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Editorial

By Kai-Uwe Nielsen

Motor Show - Horse Power

How to pimp your ride

The love for a car is often stronger than the relation to a friend. From the beginning and invention of the automobile it was for mankind something like a mystical projection for deep wishes and self-presentation. The derivations of the elder definition of hp (Horse Power) or PS for the engine power aroused the association of the old chariots in the antiquity - the sculpture on the Brandenburger Tor in Berlin is a good example. To drive and control such horses meant to be a brave and strong charioteer. Therefore the nowadays used standard of kW as the unit of measurement is missing the original aura. But for a real car freak in the tradition of the classical charioteer, this new definition doen’t exist. Among his comrades the basis quality and individuality of his car defines chiefly through the horse power of his engine. Regrettably the youthful desire for a strong and fast car does not correspond normally to the income of these owners. So there are two main possibilites to solve this discrepancy: First is to buy such a sport car on credit or second to buy an old cheap car and „to pimp it up“. Depending on the creativity of the vehicle owner these old cars from the scrapyard can be transformed into a racing machine by tuning and styling. Such a capable grease monkey gets more respect than the namby-pamby, who has got his new car at his eighteens birthday. But to fulfill his dreams of revamping his old and shabby car it is important to have the accessories industry in the back. There is a large number of specialized firms that serve this special market. They strengthen customer loyalty by arranging big Motor Shows. In North Rhine Westphalia there are the most famous events. The combination of automobile and sexy ladies meets the tastes of the participants. There exists a strange relationship between the presentated cars with their deep spoilers and wide tires and these frank tabledancers with their breast enlargements and hair extensions. The charged atmosphere of female eroticism and male potency which is performed by muscles and horse power makes such an event impressive and unique but also inoffensive. There seems to be a tacit consent, that the own styled and tuned car is more important than these girls serving in someway as an accessoire for them. The childlike joy outweighs.

So keep on tuning! More….