Star Wars Art Car STOLEN!!!!!!

Meerkat Six Star Wars 1981 Jetta Art Car - Rear Side

I just got this sad story sent to me by Thomas you had his Star Wars artcar called Meerkat Six, a 1982 Diesel-powered Volkswagen Jetta stolen last May of 2010. He took inspiration from Star Wars Episode III Jedi Starfighter, the X-Wing Fighter, and the Rebel Blockade Runner but later realized that he had chosen the Snowspeeder's color scheme. The astromech droid was made from an old lampshade that had been in the "droid parts" box for twenty-odd years and named J3-T7. He also used two different fonts for the lettering, "Engli-Besh" by Erikstormtrooper, and "Imperial Code" by Dan Zadorozny at Iconian Fonts.The chances of it ever be seen again are very small but a replacement art car is in the works.

Meerkat Six Star Wars 1981 Jetta Art Car - Front Side

Meerkat Six Star Wars 1981 Jetta Art Car - Hood

Meerkat Six Star Wars 1981 Jetta Art Car - JR-T7

Meerkat Six Star Wars 1981 Jetta Art Car - JR-T7 at Night

Meerkat Six Star Wars 1981 Jetta Art Car - Front Fender

Meerkat Six Star Wars 1981 Jetta Art Car - Rear Fender

Star Trek Art Car - from Greece?

Here is one of the first Star Trek art cars I have ever seen out of Greece and I commend him for doing it. It's the first art car period that I have ever seen out of Greece and having lived there my self, I can't imagine anyone driving around in them, yet. It will take sometime before its more accepted, but someone had to be the first. To you my bold friend I say, Yiassoo.

Pimp My Rocket - Burning Man Mutant Vehicle - For Sale

Are you running behind on creating a mutant vehicle for this years Burning Man event? Not to worry because this little electric pimp my rocket mutant vehicle is ready to go. Its now for sale at a reduced price for only $1,995 on ebay located in Resada, CA

It's a 36 volt, 3 wheeled electric car originally built in the 1950's, rebuilt in 2005 with an EZ-GO motor and rear transfer case. Not a golf cart, but rather a little car with a cab, and lockable trunk. Fiberglass body on a steel frame chasis. New batteries, new shocks (2008) New springs (2010) Completely stripped and repainted (2010) "Playa Ready" meaning it's been to BM five times, as recently as 2010. MODULAR DESIGN: Top Cab can be removed for convertible look. 2 Door mounted wings, 2 rear mounted 'rocket pods' (elaborate light fixtures), top mounted fin/rocket. A perennial favorite on the Playa. *Never been denied a day or night license! Must submit application to BM DMV. OR... Try something new. Your own spin on the vehicle base! Yay! Just have fun with it.

Thunderbird 2 Rally Art Car Takes to the Streets For Kids with Cancer Fund

Today's StreetSafari special is team Lucky Day and their venerable Thunderbird 2 theme.

We always liked this theme because of its simplicity, simple designs are often the best.

To make your own Thunderbird 2, simply buy a car with the vague shape of Thunderbird 2, or a Mercedes if you can't think of anything. Slam three bits of wood together to make a great big tail wing (remember, this will aid you fuel consumption), then paint the whole thing green, find a free font off the internet and get a friend to cut up some white vinyl letters.

Final job, and most important, is attaching 2 red buckets to the rear bumper. Job done.

You can of course go the extra mile and buy some eBay sourced Thunderbird costumes. Remember that the different members of Thunderbirds had different colored sashes, so don't buy a blue sash and call yourself Virgil - cause you'll look an idiot. Everyone knows blue was Scott Tracey and Virgil was had a yellow sash.

Thunderbird 2 completed 3 events in the end before being retired at the end of 2010.

By Justin Clements Street Safari

Spaced out Moonraker Volvo Rally Art Car

From the deranged minds that brought you the Tank Volvo and Helicopter, we have a space shuttle theme.

Not sure what the background to the idea from these particular overachievers is, maybe Moonraker, but they decided to do a space shuttle theme, with a trailer tent (its like a tent, but on a trailer) with a world on it.

Obviously, making a space shuttle out of a Volvo just doesn't work (you need a BMW 1600 for that, which we shall show you in future weeks), so they made their own space shuttle, mounted two side boosters (SRBs) to the Volvo, and effectively made the Volvo into the external fuel tank.

Then, bolt a great big round piece of metal onto the trailer, paint the Earth on it, and hey presto, you have your very own horizontal Space Shuttle Program, with a diagram of the Earth on the trailer behind incase you forget what your home planet looks like.

The team (the overachievers) even put in some pyrotechnics so that the shuttle actually looks like it has an exhaust trail! We like. Partly because it's always fun to see a bit of thought behind these things, and partly because the chance of the whole thing catching fire is greatly increased.

The trailer tent deserves it's own 15 seconds of fame. It was possibly the mankiest tent you have ever seen in your life. They think the previous owners bought all the camping gear, went camping once, didn't like it, packed the tent wet (remember it's canvas), and let the whole thing fester and rot for several years.

When the team opened the tent for the first time in many years, there were literally bits missing from the canvas, large sections in fact.

But quick to their aid came some drinking aids. They installed a set of optics in the trailer for each evening, and as long as you got far too drunk, you didn't notice the howling gail in the car each night. Or at least, I think that's how that was meant to work.

By Justin Clements Street Safari

Space Invaders Take Over Art Car

I love this space invaders art car from the UK. I takes me back to a time when life was simple and the video games were the same. The goal was easy enough to accomplish in one sitting and the controls were easy to manage: Left, Right, and Fire.

C-3PO's Car found Parked in LA called Dub Robot

C-3PO's Dub Robot art car was seen parked in Santa Monika some weeks ago, photographed by Ellen Bloom on her LA beat. Mystery solved, C-3PO drives an old golden Volvo.

Photos by Ellen Bloom

Battle Wagon Art Car - Another one for the Apocalypse

Battle Wagon Art Car

Haz-Mat Hatch Art Car

Battle Wagon and Haz-Mat Hatch is another couple of those futuristic apocalypse mad-max art cars created by Todd up in there in Washington State. They might look ugly but they got it were it counts, two high-octane hi-carb Subaru wagons that hall out in a hurry when the mutants come chasing the day after. Todd said "this is the extent of my mid life crises" and "everyday is a parade in this car". Nice work Todd.

Ghostbusters Art Car Ecto-1 For Sale on eBay

Ghostbusters Art Car Ecto-1 For Sale on eBay


photos by Chad Davis

Its about time we got the chance to get our hands on one of the most famous art cars out there. The original Ecto-1 from the movie Ghostbusters is finally up for sale on eBay. The Excto-1 is a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance limo that was transformed by Universal Studios seen in the Ghostbusters movie.

The Phenomabomber Beta Art Van- The Phenomenauts and their Intergalactic Mission

A band of space cadets came together in 2000 to form what is now known as the The Phenomenauts. This intergalactic band of pioneers led by Commanders Angel Nova and Joe Bot, are a blend rockabilly, punk, and good old-fashioned rock‘n’roll. This this quintet has quickly become well known and loved by all who have witnessed their amazing shows. Their space adventures are made possible by the use of their space ship called "The Phenomabomber Beta" seen here parked in dry dock.

NX-1337 Flame Thrower Art Car - SS Alpha Fox

NX-1337 Flame Thrower Art Car

NX-1337 Flame Thrower Art Car in action

by jurvetson
Don't know much about the NX-1337 Flame Thrower Art Car but It seems to be at every event. Its also the vehicle featured on the Maker Faire Button every hear so cudos to you NX-1337 Flame Thrower Art Car owner. Hopefully I will see you in about 9 hours and find out more about you.It sorta looks like a meter maid car out of a star treck movie or something. When you park your star ship illegally in dock 54 you get flamed.

Star Wars Art Cars II - Revenge of the Art Trucks

I got an email the other day from Pete owner of GalacticBinder who sent me a link to some pretty amazing Star Wars Art Cars, Vans and Trucks. When I saw these I knew that without them ACC would not be complete so I had to post these. Pete also claims that his site is the biggest Star Wars directory in the world. I think he is right and if you are a big Star Wars fan its the place to go for all kinds of interesting and odd Star Wars stuff. By the way I think Art Car Central is the biggest Art Car directory in the world now with over 450 entries. SO if you are a fan here are a few more Star Wars Art Cars you cant live without.

Star Wars Van Art Car


Star Wars Darth Maul Art Van


Star Wars Phantom Menace Big Rig Art Trucks


Star Wars Custom Art Van


Star Wars Art Camper

Star Wars Car For Sale

I came this Star Wars Car for on ebay today, a Custom Painted 2007 Chevy Cobalt LS. called the "Star Car" painted by Greatlakes Airbrush. 15 year auto tech and Artist John Deltgen with brother of 25 year Sign & Graphic Art expreriance with over 30 Awards, Artist David Peterman. This is pretty amazing car and for a mere $20K it can be your.

Start Wars Car Yoda Close Up

Star Wars Car - C3PO and R2D2

Star Wars Car - Darth Vader

Star Wars Art Car

Frozen Shuttle Van Technology Saves Life - An Art Car Story

Shuttle Van Frozen Rear Thrusters

Shuttle Van Frozen Door Handle

Shuttle Van Frozen Side Panel

Shuttle Van Frozen at Night

I got this email today and its a reminder that a lot of good people are having a rough time with this crazy weather. Its also a great story of the positive and life saving aspects of owning an art car. The story is about the Shuttle Van Art Car and written by Bill Viereck about how the Shuttle Van Technology saved his bacon not having any power due to heavy frost.

"So when do you fully realize the payback on the undetermined investment made in your art car? Well, start with a deadly ice storm that encapsulates younder 2+ inches of solid rock and devastates all infrastructures around you. No power, no water, no heat, no dice.

My search through camping supplies, used on various multi-car odyssey's, uncovered battery lighting and a sterno burner complete with three cans o' heat. Now hot tea and camp coffee was awesome, but an ice melt sponge bath is a horrific trauma. However, the inch-thick slab of ice on the roof of a good sized doghouse will provide enough non-potable water to flush your toilet a few times. You'll need lots more sterno, though.

My 2000 watt generator was purchased to operate the Shuttle Van's systems during stand-around appearances and to recharge at campsites lacking power. A gallon of gas will run a 1700 watt fog machine (or a typical space heater) for about four hours in favorable weather. My lawn tractor kindly donated almost three gallons of old gas. At the peak of the storm when temps were down to 16 degrees, three hours of heat were a very special treat.

Later 48 hours of entombment, my civilian vehicle had to be moved to escape the new overhangs of trees threatening from above. After working through the better part of daylight to chisel enough away to move that car 12 feet, I turned my attention to the Shuttle Van. All four passenger doors were sealed under the 1/2 inch layer over all vertical surfaces (six times that on the horizontals) but I chipped around thrusters, etc. and accessed the rear tailgate. I wedged my middle-aged girth into the crawl space and reached the two isolation switches for the battery banks. If you're forced to design systems in your art car to handle 111 amps of power drain, you've got some juice available for indoor camping. Fully charged when the power went out, Shuttle Van's reserves could provide some heat for a few hours or operate various other low-consumption devices for much longer. An extension cord stretched from my stranded spacecraft to my satellite receiver just in time to catch the evening news, none of it good. 200,000 customers out of power in NW Arkansas alone, with no clear estimate on restoration. I used the available amp-hours to keep a phone charged, run a portable DVD and a light for well over 24 hours.

Once that initial charge was exhausted, the battery banks offered the advantage of storing the power produced by the gennerator rather than having to use it as it burned. My last gallon and a half of rationed gas gave me 6 1/2 hours of charge for the Shuttle Van, a fresh-brewed pot of real coffee for me and about and hour of heat for my cat.With that I made it to the point of escape, carving 1500 sq. ft. of ice shelf off my driveway and breaking free of the property to buy six gallons of gas and a bucket of chicken.

Do I love my art car? Yes, and I owe my art car. After this Apollo 13-type experience I feel inspired to do more, after I clear nine acres of formerly wooded hillside. Still without power after nine days and eight cold nights I long for hot showers and a warm bed but am able to compose this anecdote on my computer thanks to Shuttle Van technology."

Scraptastic Art Cars Made in Junkyard - Very Cool Video

Here is a great video of a post I did some time ago about Mel and his Atomic Ride who turns scrap cars into what I call >Scaptastic" Works of Art. A video just came out that is a must see, produced by Channel 3 in Arizona, link.

Atomic Ride Art Car

Alien Ship Invades Bondi Beach Australia

This Alien Ship art car was spotted on Bondi Beach Australia. We know very little about whether or not this a "Real" alien invasion down under. By the looks of it there should be alien abduction stories coming any day now. Cheers.