How do you define a sleeper car? We often hear this term in the movies and are found in most car-based magazines. But what is a sleeper car really mean?
In this short but detailed post, I’ll explain the very definition of a “sleeper car” in car culture. Besides, you might get surprised that you already own one in your garage.
What is a Sleeper Car?
A sleeper car doesn’t literally mean a car than provides sleeping comfort. Because if that is what you are thinking, then you can consider camping vehicles and other off-road SUV’s and busses in this category.
Sleeper car (according to WikiPedia) is a car that is equipped with high performance engine but has an unassuming exterior.
In Layman’s term, it is a performance car that is cloaked with a cheap or economy class exterior. People who own sleepers are actually stealthy in nature where they don’t flash their ride’s true identity and are favoring simplicity over showboating.
So if your car is a WRX STI, Type R Civic or muscle cars like Dodge Hellcat or Mustang, you don’t fall in sleeper category.
Most sleepers are old model vehicles or cars that seems neglected by their owners. If your car feels standard on the outside but has powerful engine, then you have a sleeper.
With their performance capabilities, sleeper cars are no pushover in an open road and are happy to show their tail lights on you.
How to Spot a Sleeper Car?
There are two types of a sleepers – factory built sleeper, and a modified sleeper cars.
Factory built sleepers are those cars that are purposely-built to be a sleeper car (straight from the dealership). One good example of a factory-build sleeper car is the Volkswagen Golf GTI, which has a classic, less-aggressive exterior, but with a turbo-charged engine that is capable of 295 horses.
Want more good example? How about the Hyundai Accent CRDI hatchback?
This small hatchback won’t give you a scare at first glance. But on the road, it can compete with the best, similarly stock, higher sized sedans in the market. Hatchback Accent has 1.6 CRDi turbocharged engine. There are Youtube videos that shows it can reach its top speed of 220 KPH.
Next are the less obvious types – the modified sleeper cars.
These type of sleepers are commonly seen in old model cars, mostly in the 90’s type of vehicles. Of course, rugged and classic muscle cars are not considered sleepers okay.
Most old JDM cars like Corolla’s and Civics are commonly used as a daily drive, but are also purposely modified as a performance car.
People who build stealth performance cars usually upgrades their air intake system, exhaust system, installs a turbocharger, and even undergoes tuning (if possible).
Some ingenuous drivers even makes their exhaust sound quieter to give a less aggressive impression.
So the question is, how to spot a modified sleeper car?
The answer to that is it depends! If you look at a sleeper vehicle when it’s park, you will truly say that it can’t even go a hundred miles due to its old and bad form.
You can only know the difference once you hear the engine power, as it will most likely give a roaring sound due to upgraded air filter and some other modifications like turbo, blow off valve and many others.
So yeah, that’s how sleeper cars are made – they are stealthy!
Summary
So do you want to build your own sleeper car? If you are that shy-type driver and doesn’t want to show off their ride, then building or buying your own sleeper car is for you.
Whatever your taste maybe, it is always best to be satisfied on your ride, whether your have a modern or a classic, a sleeper or not, remember that it is your passion that always count!
