Indian-Style Tuning: Trucks You Can't Take Your Eyes Off of (18 photos)
Just recently, we reported on how American truck drivers furnish their homes. These guys spare no effort or expense to ensure their trucks are comfortable and to show off their designer interiors to their colleagues. But their feeble efforts draw laughter from Indian truck drivers, who have an innate sense of style and a colossal appreciation for beauty. 
No tourist traveling through India with a camera would miss the chance to take a photo of such a truck. Some get so carried away that they publish entire photo albums, like Dan Ekstein. The spectacle is truly worth capturing. 
The Indian truck is a phenomenon unto itself, the likes of which can only be found in neighboring Pakistan. Here, for example, are the most modest, or so you might say, "light" versions of the design: 
And this is truly "hardcore." 
Some cars are so heavily decorated that you start to wonder who has the free time to do such... decorations. 
But if you think the luxurious facades hide the drabness and squalor of the cabins, you're deeply mistaken. 
An Indian driver's workstation should be, as they say, "full-bowl," to be no worse than anyone else's. 
Pillows, blankets, bedspreads, and all kinds of fringe are practically mandatory in the cabin. Wallpaper is also highly prized. 
Sometimes, amidst all this luxury, you can barely notice the tired driver, yet very pleased with himself and his vehicle. 
And these guys' job is truly challenging and incredibly responsible. The word "overload" is clearly unfamiliar to them. 
You'll probably be surprised to learn how the average Indian private driver buys their "workhorse." Most don't have the means to buy a fully equipped vehicle, so they buy this "budget" version: 
Everything else is made from whatever the owner has the money and imagination for. Truck modifications are handled by specialized workshops, where everything necessary for a vehicle is added to the frame and hood. After assembly, the vehicle is handed over to artists, whose work is almost as valuable as the labor of mechanics. 
The inscriptions on the sides and cabins aren't slogans or names of loved ones, but rather important information for customers and other road users. For example, the inscriptions can reveal whether the car is privately owned or company-owned, whether the driver has a permit (permission to travel in certain areas of the country), and even the owner's religion. 
Some details, such as black tassels, are meant to ward off evil spirits. Many cars have actual altars with statues of gods, which seriously obstruct the view but soothe the soul. Traffic police are completely unfazed by the drivers' creativity. In general, in India, traffic rules are an abstract concept.
