The anticipation for the next installment in the Forza Motorsport series is palpable amongst racing enthusiasts. As car reveals and division announcements unfolded, a notable absence sparked both intrigue and concern: the conspicuous lack of divisions reminiscent of “Hot Rod Revival” or “Rods & Customs.” While the departure from the somewhat miscategorized “hot rod” label is a welcome change, it has inadvertently led to the exclusion of iconic classic American cars, many with significant racing pedigrees, from the initial lineup.
The issue with past categorizations like “hot rod revival” stems from their oversimplification of these vehicles. Classifying cars such as the ’57 Bel-Air, ’52 Hudson Hornet, and ’64 Impala merely as “hot rods” overlooks a crucial aspect of their identity: their rich racing heritage. These weren’t just stylish road cars; they were, in many instances, the very foundation of stock car racing in America. Ignoring this racing legacy is akin to neglecting a vital chapter in motorsport history.
Consider the historical context: large American coupes of that era were frequently adapted and raced as NASCAR stock cars in its formative years. To disregard the racing lineage of cars like Smokey Yunick’s ’57 Chevy or the legendary Fabulous Hudson Hornet is to overlook pivotal figures and machines in NASCAR’s early days. Smokey Yunick, a towering figure in pre-Richard Petty NASCAR, and the Hudson Hornet itself, an icon of early stock car competition, deserve recognition within a racing game. Instead of relegating these cars to a generic “hot rod” division, why not create a dedicated “Birth of Stock Car Racing” division, accurately reflecting their historical significance? Even the venerable ’32 Ford played a role in NASCAR’s “modifieds” racing series, further cementing the racing connection of these classic American automobiles.
While the focus on track racing is understandable, it’s essential to remember the origins of motorsport itself. Classic road cars were indeed raced, and this very practice ignited the flames of what would become the largest racing series in the United States. This historical link should not be overlooked, especially in a game striving for comprehensive automotive representation.
A common misconception persists among some players that classic road cars like the Bel-Air, Impala, and Fury are somehow out of place in modern racing games. However, establishing a division that explicitly acknowledges their racing heritage would not only be historically accurate but also serve to dispel this misconception. It would underscore that these cars are not merely relics of the past but have legitimate racing credentials, deserving of a place alongside other racing machines. The Hudson Hornet, for instance, is arguably more deserving of inclusion in a racing game than contemporary, less historically significant vehicles.
Examining the list of stock cars absent from recent game iterations reveals a significant gap: the Chevrolet Bel-Air (perhaps the quintessential classic American car), the Hudson Hornet (an undisputed stock car racing icon), the ’64 Impala, the Plymouth Fury, the ’40 Ford (a foundational car in stock car racing), the ’32 Ford, the ’49 Mercury, the ‘55 210, and the ’64 Plymouth Belvedere. These omissions leave a void in the representation of American automotive and racing history within the game.
While other classic American models like the C1 Corvette and Thunderbird might find suitable homes in classic sports car divisions, and even the ’59 Cadillac and ’62 Lincoln could arguably fit within a stock car category due to their size and style, the core group of missing stock cars urgently needs representation. Currently, the game lacks any American cars predating 1962, and American road cars are absent until 1965, with the existing selections primarily consisting of muscle cars. This effectively overlooks an entire era of classic American automotive design and racing history. While the absence of specific models like the EG Civic or Lamborghini Murcielago is understandable given extensive model lineups in those categories, classic American car enthusiasts are left with virtually no representation. Replacing the outdated “Hot Rods” division with a historically accurate “Birth of Stock Car Racing” division would address this critical gap, ensuring that the rich tapestry of American racing history is properly represented in a modern racing game.
