A person’s definition of what a beater automobile is can be highly subjective. It’s relative and unique to their circumstances, rich or poor. The common among all beaters is that in spite showing some wear and tear, they’re still going strong. The outside may not look pretty, but what counts the most is that it’s still functional.
Beaters are usually quality cars. While it's not worth the money and effort to maintain their image, it still has a purpose, whether it’s as a daily commuter or hauling from time to time. Although owners aren’t opposed to driving their beaters into the ground over time, they’re not going to do anything intentional that could shorten its already resilient lifespan.
They’re not the type of cars one would ordinarily modify. That’s why beaters owners choose to upgrade or tune up in some way really stand out from the rest.
For one, modifying a car can potentially shorten its life, depending on the upgrade. Secondly, the level of investment in necessary parts and labor to modify usually aren't worth throwing away on a beater. Last but not least, a modified beater is going to attract criticisms from both car enthusiasts and regular bystanders alike.
We don’t exactly know why, but owners like to modify their beaters. We’ve compiled photos of beaters with serious upgrades that will befuddle, draw scorn—and dare we say—even stir up sympathy for whatever original forms these cars once had.
25 BMW 5-Series
Those familiar with the infamous Nyan Cat from YouTube will instantly recognize the paint job on this BMW 5-Series. All the work done on this car aren’t detailed, but one can start piecing together all they did by looking long enough.
Even furry feet are added that hang out underneath the driver’s side for added effect. According to Roadkill, the car plays the Nyan Cat song loudly when it’s on the go. We wouldn’t judge the driver for wearing ear plugs.
24 Datsun 280ZX
One of the cooler mods on this list is what’s dubbed the Datsun 280ZK Ice Beater. It also scores point for its name, which serves as a double-entendre. This is no ordinary beater, but one that handles the snowy tundra with ease.
The most eye-catching mod may be the wheels, but it also had other work done to it underneath the hood.
According to Beater Blog, the tuner also added a grate to the front and even moved the exhaust to a new position.
23 Bricklin SV-1
Beaters aren’t the most respected and admired cars around, but no one questions an owners love for one. Roadkill reports that the Bricklin SV-1 is a hard-to-find automobile that got a 360 ci AMC V8. Naturally, as a result of its modifications, this SV-1 now belongs on a racetrack.
There are plenty of worst fates for a beater we can think of. The site even notes that the build took a significant amount of time, making many question why a beater is worth all the trouble.
22 Ford Crown Victoria
The sight of this 2005 Ford Crown Victoria might cause some to flinch because of its history as a police car. It now bears little resemblance to its former days as an Interceptor thanks to some modifications.
According to user N4RC on CrownVic.net, the changes include speed stripes, a new antenna and stealth paint.
It’s also in need of a car wash. The car still looks like it’s in great shape though and should last the owner for years to come if properly maintained.
21 BMW 635CSi
Those familiar with Bōsōzoku-styled cars may see some similarities in this BMW 635CSi. The two most notable mods that literally stick out the most are its duckbill front and gratuitously tall spoiler.
There’s nothing conservative about the mods on this racer and that’s what makes it so intriguing, even if it’s an eyesore to all who see it. According to Roadkill, it’s intentionally made to mimic the iconic look of a Plymouth Superbird, a look that they nailed spot on.
20 Volvo Pickup
Volvos are common in Sweden, making them an easy go-to for tuning. The modded out Volvos found over there are some of the best on this list, in fact. According to Hemmings, some of Volvo mods look so good in fact, it’s as if they rolled off the production line as a limited edition.
The level of craftsmanship is not only evident, but the skill of adding a bed to a Volvo appears seamless. Then again, not all modified Volvos are going to look this way.
19 Fiat 600
Mods take work, which leads many to question why you’d go through all the trouble on a Fiat 600. Though it’s not for outsiders to judge, but to find some level of admiration and even a little humor in the efforts of tuners.
According to Roadkill, the team behind this Fiat 600 took a motorcycle motor by Moto Guzzi and put it in.
No one can question the expertise and level of work that went into making this mod possible.
18 Corolla FX32
Those who embark on modifying their beaters are among a special and brave breed. Although they might get judged for it, they proceed without a care in the world.
This Corolla FX32 is one such example, which even the tuners behind it admit on the blog Verbose Beater-Car Racing Chronicle, entails "insanity.” They had to get this ready for a race back in 2013, which led to making it 2,831 lbs. The blog reports they eventually sold it off after racing.
17 Ford Thunderbird
This Ford Thunderbird is nearly unrecognizable after going through a transformation. Nicknamed Speedycop, as per Roadkill, it’s humble beginnings started as a barn find before tuners went to work on it.
Even after they fixed it up, it raced in 2010 and the transmission went out. That didn’t keep tuners’ hands off it though, later swapping out a V8 for a BMW V12 to give it that much more heft. It may not look pretty, but it’s a mod that suits this beater well.
16 Pontiac Trans Am
Like most beaters, it’s a work in progress. This Trans Am has the potential to be a rad car. While hard to see from the outside, the interior got a makeover, including a new steering wheel.
At the time of posting, user rmmstnr on Third Gen had added an air filter to improve the car’s performance.
It’s not always easy for owners to justify mods to outsiders—especially on a beater—but it’s less about perception, more about what the owner gets out of it in the end.
15 Honda Z600
The Honda Z600 is small and nothing to get excited over. It could never survive in today’s American car market populated with SUVs and pickup trucks. Despite being an easy beater candidate, a group of tuners went to work on this Honda Z600.
Roadkill reports that they actually put a 170 hp bike motor and put it into a Z600. Sounds appropriate enough considering the Z600’s unassuming size and capabilities. It makes sense giving it a motor commensurate to the Z600’s frame.
14 EPA Tractor
It’s mean and green but isn’t the Grinch—instead, it’s a modified EPA tractor from Sweden. According to Hemmings, these homemade tractors are popular among younger people who aren’t old enough to drive legally yet in Sweden.
The law has some rules they need to follow though. For one, these vehicles can’t go more than 20 MPH. It may not sound fun, but it’s one way of getting around, especially when the weather gets rough. These modded beaters make sense from a practical standpoint.
13 BMW 320i
It’s loud, proud and patriotic. The quality of mods can vary across a spectrum from poor to high; if we had to rank this BMW 320i, it’d have to land somewhere far on the higher end.
Though it’s still going to puzzle many onlookers, not just in the nature of its front splitter and box flares—notes Roadkill—but also in the choice of car. When it comes to beaters though, the BMW 320i is an attractive way to go.
12 Mercedes 300D
Some mods exist solely for laughs and attention. They care less about function than they do in making an impression. There’s even something tongue-in-cheek about having an emblem along the driver’s door that says, "Bad Decision.”
According to Roadkill, this started out as a Mercedes 300 before they took out the unibody and put a Chrysler 440 in its place.
While the mod may turn some people off, no one can deny the extent of work they put into this modified beater.
11 “El Drifto”
One commendable aspect about this beater is the fact that its owners modified it with one thing in mind, drifting. Some owners add random and useless mods to their cars, whereas the lowered suspension and longer chassis make this a beater modded with purpose.
The ride is appropriately named "El Drifto" based on what it's good at. According to Car Throttle, longer cars are easier to drift, so it helps to find a long car before modifying it with that goal in mind. They recommend the Toyota MR2 MK2.
10 BMW E30
At a glance, the flags stand out most notably and were probably even the easiest mod done to the car. Further details give insight into the changes made to this Mazda Miata, which according to Roadkill, uses the front of a BMW E30.
It even made an appearance at the 2010 Southern Discomfort race. This is a beater that’s mostly about show and less concerned with performance. Although the fact that it’s a Mazda Miata proves it’s got enough power to carry its own in a race.
9 Chevy Beretta
A throwback beater if we ever saw one, this Chevrolet Beretta got the tuner treatment. The call back may be even more significant than it appears on the surface, however.
According to Jalopnik, GM used a Chevrolet Beretta for advertising purposes back in 1990 for the Indianapolis 500. The same source argues that a ride like the Beretta only appeals to a niche group within the car community. It’s only inevitable that a Beretta would get modified based on this historical anecdote.
8 Chevrolet S10
Pickup trucks have certainly evolved since this Chevy S10 Minitruck first arrive on the scene. For one, it’s more agile and fit to race than a heavy duty offering. The tuners also took some liberties with the truck bed, which according to Roadkill, has subwoofers to alert bystanders of its arrival.
The tri-color paint job also makes it look like something out of the ‘90s where it would’ve made a fitting appearance in an episode of the popular show Saved By The Bell.
7 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
This 1998 Eclipse GSX gave the owner some problems that required additional work. According to user autotalon on Mighty Car Mods, the stub shaft detached from the oil pump and caused some internal damage.
They decided to swap the engine out with the intentions of putting a new engine in coming from a 1995 Eagle Talon TSi.
A mod like this makes sense—even for a beater—considering the state of the Eclipse’s engine. Even if the repair takes extensive time and money, it’s often the process that’s more rewarding than the end result.
6 Honda Civic
The Honda Civic: a favorite among tuners. It’s inevitable the Civic would find a place on this list, since it’s also a common beater. Roadkill admits it’s not the fastest car and that it’s on the bulkier side, but it still makes for an eye-catching race car.
It may even have the advantage of distracting other drivers while racing. On the front of the hood is Wonder Woman’s popular emblem and even the comic book heroine herself painted on the passenger's side.