New Trend in Model Cars

I've noticed that more and more models are being offered with 'realistic finishes' or 'less-than-perfect' paintjobs.

There's the Bullitt 1968 Unrestored Mustang:


There's the Sanford & Son 1952 Ford rusty truck:


There's the Godfather "whacked" Lincoln with bullet holes, broken windshield & headlamp:


There's the "muddy version" Army Jeep:


There's alsp a muddy Ford pickup (which looks more like a 'stuck-in-the-swamp' version to me):

On some of the car restoration shows on Velocity they build what are called "rat rods" where they take a junkyard junker, beat-to-shit, and put all new running gear in it.  They leave the body and the interior trashed.  Apparently that's a thing now.

I dunno, maybe there's a thrill to coming up to a red light in what appears to be a POS car, and then beating the other cars off the line.

Myself, I'd rather have working heat.

There's also a trend with flat black paintjobs.  Darkened windows.  Shaded out lights.  Apparently the owners hope to be mistaken for a stealth bomber, maybe even evade radar.  Doubt it works.

So anyway, with all this retro Mad Max stuff going on I'm wondering how long until some auto manufacturer offers a brand new car with painted-on rust spots, mud splatters and bullet holes?

NoCo wrote:

Apparently that's a thing now.

That was "a thing" in the fifties (but they called them hot rods). Making tv shows about them is the only new thing.

NoCo wrote:

]Myself, I'd rather have working heat.

We all know that you are not a "car guy."