I like it… feaux-military paint schemes are right up my alley.
Wordless Outtake: Olive Drab Is The New Black
– Posted on May 9, 2013
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Curbside Classics Archives
I like it… feaux-military paint schemes are right up my alley.
The owners of cars with these flat paint colors seem to be the ones covered in the most tattoos. In five years a clever entrepreneur should come up with a “de-2010 yourself” shop that scrapes off paint and tattoos.
I already see billboards for tattoo removal here in SoCal.
However, I do agree with a woman I know who said in response to the question “how do you think that tattoo will look when you’re old and wrinkled?” “Oh, like totally blank wrinkly skin is so fetching.”
Export taillights? I’ve never seen an S-10, Sonoma or even Hombre with amber rear signals.
The amber export taillights on this S-10 also piqued my interest. The Brazilian export versions of the S-10s apparently had these tail lights, but what is it doing in the U.S. being driven by a Southern Illinois University student/alum? The owner probably obtained them independently from some channel and installed them himself…
Here’s a whole thread on Brazilian tail lights on the S-10 forum:
http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f62/brazilian-tail-lights-500041/
Always wanted to do my faux CJ-7 – really a YJ Wrangler with a CJ front clip, fender flares, mirrors and trim – do it up in Olive Drab.
The only trouble was, that rig had been a garage queen; the paint was remarkably shiny for a ten-year-old California car. It was fire-engine red; and destroying that for a faddish appearance would have been vandalism.
So, it didn’t happen. And I don’t think there’s any more Jeeps in my future; or four-wheel-drives. I’ll have to appreciate the utility of Olive Drab…at a distance.
We all know the type. The overgrown man-child who hasn’t outgrown soldier play. Fondles his guns due to a small wee wee complexion and engages in big talk but if he ever suited up and took on an equally armed Taliban would sh*t a brick and reduce himself to a blubbering pile of mess.
Oh yes, we all know the type, if they’re not in big arse pickups, they’re driving Jeep Rubicons with faux military markings. Huge patriots they are. :/
We’ve always kept politics, political polemics and attacks on others, out of here.
Let’s keep doing so.
I agree, there’s no need at all to become like TTAC.
Not my politics, just an observation.
Gosh, that’s complex, not complexion. 🙂
The problem is, it’s not an observation, but a crude stereotype that you’ve created and are trying to pin on the driver of this vehicle, even though you have no clue as to what he’s really like.
We’re all guilty of it to some degree or another, but when you bring patriotism into it, it starts to cross a line that is uncomfortable territory for many. “Patriotism” has become a loaded word, and one perhaps better to stay away from in this context.
I’m having serious mixed feelings about the influx of TTAC folks. I think we may need to adopt a zero-tolerance policy on politics.
To me, the comments are almost as interesting as the articles – this is just about the only site where I can say that. I would prefer it stay that way.
And I’m determined to keep it that way.
Great to hear it. 🙂
Me to, thats why I come here.
For what it’s worth I’ve been here from day 1 — not a TTAC transplant.
So now we’re show a badge?
I agree wholeheartedly with you, Paul.
People seem a wee bit sensitive today. Just to be clear my comment that the guys who drive a no-gloss car are also covered in tattoos was a statement about personal style trends. Very faddish out here in Cali was my point.
These guys are every race you can imagine and as far as I know 100% American! You see it on old Coupe deVilles, Civics and new Mercedes.
I once said someone was having a Rick Perry moment and a commenter said “let’s leave politics out of CC”. While we all want to avoid protracted discussion on divisive, non-automotive issues it’s also important to maintain a relaxed atmosphere where people don’t have to feel like they are stepping on eggshells to talk about cars.
While it’s important to avoid politics and stereotypes let’s also keep CC a drama-free zone. That’s what other sites are for and the reason I choose to spend time at this one.
I come for the comments as much as I do the stories and pics and the LAST thing I want is for CC to be overrun with flame wars, Assholes, Godwin’s Law in hyper mode and pervasive rudeness has driven me away from quite a few blogs. Not that I’m squeamish or even especially sensitive, but I want to relax and enjoy and interject when I want and not have to defend my comments or my POV on hot button topics every time I sign in somewhere.
nailed it
Some people are taking this truck’s appearance way too seriously. My own vehicle is very similar to this one, and though I would never finish it in olive drab, I do find the look amusing. Most of these trucks are getting pretty ratty looking; so I don’t think there’s anything wrong with an S truck in military dress. I am curious about those tail lights.
I think you’re right on not taking it seriously. I for one was considering it, because…what is a Jeep, if not a derivative of a military vehicle? I drove a couple of M151s around our Navy base…they were castoff Marine surplus we used as gofer vehicles. Loved ’em. Love the look. Like a spartan work vehicle, military or otherwise…be it a Jeep or a Cushman Truckster.
The olive drab thing just seemed to fit. Not outgrown soldier play? I’m a decorated Persian Gulf veteran. Only own two guns, and I fondle them once a year…to clean them. Never had any complaints about the size of my “third leg,” either. No…a flat paint scheme makes a lot more sense on a work vehicle.
I can think of a handful of reasons for wanting or liking this sort of style that have nothing to do with frustrated personal ambitions or potency issues.
Ditto. (and yikes! I go away for a day and what?!)
I found this truck amusing… when I was driving the Mayfield Belle, I usually got one of three reactions: the “tsk-tsk” head wagging often accompanied by a glare, a “cool ride, dude” and thumbs up or shaka, or the rare person who “got” what I had done (turned the van into a WWII bomber). It was all good – I had a lot of fun driving that old heap and the paint job made it a lot more interesting than the original rust-encrusted beige.
Sorry for sending the site off in the weeds with this one.
I haven’t yet seen this look in this part of the South, but I do see a fair number of trucks done up in camo…
As gay to me as that video game edition of the Jeep. Instead of military, it looks like a NYC Parks vehicle.
This would be exactly the comment we’re trying to keep off here. Any chance a moderator can remove this offensive comment?
I have shared before one of my stranger fantasies – to have a Prius plastered with right wing bumper stickers and a Dodge Ram plastered with left wing bumper stickers. Just to mess with people. As of today, scratch the Ram, the LeftyStickers need to go on one just like this! 🙂 Maybe even better if it’s an Hombre.
That’s pretty funny. I despise bumper stickers, especially when the rear end is covered in them.
Or even better, get an old japanese car from the 80s that was shipped here (as opposed to being made here with a japanese name stamped on it) and plaster it with “I only buy made in america” and “quit exporting jobs” and other jingoistic stickers…
I like!
Something for you…
http://wtfothermotorists.tumblr.com/
Ha. I’ve seen “Mopar or No Car” stickers and had a goofy urge to get one for my Mazda.
I actually saw a Ram just last week complete with big tires and loud exhaust with gay pride stickers on it. I couldn’t make sense of it until I noticed it was a woman driving.
Guy at work drives a Prius with an NHRA front plate…
The problem with bumper stickers – and your fantasy – is that, depending on the views and tolerance of the community, you have a REAL risk of getting keyed or worse.
It sometimes does depend on the views expressed on the bumper sticker; and on how sharp is the car in question.
If I were to wear my politics out for all to see, though…I’d come close to the Prius fantasy. I actually did consider the junior-size Prius before buying the Yaris. Not wanting to get political on everyone; but I’ll fight to the death your right to drive a huge diesel-powered pickup with mudders.
I just don’t want one myself. And trying to force me into one, is as offensive as trying to force someone else into a car that I like for MY needs.
When/if one of my Toy Yodas becomes a true beater…I may act out your fantasy.
A few decades ago, I came up behind a Dodge van with a bumper sticker that said “If you hate the police, next time you need help call a Hippie.” As I passed the van, I looked over and saw two long-haired Hippie-looking guys.
It is a slippery slope when you start discussing the person behind the car – bringing up patriotism (or lack thereof) and making suppositions beyond the vehicle is probably too far. I have never really read any commentaries from TTAC, but the more I read about that site from the comments here, the more I probably will avoid. That is probably not fair, but the little bit that I was on the site is large and probably would be too time consuming for me to get involved.
With that said, seeing as cars are as much subjective as objective objects, there is always going to be some truth to why vehicles are the way they are, as long as the discussion is generic. It is no different to discuss why some in the population (again keeping it broad and group oriented) need to drive faux military styled vehicles, than reading the social commentary about the “pimp” vehicles in the next article. GI Joe or Snoop Dog, whatever both are outsized examples of a culture of a certain part of the population. If you keep it as an observation and less about whether it is right or wrong it could be legit discussion. Remember, the car companies, and the companies that are selling the products that make the cars the way some of the examples are doing so out of need and that there is a profit to be made.
I see the Army has finally come out with a new version of the CUCV. 🙂
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commercial_Utility_Cargo_Vehicle
The problem with becoming too popular is that the Butthead Coefficient rises exponentially with exposure and the quality of submissions decreases – I don’t want your best submitters to mutter ‘I don’t need this bullshit’ under their breath and stop contributing!. Paul, I think you’re on the right track here. There’s lots of love for CC.
What are your traffic numbers? Is it enough to keep things like they are?
Well, I was all set to come over to CC and have a nice read. That’s spoiled now 🙁
Thanks, fastback.
BTW, It’s really easy to paint your car OD green, or matte black. A little plasti-dip and you’re in business. Lots of folks doing temporary paint jobs on their cars with the stuff. I recently did a test on the fender of my Pathfinder. It’s stupid easy, and easily removed. Doesn’t hurt the paint at all–it actually protects it.
So yeah, I’m going to do a desert-storm style camo job on the Pathfinder. And no, I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks of that.
I rather like the “serial number” on the beast. I assume it’s a 2.0 liter engine, making it consistent with “S10134CI”. For what it’s worth, my mazda-pickup-bed-trailer is in that sickly 70s green. It’s somewhat improved by the rust colored primer spots. If I have some spare paint and spare time together, I’d consider a camouflage theme. Kind of silly for a fire trailer, (we’re very rural) but we’ve had odder things around here. (A nearby fire district has a Kubota utility tractor/loader with full light bar and siren…) Must see what I have in black, grey, and brown.
I just got that now. Who knows, it could just be someone doing the truck as an art/novelty piece rather someone trying to be GI Joe.
Another good serial number would be the VIN. Maybe chevrolet bowties done in mil-template style would add to the kitsch…
134 cubic inches would be the 2.2 liter.
Oops, miscalculated. I’m hoping it doesn’t have the V6…
I had an 84′ Mustang GT once where the center section of the hood was painted flat black. I loved the look, but I’ll never own another vehicle with flat paint, you can’t maintain it with wax and you can’t bring it back when it inevitably fades and oxidizes.
I recall the model. GT decal on one of the front corners? Was a one or two year thing IIRC?
I remember it well, the center section was a flat black decal that had “GT” cut out at the front edge of the hood so that the letters would be body color. I remember being pretty convinced at the time that it was a decal and not paint, but I never owned one.
That decal more than anything probably kept me from buying a new Mustang GT in 1985. I had seen enough of that trim go bad on 70s Mavericks and the like that I wanted no part of it. I asked the Ford salesman if a Mustang GT could be ordered but with the hood decal deleted. He looked at me like I wanted to order a GT with a four instead of the 5.0 V8. “Why would anyone want the GT without the decal kit?” is what he asked me before assuring me that such an order was impossible.
Every time I looked at the car, all I saw was that matte black decal faded by the sun, chipped from the edges and with wax swirls on the edges. I wanted a black car, and was not willing to risk removing the decal without screwing up the finish on the black hood. Couldn’t do it, bought the GTI.
Decal stripes ran along each edge, but the entire center section of the hood was flat black paint. Maybe it was changed in ’85, because my “GT” on the front was a sticker and it wasn’t body color.
Overall I liked the look though, it didn’t have all the ground effects later ones did or the fake hood scoops some other ones of that vintage did. Very subtle, especially on a charcoal car, most people never realized it was a GT.
To add a little to Justpassingthru’s comment. I am retired military and managed to live through the vietnam era. I own guns. Nobody knows about them except for the shotgun I keep for the raccoons. You sure won’t know from the bumper stickers because I won’t have any. Only when there is a clear danger from outside do these political factions ever stop the bs warfare. I don’t know how clear the danger has to be but I’m worried. I don’t come here to worry more.
I think you might want to consider my next paint job if you are going to polarize your car with bumper stickers. Here, at least, the possibilities of getting keyed increase as you do that. I am sure that others do this as well, but Monstaliner will sell you colored bed liner and there is an absence the crumbled rubber that makes it lumpy. Pretty smooth and applied with a roller. The have light colors, black, and in between.
I normally say something about the absence of a need for politics when I see it here or the other site. As I grow older apathy seems to be gaining a foothold and I keep my mouth closed more often. Paul has to be commended for keeping this site clean and it keeps me coming back. I’ll keep commenting so long as my comments makes sense. When they stop, just tell me to stifle myself.
Out.
Just want to cast my vote against using CC as a political forum. As others have said, there’s plenty of that at TTAC, and I don’t think it’s an effective way to educate people about politics (or cars). CC is a beautiful thing, truly dedicated to the appreciation of cars in a way that few other sites are. Paul, please keep it this way.
We have a popular vinyl primer in that dull red those and matt black have always been popular on half built cars. Though Best Bogan Blak is seen as a top coat by many.
Saw a new Mercedes in the showroom yesterday “murdered out” in flat black – the trend appears to be going mainstream.