stock. That’s the beauty of the automobile. It’s
been around for more than 100 years and it’s still not
old. From time to time it has its hair coloured and cut but
deep down it’s the same thing in a new red dress.
As for the Stance craze currently gripping the world I think
it’s going to be fading out sooner than later due to human
nature. We are creatures of comfort who strive for maximum results
and after a month of shattering you spine every time you go
over a stone the senses should take over and make up your mind
and return your vehicle to a respectable height.
 |
Photo
by Seagram Pearce. |
Either that or have your licence
disc removed by a Golf GTI driver.
Nicholas
|
