Locals: Terrence's Chevelle
I'll admit that I'm largely ignorant of the "big rim" style and culture. I do know that this style, much like the stance scene, has largely been derided by traditional enthusiasts as an heretical approach to car modification. Accusations range from subjective insults regarding looks and purpose, to valid concerns about diminished braking performance from the installation of wheels that are often 10" to 15" in diameter larger than the OEM equipment. Luckily, as a photographer, I'm mostly interested in what is visually interesting, so I'm able to leave the debates to other people with far more time on their hands than me.
Spending as much time as I have in Atlanta and in Macon, these "donk style" (forgive me if my vernacular is off...) builds have always stood out in traffic, and I think that's what sparked my interest. Despite my own OEM+ (read boring) approach to car modding, I respect someone that drive a car that can break every single neck on a street. Regardless of your interest in cars, when a candy- orange Chevelle with enormous chrome rims drives by - the sounds of an unhindered Chevrolet small block bouncing off the asphalt - you take notice, and you instantly form an opinion. My late model Honda Fit on average looking wheels can't do that...ever.
Simply put, I'd like to ask the viewer to reconsider what has been deemed ridiculous by mainstream automotive culture. The roots of this community are buried in the fringes of society, cultivated by the rebels and the outcasts. Yet, for many of us, the breadth of what we can appreciate is so narrow that we dismiss anything that doesn't tick the right boxes. Admittedly, I'm not going to buy a Caprice. I'm not going to paint the Fit anything that starts with "candy". And I'll probably never buy a set of wheels larger than 18". But the next time I see a "Big Rim" style vehicle, I'm going to give it and its owner the same chance I give any car. These guys are real enthusiasts, with the same passion that many of us have. Take a look at the details of the build and the quality of the work. I guarantee that if you approach with an open mind, you'll walk away impressed.
