I have never in my life claimed to be a truck person. At least, not until I drove a Ford Raptor while hanging out in Detroit for the auto show. The height, the power, the feel, the glory—it all brought joy to my dark, lonely heart. I was finally Erica Lourd, Badass. I respected that truck. I thought, you know what, no Raptor can look uncool.
Until now.
What we see here, is a Raptor and its F-150 bro-theren, donning a louvered roof addition over the bed called the Aero X. As first noticed by our pals at The Drive, it was brought into the world by Michigan Vehicle Solutions, a car customizing company based in Southgate Michigan, which specialize in restorations, conversions and anything custom.
I couldn’t believe my eyes. Why would someone turn my beloved truck into such an Frankenstein-like eyesore? Once you put a top over a truck, especially one that halves its utilitarian purpose, you have ruined the truck. Part of the cool factor was bragging about just how much shit you could throw in the bed. And now what do you have? A right triangle topper that has no business being over the bed of the truck, and louvers.
Louvers are good and right, we all know this—on a Datsun 280ZX. Or a Celica Supra. Or a Fox Mustang. But this? Hell nah.
So, who is going to buy these besides some compensating-for-something bro on Long Island? According to The Drive, CEO Rich Oliver claims the company has received multiple inquires in the days after the Aero X were unveiled at last year’s SEMA. However, because they need an external OEM to assist in production and installation, there still isn’t even a “how” for the Aero X to be built in the quantities needed.
As it stands, Michigan Vehicle Solutions, in their own shop, can only make up to about 10 a week. So, if they want to up production to meet the demand (which, I can’t believe exists) they will need to find a manufacturing partner.
Call me a purist, but I think that design like this needs to be reserved for where it belongs—the height of Hall and Oates’ musical careers.
“But aerodynamics!” You exclaim. I say, why did you buy a truck in the first place if you were concerned with your aerodynamic efficiency?
“But it’s so unique!” Yes, but how much will you really care about how different you look when your rear visibility seems to be as nonexistent as my love life.
Stay in your lane. You have a pickup truck, not a sports car.
Fight me in the comments, but I see no good coming from this.