Projekt Cars’ ‘HellBat’ Custom Build, Featuring Artwork By Mostafa Moussa
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. They’ve also built four Spawn cars for the hellish anti-hero’s creator himself, Todd McFarlane. No big deal. I met up with the Projekt Cars crew at Las Vegas ToyCon ‘24, where they were displaying their Spider-Mobile custom buggy at the Las Vegas Toy Shack booth.
I love it when different niche fandoms get together and make things happen. This faithful creation of comics artist Tyler Kirkham‘s Spider-Buggy design pulls custom car enthusiasts and comics fans into the same conversation, and has something pretty cool to offer both groups.
One of the other builds Projekt Cars’ Carlos Molina told me about was a Dodge Hellcat commissioned by David Scialo, owner of Rhode Island’s Gotham City Collectibles. Scialo gave the team creative latitude, with the only stipulation being that they turn his Hellbaby into the ‘Baddest Hellcat on the East Coast.’
The first step on this quest was to change the Hellcat’s exterior by providing an aggressive wider stance. Clinched’s wide body kit provides a unique wide body for the Charger with a bit of curve that emphasizes the Hellcat’s lines and flow. The entire body kit was painted and installed by Drive Auto Collision in El Paso, Texas. Charged Motorsports supplied the Demon hood, made of lightweight hexagon carbon fiber with functional scoop, which is speed rated at 210 mph.
As the Batman theme started taking shape, the vehicle was renamed HellBat. Next up, the team installed a Variant 4 system from KW Suspension, which was developed exclusively for supercars, sports cars, and performance oriented sedans. With the suspension on point, the HellBat needed an aggressive wheel to complete the look.
Projekt Cars turned to Forgeline Motorsports for a top-of-the-line three piece wheel. Forgeline is well known on the race circuit for wheels that not only accentuate the entire look of the build, but are also backed with a strong race heritage. Forgeline has worked with Projekt Cars on a few other SEMA builds, so it didn’t take long to land on 20×11 and 20×12 AL301 wheels. Continental Tires supplied performance tires.
With a fresh, wide look clad with carbon fiber, it was time to start work under the hood. Mishimoto Automotive has worked with Projekt Cars for over a decade. They supplied the 6.2L engine with a performance radiator and an overflow tank reservoir. Though the radiator is hidden behind the front bumper, the shiny aluminum reservoir goes well with the silver supercharger on the MOPAR beast. The Mishimoto parts were completed with a silicone hose kit. Diablo Sport supplied the Trinity 2 and ECM upgrade which provided an extra 50 ponies on a dyno.
There were very few enhancements to the interior, since Scialo was very content with the stock red MOPAR leather. Additional BlackVue cameras were installed for security. With all the modifications added to the HellBat, it absolutely HAD to be displayed at SEMA 2021. Leyla Saad of Schrader TPMS made the call, and confirmed placement of the HellBat in their booth. Projekt Cars reached out to comic book artist Mostafa Moussa to supply the Batman artwork, applied through a wrap by Comer Design. Moussa was already familiar with drawing the Dark Knight, since he’s worked on several DC covers, including a variant for Batman #50.
Check out the completed build below.
In addition to Projekt Cars’ work creating comics-inspired customs, they also promote SoldierCon, a cars, comics, and cosplay convention in El Paso, TX that supports current and former US service members.
