Las Vegas ToyCon ‘24 – Projekt Cars’ Spider-Mobile Custom Build
by Brendan M. Allen
Custom car builder Projekt Cars has been combining comics-themed concepts with SEMA builds since 2012, when they built a custom Japanese Manga-Inspired Evo. They followed that up with a Deadpool-themed GT350 for the Mutoh booth in 2015. After finding themselves across the table from Marvel’s legal team, they reached out to Todd McFarlane to do their next build within copyright and trademark restrictions. Four different Spawn builds came out of that collaboration. Two were featured in a booth at SEMA 2017.
Now, they’re working on character-inspired vehicles with the help and blessing of comics artist Tyler Kirkham.
By all accounts, Kirkham’s talent is only rivaled by his generosity and good nature. Projekt Cars built a healthy relationship with the comic book artist over several months, and wanted his artwork to reach beyond the realm of comics fandom. A plan was formed to showcase his masterpieces on five different vehicles to be displayed at SEMA in Las Vegas. This four-day event takes up all three halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center and hosts over 7,000 vehicle parts manufacturers with a daily gate of over 100,000.
Projekt Cars took inspiration from two of Tyler’s variant covers depicting the Spider-Mobile, Amazing Spider-Man #25 and Symbiote Spiderman #1 to faithfully re-create the Spider-Mobile. Who wouldn’t want to cruise their friendly neighborhood in this Spider-Man buggy?
To bring the iconic buggy to life, they began with a 1968 VW platform, and added a custom signature edition Tyler Kirkham steering wheel with quick-release hub, race seats, race harnesses, seat brackets, voltage stabilizer and custom floor mats. Some off-road tires, supplied by General Tires are wrapped around the Raceline beadlock wheels, which are supported by EMPI upgraded suspension. The engine features EMPI chrome and theme-colored accessories and performance exhaust. Amigos Signs of El Paso used Avery matte black vinyl to give the Buggy details and finishing touches. Minus the hood, the black vinyl enclosed the red paint with a web design, while the hood received the current Spider-Man logo.
The completed build has been on display throughout the Southwest, and as far up as Utah, where it was featured in a booth at FanX Salt Lake. It’s a fan favorite at Albuquerque Comic Con, and just last weekend, it was on display at the Toy Shack booth at Las Vegas ToyCon. The booth was set up for selfies with the Spider-Mobile, and for added fun, it had one of those 360° rotating cameras. That’s me in the passenger seat, with Las Vegas Toy Shack’s Johnny Jimenez Jr driving.
Here are the technical specs for the build:
In addition to Projekt Cars’ amazing comics-inspired customs, they also promote SoldierCon, a cars, comics, cosplay, and crypto convention that supports current and former US servicemembers.
