Everyone knows what a "donk" is. Even if they've never heard the term before, chances are they can identify a donked-out car off the street with just a glance. For those who don't know, a donk is any car that's custom fitted with huge wheels. But that's not all. They usually also have something eye-catching that grabs pedestrians' attentions. In summary, it's a really straightforward and blatant way of saying, "Look at me! Don't I look cool?" While tricked out vehicles are usually something worth noticing, many consider donks superficial. People don't donk their cars out for practical purposes. They do it simply to draw attention to their ride.
Updated April 2022: If you're into modified cars and car culture, you're probably familiar with the weird and wonderful world of donks. We've updated this article to include even more information about this unique vehicles.
There's no shame in someone wanting to make their ride more interesting. It's just a little drastic how far some are willing to go to make their rides stand out from the rest. That's no understatement—some are willing to go extremely far in order to draw others' awareness. It makes sense, after all. Someone wise once said, "You are what you drive." That rule is no different when it applies to donk owners. Although donked out rides get a bad rap within car culture, they can just as much bring a smile to one's face. While donks are mostly easy targets, they deserve serious consideration like any vehicle entered in a car show. Here are donks that confound all who look upon them, while provoking a sneer at the same time.
12 Ford Torino
It's hard to find words for this next donk, which appears to beg for attention. It's not hard to imagine this Ford Torino rolling down the street, tall enough for someone to duck underneath if they dared to. According to Autocar, The Ford Torino was once considered a top performing car due to its engine, which sports a 360-hp V8. Sadly, the Ford Torino doesn't look to be riding off to the sunset with dignity with donks like this.
In an age where there's such a thing called "smart cars," it's possible this donk is the opposite of one. At some point, a donk can look so ridiculous that it lacks practicality. It's ironic considering cars are useful modes of transportation. This donk, on the other hand, simply exists to draw mockery from onlookers. Beyond that, it seems not to hold much purpose.
With all that said, it does sport a classic candy apple red color. It probably pains people to see their favorite cars modded out to look like this. Just picture someone trying to get in or out of this car. It's also worth noting this car is in what looks like a driveway. Maybe it doesn't even leave that driveway very often in the first place. A car like that probably doesn't handle well. This just proves something about donks. A car can be donked out, but if the owner goes too far, it may not even drive at all when all is said and done with.
11 Buick Riviera
If there's one place a donk belongs, it's at car shows. Car shows are about showing off a ride, after all. It's not about putting the most practical cars on display. Donks aren't practical or rational in any way. So a car show is exactly where a donk like this Buick Riviera belongs. At least it used to be a Buick Riviera at one time. Now, it's almost unrecognizable.
The Herald Palladium describes old Buick Rivieras (from back in the 60s) as cars with style that boasted elegance. The article points out features like the headlights that could hide and how the windows didn't have frames like traditional cars. It really set the Riviera apart from other models. That's what makes driving a car special, is how one feels on the road and separates from the rest of the pack.
That's probably the kind of thinking that motivates some people to donk out their vehicles. They're sick and tired of everything looking the same and want to mix things up. Others just want to draw attention to themselves on the road. They like to be loud. While in essence, there's really nothing wrong with that kind of thinking, some argue it's a crime to butcher these old cars.
10 1973 Impala
When it comes to donks, it's hard not to notice them. If there's one on this list though that sparks just a little jealousy, it's got to be this bright donk. Auto Evolution makes a good point about donk fans: they don't take things too seriously. If there's one bright spot about donks, it has to be that. When enthusiasts don't take things so seriously, it allows for some creative freedom. But when it comes to donks, there's not tons of creativity these days.
This donked out 1937 Impala on the other hand is different. As reported by Auto Evolution, the donk actually belongs to Hip Hop artist Rick Ross. With those star-shaped rims that match the body's color, there's some redeeming qualities to this donk. But what makes this donk unique from others is how low key the job was. Some go overboard. This sticks to one solid color, throws on simple rims and raises it enough to where it's still classified a lowrider. Some advice for all those donkers out there: keep it simple and classy. Don't go too wild, or it might come across a little too desperate. But if a donk does get out of hand, it's not a huge deal. There's always fun to be found in ragging on a donk.
9 Infiniti SUV
When donks like this get ripped to shreds, sometimes others mistake an enthusiast's defense for it as love for the original car. There's nothing really special about an Infiniti SUV. But when there’s a donked one, it makes one realize how much better the original is untouched. There's no beating around the bush, these wheels just look silly. While the owner put some effort in to make it consistent with yellow matching rims, it does little to improve on the car. That's about the only silver lining to a donked car, is that it reminds one how decent the original car is in the first place.
An SUV like this has to be a waste of a donk. As Consumer Reports notes, Infiniti SUVs and crossovers like the QX50 pride themselves on fuel efficiency while maintaining some decent power. That doesn’t exactly sound like the ideal car to donk. If someone has to donk a car out—like it's something they need to get out of their system—they should think long and hard about what kind of car they want. Newer cars, especially ones like an SUV, won't be taken seriously by anyone. At least the donks with vibrant colors don't take themselves too seriously. This might be the worst donk just because it comes across like it wants to be taken seriously. At least donk fans are in it to have fun and not really for anything else.
8 Jeep Wrangler
The only reason to own a Jeep is for its off-road capabilities. With a Jeep, there's really no limit to what kind of terrain it can traverse. Beyond that, there's plenty of reasons not to own one. But let's just say the off-road features make a Jeep good enough not to subject to donking. Even a Jeep doesn't deserve such a fate as the one that lies ahead for a donk. The junkyard might be a better result than becoming donked.
Nevertheless, for whatever reason, someone decided to donk this blue Jeep and they certainly didn't hold back. While the thing fulfills one of the required criteria for a donk, it doesn't quite meet the flashy obligations of others in its class. The owner slapped on those huge rims but didn't bother with a special eye-catching paint job. Granted, there's not much one can do to make a Jeep stand out, which is why it's a bad idea to donk it out in the first place. According to ThoughtCo, Jeeps don't even really provide the best amenities or protection from harm that other vehicles can offer. If that's the case, why would anyone even donk a Jeep in the first place? Really, it's just a donk that doesn't make any sense. Perhaps there's a deeper joke or irony going on underneath the surface, but we're doubtful that's the case.
7 Custom Classic
There's all kinds of car enthusiasts all over the world. While more differences of opinion are a good thing—it makes the world more interesting after all—there's bound to be some that infuriate others. Within car culture, donks are no exception. They confound and upend car culture for many car obsessed aficionados.
For example, take this custom car raised up on huge wheels. Some like the look of this, while most others completely scoff at the sight of it. When torn with how to respond to such a monstrosity, there's Folio Magazine with a story on donks. Folio reports that for Malcom Jackson, a donk fan, it's the raised body, the wild paint job and bright rims that really stand out. For others, it might be the loud engine thrumming past. Even more, nostalgia can play a part in a person's affinity for particular cars. It's impossible to explain why some people gravitate towards certain cars more than others. It's also irrational to think that there's a universal basis for one's love towards cars. With that said—for better or worse—the donks are here to stay. Though most would agree, it's for the worse. This custom job is just one example of many that leads us to that conclusion.
6 Crossover
The crossover has become the new minivan. It's great for families and adding a little more size while not being a full-blown SUV. They're all the rage right now. But this renaissance in reason can't last too long when it comes to car culture. After all, it's a world where donks exist. That's where this freak of nature comes in. A fuchsia-colored crossover with huge wheels and rims slapped on.
At least the wheels' color on this donk match the body. That's the only nice thing anyone can say about it. From the sticker in the window, it's pretty safe to say the rims are 34" in diameter. Hoping this doesn't sound too obvious, that's ridiculously huge. That wheel size is just gratuitous.
One could really delve into one's reasoning behind donking out a crossover. But then again, they just might get a headache as a result. While Motor1does point out the fact that crossovers are more comfortable and practical compared to minivans, it doesn't necessarily mean they make better options for donks. In fact, the chances of this crossover's owner thinking about convenience for their donk are pretty slim. In the end, it looks like just another donk to fill the world with.
5 Chevy Impala
As The Chronicle Herald reminds car fans, the Impala was once the crowned model at Chevy back in the early 60s. But once the Caprice rolled around in 1965, the Impala took a back seat to its new baby sibling. As a result, the lesser loved Impala went overlooked. Arguably, this set the stage for donkers to come in and find a new use for Impalas. When forced to admit it, this donked out Chevy Impala does look pretty slick.
Whoever modified this 1971 Chevy Impala decked it out with 30" DUB wheels, as per YouTube user veltboy314. Matching the car's orangish paint job, the wheels sport a zigzag design. The nice thing about this donk is that it still preserves some of the classy features of original un-modified '71 Impala. Of all the donks throughout this list, it's probably the least offensive to look at. It's not hard to imagine taking this out for a drive along the coast, or through the city. This would turn the kind of heads that imply jealousy, not infuriation like most donks do. It's a classy car that's actually been enhanced. No donk could ever hold a higher honor than that. But let the record be clear, this only happens to one in a million donks.
4 Camaro
Chevy Camaros are some of the most popular cars today. As a result of their popularity, not only are they ubiquitous, but easily recognized on the road today. According to USA Today, the website GoCompare put together a list of the cars that appear most often in movies over the years. USA Today posted the list and revealed that the Camaro made it to the seventh spot. Some examples of recent movies where the Camaro features prominently were the Transformers franchise, Spring Breakers and 2 Fast 2 Furious. There's no doubt it's a popular car.
Naturally, the Camaro is going to get the donk treatment. This particular example looks appealing at an initial glance. The black and green color scheme with lambo doors makes this pony car drivable and sleek. But then the wheels come into frame. These gargantuan tires come across goofy. While the green looks cool on the body in thin strips, there's too much in the wheels. It doesn't help that the rims have a flower-shaped design. This donk only ruins this cool Camaro from being worthy of the movies. One could easily take off those goofy wheels, and there's potential this thing could be in the next Transformers movie.
3 Super Mario Bros
Who doesn't remember the first time they played the classic video game Super Mario Bros.? Even if someone doesn't remember, chances are they know the famous tune. Super Mario, the famous character (who Nintendo recently admitted is not a plumber anymore, according to Independent) that jumps and fireballs his way to save the day, is a pop-culture icon. It's only natural someone would appropriate something as widely popular and appealing as Mario to turn heads.
Sadly, the way this donk uses Super Mario causes some to shake their heads. This, after all, is a donk that hits all its marks. It's raised up, has big wheels and features a coat of colorful paint. Not only is it colorful, but it's got classic Nintendo characters like Mario, Luigi and Yoshi plastered all over. On paper, it sounds like a kid's dream car. But seeing it in actuality, it only ruins our childhood dreams. From the industrial looking rims to the second-rate paint job, it leaves one wondering if they could have done better. For now, Mario and the rest of the gang belong in video games, not across cars. Even more, Mario and his pals should steer clear of all donks from now on.
2 Chevy El Camino
Here's a sight that'll make sore eyes even sorer. Not really an improvement from before, this Chevy El Camino went through the donk treatment. But like most donks, it only looks like a waste of money and time. Aren't these cars more precious at the end of the day than this? Whatever one's opinions are about donks, it certainly draws attention. Whether it's the kind of attention the driver wants or not depends on what they hope to get out of owning a donk.
The Chevy El Camino seems to have a better history and legacy than most automobiles. Does it deserve the donk treatment as a result? It's a car that many find classy and want to own, especially models from the late 60s. As reported by Busted Coverage, NBA all-star player Jason Terry owned a '66 El Camino in a beautiful cool blue hue. But according to a recent listing on eBay, it looks like the car is up for sale at the moment. There's no shame in Terry wanting a bit of extra cash on the side. At least he didn't make the disastrous decision to donk out the El Camino. If he had, there would've been no way of selling it. There's no selling a donk.
1 Kool-Aid
Like the Kool-Aid Man breaking through a wall, this donk certainly wreaks havoc. But instead of only breaking some wall somewhere that no one cares about, it has to break our hearts. After all, it's our love for cars that's taking a hit whenever we see a donk. This car, with the Kool-Aid mascot character along the side, summarizes the epitome of a donk. On a side note, Time notes that he’s only ever referred to as “Kool-Aid” and doesn’t have another name. Back to the car: it fulfills all the criteria of a donk, which is vibrant colors, big wheels and mounted on a huge frame. At least the owner appears to have a more of a tongue-in-cheek approach about his or her donk based on the silly paint job.
While it's the perfect kind of donk, that makes it the perfect kind of donk for non-donk fans to hate. What non-donkers dislike so much about donks is that it takes a cool (or potentially cool car) that is often old and turns it into something inferior. While owners usually update donks into a more modern age, they do so at the risk of others' criticism. Maybe donk enthusiasts get too much of a bad rap these days. They have just as much interest and passion for their cars as any other motorhead.