Art Car Versus ???

FountainofLight · Post by **FountainofLight** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 12:34 pm

Hi,

My co-conspirators and I are building a kinetic light installation/ music & arts venue to bring to Burning Man this year. http://www.fountainoiflight.co

We've just about acquired a brilliant old bus that we're going to paint and outfit and excite to transport build crew and materials to Burning Man.

Would anyone be able to speak to the importance in registering a vehicle as an art car on the playa?

Thanks much yall.

gaminwench · Post by **gaminwench** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 1:00 pm

If it isn't a Mutant Vehicle, it parks when it arrives on the playa, no registration required.

If it is a Mutant Vehicle, it is not identifiable as a car/truck/bus and meets a bunch of stringent and necessary requirements at the DMV, which (after on playa inspection) then licenses it to cruise the event.

An art car is not necessarily a Mutant Vehicle.

FountainofLight · Post by **FountainofLight** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 1:42 pm

thanks for the reply. does an art car have mobility on the playa, or is it just limited to mutant vehicles?

Post by **Elderberry** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 2:02 pm

Just Mutant Vehicles. They stopped licensing art cars a few years back.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 5:40 pm

FountainofLight wrote:thanks for the reply. does an art car have mobility on the playa, or is it just limited to mutant vehicles?

It depends..there are places, where you cannot drive. If its well lit, you can apply for a night permit, even if it fails the day permit. In the past, Busses have had an easier chance of passing, since they can transport people, but are still subject...somewhat..to the radically modified requirements. Just make sure you pre register before the deadline! Even if you are approved, that doesn't mean you will be passed by the hotties. However! You are still given the chance to work on it..at your camp, and re submit it for inspection.

Post by **Elderberry** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 5:47 pm

TS are you making a distinction between an art car and a mutant vehicle in your reply? It is my understanding that 'art cars' are no longer licensed for day or night and hence would not be allowed to drive on the playa during the event. I believe even David Best's cars are no longer allowed, as they still look like cars, no matter how radically beautiful they are.

I might be wrong, but I'll stand corrected if anybody chimes in with different information.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 6:28 pm

jkisha wrote:TS are you making a distinction between an art car and a mutant vehicle in your reply? It is my understanding that 'art cars' are no longer licensed for day or night and hence would not be allowed to drive on the playa during the event. I believe even David Best's cars are no longer allowed, as they still look like cars, no matter how radically beautiful they are.

I might be wrong, but I'll stand corrected if anybody chimes in with different information.

If Im not mistaken, art cars are now mutant vehicles. Its been a while, but we did give out Staff permits...not sure if David Best's car would be allowed, but I think his bus still would. Ive volunteered for DMV...again.. this year, but haven't heard back yet.

Don't know what the standards are now, but his Cars are definitely "Radically Modified."

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 6:33 pm

In 2004, my last year with DMV...the term radically modified was based on the fact that it no longer resembled the base vehicle or was obviously..to the hotties eye...something totally different, and would "enhance their BM experience."

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 8:25 pm

Straight from the source: What is a Mutant Vehicle?

A Mutant Vehicle is a unique, motorized creation that shows little or no resemblance to their original form, or to any standard street vehicle. Mutant Vehicles are radically, stunningly, (usually) permanently, and safely modified from their base vehicle. Sometimes the whole vehicle is made from scratch.

Mutant Vehicles may include such non-standard motorized forms such as furniture, other non-street vehicles such as a boat or train, animals, or just about anything imagininable. For safety reasons, they must not mimic any type of emergency service or law enforcement vehicle.

Vehicles merely stripped to the frame and engine, and vehicles with minimal changes or temporary decorations are not considered Mutant Vehicles

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 9:16 am

Buses seem have a lower standard for modification.

Versus what? A Mutant Vehicle Demolition Derby? Now my pants are fitting tight!

FountainofLight · Post by **FountainofLight** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:59 pm

wow. thanks so much for all the responses here. i dig that the bus can be modified at our camp as driving cross country with some sort of radically outfitted mutant vehicle might not be the most prudent action. we'll get our ducks in order and apply. lot of action.

thanks again. we'll see you with our art installation on the playa this year. can't wait.