Sometimes a cover of a song is better than the original. Songs like “All Along The Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix, “”Grace Mitchell”Manożer“, or “Daddy Issues” “Boys summer” (no, not the Ataris version), they all improve on their source material in some way. Today we ask: what is the automotive equivalent?
Car manufacturers and parts suppliers constantly copy each other’s work. Whenever an OEM rushes to bring a car to market to meet a competitor, it’s a cover up – and sometimes the recent model is better than what it’s meant to compete with. Jalops, what car rip-off is better than the original?
Here we have a broad look at the word “rip-off.” The design of the current Ford Bronco is unashamedly reminiscent of the Wrangler and the way MG inspired the Miata – if you can justify it, I’ll count it in summarizing your answers. But my choice isn’t a car at all: it’s a wheel.
In Japanese tuner culture, few wheels are more recognizable than Watanabe’s RS. They’re popular on Miatas, BRZs, and even Origin D-type AE86 replicas – yes, Takumi rode them too. “Slam it on Wats” is a proven way to make JDM cars look cold, but few wonder where the Watanabe design came from: an earlier British wheel called Minilite.
The Minilite may have taken first place – although not for long – but the Watanabe is a wheel better recognized by fans of Japanese car culture. It’s a cover that sounds better than the original, but it’s not the only one.
What’s your pick for an automotive knockoff that’s better than the source material? Leave your answers below and we’ll round up the best ones later this week. The more vague the better.
