To Art Car or NOT to Art Car

[Captain Goddammit]

You've just made a few compelling pro-gas arguments yourself! Are there any pro-electric arguments at all, that aren't nullified by the fact that you'll really be using a gas engine anyway to make the electricity in a much less efficient or practical way??

I just read something much more alarming though.

Don't bank on the sculpture on top being cool enough to get a DMV license on a non-fully-mutated vehicle!
Rigs like that are commonly rejected. It's been made very clear that full so-called mutation is the standard. If it looks like a stock default-world vehicle with decoration on top, it won't meet the criteria.
Ask Doc Pyro about his old Tie Wagon, that had AWESOME pyrotechnics, was covered in neckties, had been a proven crowd-pleaser, but was recognizable as a Ford pickup truck... you won't be seeing it.

Actually don't ask him, it might put him in a bad mood!

The days of decorated carts are over, you've gotta kick it up a notch.

[Ratty]

Perma Burgin, How about you attend this, (your first year), with no art car? You will be able to see the limitations put on by the environment and the parameters of the DMV.

P.S. I don't think covering a vehicle with anything, qualifies.

[PermaBurgin]

I don't want to come off defensive, especially when I'm getting concrete and expert advice, but I have few things to say in defense of my art piece.

Firstly, the heart of the matter is the artistic integrity. The top sculpture needs to be up high as well as mobile to create the desired effect. I could try to turn the entire vehicle into a crystal cluster and easily pass DMV inspection, but having the sculpture elevated is a necessity and that plane would compromise the piece.

Secondly, a trike covered in lucite prisms is visually striking in the midday sun.

Thirdly I've seen several mutant vehicles that I feel should be considered "decorated not mutated" (although admittedly less in 2013). I'm not going to name any names like the Lego truck, but it appears exceptions are made sometimes.

[Elliot]

I'm sure every application is evaluated on its own merit, and the total effect considered. For example, the first version of El Pulpo Mechanico had an awful lot of cut-up-pickup-truck visible underneath, but the octopus on top was spectacular, and it would have been a shame if it had not been accepted. (The 2013 version was much upgraded -- in fact, there is a whole new vehicle underneath.)

Do your thing, and keep in touch with DMV. The Man burns in 270 days.

[Captain Goddammit]

Don't take anything I say as criticism, I have no doubt I'll love seeing your awesome rig.
I just want to make sure I get to see it!
The DMV will of course have the final word but they do make it very clear that "complete mutation" is the standard.
I don't want you getting denied because you totally kicked ass on the top art but left the bottom undone.
With that impressive a display above you would probably get away with simply concealing the vehicle below, one way or another.

[GreyCoyote]

P.S. I don't think covering a vehicle with anything, qualifies.

Isn't this where Simon pops up and says "just cover it in $20 bills and call it the Larry Mobile!"

[Ratty]

I'm sorry. I didn't say that to offend. I really admire anyone that goes through the trouble and considerable expense to make an art car. On the other hand I don't hold them dear if they seat one to four persons and appear to be created shabbily solely to transport the maker and his friends. Everyone loves art cars. If they entertain like cupcakes and articulated dragons they are not expected to transport strangers. If it's a golf cart that looks like a Columbus Parade float then not so much love is showered on it. I would love to see your 'Crystal Car'.

[EspressoDude]

regarding Lucite crystals.
Low humidity + wind + microfine dust + static electricity + plastic = dust covered shapes that are dull and lifeless.
playa dust also scratches

[PermaBurgin]

Thanks for the input, I'm taking it all to heart.

[Captain Goddammit]

EspressoDude and Ratty - have you noticed how similar you look in your avatars?

[theCryptofishist]

EspressoDude and Ratty - have you noticed how similar you look in your avatars?

(Psssst! Pssssssssssssssssssst! Captain, humor "them". It's the only way we'll have any sanity around here.)

[Ratty]

Yup. You caught me. EspressoDude is my sock.

(Or I'm his).

[The Rod]

Back to the OP's art car:

Ossuary art car?? Holy crap!! Amazing.

I've long been envisioning and slowly building an art car built out of/with bones. I would love to speak with you in detail about the specifics of such a beast... I've sent a PM.

[PermaBurgin]

Can I pop back into this thread to ask if anyone has seen prisms used as art on the playa? I've Googled around (and found some amazing stained-glass works) but nothing that really uses prisms specifically. Is it possibly the dust issue that was mentioned earlier?

[Captain Goddammit]

I haven't seen prisms that I recall, which makes your idea cool, but I'd say it's just a maintenance issue.
They will get dusty and you gotta clean them. It could be done.

[EspressoDude]

Yup. You caught me. EspressoDude is my sock.

(Or I'm his).

wait...are you in my socks..??

[Josexx]

UPDATE: The bus is parked in front of my house, my mechanic tells me all it really needs is a tune up. According to him, the owners were just bullshitting about the cylinder because they didn't want to deal with getting into the spark plugs. I take his word being that he actually has worked on this van and used to work in the shop where this vehicle comes from. He actually is the one that kept this specific van running. Great to have him on my side. Once the tune up is done it's off to the warehouse to build the frame.

The roof is rounded so a flat platform will need to be built on top, with supporting steel running down the sides and into the frame (I've seen similar doings on the Disco Fish. It's base vehicle is almost identical to mine.PS if anyone knows them I'd love some tips.)

Then the fun starts! BONES! Shooting for "2015 DARKSIDE AWESSUARY"