Tattoos, man. Everybody’s got at least one these days. Me? Zero tatts. I’ve never felt strongly enough about anything to have it permanently written or drawn on myself, fully confident that I’ll always feel the same about whatever thing I paid someone to needle into my skin.
I could get behind a tattoo that reads “I Regret This Tattoo,” because it would A. always be true and (hopefully) B. would be funny, but since I’ve gone undecorated this far into life, I’m probably going to stay blank for the foreseeable future.
But what if I (or you) had to get a tattoo – specifically, a car-themed tattoo (or anything related to engines and motors and things with wheels, you get it)? Hilarious as it would be, I would probably not opt for a Camry across my chest, as shown in the top graphic (and no, I did not pose for that photo, but you’re kind for asking).
However, I could see myself getting a tattoo of a Honda XR100, just a sentimental reminder of a wonderful, simpler time before adult responsibilities and social media and screens and all that. Man, the future looked a lot different to me then, and not just because I was wearing a huge pair of glasses. In the same nostalgia mode, I’d happily get inked with a 1980 Honda Accord hatchback or Dodge Omni. Or a Plymouth Horizon, same thing.
Wait, who am I kidding? Forget that sappy nonsense, I want to be cool, man. I’m gonna get a tattoo of a TURBO! (CSI Miami scream):
QOTD:
Where is “turbo alternator tattoo guy” today? And is he still sporting this ink? pic.twitter.com/Q1OfMFYKzk
— Michael Klotz (@Mike_M_Klotz) March 7, 2024
Your turn: You Have To Get A Car-Themed Tattoo. What Would It Be?
Top graphic images: depositphotos.com; raseldesigner93/Vecteezy.com
Original Super Bee emblem.
Probably a line drawing of the ‘fast’ mascot from the VW MkV GTI marketing campaign. It would likely look like just a weird little figure to most people but maybe I’d get a chuckle from those who know.
Miata.
It’s the answer.
I already have two! My first tattoo was the Wolfsburg crest on my left forearm. I’ve also got one of the excellent technical drawings by Peter Aschwanden from How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive, a diagram of a piston. https://hips.hearstapps.com/autoweek/assets/s3fs-public/pa-rabbit-piston-engine.jpg?crop=1xw:0.8xh;center,top&resize=1200:* to give you an idea, though mine is an air-cooled VW piston.
Hello fellow obsessive! I have an American-Traditional 68 bug to represent my own 68 bug as a part of my sleeve. These cars have been too large a part of my life to not permanently make them a part of me!
Hello! Yep, it’s been the same with my Beetle. I’ve had my ’72 Super since I was 11, so 21 years at this point.
10mm socket, so I always know where the damn thing is.
It ran away with the 9/16 socket
To me this just seems instead more like a guarantee of losing that body part.
The little toe seems like the best place for that tattoo, then.
It’s the one most often smashed, so good riddance!
I’d still find a way to lose it.
Manual Transmission Shift-Pattern.
I haven’t decided if I would do a 5-speed in honor of my first manuals (NB MX-5 and MKIV GTI), or a 6-speed like I’ve had for the past 15-years. Also can’t decide where I would want Reverse to be, I’ve had them all.
Dogleg 5spd if undecided on 5 vs 6
Ooh, I’ve never seen (or driven) that. Interesting. I guess I haven’t driven all the Reverse-options.
I’ve legitimately considered this one already, 6 speed for sure. Probably like the Z4, R in the NW corner, then standard (i.e. not dogleg) 1-6.
My current car (Supra) has the same pattern. Makes sense I guess since it is a BMW
transmissioneverything. I’ve only had it a few months though, so it doesn’t yet resonate with me as much as my earlier cars which were mostly 5-speeds.Go for the Unimog shift diagram. It might be a full torso though.
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/unimog-406-20spd-cascade-box.3079839/
Even among five-speeds, where would you put reverse?
The cross section of a 4g63. I love those little engines but they don’t love me. I’ve seen someone with a cross section of a 2jz. Someone with a 5.9 cumins.
A minimalist (maybe 1.5″ square) shift pattern for a C6 Corvette.
I actually have a 3″x3″ phoenix on my left shoulder blade, better known as a screaming chicken from the sail panel of my 85 Trans-Am, I also have a Pontiac arrowhead on my right forearm. Not really planning on getting any others, but if I do it probably won’t be car themed.
Spare tire on my spare tire. Start with an emergency spare and leave room for the full size as time inevitably moves on.
A man that accepts reality. Love it. There aren’t enough of you in the world.
There’s more of him every day!
Moving into full size territory myself, sadly.
No, I do not have to get a tattoo, nor do I have to do anything else, with the exception that I do have to die.
This website is so far beyond inane it is staggering.
High levels of poop-pantsery detected.
Agreed, I couldn’t think of a nice enough reply. I like yours though.
This is either platinum-level trolling or platinum-level neuroticism.
Well check the username.
I think it’s German for Plymouth Polysphere ?
As a BMW Bavaria fan/former owner, the fact that this username is being put to this use bums me out.
I’ve got the perfect tattoo for you
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/memepediadankmemes/images/0/01/297.jpg
I came here for jokes about car themed tattoos, not the greatest Autopian slogan ever!
OK bimmer
If I had to, I’d probably just want some small bit of my old van. Maybe upper back or shoulder.
A friend has a piston from a Jeep engine (don’t ask me which) running along his arm along with various other things making up a sleeve.
I dig that “turbo” so that with “TURBO” written in SAAB 99 turbo font underneath
I would pass on the actusl image of the turbo and the label but would go for the simple O from the Saab Turbo badge.
MAYBE pair that with a matching one of an Inca rim.
What do you think, torque wrench on forearm front elbow to back of hand?
There’s gotta be a Calvin peeing on a Ford or Chevy logo tattoo out there somewhere
RatFink
I don’t have any either, but if I had to, I’d have someone draw up an Ed Roth or Dave Deal-style cartoon of me in my MG.
You’re just making this too easy for me now.
I too feel the answer is obvious.
I only came here for this.
I already have an Abarth scorpion on my right wrist, and I got “DON’T LIFT” put on my right foot when I bought my MR2. I’m still considering getting a Yugo tramp stamp…
Yugo Gurl!
As someone hoping to get an AW11 soon I may have to rip off your idea.
You are more than welcome to get your own reminder tattoo!
A Yugo LA license plate?
Bold.
Saab. I’d go for the profile of a 900 or the griffin logo.
Griffin logo for me
Subaru brat. I like it, but not that much. But it has the advantage of being more likeable than my other choices.
wow, that sums up my sentiment about the cars I got in the driveway right now.
See avatar. 🙂
Eagle Talon and Mitsubishi Eclipse. Talon on the right? That was my styling preference!
Nailed it! I have two of each. (and an Evo)
’72 Mercury Capri. Not sure about where, though. Once you hit a certain age, most body parts just look better covered up. (And a neck tattoo is not an option!)
I was thinking Mercury helmet logo!
“Save the Manuals” tramp stamp
Wrong side. That needs to go just below the belly button.
Tesla!
Just kidding.
It would be perfect paired with “No Ragrets” on your neck…
Do it! I won’t give you money, but will heap moral support on you.