Polishing masculinity: Reclaiming masculine identity through car modification

Official URL: https://risc01.sabanciuniv.edu/record=b2549550_(Table of contents)

The study focuses on the male-dominated context of car modification in Turkey, a popular leisure activity for car enthusiasts. The act of transforming standarddesigned automobiles to improve driving performance or to personalize their appearance is called ‘automobile modification’, the re-designed and customized automobiles are called ‘modified cars’, and the owners, who modify their automobiles call themselves ‘modifiers’ (‘modifiyeci’ in Turkish). This group of car enthusiasts modify their cars, organize races or fairs,and arrange gatherings on local or national scales. Car modification provides a space for self-representation and identity reclamation. The act of modifying an automobile, whose technical knowledge, and skills are attributed to men, is a subject-making tool for men. Through the engagement of modifier groups, men reclaim their masculine selves. This thesis is based on semi-directed, in-depth interviews conducted in Istanbul and Konya, aimed at understanding processes of subject-making and reclaiming the masculine identity