What is a sleeper

[Dxlnt1]

This was prompted by a few reads on exhaust note and performance. Lets define what is a sleeper car! A couple definitions from internet Then the video. THAT IS A SLEEPER! ALL GO AND NO SHOW!

A sleeper (US English) or Q-car (British English) is a car that has high performance and an unassuming exterior.[1][2][3] Sleeper cars are so called because their exterior looks little or no different from a standard or economy-class car. In some cases the car appears worse due to seeming neglect on the owner's part, typically referred to as "all go and no show". While appearing to be a standard or neglected car, internally they are modified to perform at higher performance levels. The American nomenclature comes from the term sleeper agent, while the British term derives from the Q-ships used by the Royal Navy.


What is a sleeper car? At its core, a sleeper car is a high performance automobile whose styling gives away none of its athletic personality.
The best new sleeper cars are those that provide a veil of anonymity in the parking lot or while passing a prowling state trooper, yet still deliver gobs of fun on a twisty road or in a straight line. Everyone has their own definition of what a 'true' sleeper looks like - some tolerate no clues as to what lurks underneath the metal skin at all, while others are ok with a few flourishes here and there - but an important factor with any sleeper car is an element of the unexpected once the light turns green and the pedal is mashed to the floor.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE5x9vlb0ss

[SHOdded]

Cool stuff!

I typically think of a sleeper car like this:

[ClearwaterSHO]

Lol, I love how most people have no clue what a SHO is, and then the look on their face when the SHO launches on them at the light is priceless! Example! I was driving my friend around letting him see the SHO, and I ended up in Mexico next to a kid in a MAzda Speed 3 hatchback. He has an exhaust, and some type of OBDII dongle, as I saw his phone running a Torque like program. I rev the SHO at him, and this kid starts laughing at the SHO! I giggle as I realize this kid thinks it's just a Taurus revving at him. Light turns green, and he must of had an AWW SNAPP moment. I launched at about 2k, and the SHO just scoots and gets! I hear him spinning, and that little Mazda is yelling at him lol. I let out of it at 65, because I'm not looking to get a ticket, or kill anyone. He doesn't even pull up next to me at the next light, immediately turns right lol! Was GLORIOUS, and by far the best time I've had in the SHO so far lol.

[A 01 Badger]

I have further encouraged people to overlook my SHO by swapping out the SHO side badges with plain Taurus badges (color matched to car) and taking the SHO/Ecoboot badge off the back.  Now unless you are aware of dual exhaust or notice the SHO rims, you will be surprised when the grocery getter smokes you.  As an added bonus, I believe I often get mistaken for a police vehicle as I have passed several sitting/gunning cops going too fast and had them do a double take but never pull out.  I think there's enough of a question mark in their minds that they don't want to go through the embarrasment/trouble of pulling over a unmarked car. (just my guess)
Ford's emerald green often looks black unless the sun hits it correctly.  Lot's of fun.

[Dxlnt1]

Cool stuff!

I typically think of a sleeper car like this:

Fun factor kinda low on that sleeper. But definitely more leg room

The car that started the race was never in the race, lol