Sports Car Community Accuses Camry of Cultural Appropriation

"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78) 05/29/2019 at 08:59 • Filed to: Taketheoutsideline, Satire

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The National Coalition of Sport Car Culture and Heritage, or NCSCCH, issued a statement Tuesday evening condemning the Toyota Camry’s current generation – in certain trims – for allegedly appropriating traditional sports car styling cues and design elements like a black roof, quad-tipped exhaust, large wheels, as well as numerous creases, vents, and louvers around the body.

A 2019 Camry XSE in — no surprise — white

NCSCCH President Ted Baker explains, “Our organization seeks to preserve the unique cultural heritage of the sports car, so when vehicles from other classes seeks to mimic – or perhaps even mock – our rich traditions without regard to actual functionality, we feel compelled to speak up.”

Mr. Baker specifically points to the current-generation Camry, notably the XSE trimline, as the most egregious example of a midsize sedan attempting to look like a sports car.

“They may consider it ‘paying homage’ but we see it as a dilution of what we worked so hard to create over the past century. In cases like the Nissan Maxima, with over three decades of genuine work towards the notion of a Four-Door Sports Car, we are willing to make a slight exception,” Baker continues. “But when a Camry so quickly and drastically changes its image in the name of popularity, we take offense.”

Mr. Baker explains that he does not hold a grudge against Toyota specifically. “I have plenty of Toyotas I consider friends,” he says, citing his own Toyota-built Scion FR-S as an example. “I just don’t want these new Camries parking in my neighborhood – that’s all I’m saying.”

Camry is not alone in being critiqued for the use of sports car tactics. As the midsize sedan segment slowly evaporates from overall sales figures, companies are desperate to reinvigorate their lineup to generate interest.

Industry observers are not oblivious to the trend, although they are far less critical than the NCSCC H.

Tim Jorgenson of the St. Cloud, Minnesota-based fan website LitSedans.org explains that many car companies have begun offering “four-door coupes” to help refresh the sedan segment. “These cars try to be everything to everyone, but they end up being nothing to anyone,” he laments. “Sedan are supposed to be ‘three boxes’ and not ‘one blob’.”

Mr. Jorgenson commiserates with the sedan community, however, noting that their group has faced an uphill battle against public perception for at least the past 10 years. His own vehicle, a 1964 Chevy Impala, comes from the heyday of American sedans and is considered a collector’s item. Complete with whitewall tires, bright wire wheels, and an adjustable hydraulic suspension, the car is the centerpiece of much of his life’s work.

Tim Jorgenson’s 1964 Impala nicknamed “Lil’ Pendejo”

“The sedan was once the mainstream of society, but now it’s on the fringes and lashing out against a world that seems to have left it behind.” Jorgenson continues. He worries about the day when autonomous sedans might start reading extremist news feeds and become alienated or even radicalized.

“The key right now is ensuring sedans feel welcome and can assimilate into society, regardless of what other car class they might be trying to imitate,” Jorgenson continues, adding “I gotta bounce, homes.”

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > Ash78, voting early and often 05/29/2019 at 09:16

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That Impala and I have something in common.

Equally pendejo.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Ash78, voting early and often 05/29/2019 at 09:21

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This appropriation of sportiness is rampant in the world today. We need to stop the practice of "sportface".

Shift24 > Ash78, voting early and often 05/29/2019 at 10:06

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I dont have a problem with it when offered on high powered trims. Sedans for awhile now have been trying to go for that coupe/sporty car look. One of the first to start this tread that I can think of is the 2012 6 series Grand Coupe. (IMO one of the best looking M cars).

The fake vents? T hats been around since we put plastic on cars.

In dying markets (anything thats not a truck or SUV) they are trying to do their best to stay relevant. I applaud Toyota for trying.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Ash78, voting early and often 05/29/2019 at 10:29

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You could make money off of this talent for satire, just saying.

vicali > Ash78, voting early and often 05/29/2019 at 15:44

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gettingoldercarguy > Ash78, voting early and often 05/29/2019 at 15:53

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Do you have a patreon account?

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Ash78, voting early and often 05/29/2019 at 15:55

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When did Oppo become the Onion? Or was it always?

Ash78, voting early and often > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely 05/29/2019 at 15:56

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In my world...forever. It’s just coincidence that our overlords actually own The Onion.

Not forever, but if you search the tag #taketheoutsideline it’s probably 3-4 years.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Ash78, voting early and often 05/29/2019 at 15:57

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I mean, if you ran a satire site I’d probably apply to work there

Ash78, voting early and often > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely 05/29/2019 at 15:58

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Wow, thanks — I’m definitely hoping to submit a few of these to The Onion at some point. And I have bugged Patrick George about the possibility of doing this kind of thing on the mainpage (nope!) . I really want to stick to car-based subjects, which keeps it light and fun (and thematic). Less political.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Ash78, voting early and often 05/29/2019 at 16:06

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“Careless Driver Frustrated With Inhibitive Road Laws When Driving”

“Tesla A nnounces N ew Ice Cream Cone T hat W ill T ravel at H ypersonic S peeds of Flavor ”

“F-35 Project Converted Into School Buses for Poor School Districts” 

I figure shit like that. Who knows what the future holds

gettingoldercarguy > Ash78, voting early and often 05/29/2019 at 16:06

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Set up a patreon, if every there was a reason for this.

Maxima Speed > Ash78, voting early and often 05/29/2019 at 16:10

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Looks at formerly owned Maxima and Mazda 6, then looks at Camry Solara I currently own. “ It’s war then”.

mincz > Ash78, voting early and often 05/29/2019 at 19:03

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I love my old v6 camry. It's so damn smooth and solid feeling. It'll never let me down

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Ash78, voting early and often 05/30/2019 at 00:44

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If the Camry was a sporty car...what sport would it do?

PS9 > Ash78, voting early and often 07/26/2019 at 14:27

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Why can’t they appropriate the RWD and powerful engines instead of just the looks? 

PS9 > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 07/26/2019 at 14:27

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Shuffleboard. 

Ash78, voting early and often > PS9 07/26/2019 at 14:52

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Why can’t people who wear running shoes run... instead of just hanging out at the mall?
:P