TOFAS, founded in 1968, was the only company in Turkey that produced cars at that time. Between 1977 and 2003, TOFAS was hugely successful in selling over 1.2 million units from the ‘Bird Series’ of cars. Even though the company stopped producing the models in 2003, many young people between the ages of 20 and 35, particularly those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, maintain a keen interest in these cars, making various and often illegal modifications to the discontinued vehicles. Some of the most popular alterations include hydraulic air suspension and audible exhaust, as well as adding powerful sound systems.