Hot Rods Louvred Trunk-lids...Why?

I have a question that may be open to debate which is OK as long as it’s civil.

So let’s dive in... what is the point of punching louvers in the trunk lid? Hoods I get for cooling purposes but trunk lids? I understand in a race car as it would allow air to escape the cabin but non race cars? All I see is a great way for water to enter and perhaps stay there...

So let’s hear the comments guys and perhaps you can change my point of view!

 

A fad. Anything racy on a street car makes it look cool, right? As you know, the real reason they are on the trunk lid is to let high pressure air out of the car body. On non race cars, cars with full metal firewalls between the cabin and trunk, it is far less effective. Some vintage rally cars I've seen also had rear facing scoops or vents on the back of their roofs to help release air out / work as a ventilation system for the cabin.

 

Show car or fair weather drivers only I guess but no using the hose for washing.

 

Back when guys used to smuggle in their friends to the Drive-In Movies, it gave them breathing air.

 

To emulate the look of a salt/dry lake race car.

 

Cuz it's traditional!!!

 

thats a a bit like "chopped top's.....why " isnt it?

 

I know they are trying to emulate race cars and the high pressure air release and all that (didn’t think about the smuggling part LOL) but to my eye they look kind of stupid on a street car. But to each their own I guess... plus it’s a lot of work to get them right and it would be damn near impossible to go back.

I guess it’s like guys painting trucks camp so they can have a life size GI Joe toy.

 

Well, you answered your own question.

 

If for no other reason than, It's cool!......Mr. 800 by @scrap metal 48.....Love it.........Don.

 

Why? Why not?

 

Speed holes are the rogue. Frames, axles, hoods, tops and trunks. Less weight and more ventilation and wind resistance.
I like em tastefully done.

 

I can see the trunk louvers if you had a really big cheese wheel and needed grated cheese in a really big salad, or for extra topping on a really big pizza.....

 

Why Not... Love Louvers... Every one likes different things...

 

They serve no real purpose on a street car, but they look cool.


-Abone.

 

Style. The end...

 

I like em on everything except roof inserts. That one makes me scratch my head.

 

Makes as much sense as punching louvers in the roof.

 

though the tan lines make it obvious who’s driving it lol

 

Because it looks cool and aggressive. It is a part of the car that would otherwise not even be noticed. Punch a cool pattern of louvers in a trunk lid and accent them with a contrasting color and they just look perfect to me. If you have a louvered hood it keeps with the same theme and balances out the car. If you are running a battery in the trunk then all the more reason for a louvered lid.

 

Kind of like the bobber trucks - because it pisses off some people.

 

Louvers don't always have to "make sense", they just look cool. I was in the office furnishings business for years and one time a rodder friend who ran a speed shop called me, wanted to buy a big lateral file, a rugged one. Got him a brand new top quality 5 drawer 42 inch wide one. He promptly pulled all 5 drawer fronts off and had 'em punched full of louvers. Made zero sense but looked absolutely great! Can't find fault with that, and they're not even on a car.

 

I made my trunk lid out of fiberglass so I don't think I will louver it any time soon.

 

It makes it easier to find your car in the mall parking lot.


*Good'a reason as any of the others posted.

 

The ones that work are sealed on the inside. They are used to break up the air leaving the car over the top of a body usually a roadster. At a dry lake like El Mirage the dust sucks in which is not a good idea.

 

If we cared so much about practicality and functionality, we wouldn't be into Hot Rods. "Cuz I can" is an acceptable reason for any Hot Rod builder.

 

Because they are so much fun to sand and buff around

 

Gives the mud daubers a nice sheltered place to build nests down in these parts.

Granted, it does give a "this car goes fast enough to need something like this" feeling though. Or to make you think it's got an aircooled motor in the back.

I like the effect

 

My dirt track 32 had the bottom 6" trimmed off the deck lid as opposed to removing the tail pan I would suppose.

 

Well a lot of interesting comments and a few funny ones as well. I’m just not into the aggressive thing. I prefer smooth lines as per the original designer(s) idea. Maybe I’ll louver my bathtub for looks...LOL