In the know: Clean look vs. performance build

If you’re searching the web about different project car builds, then you’re in the right place. That said, it’s no coincidence that Google — or Safari — led you here.

You might also be wondering what path to take in building your car, should you go for the pristine “showroom” look or should you prioritize performance? Whether you plan on dropping jaws at car meets or smoking arrogant “ricers” on the freeway, this article is for you.

Today, we take a look at what a clean look and a performance build are.

Clean look

Building a “clean” car — as one may say — is the goal of purists.

That’s because going for a “clean” look means you will have to keep to its standard specifications, faithfully preserving the vehicle as intended by the carmaker’s designers and engineers.

Doing so not only shows how much you respect the nameplate but also reveals one’s deep appreciation of the features and technologies a car built in a specific year can offer.

That said, you will want to get authentic, original, — and most importantly — “period-correct” parts.

Since they typically come direct from the casa or from specialty stores, be prepared to make a good argument for your wife as these components will probably have a higher price tag than the substandard parts you may see on many curbside auto shops.

It will also be helpful to join car clubs and communities that share the same passion for building clean automobiles. Their experience will definitely help young and budding enthusiasts get the right parts from the right people who charge the right price.

Also, if you grew up playing “Pimp My Ride” on flash game websites, be prepared to throw everything you learned from the video game outside the window since slapping your car with flashy and in-your-face appointments will earn you subtle face palms and occasional shaking of heads from disapproving members of the clean car community.

But is spending all that money to make an old car look old worth it? Well, the smiles on its owners will tell you that it definitely is.

Performance build

Those who crave the need for speed would lean more towards building their project cars with performance in mind. If you find yourself being pulled to go this route, expect to have a car that has a sick engine, stiff suspensions, and a handful of aerodynamic exterior components. However, your car’s interior will be stripped of unnecessary parts and your wife is going to hate you for it.

While cigar-smoking and wine-sipping preppy clean car enthusiasts befriend dealers and often look at old brochures, the statement shirt-wearing and vape-loving performance-build fans can usually be found in specialty garages, race tracks, and expressway gasoline stations.

If you find yourself belonging to the latter, be ready to pay attention to downforce, horsepower, and torque. You will also have to learn the art of shifting since performance cars with automatic transmissions might not meet the high standards of performance build snobs.

These builds can also be money pits as performance-tuned engines, race-ready suspensions, and lighter, aerodynamic body kits will probably cost you an arm and a leg. You might also want to make your mechanic your best friend since you will be having late-night talks with him (or her) as you will probably be spending your weekends in the garage.

Like clean builds, all performance-built car owners will say that every Peso they’ve spent on their ride is all worth it. And that’s positively true.

Bottom line

Both building a clean car and a performance-oriented one will give their owners a memorable journey as both project car categories are equally impressive. Likewise, they are equally expensive.

On that note, what’s important is the experience one enjoys with their respective car communities and the impact they make in the future of the local automotive scene.

If you’re searching for a second-hand car for your first — or next — project, make sure to check out Carmudi. Here you will find the right car, right now!

And did we tell you that we now offer auto financing and car insurance? Yes, simply talk to one of our experts to find out how.

Photos from Juan Paulo Papa

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