[Paul Ceasrine]

Hemicop,
Also, some street-racers would buy a race-ready track car, sand off the lettering and re-paint it with primer or paint it badly (usually black).
Pull off the mag wheels, and pop on steel wheels. And almost always, pull off the front bumper.
The goal, to make it look 'ratty'. Bait your opponent for cash.
THEN BLOW HIS DOORS OFF!
I think the term used for those cars was 'suckermobiles' or 'sucker-cars'
Paul