THEY were the sort of uncomplimentary gestures that should land you in trouble.
Kids revelling in their vulgarity, safe in the knowledge that their anonymity from passing joggers and motorists is protected by darkened security glass.
"Got David Beckham in there have you mate," quipped an adjacent driver as I stopped at some lights. "Nah, it's Kylie. But for God's sake don't ring the papers," I retorted.
There's something about black tinted windows that makes a car the centre of attention, or perhaps in my case it was the fact that they were standard-fit on something as intimidating as a Chrysler Grand Voyager Limited XS.
It's 20 years this month since the first Voyager rolled off the production line in Ontario, Canada. And the intervening years have seen variations on a theme that have included a 'convert-a-bed' option and a version with a 'prisoner-proof' centre compartment en route to becoming the most popular people carrier in the world.
In fact earlier this year the production tally passed the ten million mark.
The car's styling has also evolved, to the point that the latest generation 'Grand' is something of an elegant monster, a distinguished people shifter that looks far more FBI than MPV.
All-American in its cut, but built in Europe, the Grand Voyager differs from most vehicles of its ilk by boasting a passenger cabin that seats seven with space to spare, yet also has room for their luggage.
Surely the trade-off must be handling somewhere down in the furniture van league.
Thankfully that's not the case. While there is some lean through bends, the overall feel is very composed with a positive response from the steering and quiet ride quality.
Even fitting into a parking space, while daunting at first, is made simpler thanks to a terrific turning circle.
Of the three engines available - 2.4 and 3.3 litre petrol and a 2.5 litre common rail turbodiesel - the derv burner's the one to choose. While the others guzzle fuel, the diesel should repay you with around 35 miles per gallon, not bad for such a big brute.
In fact a standard Voyager fitted with the same unit set a new world record for economy by travelling 1,077 miles on a single tank of fuel.
And while you are left in no doubt that it burns oil when accelerating with a full squad aboard, it cruises near silently at speed.
For those wishing to travel in serious leather-clad luxury the Limited XS trim is the ultimate - even the likes of DVD rear car entertainment and GPS navigation are included among the usual plethora of goodies, cubbies and storage spaces.
What I don't like about the Chrysler is the driving position. For tall people at least, the driver's seat doesn't slide back far enough leaving you disproportionately close to the steering wheel in almost a sit up and beg position.
Nor can the driver see the bonnet - nothing in fact beyond the line of the windscreen wipers - leaving the impression of being in a far smaller vehicle.
And what's a superb interior is, for me at least, spoilt by an ugly, bulbous-shaped fascia.
Otherwise this is a people carrier with genuine class - from its exterior style to interior opulence.
FAST FACTS
Chrysler Grand Voyager 2.5 CRD Limited XS
Price: £30,500
Mechanical: 141bhp, 2,499cc common-rail direct injection turbodiesel engine driving front wheels via 5-spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 115mph
0-62mph: 11.9 secs
Combined mpg: 35.9
Insurance group: 15
CO2 emissions: 217g/km
BiK rating: 29%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited miles; 7 years anti-rust