Las Vegas ToyCon ‘24: Projekt Cars’ Deadpool Mustang Build For Johnny Jimenez Jr.
by Brendan M. Allen
Las Vegas ToyCon ‘24 took place at World Market Center last weekend. Las Vegas Toy Shack’s booth was situated at a key corner, almost dead center in the convention space. Projekt Cars’ Spider-Mobile Custom buggy was featured at the booth, with a 360° camera for convention attendees to make videos sitting in the iconic vehicle, which was modeled after Tyler Kirkham’s variant covers for Amazing Spider-Man #25 and Symbiote Spiderman #1.
I learned from Projekt Cars’ Business Development Director Carlos Molina that another geeky custom car is in the works. This one is intended for none other than Las Vegas Toy Shack proprietor Johnny Jimenez Jr, known for his appearances on Pawn Stars as their rare and vintage toy consultant. In addition to his responsibilities at the Shack, Jimenez has his hands in half a dozen or more comics conventions, and many other events, including Las Vegas Licensing Expo, NASCAR, F1, Autorama, Fuel Fest, Import Face Off, and more.
The concept is for a highly modified 2024 Convertible Mustang, adorned with Deadpool’s signature burgundy (Madder Lake, if you want to get super specific) with black trim and Mark Brooks’ belt buckle logo that first appeared in The New Mutants # 98.
The proposed build came out of a conversation between Molina and Miles Hubbard, Creative Director for Katzkin Automotive Leather. Hubbard surprised Molina with a request for Projekt Cars build a vehicle to be displayed at Katzkin’s 2024 SEMA booth. Carlos suggested a Deadpool build, and the wheels started rolling.
Julio Gonzalez from Katzkin’s Marketing Graphic Design previously worked on the custom interiors for the Kirkham projects, so he was already very familiar with the styling cues of Projekt Cars. Being a huge Deadpool fan himself, Julio went straight to work on several potential iterations of interior design for Projekt Cars to choose from. Check out the frontrunning concept below.
After its appearance in the new West Hall at SEMA ‘24, the vehicle will be handed over to Jimenez. The plan is that the 2024 Mustang will be displayed in front of Toy Shack, located in Neonopolis on Fremont Street when it’s not on the road with Johnny touring conventions and major events. The car will accompany him as a special guest at the Mattel Hot Wheels Legends Tour, Autorama, Fuel Fest, Import Face Off, and many more auto-centered events, in addition to comics conventions and events.
Besides the aesthetic modifications, the Merc With a Mouth-themed vehicle is also planned to feature a ton of performance enhancing mods, including a supercharged engine, multi-piece wheels, performance tires, a wide body kit, side skirts, front and rear sway bars, electronic dual fan upgrades, a billet elliptical blade, oil cooler system, performance driveshaft… Oh, and every surface that can be made of carbon fiber, will be. Also, be assured, the stereo system on this thing is going to be intense, with four 10” subs and a 4 channel amp.
I am very interested to see this project come together over the coming weeks and months, and will keep you posted on the progress.
