Many people create subtle changes to their family vehicles with understated, classic modifications. From tinted windows and spoilers to body kits and airbags, these mods are easily completed in a single afternoon by almost any homegrown mechanic. There are, however, others that take their love of automobiles to the extreme by completely altering their ride to resemble almost anything imaginable, from their pet poodle to a ride fit for a Hollywood film. Make sure to snap a picture the next time you see one of these rolling down the streets of your town.
Any Animal Will Do
Rats, pink poodles and turtles, oh my! Thousands of Americans are taking their love of animals a bit too far by turning their otherwise aesthetically pleasant vehicle into homage to the family pet. One example is an individual that modified a Volkswagen Beetle into a larger than life turtle. If you’re more of a dog lover, there is another example of a family that turned their convertible into an over-the-top pink poodle. A seafood distributor hoisted an enormous lobster atop a red Beetle and a whimsical rodent enthusiast took a journey into the creepy by covering her car with hair, ears and whiskers to create her own oversized mouse.
Inspired by James Bond
Watch almost any James Bond film and eventually you’ll see the world’s sexiest spy hopping into a vehicle that miraculously transforms into a submarine, boat or small airplane. For whatever reason, this inspired many to affix wings to their vehicle with no intention of actually catching flight. There are others, however, that took this notion to the extreme and successfully turned their vehicle into a fully-functional boat, airplane or even a submersible that was able to glide underwater. If this is your intention, be warned that just because a guy somewhere in Kentucky turned his truck into an amphibious vehicle doesn’t mean that you’ll achieve the same level of success.
Film Inspirations
From “The Dukes of Hazard” and “Ghostbusters” to “Back to the Future” and “Batman,” there are several films featuring popular, often copied cars. These cars are inevitable additions to almost any parade, and constructed with varying degrees of skill and accuracy. If you attempt to create your own movie prop-worthy copy, the best place to start is your living room couch. Grab a sketch pad and be prepared to watch the film at least a dozen times while you jot down every nuance and curve of the vehicle. If all else fails, you can purchase an R/C version of the car and live out your fantasy in a vacant lot somewhere.
Just Plain Creepy
Representations of the demonic, macabre and just plain scary are popping up everywhere. For example, one twisted individual adorned his 1980s Ford with grizzly representations of clowns, by far the most frightening of all monsters. If you’re a little more squeamish, consider combining your love of film and horror by recreating one of the many classic monster mobiles. A famous example is the Munster Koach and Drag-u-la, which were first created by the incomparable George Barris for the classic television series “The Munsters”. Your twisted, sick imagination is the limit when it comes to turning your grocery getter into a vehicle fit for the eeriest Halloween celebration, or a Thursday afternoon trip to the orthodontist.
Before Modifying Your Own Car
These over-the-top modifications sound spectacular, that is until you sit down and actually create a realistic schematic, and budget. Many of the mods you’ve noticed across the web often cost the owner in excess of $10,000, or more, to create. Keep this idea in mind, and the fact that many alterations will actually make it illegal to drive the vehicle on the road. An excellent place to begin is by determining your state’s laws on the subject of vehicle height, weight limits and even the shade you’re allowed to tint windows. Armed with this knowledge, you should next create a budget and determine if the necessary parts are available in your area.
When it comes to creating a truly weird vehicle, the sky and your imagination are truly your only limits. Just remember that it’s probably not a good idea to transform your primary vehicle into a piece of mobile art work. Instead, hit the classifieds to find a street ready beater that you can turn into your outrageous dream vehicle.
About the Author:
Mallory Ingalls is a movie prop manufacturer and movie museum addict. She combines her love of cars with her love of cinema and science fiction to create the coolest in movie-themed rides.
Any Animal Will Do
Rats, pink poodles and turtles, oh my! Thousands of Americans are taking their love of animals a bit too far by turning their otherwise aesthetically pleasant vehicle into homage to the family pet. One example is an individual that modified a Volkswagen Beetle into a larger than life turtle. If you’re more of a dog lover, there is another example of a family that turned their convertible into an over-the-top pink poodle. A seafood distributor hoisted an enormous lobster atop a red Beetle and a whimsical rodent enthusiast took a journey into the creepy by covering her car with hair, ears and whiskers to create her own oversized mouse.
Inspired by James Bond
Film Inspirations
From “The Dukes of Hazard” and “Ghostbusters” to “Back to the Future” and “Batman,” there are several films featuring popular, often copied cars. These cars are inevitable additions to almost any parade, and constructed with varying degrees of skill and accuracy. If you attempt to create your own movie prop-worthy copy, the best place to start is your living room couch. Grab a sketch pad and be prepared to watch the film at least a dozen times while you jot down every nuance and curve of the vehicle. If all else fails, you can purchase an R/C version of the car and live out your fantasy in a vacant lot somewhere.
Just Plain Creepy
Representations of the demonic, macabre and just plain scary are popping up everywhere. For example, one twisted individual adorned his 1980s Ford with grizzly representations of clowns, by far the most frightening of all monsters. If you’re a little more squeamish, consider combining your love of film and horror by recreating one of the many classic monster mobiles. A famous example is the Munster Koach and Drag-u-la, which were first created by the incomparable George Barris for the classic television series “The Munsters”. Your twisted, sick imagination is the limit when it comes to turning your grocery getter into a vehicle fit for the eeriest Halloween celebration, or a Thursday afternoon trip to the orthodontist.
Before Modifying Your Own Car
These over-the-top modifications sound spectacular, that is until you sit down and actually create a realistic schematic, and budget. Many of the mods you’ve noticed across the web often cost the owner in excess of $10,000, or more, to create. Keep this idea in mind, and the fact that many alterations will actually make it illegal to drive the vehicle on the road. An excellent place to begin is by determining your state’s laws on the subject of vehicle height, weight limits and even the shade you’re allowed to tint windows. Armed with this knowledge, you should next create a budget and determine if the necessary parts are available in your area.
When it comes to creating a truly weird vehicle, the sky and your imagination are truly your only limits. Just remember that it’s probably not a good idea to transform your primary vehicle into a piece of mobile art work. Instead, hit the classifieds to find a street ready beater that you can turn into your outrageous dream vehicle.
About the Author:
Mallory Ingalls is a movie prop manufacturer and movie museum addict. She combines her love of cars with her love of cinema and science fiction to create the coolest in movie-themed rides.
"Just plain creepy" was by far my favorite. I had a good laugh at some of these cars. People are crazy.
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