In recent years three nations have been credited for creating the most inspirational and most talked about looks and styles in the car modification world. The German’s brought us not only the Euro look but also some of the first ‘Rat’ cars. The American’s took Rat to the next level thanks to the Hoodride crew, who at the time were a small community with a love for all things low and air-cooled. The Hoodride look soon became a worldwide phenomenon with cars from all over sporting the now iconic stencil. The American’s have also brought us Donk’s and DUB’s, although neither of these have had quite as much an effect as Hoodride (unless you’re a Footballer running a Lincoln Navigator on 22” Chromes) both have had enough significant coverage to become common knowledge to the everyday modder. Finally we have the Japanese. Where do you start? The Japanese modified scene is probably responsible for more trends and styles than any single country on the planet in recent years. Ask someone ten years ago what the JDM look was and they would look at you blankly. It’s the same with Bosozuku and to a lesser extent possibly the Drift cars, no one outside of a hardcore circle of Japanese car culture fans knew what these terms meant or stood for. However in 2008 the Japanese modified scene is a big deal, not just in its homeland but all over the western world too.
However, while all this has been going on there has been another country calmly going about its business in making some of the most awe-inspiring cars in the world. This is a country that’s main claim to fame is that it makes nice chocolates and a half decent pint to go with them. That’s right; it’s Belgium, possibly the only country on the planet that is notorious for being a bit boring. That is until you discover this little countries modified scene.
In recent years Belgium has slowly gained a reputation amongst both the Air and Water-Cooled Volkswagen scenes for building some of the most finest and tasteful creations around. But it’s not only the VW’s that are in on the action, the Belgian’s will tackle anything from Renault’s, Peugeot’s and Citroen’s to Ford’s, Opel’s and Audi’s.
The main look here is low and smooth, very smooth. If it sticks out the Belgian’s will smooth it, let’s just say badges aren’t a big deal here.
This is known as the ‘Cleaned’ look. The most common candidates for this kind of treatment tend to be modern euro-hatches such as Opel Corsa’s and Peugeot 206’s, as the smooth and low look compliments their curvy styling well.
So is it all about modern superminis? Oh no, the Belgian’s will turn their hands to anything, with big German saloon’s becoming increasingly popular. Again, it’s all about the smoothing with these bigger cars but coupled up with larger wheels and more often than not air-ride to get their barge down to optimum lowness.
However, as you’ve logged onto this site, you’re probably wondering where the retro content is? Well you’ve guessed it; the Belgian’s do a good line in the older side of things too. They’re probably best known for their air-cooled work having built some of the lowest vintage Volkswagen’s around, many of which feature some of the rarest accessories and extra’s around. Because of this many UK based VW enthusiasts have been making trips to the mainland in search of that elusive, super rare part that has been eluding them making Belgium the air-cooled Mecca.
Not into air-cooled stuff? Well then you might like some of the early water-cooled motors instead. It’s kept simple here, obviously as low as possible and with small, wide wheels and very little else. The body work is kept pretty simple and original with subtle arch rolling to tuck those wide rims in being the only major modification. Again rare and original period parts are high on the agenda. Something like a complete and original interior can gain you serious ‘scene points’ here.
All in all, Belgium has become a serious player in the ever-moving modified car world. More and more people are starting to turn to this small, unassuming country for their inspiration, especially in the UK’s French car scene who seem to be finding the Belgian’s approach particularly refreshing after years of plastic clad Citroen’s and Peugeot’s. The ‘Cleaned’ look certainly looks set to stay and for me that can only be a good thing, the more immaculately prepared and tastefully modified cars we start building over here the better.
All pictures taken from the fantastic Cleaned.be make sure you go and check it out!
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