By Iziah Cole from MIARs
Introduction
Long before street racing and car meets, Appalachian drivers were modifying their vehicles for a different reason: Outrunning the law. What started with building faster, more agile cars in order to run moonshine helped shape stock car racing and helped contribute to a regional culture that loves horsepower, craftsmanship, and community. Car culture has been a key aspect of mountain culture and will be for many years to come.
Moonshiners and the Birth of Performance Culture
Moonshine was a lifeline for many families that immigrated to Appalachia, bringing the culture of turning corn into liquor. During the Prohibition period, when all alcohol production and sales became illegal, moonshiners still needed to make a living, so they did so at high speeds. Moonshining cars would look normal on the outside, but under that hood and chassis rested a monster of a car. Higher horsepower, reinforced suspensions, slick tires, all of these modifications allowed moonshiners to look inconspicuous, all the while being able to outrun the cops if they got caught. Even after the Prohibition, racing remained a recreational activity for many young lads.
The Moonshiner That Changed it All
Junior Johnson, a boy from Wilkes County, North Carolina, learned to drive at 13 years old in order to help his father provide for his family. He was an infamous bootlegger, running moonshine for quite a while. In 1960, Johnson discovered a racing technique called “the draft”. Drafting is the act of riding behind someone closely to take advantage of their aerodynamics in order to go faster and pass them. This technique won Johnson the 1960 Daytona 500. After winning 50 races and creating that technique, the bootlegger was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Modifying Cars as Appalachian Craftsmanship
Although the time of running moonshine has passed, the tradition of building cars remains a great part of Appalachia’s car culture. Across the region, many people build their own cars, whether it’s on the weekend when they have time off, after a long day of work, or just whenever the time feels right. Modifying cars is more than just making it fast or cool-looking; it’s a much deeper idea that reflects someone’s personality and skills. Building cars also reflects Appalachia’s tradition of doing things yourself. Often, car knowledge is passed down from parents or grandparents to younger generations. It’s often taught so they are self-sufficient and don’t have to pay someone a large fee to do something they could do themselves. For some, working on cars is more than preventative maintenance or repairs; it’s a culture that defines them.
Car Shows and Community
While many cars start in a personal garage, being admired by a couple of people, these cars often find their home at community car shows, cruise-ins, or fundraising events. These events bring people together from towns away, all uniting under their love for cars. Many Appalachian towns host annual or seasonal car shows as a part of festivals or just standalone car shows. You could go to any of these community events and find that these people could talk about their cars and others’ for hours on end. At these events, one wouldn’t just find hot rods or muscle cars; you would see a very wide variety of imports, classics, trucks, or anything on wheels. These places provide a wonderful place for like-minded people to connect and share their feelings about something they love.
Conclusion
From the mountain roads traveled by moonshine runners to the polished classics and customized cars displayed at car shows, Appalachian car culture has continuously evolved while staying true to its roots. What began as a need for faster, more agile vehicles grew into a tradition built on craftsmanship, ingenuity, and pride in one’s work. Today, enthusiasts gather not only to showcase their vehicles but also to share knowledge, preserve automotive history, and strengthen community ties. In Appalachia, a car can be more than a means of transportation; it can be a reflection of personal identity, family tradition, and the enduring spirit of a region that has always found creative ways to overcome challenges.
Works cited
Newman, Flannery. “Running on Moonshine.” Overlooked in Appalachia, 15 Nov. 2024, https://www.overlookedinappalachia.org/post/nascar-appalachian-ties.