3 Amazing Art Car Drawings by Eric Carlos Bertrand

Wow Bus
These Art Car drawings were created by artist Eric Carlos Bertrand who was inspired by real Art Cars. He currently resides in Montreal and has taken the art car as a source of inspiration for researching the possibilities for viable version of the "ship of fools", a old imagery related to the tradition of the carnavalesque. Read his web site detailed info. Three of the art cars I found were posted on Art Car Central a while back so I wanted to show the world how good his art work is. Eric has some really impressive drawing skills and a hole lot of patience, personally I would rather glue stuff on my art car.
Duke Art Car
Mobile DJ Art Car

Rolls Royce Art Car by Pro Hart

Pro Hart (1928-2006) is on of Australia's most famous artist and considered the father of the Australian Outback painting movement. His works were shown on a wide variety of products such as air conditioners, beer cans, kitchenware, and telephone cards, and also a very popular carpet commercial on television.

He lived in Broken Hill, in Outback Australia, and owned a number of Rolls Royce and Bentley cars witch he drove all over the outback, and described them as "bloody good cars for the job". He is also famous for his painted 1973 Silver Shadow Rolls Royce art car in 1999.

photo via

ArtCar Fest 09 - Video from National Geographic

ArtCar Fest 09 was recently featured on National Geographic Television on a show called National Geographic Amazing. This episode had a bunch of shots of cars such as, Space Junk, Carthedral, and Ah My Gawd by Harrod Blank.  There were also a three art cars that were interviewed: Daisy Singer by Philo Northrup, The Mercedes Pens by Costas Schuler, and Vain Van by Emily Duffy.

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.

11th Annual Seattle Art Car- Blowout

This awesome pictures were taken by the who also took the time to write down the names of the cars and the wonderful artist who made them at this years 11th Annual Seattle Art Car- Blowout. If any you have more info on these cars please email me and I can post a detailed entry about your car. Some of the other cars that where there and have been featured on Art Car Central were The Vain Van, Eartha Karr, Aero Car, Leopard Bernstein and Rot N'Hell

SPACE JUNK Art Car by Rot N' Hell

Godspeed 818 Art Car by Phil Teller - Seattle, WA

The Mock 7 Art Car by Daniel Johnston - Bellingham, WA.

Bruce Art Car by Joanne Quinn Owens - Bay Area CA

The Octopod Art Car by Emily Hall - Portland, OR

Flutterbug Art Car by Konnie Mae - Ashland, OR

Flivver Art Car by Joy Johnston - Oregon

Drala the Dragon Art Car By Bruman of Berkeley, CA

Attila the Fun Art Car by Tish Smith - CANADA

All photos were taken by The KronoNaut

Scraper Bike - By Tyrone Stevenson Jr

Photos by Jacob Fenston



The scraper bike was birthed in Oakland by Tyrone Stevenson Jr., a 20 year old. AKA Baybe-Champ Da Scraper Bike King/Creator/Inventor. The idea came from cars that ride in Oakland called scrapers — basically an old model car, such as a Buick, that's painted a custom color to match the bright rims that are so big that they scrape the inside of the wheel well. Stevenson and his friends took those aesthetics and applied them to bicycles, fitting large wheels on small frames.The movement went viral when a video about scraper bikes when up and went global with 3 million views. Tyrone is right now working on getting his own store front and working in is his community to help keep the youth out of trouble and in a positive frame of mind.

"The Scraper Bike Movement seeks to capture the creativity of youth living within dangerous communities. It gives them a positive outlet that is fun, educational, and promotes healthy lifestyles. The Scraper Bike Movement offers youth a sustainable group of peers that is positive and motivating. They want to expand and enlighten young people's perspective on life through fixing and painting bicycles. Our goal is to support youth entrepreneurship and cultural innovation. The Scraper Bike Movement has been around for about 5-6 years and is now starting to get exposure worldwide."

-Tyrone Stevenson Jr

The Scraper Bikes will also be at this years Maker Faire

Wooden Art Car Called Gunner By Incredible Sculptor Michael Cooper

Wooden Art Car Called Gunner By Michael Cooper


Gunner Top View

Gunner Wooden Wheel Close Up

Gunner Pipe Close Up


Gunner Rear Disk Brakes Close Up

all photos via Michael Cooper Sculptor

This wooden art car called "Gunner" was created by amazing sculptor Michael Cooper who resides in Sebastopol CA. It was created in 2007 and made up from 65 different types of hard wood. is 120"x60"x39" and is owned by a private collector in Napa CA.

Not only does he live just down the street from me but I took my first 3D art class in college with Michael Cooper who inspired me to take more classes for the next four years that lead me into Graphic Design. He also encouraged us to start keeping art journals and 19 years later I have completed 23 of them.

Any ways Michael Cooper is simply amazing in the way he is able to combine wood and metal to create art that is simply mind boggling. I look at his works and cant for the life of me wrap my wind around his ability to twist and bend wood and metal in such a way. His art defies the laws of nature and has somehow tapped into a parallel universe where wood and metal naturally look this way.

Gunner is just one of the many pieces he has created and has been doing this since 1968. His portfolio is a must see, but we warned, give yourself plenty of time to browse and then come back for a second and third look. I guarantee you will never get tired of looking at his art.

Thanks Michael, its an honor to have you here on Art Car Central:)

Incredible Japanese Decotora Trucks Video

Here is a great video about these Japanese Decotora Trucks I posted some time ago. The pictures are great but you really need to seem them live and this video does them justice. They explain the history of how all this got started and they interview some of the truckers and artists who help create these amazing works of art.

Funny Military Vehicles - with the best acronyms of the year

Low Altitude Hand held Synchronized Assault Aircraft or LAHSAA

These funny military vehicles are brought to you by the hard working folks in the US armed Forces. You go to work, the commute stinks, you work long hours and you have have morons taking pot sots at you all day long. Here is my best shot at naming these in a manner that any one in the military could understand, you deserve a break.

Coca-Cola Delivery Assault Vehicle or CCDAV


Santa's Helicopter Present Assault Vehicle or SHPAV


All Terrain Donkey Assault Vehicle or ATDAV


Low Altitude Motorcycle Assault Aircraft or LAMAA

Legally Blind 7-Year Old Loves to Draw Art Cars

Corey Graves is an amazing 7-year-old from Sabin Elementary School who just loves to draw art cars. When asked how he gets his ideas he said:

"I've got to get a brainstorm in my head," which then goes "boom!" and is followed by "lightning pops!" and, "then whoop! Here comes a car outta my head."

The most amazing thing about him is that Corey is considered legally blind because of a genetic vision disability. His hand starts moving with deliberate motions. He draws a squarish shape, then moves the pencil up to draw windows, then adds details. He is quiet, still and totally focused on his creation. more via

Atomic Dog Art Car - George Clinton Mothership Connection

Where have you been all my life Atomic Dog Art Car!!!!

An art car extension to the Mothership Connection, "The Atomic Dog, One Nation Under Groove" pays tribute to musician George Clinton and his funkadelic band, Parliament. Band members and dogs made of mosaic mirror shards mingle with beaded flying saucers, guitars, drums, and lots of chrome pipes while one big mirrored dog guards the roof.

Led by veteran art car artist and teacher, Rebecca Bass, the 2006 Art Class at Waltrip High School created this award winning art car in four short months. Students worked after hours, on weekends, and over spring break to craft this stunning masterpiece. 


Stories about this amazing vehicle spread across the country and eventually reached George Clinton. In June of 2006, funkadelics star George Clinton came to Houston to autograph the car. George and his entourage were very impressed with The Atomic Dog and its creators. They all became instant art car fans!

via

Hamburger Harley - I want fries with that.

via

Harry Sperl has created one of his long time dreams.

The dream ... a hamburger motorcycle. That's right!! A Harley-Davidson trike fashioned to look like an exact replica of a hamburger; And this burger's got all the trimmings.

With cheese, pickles, onions, lettuce, and tomato, not to mention a side of fries and a shake, this bike is gonna make your mouth water when it goes by. You'll be able to see the steam coming off the medium rare beef patty, of course its rigged that way.

Airbrush artist Chris Cruz is responsible for the detailed paint work on the entire burger trike, from the melting cheese front tender, to the ketchup bottle shock covers.

Involved in every step of the production of the trike, Harry says, "This is just the beginning'. Harry intends to construct a hamburger golf cart and a hamburger drag car. But the next project,now that the trike is done, will be the Hamburger Museum, according to Harry.

The Hamburger Museum building will, of course, look like a double bacon cheeseburger, and will be the resting place for Harry's elaborate hamburger collection.

Harry owns over 500 burger replicas of all sizes and all kinds of materials from plastic to glass, and owns over 1000 burger related items like posters, pictures, and memorabilia from all restaurants. It would take Harry too long to build the museum by himself financially, so he is looking for a sponsor to help with his dream to display his collection.

And why has Harry been collecting burgers for over 7 years, he loves to eat them. To Harry hamburgers are an important part of his life. Originally from Germany Harry feels the hamburger is Americana. He loves burgers because they are an icon of the United States.

Harry still goes burger hunting at flea markets or anywhere there may be burgers. Harry currently displays his burgers in his home in Daytona Beach, and holds an open house once a year to show off his collection.

Copy from Hamburger Harley

Wrought Iron VW - Heavy Metal Bugs Hit the Road

via kodac
Joe Gomez of San Antonio, Texas, relates that "One day when I was in bed, I dreamt that I was building a wrought iron car. I woke up, ran to the kitchen and got some paper, and started sketching. My wife thought I was crazy.Everything on this car is handmade, nothing is factory. It took me a little bit better than nine months. The reason I chose the Volkswagen is because the motor's in back -otherwise I'd have all the fumes in front." The car brought more customers to Gomez's wrought-iron company than he could handle, and he soon retired. He later found out that two other people have made wrought-iron Volkswagen's! And here are some more of them


Photo and links below by iamthemaintrain

1. Metal Beetle, 2. ROT IRON, 3. vw iron work, 4. wedding car, 5. RotIron1, 6. Joe Gomez - wrought iron VW bug, 7. Air Conditioned Bug, 8. CIMG0027, 9. Rod Iron VW, 10. IMG_3719, 11. ROT IRON, 12. Wrot Iron VW Bug, 13. IMG_3717, 14. www.flickr.com/photos/udpride/2294504563/, 15. Day 203: No blind spots on this car...., 16. IMG_3764

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."

5 reasons to love edible cars

The reason I love photoshop so much is because in that world anything is possible including these incredible even hideous photoshop edible art cars brought to you by Worth1000.com  Photoshop contest. The people that created these art cars did a fantastic job and are worth mentioning here. Here are my top 5 reasons to love art car meals on wheels.

1. VW Chicken Car.  

You can use all the extra chicken grease down in the pan to power your car for year.

2. VW Watermelon Car

Refreshing and keeps you cool in the summer time.

3. Burger Cat 

You never go hungry on a long day on the job.

4. Pizza Bike

Because regular bike rims are way to boring.

5. Lemon Car

If life handed you a lemon, make lemonade.

Honda Element Gets Extreme Makeover - Daisy Singer by Philo Northrup

Philo Northrup is responsible for giving his Honda Element named Daisy Singer an extreme makeover and in his own words this is what he had to say:
"Daisy Singer is so named because of two objects attached to it. I started to artify this brand new 2004 Honda Element in Marcola, Oregon, with my mentor, Jack DeVore. He had an old SINGER sewing machine treadle and an old DAISY stove door. The names on these iron relics just seemed to fit for some strange reason. Later I found out that Daisy Singer, sewing machine heiress, left her fortune to whoever found her will in a bottle. She tossed this bottle into London's Thames River in 1937, and it washed ashore in San Francisco in 1949 to be found by a very lucky beachcomber named, of course, Jack.
So Daisy Singer it is!
My ambitions with this ArtCar are formal, not thematic, focusing on design & texture. I am creating something antique and curvilinear out of a new shoebox. I am indulging my love of oxidation - the patina of decay. Daisy is an earthy ArtCar, which fits in nicely with the fiery Truck in Flux, and the aquatic Buick of Unconditional Love. Like the Buick of Unconditional Love and the Truck in Flux, this ArtCar features a living garden on the roof.
Daisy has already traveled extensively from Canada to Arizona and I plan to take it on ArtCar tours to schools & hospitals around North America." via
Daisy Singer by Philo Northrup


Daisy Singer Door Panel Close Up

Amethyst The Magic Bus by Samonberry

Samonberry is the creator of the Amethyst the Magic Bus who learned his craft at the Old-world school of Gypsy Painters. His art is very true to the original psychedelic art of the 60's and has managed to do a great job of capturing that era. His art includes posters, stickers, fine art, clothing along with this amazing 72 VW bus called Amethyst. I saw Samonberry at my first Art Car Fest in 2005 and was also featured in a video in which he describes how his art car came about.

Amethyst The Magic Bus by Samonberry