Surreal Engineering - If you’ve ever experienced the wild wonder of Burning Man, you’ll know it’s a festival that unleashes post-apocalyptic motoring beasts and all manner of surreal spectacles each year. It’s a place where reality gets redefined—where fire-breathing sculptures roam the desert and ordinary cars are reborn as rolling fantasies. In this realm where imagination has no limits and even strict rules can yield to brilliance, few creations have captured that spirit as vividly as David Best’s Rocket Car. Built from the bones of a 1973 Cadillac Sedan DeVille, this vehicle didn’t just appear at Burning Man—it became part of its living legend.
The Rocket Car is a rolling masterpiece crafted by artist David Best in 2003, built from a 1973 Cadillac Sedan DeVille. (Picture from: Avtomobili7 in Facebook)
Artist David Best is no stranger to the Playa. Known for crafting awe-inspiring temples from reclaimed wood that are eventually set ablaze in emotional, communal ceremonies, Best brings a signature style to everything he touches. But the Rocket Car might just be his most eye-catching creation to date. Built in 2003, the car is more than 12 meters long—about the length of two Rolls-Royce Ghosts and a little more for good measure. It’s a land-bound spaceship, capable of carrying 16 passengers, cruising through dust storms and dreams alike.
David Best's Rocket Car didn’t just shine on the dust-covered grounds of the Nevada desert—it also made a rare break from Burning Man’s typical anti-commercial stance. (Picture from: TopGear)
Constructed from the remains of a vintage Cadillac, the Rocket Car is anything but subtle. The original roof was completely removed, and nearly every panel of the car was either replaced or reshaped using a combination of scrap metal and custom-fabricated components. Towering rocket-like cones run the length of the vehicle, exaggerating its dimensions and giving it the unmistakable silhouette of a steampunk cruiser ready for liftoff. Despite its radically altered appearance, Best retained the Cadillac’s running gear—because even an art car needs to move when summoned.
David Best’s Rocket Car was on display at the 2016 Burning Man festival in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada. (Picture from: Loupiote)
Under normal circumstances, vehicles that drive through Black Rock City must be so heavily modified that their original make and model are entirely unrecognizable. It’s a key rule enforced by the Department of Mutant Vehicles to preserve the festival’s surreal environment. Yet somehow, despite its still-visible Cadillac heritage, the Rocket Car was allowed to cruise the Playa. Exceptions aren’t handed out lightly, but then again, David Best isn’t just anyone. His contribution to the ethos of Burning Man through decades of breathtaking work made that exception feel less like a rule-breaking and more like a well-earned privilege.
The Rocket Car is more than 12 meters long—about the length of two Rolls-Royce Ghosts and a little more for good measure. (Picture from: MotorBiscuit)
The Rocket Car didn’t just shine on the dust-covered grounds of the Nevada desert. In a rare move that broke with Burning Man’s typical anti-commercial stance, the car went to auction—part of a fundraising effort. It sold for $36,000 at a 2021 RM Sotheby’s auction, landing at the lower end of its $30,000–$50,000 estimate. That’s about the same cost as a modest new hatchback in the UK. But while a Hyundai or VW Golf might get you from point A to point B, none of them could carry 16 people in a rolling art installation that looks like it could pierce the atmosphere.
David Best’s Rocket Car was on display at the 2012 Burning Man festival in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada. (Picture from: Arno Gourdol in Flickr)
What makes the Rocket Car truly unforgettable isn’t just its size, design, or even the prestige of its creator. It’s the spirit that lives in it—a blend of rebellion, imagination, and devotion to making the impossible seem real. It’s a rolling statement of what can happen when artistry and engineering meet in the right hands, under the right sky, surrounded by people who believe in big, bold dreams. | pYCUpWbVi9w |
Maestro Works - In the world of automotive innovation, few figures dared to reimagine the rules of design quite like Luigi Colani. At a time when most trucks were built as square, utilitarian machines, Colani saw them as aerodynamic sculptures—living organisms that should flow through the air rather than fight against it. Long before the words sustainability or aerodynamics became everyday buzzwords in transportation, he was already sketching shapes that looked more like creatures from the future than vehicles of their time. His vision blended art, engineering, and science into one seamless language—bold, organic, and decades ahead of everyone else.
The 2012 Colani Innotruck, shown here alongside Luigi Colani, features a unique design that allows the driver to access the cockpit by sliding open its glass nose. (Picture from: Bubblemania.fr)
Defiant Futurism - When we think about futuristic cars, most of us imagine sleek concepts locked away in motor shows, prototypes that will never hit the streets. But every now and then, a project comes along that challenges this idea. Enter DragonTT Hero, a machine so radical in its design that it makes ordinary “tuned” cars look like toys. It’s an Audi TT at heart, but at first glance you’d be forgiven for thinking it just rolled out of a sci-fi movie set. Some even joke that it’s too strange to be Batman’s car—and that’s exactly the point.
The DragonTT Hero is so radical in design that while built on an Audi TT, it looks more like a sci-fi movie creation than a tuned car. (Picture from: BlackXperience)
DragonTT, a Spanish-Italian design house that started life back in 1998 modifying motorcycles before moving into car projects, has always had a taste for the unconventional. Based near Madrid, the team wanted to create something that would turn heads, but also send a message about sustainability and innovation. Their answer was Proyecto Hero, a re-imagined Audi TT (8J) that looks like it was inspired by a crossover between Transformers and a space shuttle. Built for the Spain Future Foundation, the car doesn’t just aim to shock with its appearance—it carries an ecological side too, thanks to its LPG hybrid system that actually qualifies it for an Eco label.
The DragonTT Hero transforms the once-sporty coupe into a wide-bodied beast clad in fiberglass or carbon fiber, with sharp edges, exaggerated fenders, a nearly ground-scraping front shield, and doors and mirrors reshaped into dramatic, alien-like appendages.(Picture from: Largus.fr)
The visual overhaul is jaw-dropping. The Hero’sbody has been stretched by over half a meter, measuring 4.71 meters long and more than two meters wide. What used to be a sporty little coupe is now a wide-bodied beast dressed in fiberglass and optional carbon fiber, bristling with sharp edges, exaggerated fenders, and a front shield that practically scrapes the ground. Even the doors and mirrors were redesigned with dramatic, almost alien-like appendages, while the rear is fitted with massive air extractors and pseudo-jet nozzles illuminated in blue. To complete the look, 20-inch rims and adjustable racing suspension make sure the car doesn’t just look like it’s ready for lift-off, but also grips the road with purpose.
The DragonTT Hero stretches over half a meter longer into a 4.71-meter, two-meter-wide beast clad in fiberglass or carbon fiber, with sharp edges, flared fenders, and a front shield that nearly scrapes the ground.(Picture from: BlackXperience)
Yet the Heroisn’t just a crazy costume forthe Audi TT. Beneath the wild skin, DragonTTupgraded the suspension, brakes, and wheels to ensure the car can back up its presence with performance. Depending on the base engine, conversions can be done on TT models ranging from 200 horsepower to the mighty 340-hp TT RS. Despite the swollen dimensions, the Hero manages to stay relatively light—between 1,335 and 1,515 kg—preserving the agility that the TT is known for.
The DragonTT Hero continues its transformation inside with a redesigned dashboard, futuristic touchscreen, and seating for four in a cabin that feels more like a concept car cockpit than a road-legal coupe.(Picture from: BlackXperience)
Step inside, and the transformation continues, though in a slightly calmer tone than the exterior chaos. The dashboard was completely redesigned to house a futuristic touchscreen multimedia system. The cabin still seats up to four people, keeping the practicality ofthe TT, but wrapped in an environment that feels more like the cockpit of a concept car than a road-legal coupe.
The DragonTT Hero features massive rear air extractors with blue-lit pseudo-jet nozzles, complemented by 20-inch rims and adjustable racing suspension that make it look ready for lift-off while ensuring purposeful grip on the road..(Picture from: BlackXperience)
What makes DragonTT Hero fascinating isn’t only its design but its purpose. This wasn’t created as a collector’s one-off or a showpiece destined to stay locked away. The car is approved for road use, and DragonTT even sells the kit for those bold enough to take on the transformation themselves. Its creation for the Spain Future Foundation also ties it to a mission beyond pure aesthetics: the organization supports technology in education and healthcare, so Hero becomes more than a flashy experiment—it’s also a conversation starter about the intersection of wild design, performance, and responsibility toward the environment. | rM6UAqTAm6M |
At a time when car design often plays it safe, DragonTT’s Hero dares to look ridiculous, futuristic, and inspiring all at once. It doesn’t try to blend in; it exists to spark debate, to push limits, and to prove that sustainability doesn’t need to come dressed in bland packaging. Whether viewed as stunning or absurd, the Hero earns its name as a bold presence in the automotive world—too unusual to be a Batmobile yet too real to be dismissed as fantasy, much like the Japanese-built DragStar F1 Dragon. and The Beast. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DRAGONTT | LARGUS.FR | TUNINGBLOG.EU | BLACKXPERIENCE ]
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Flashy Rarity - Back in the days when American roads sparkled with chrome and cars were less about getting from A to B and more about making a statement, the idea of a flamboyant personal luxury vehicle had a strong appeal. The post-war boom years brought not only prosperity but a hunger for innovation and individuality—especially when it came to automobiles. This was an era that celebrated the bold, the new, and the unapologetically flashy. And right in the middle of that cultural moment came Earl “Madman” Muntz, a high-energy entrepreneur with a flair for drama and a deep love for the spotlight.
The Muntz Jet, shown here as a rare 1953 model from America’s first postwar personal luxury car line, showcases its vibrant red body, custom curves, and wire wheels—an icon of limited-run innovation by Earl 'Madman' Muntz.(Picture from: ClassicmotorSports)
Muntz wasn’t your typical carmaker. Before diving into the auto industry, he made a name for himself selling televisions and stereos with outrageous commercials and even more outrageous deals. But in 1950, he took an unexpected turn into the world of sports cars. His muse? A sleek, aluminum-bodied two-seater designed by Frank Kurtis. Muntz had earlier purchased two Ford-powered Kurtis Sports Carsand was so impressed that he bought the rights, the tooling, and everything else—shelling out a cool $200,000. That was just the beginning.
The Muntz Jet features a stylish dual-row interior with plush leather seating and a sleek, aircraft-inspired dashboard that reflects its blend of luxury and forward-thinking design.(Picture from: ClassicmotorSports)
Once Muntz got his hands on the design, he didn’t just tweak it—he transformed it. He extended the wheelbase to make room for a back seat, widened the body, and dropped in a roaring V8 engine—either a Cadillac or later, a Lincoln—depending on availability and budget. The result was the Muntz Jet: a striking personal luxury car that wasn’t shy about being different. Painted in eye-popping shades like candy-apple red and soft pastels, and loaded with lush leather interiors, airplane-inspired dashboards, and even built-in liquor cabinets, the Jet wasn’t just a car—it was a rolling nightclub.
The Muntz Jet is powered by a robust V8 engine, underscoring its emphasis on performance and Muntz’s passion for power-driven innovation.(Picture from: ClassicmotorSports)
Everything about the Muntz Jet screamed individuality. Unlike mass-produced cars of the time, each Jetwas hand-built, a custom piece of automotive art that blended performance, comfort, and showbiz flair. Of course, this level of detail didn’t come cheap. Priced at $5,500—about $1,400 more thana new Cadillac convertible—it was a luxury few could afford, and even fewer were willing to take a chance on. Muntz, always the optimist, claimed to have produced 394 units, but the more realistic number hovers around 198.
The Muntz Jet presents a distinctive rear profile with its broad, rounded tail and prominent chrome accents, capturing the bold character of 1950s automotive design. (Picture from: ClassicmotorSports)
Unfortunately, for all its charisma and flash, the Muntz Jet was a tough sell. The limited production meant costs stayed high, and Muntz openly admitted he lost around $1,000 on every car he sold. While his larger-than-life personality made for great advertising, it also worked against the car’s credibility. Many buyers were reluctant to trust a vehicle sold by a man who acted more like a carnival barker than a serious automaker. Add to that the rapid evolution of the auto industry and increasing competition, and by 1954, the dream of the Jet came to a screeching halt. | L56yLYJXNkk |
Still, the Muntz Jet holds a unique place in automotive history. It wasn’t the most practical car, nor the most profitable, but it dared to be different in a time when conformity was king. Built with passion, ambition, and a heavy dose of Hollywood flair, the Muntz Jet remains a rare, charming reminder that sometimes the wildest dreams leave behind the most unforgettable stories. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SPORTSCARMARKET | CLASSICMOTORSPORTS | AMERICANAUTOEMBLEM | ROLLINGARTS IN FACEBOOK | STAN F IN FLICKR ]
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DIY Supercar - Who doesn't want to own a supercar? In today’s world, where innovation meets determination, building your own high-performance car isn’t just a fantasy for the wealthy—it’s a real possibility for passionate enthusiasts. With the right tools, knowledge, and a bit of elbow grease, you can bring a Le Mans-style track machine to life, right from your own garage. One standout that turns this dream into an achievable project is the Superlite SL-C—a head-turning, track-focused beast that blends raw performance, design flair, and surprising affordability.
The Superlite SL-C is an American-built Le Mans-style road racer, reminiscent of the British Ultima GTR, available as a self-build or a turnkey-minus car requiring only the buyer’s chosen drivetrain. (Picture from: SupercarWorld)
Crafted by Race Car Replicas (RCR), a Michigan-based company known for its incredible recreations of motorsport legends like the Ford GT40, the Superlite SL-C is far from your typical kit car. It was born under RCR’s dedicated Superlite Cars division, which focuses on lightweight, high-performance cars built from the ground up. This is no repurposed chassis from a donor vehicle; the SL-C is engineered entirely in-house with precision, using a TIG-welded aluminum semi-monocoque frame that forms the core of its striking presence.
The Superlite SL-C is engineered entirely in-house with precision, using a TIG-welded aluminum semi-monocoque frame that forms the core of its striking presence. (Picture from: SuperliteCars)
What sets the SL-C apart is not just the frame, but the engineering sophistication behind its every component. The suspension setup borrows straight from motorsport technology, utilizing billet aluminum arms and a pushrod system in the rear. Customers can fine-tune their ride using adjustable QA1 shocks and springs, supported by top-tier braking from Brembo four-pot calipers and ventilated discs. Even steering options are flexible, offering both manual and power-assisted racks based on OEM GM parts, giving builders the freedom to match performance with comfort.
The Superlite SL-C offers a customizable cockpit that can be configured for a pure track setup or a more refined, street-legal driving experience to suit any builder’s vision. (Picture from: SuperliteCars)
Interestingly, Superlite leaves the choice of powertrain to the customer, offering compatibility with a broad range of engines—from American V8s like the iconic LS7 to exotic powerplants like Lamborghini V10s or even BMW’s V12. Pairing an LS7 with a Graziano six-speed transaxle transforms the SL-C into a performance monster capable of accelerating from zero to 60 mph in just around 3 seconds. That’s a figure shared with far more expensive and exclusive supercars.
The Superlite SL-C allows customers to choose their own powertrain—ranging from American V8s like the LS7 to exotic options like a Lamborghini V10 or BMW V12—and when paired with a Graziano six-speed transaxle, it delivers blistering performance with 0–60 mph in just about 3 seconds. (Picture from: SuperliteCars)
The exterior of the SL-C is no less impressive. Inspired by endurance racers, its fiberglass body is a visual knockout. Unlike most kit cars that betray their DIY roots, the SL-C’s design feels refined, exotic, and professionally sculpted. Buyers can choose from different rear configurations, ranging from a street-style integrated bumper to a track-ready short tail or even a full-length Le Mans-style version for the ultimate aerodynamic edge. A wide range of optional carbon fiber accessories, including splitters, spoilers, and vents, allows for further customization.
The Superlite SL-C offers multiple rear-end configurations—from a street-style integrated bumper to a short tail or full-length Le Mans-style version for maximum aerodynamics—along with optional carbon fiber accessories like splitters, spoilers, and vents for added customization. (Picture from: SuperliteCars)
Inside, the cockpit can be tailored to serve either as a full-on track setup or a more livable street-legal environment. Whether you're aiming for racing minimalism or a more refined cabin experience, the SL-C offers the flexibility to match your vision.
To make the build process accessible, Superlite offers the SL-C in sixteen separate packages. Only the body and chassis need to be purchased together, while the rest can be acquired piece by piece—ideal for builders working within a budget. Of course, buying all at once saves on shipping, but there’s no pressure to do so. It’s a system that encourages progress at your own pace.
The Superlite SL-C isn’t just about impressive specs—it proved its real-world performance in 2011 by dominating the NASA Super Unlimited National Championship with a fully off-the-shelf build, securing pole position and winning every race it entered. (Picture from: Autoevolution)
Now, how much does this all cost? While the base components start around $67,000, adding a new LS7 engine and a used transaxle still keeps the total well under $100,000—a price point that’s remarkable when compared to traditional supercars offering similar performance. If you’re resourceful and source used parts wisely, the total investment can drop even lower. Alternatively, going all-out with exotic materials and new hardware can take the cost closer to $200,000, but even then, you're building something that can rival the best from Stuttgart or Maranello on the track.
The first Australian electric supercar, Varley evR450 is built on the American Superlite SL-C kit base. (Picture from: Autoevolution)
The SL-C isn’t all about impressive specs—it’s backed by real-world performance. In 2011, a version built entirely with off-the-shelf parts dominated the NASA Super Unlimited National Championship, taking pole position and winning every race it entered. The platform even served as the foundation for the Varley evR-450, celebrated as Australia’s first electric supercar. That’s the kind of pedigree most kit cars can only dream of. | pOkKM4ZRvP8 |
Built in the spirit of iconic endurance racers and tuned to outperform, the Superlite SL-C offers more than just excitement—it offers ownership of something truly personal and purpose-built. It’s not about imitating what’s already out there. It’s about creating something uniquely yours, without compromising on thrill, speed, or presence. For those who’ve always wanted a car that feels like it belongs on the Mulsanne Straight but still turns heads at the local coffee shop, the SL-C is an extraordinary gateway into that world. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERLITE CARS | AUTOEVOLUTION | SUPERCARWORLD ]
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Driven Imagination - Stories about cars often begin on a racetrack or in a manufacturer’s workshop, but sometimes they start in the pages of a comic book. The Vaillante Le Mans GT is the perfect example of this unusual journey. Born from the imagination of artist Jean Graton in his famous Michel Vaillant comics, it remained a dream for decades—until one man decided that paper and ink were not enough. In 2020, that dream became a tangible, roaring machine thanks to French craftsman Marcel Sylvand, who built the car almost entirely by hand.
The Vaillante Le Mans GT, brought to life by Marcel Sylvand, was inspired by the car that first appeared in Jean Graton’s Michel Vaillant comics of the 1960s. (Picture from: ObscureSupercar in X)
For Sylvand, the spark was lit in childhood. Growing up in Sallanches, a small Alpine town in Haute-Savoie, he devoured Tintin magazine, where Michel Vaillant stories were published. Without television at home, the comic became his gateway to high-speed adventures. Among all the machines that appeared in the series, one stood out: the Vaillante Le Mans GT, with its flowing curves and dynamic design. From that moment, Sylvand carried a secret wish—to one day bring this car to life. That wish would wait more than half a century before becoming reality.
The Vaillante Le Mans GT first took shape as a striking design in Jean Graton’s Michel Vaillant comics, capturing the imagination of readers long before it became reality.(Picture from: EuropeComics)
The path to creating the Le Mans GT was anything but straightforward. With no official blueprints or technical data, Sylvand had to reverse-engineer the car from comic panels. Working like Graton himself—pencil in hand, no computer, no digital modeling—he set about turning imagination into metal. The foundation came from a 1978 Datsun 260Z, chosen for its proportions that roughly matched the illustrated design. The Japanese chassis was trimmed and reshaped to match the fantasy proportions of the Vaillante, and the inline-six engine was carefully restored to breathe new life into the project. From there, countless details had to be invented or adapted.
French craftsman Marcel Sylvand proudly stood in front his creation, the Vaillante Le Mans GT, while holding Jean Graton’s Michel Vaillant comics.. (Picture from: EuropeComics)
The build demanded 2,500 hours spread over five years, with Sylvand dedicating up to six hours a day in his carefully arranged workshop. Each step brought a new obstacle, pushing him to think like both an engineer and an artist. Even basic elements such as the doors and side panels had to be adapted, in this case from a Peugeot 404, while the windshield—arguably the most difficult challenge—called for a custom Lexan mold that Sylvand designed himself after traditional glass proved too costly.
The Vaillante Le Mans GT was built on a 1978 Datsun 260Z, selected for its proportions that closely matched the car’s original comic design. (Picture from: FanClub-Vaillante)
His solutions were never limited to the automotive world. Parts arrived not only from other cars but also from nautical and aviation suppliers, reflecting his inventive spirit and refusal to compromise. The rear hatch, headlights, and roof all required one-off designs, since no existing component could capture the exact proportions of the car imagined decades earlier in the pages of a comic book.
The Vaillante Le Mans GT relied on parts not only from other cars but also from nautical and aviation suppliers, showcasing Sylvand’s inventive spirit and refusal to compromise.. (Picture from: ObscureSupercar in X)
Even though much of the work was solitary, Sylvand was far from alone. Skilled friends and local specialists joined in at key stages: Stan’s Custom in Saint-Gervais, Aurélien from Degenève Classics, and even a young seamstress who sewed the tan imitation leather seats. Family pitched in as well, with his sister-in-law helping on upholstery. Encouragement also flowed from the digital world once Sylvand began sharing progress on Facebook, sparking admiration from strangers around the globe.
The Vaillante Le Mans GT required one-off designs for the rear hatch, headlights, and roof, as no existing components could match the exact proportions envisioned decades earlier in the comic book.(Picture from: FanClub-Vaillante)
The result is a car unlike any other—a faithful, one-off recreation of a fictional racer, materialized through passion and craftsmanship. For Sylvand, authenticity mattered most. He didn’t want a car merely “inspired by” the comics; he wantedthe Vaillante Le Mans GT, as if Michel Vaillant himself might step out of the cockpit. Staying true to Graton’s vision meant relentless attention to detail, even when it meant discarding easier solutions.
The Vaillante Le Mans GT was finally completed and showcased at Degenève Classics, a space converted from an old carpentry workshop into a collector’s showroom.(Picture from: ObscureSupercar in X)
When the car was finally completed, it was showcased at Degenève Classics, a space transformed from an old carpentry workshop into a collector’s showroom. But Sylvand never intended the GT to sit quietly behind velvet ropes. For him, a car is meant to be driven, not preserved as an ornament. He wants people to see it in motion, tackling the twisting Alpine roads, alive in the way Graton first imagined.
The story of the Vaillante Le Mans GT is not just about metal and mechanics; it’s about how imagination can inspire reality across decades. From a boy reading comics in the 1960s to a man in his sixties finishing a five-year labor of love, it proves that some childhood dreams are worth holding on to. And while speculators might wonder if the car will ever be for sale, Sylvand makes it clear: the Vaillante is not a commodity, but a story on wheels—one still unfolding, with new adventures waiting just around the bend. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MICHEL VAILLIANT IN FACEBOOK | FANCLUB-VAILLANT | VAILLANTE LE MANS GT CONSTRUCTION IN FACEBOOK | VAILLANTE.FANDOM | AUDISPORT | EUROPECOMICS | WIKIPEDIA | OBSCURESUPERCAR IN X ]
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And that’s really what it comes down to. The Rocket Car isn’t trying to be practical, and it isn’t pretending to follow the rules. It’s a spark of genius, forged in metal, molded by vision, and driven straight into the heart of a festival that thrives on exactly that kind of magic. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TOPGEAR | MOTORBISCUIT | KQED | LOUPIOTE | FALLOUT FANDOM | WEIRD WHEELS IN REDDIT | ARNO GOURDOL IN FLICKR | WEIRD FANTASTIC BEAUTIFUL AND ODD IN FACEBOOK | AVTOMOBILI7 IN FACEBOOK | ROLLINGART IN FACEBOOK ]
