No one is really ever too old for Halloween. Are some of us too old to go door to door asking for candy? Yes, and you need to stop. But for the rest of us, Halloween can be a great opportunity to experiment, socialize, and rejuvenate the child within.
That said, all it takes is a single mistake in costume preparation to sabotage the entire experience. Avoid the pitfalls of last-minute costume planning, as no one respects the person showing up with a name tag plastered to their white button shirt in 2023. Courtesy of Sky Ford, here are seven Halloween costume ideas with an automotive twist.
Formula One Drivers
Formula One racing has seen its popularity skyrocket in the United States over the last few years, thanks in part to the revealing Netflix documentary series Drive To Survive. Another potential reason for the uptick in viewers? The racers just look cool. Part of the sport’s appeal is the flashy aesthetic element, encompassing everything from the brightly lit racetracks to the cars themselves. The drivers’ racing suits are no exception. Bonus points go to the true gear heads who show up at their party representing Team Red Bull, who are currently dominating the 2023 standings.
Safety notice: real Formula One racing overalls are flame retardant, but we’d advise holding off on testing to see if the same applies to your Formula One costume.
Lightning McQueen
Pixar was so captivated by the potential of an entirely sentient car universe that they didn’t stop at making Cars – they expanded its world with two sequels. Owen Wilson’s aspiring champ Lightning McQueen was the central protagonist of those movies, and his is the costume that will resonate with Pixar fans of a certain age.
If you’re accompanying your child to a Halloween party, you’ll instantly endear yourself to them for the evening. After all, who doesn’t love a champion, especially one decked out in such vibrant colors? Just make sure you don’t accidentally order Mater. Mater’s the worst.
The Mystery Machine
Imagine the sheer number of masked sociopaths and would-be killers that would be roaming the streets this Halloween if it wasn’t for the reliable Mystery Machine engine. If you’re looking for a more retro take on the iconic pop culture vehicle costume, the Scooby gang’s vintage van is the way to go. (The Ghostbusters wagon is a less colorful but still acceptable option in a pinch).
Clearly, there are bonus points to be awarded if you bring a dog with you. Just don’t bring a dog that looks nothing like Scooby Doo; everyone knows there were no Jack Russell Terriers riding shotgun in the Mystery Machine, and you will get called out for it.
Speed Racer
Speed Racer’s 2008, Wachowski-helmed big-screen revival may have been a flop (despite its enduring, trippy visuals), but the character still makes for another inspired old-school choice thanks to his iconic yet relatively simple design. The white pants, blue collared shirt, and red scarf scream thrift store finds, and surely there’s an old bike helmet in your garage you can slap a red “M” on to. You’re guaranteed to be the hit of the party – at least amongst 1960’s anime enthusiasts.
As was the case with the Mystery Machine, you could go the extra mile and bring along a pet – in this case it would be a monkey to represent Speed’s chimpanzee companion Chim Chim. Just remember that, since Chim Chim isn’t nearly as ubiquitous to pop culture as Scooby-Doo is, you may wind up spending your night fielding a lot of questions.
Sweet Tooth
Did anyone actually watch Twisted Metal, Peacock’s unlikely revival of an all-but-dormant Sony PlayStation franchise? It’s difficult to say, since streaming services tend not to share little things like how popular shows are and how many people watch them. But we know one thing for certain; if you’re looking to unsettle an enormous amount of people this Halloween, it’s hard to go wrong with this costume.
In the game’s lore, Sweet Tooth was a maniacal clown who operated from his renovated ice cream truck. In the show, he’s a maniacal clown who operates from his renovated ice cream truck and is voiced by Bojack Horseman’s Will Arnett. Maybe know the vibe of the party you’re attending before you commit to this one.
Take Your Pick from Mad Max: Fury Road
Fury Road was one of the most acclaimed blockbusters of the last decade, and a large part of its appeal resided in its eccentric character designs. With a spinoff film in development, centered around Charlize Theron’s Imperator Furiosa, the madcap thriller has endured well into 2023.
You really can’t go wrong with any of the oil-stained Furiosa, Tom Hardy’s masked Max, Nicholas Hoult’s deathly pale War Boy Nux, or even Immortan Joe, who gives Sweet Tooth a run for his money in the bad vibes department. Maybe leave the flaming guitar at home though – safety precautions and all that.
Karl Benz
Though the origin of the first automobile continues to be a source of debate (some go as far as crediting Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century for the invention), the earliest credit is often awarded to the German Karl Benz, who applied for a patent in 1886 for his “vehicle powered by a gas engine.” (Why he didn’t patent his own mustache oil is anyone’s guess.)
The point is, if you attend a costume party dressed as Karl Benz and someone correctly identifies you, that person automatically wins the night.
You’ll be winning Halloween as well if you follow our guide. Whoever or whatever you choose to be this Fall, know that Sky Ford is here year-round for all your (real) vehicle needs. Check out our Model Showroom, and as winter approaches, make your preparations with an oil change, battery diagnosis, or any other service your vehicle requires, right here at Sky Ford.
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