1969 Mustang Skull Art Car Falls On Hard Times - Prehistoric Hoarder With A Glue Gun Art Car

1969 Mustang Skull Art Car Falls On Hard Times

This 1969 Ford Mustang Skull Art Car called Morbido 69 by Howard Howrad Vines has been a regular feature at all the artcar fests here in the San Franscisco Bay Area and especially at the How Berkeley Can You Be. This art car was spotted by Murilee Martin who posted it on Jalopnic and took a ton of photos of this fine car parked in Alameda, California.

Unfortunately this beauty has fallen on hard times like a lot of older arts do and was seen again by Murilee at a local pick and pull some years later. The story is the same, first the most ardent Mustang fanatics will strip away all the good parts, then once its down to "bare bones" no pun intended, it will then be taken down to the crusher for its final journey.

I am not sure what to call this art car but it definitely crosses over into a few genres. I think its a combination between burning man, mad max, prehistoric, Wrath of Khan, nack to the future, caveman feel to it. Its almost like it belongs to a prehistoric caveman hoarder with a glue gun. I am sure the guy is very nice, probably and accountant or something who goes to burning man every year.  I would love to meet the owner of this mystery mustang art car, so if you or anyone know more about this art car please contact us at Art Car Central.

1969 Mustang Skull Art Car Falls On Hard Times

1969 Mustang Skull Art Car Falls On Hard Times

1969 Mustang Skull Art Car Falls On Hard Times

1969 Mustang Skull Art Car Falls On Hard Times

1969 Mustang Skull Art Car Falls On Hard Times

1969 Mustang Skull Art Car Falls On Hard Times

1969 Mustang Skull Art Car - Skull Closeup

1969 Mustang Skull Art Car - Toy Closeup

1969 Mustang Skull Art Car - Hood Closeup

1969 Mustang Skull Art Car - John Kerry Sticker

 via Jalopnik

(note: the article was written before the identity of the owner was found and the article is a bit confusing. I added the name at the top then made this last paragraph out place, so let just agree the article is a bit screwed up and never mention it again:)

Sausalito Art Car Gets New Life by Heather Wilcoxon

Heather Wilcoxon is better known as an artist from Sausalito Cailfornia who now lives on a decorated house boat called the "Delta Queen". I was honored to meet Heather last Saturday who came to my garage sale while visiting here sister who happens to live down the street from my house. We started talking about art cars and told me about her Gremlin art car that no longer works but has taken a whole new life as permanent garden art car in Sausalito CA. Its completely covered in toys and dolls and plants that have almost engulfed this amazing art car. For those of us with aging art cars on their last leg, this could be the next evolutionary step in the life of these wonderful works of art. More about Heather here

Photos via

8 Reasons Why Stealing an Art car is a Bad Idea - Stolen Art Car ALERT

This is a stolen art car ALERT - Dennis Dillow from Fort Bend County, Texas has his station wagon art car covered in comic strips stolen right in front of his house Easter morning. First of all who would steal and art car and secondly who would steal one on Easter morning? For the most part stealing art cars is not a very good idea and here is why:

1. REAL easy to spot
2. Not reliable
3. Most people know who the owners are
4. Not a good get away car.
5. Resale value is lousy
6. Gas millage is poor
7. Everyone stares at you
8. The art car community looks out for each others cars

So if you are a bad guy reading this blog and you stole this car or are considering stealing an art car in the future think again. My advise to you is just keep walking!!! Anyone with information on the art car’s whereabouts is asked to call police. Here is a link to the video.

Happiest Bottle Cap Covered Van on Earth - Ever!!!!

Bottle Cap Van front Photo by Damgaard

On a driery rainy day and the end of long and painful week for those affected by the tsunami in japan this van covered in colorful plastic bottle caps is a welcome relief. This art van has got to be one the happiest looking van I have seen in a very long time. May the emense joy that this art van gives out, come back to the owner 1000 times over:):):) Totally inspiring and joyful. Thank you!!!

Bottle Cap Van Photo by mhuffman

Bottle Cap Van Photo by mhuffman

Bottle Cap Van Photo by mhuffman

Bottle Cap Van Photo by hksmith02

Bottle Cap Van Photo by tracymadaj

Happy Face Bottle Cap Van Photo by Wolfram Burner

An here is a rare you tube video that capture this amazing happy bottle cap covered van.

Mini Carmonica or Harmonicar Covered in 330 Harmonicas

Just got this in today, a Mini Carmonica or Harmonicar covered in 330 Harmonicas Ah I dunno, but it literally screams around town and quickly goes from 0 to G-Sharp in roughly 5.8 seconds. The harmonicas were all the key of G, but apparently the ones with insects stuck inside were G-Sharp. The harmonicas were affixed with double-sided adhesive, which believe it or not can withstand a 300-degree heat. Which is handy if the turbo gets too hot, or for when the car jumps it through flaming rings of fire.

The Sauna - Riding the Alps in Style

The Sauna was built from a Volvo 240 and taken on CzechWrecks 2009, a 1500 mile 4 day journey starting from Calais, France through Swiss and Italian Alps all the way to Prague, Czech Republic.

What we have here is about 1/3rd of a ton of wood paneling being applied to the Volvo.

If you are wondering whether this wood had any impact on performance, I am assured it did. What performance they had to start with, remember that Volvo 240 are agricultural at best, that performance was soon zeroed.

Chris and Tom and their team built this car to raise money for charity and an opportunity to travel in their bath towels riding the sauna over some of the highest passes in Europe.

4 Startfish + 4 Barbies = TWCRV aka The Worlds Cutest RV

I got an "art car" submission the other day for an RV owner who had about 4 star fish, 4 barbies,  one shark, three fish, one Easter bunny, one seagull, two happy faces, a cat painted tire cover, a bunch of burning man stickers, and two bikes. The rest of the RV is totally bare. At first I rejected the submission which I rarely do but I had a change of heart after I looked up the definition of an Art Car.

An art car is a vehicle that has had its appearance modified as an act of personal artistic expression. Art cars are often driven and owned by their creators, who are sometimes referred to as "Cartists"

I guess by definition the "TWCRV" AKA The Worlds Cutest RV is an Art Car. OK Sheldon, you made it to ACC, but promise me you will be adding more stuff and then send me a picture of your progress.

My definition of an art car here on Art Car Central is the same as the above definition BUT, I was looking for something that was a bit more "covered". Like the Art Car Campers below.

Double Decker RV at Burning Man

Wesley Dezern's RV, by artist Pat Waldron

Graffiti RV

Drive by Paintball RV Art Car

Dickens 44 Bascom Art Car Mystery

Dickens44 and Girlfriend with Bascom Art Car

This mosaic Ford Falcon art car was created by artist and former curator for the Unknown Museum Dickens 44 Bascom on facebook a mystery worth investigating.

At first all I found was that Bascom 44 was born on the 44th day of 1944 at 44 minutes past 4:00 am. I am guessing that's were the "44" part of his name came from.

With the help of my friend Amanda who did some more digging I found out that he was part of a growing movement called the "gluers" spearheaded by a group called the Moligator Manufacturing Company, the Northern Frog Works. They met and exchanged gluable materials like costume jewelry, rubber mice, teeth, baby heads, tennis balls, bottle caps, plastic salt shakers and beyond. Dickens Bascom, a noted northern California gluer, looked forward to the day when he could join other gluers and purchase a large office building and decorate it in their fashion. "I'm determined to do it," he says. "I think it's something people need."

Larry Fuente who knew him said he was always raiding people’s basements for ‘art supplies’ and hanging stained glass windows from their trees, engaging neighbors in making art and “an expert at getting people, whole families, to do art together.”

Dickens 44 is still painting and gluing objects after all these years and has managed to produce a very large and wonderful body of art found on his site. The art car itself is pretty amazing and deserves its place here on art car central. Mystery somewhat solved.

The Vochol VW Art Car Covered in 2000 Beads

The Volkswagen Beetle with its long association with Mexico, has been used in a unique project initiated by the Museo de Arte Popular (MAP), and turned into a colorful art car represented with the art of the indigenous Huichol. “Vochol” (from the slang word for the car – Vocho – and the word “Huichol”) was created by two indigenous families over a period of seven months.

This VW art car is covered with over 2 million beads on the body, dashboard, and steering wheel and is intended to highlight the art of the region. The designs on the vw art car were created by master craftsman Francisco Bautista, that depict traditional imagery. Serpents resting on clouds on the front of the art car, sun and four eagles on the roof, and a shaman in a boat on the trunk.

The Vochol will be on display at the MAP in Mexico City and will go on tour in Europe and America, and finally, it will be put up for auction that will hopefully go for about half a million pesos. The proceeds will go to the Association of Friends of the Museo de Arte Popular (AAMAP).

How to sell an Art Car by Bizarro

Comic by Bizarro

Anyone who has ever had an Art Car for sale will tell you that convincing someone to look past all the paint and glued objects can be tough. This Bizarro comic depicting a father attempting to get the buyer to look past all the barbies glued on his daughters 2001 Mercedes S430 sedan says it all.

McDonald's Toy Art Car

This is exactly what you do with all those McDonald's toys that are now banned in San Fransisco. You glue them all over your Mazda art car and then you go for a joy ride through San Fransisco, for spite. No happy meal for you, I guess they are call them sad meals in SF.

Ultimate Shoe and Hand Bag Accessory Car - Excessories Odd-Yssey Art Van by Kelly Lyles

Kelly Lyles in her Excessories Odd-Yssey Art Car - Photo by John Lok
Well known flamboyant artist Kelly Lyles who is known for "Leopard Bernstein" and "For the Birds" art cars,  has now created another amazing art van called the "Excessories Odd-Yssey" using a Honda Odyssey minivan. This van is a reflection of her love of fashion and having fun with her wardrobe, especially in grey Seattle where she desperately wants to see more colour. Kelly's art van is covered with women's accessories: shoes, purses, belts, jewelry. The hood is a giant paper-doll with magnetic outfits of her own clothes. The dashboard is tiny doll clothes with all the matching accessories. Prada eat your heart out.
Kelly Lyles Excessories Odd-Yssey Art Car with Magnetic Hood Ornaments
Excessories Odd-Yssey Art Car photo by John Lok	Excessories Odd-Yssey Art Car Side
Auto Pilot photo John Cornicello	Excessories Odd-Yssey Dashboard
Shoe Rack - Photo by Phil Scroggs	Excessories Odd-Yssey with Pearls

Check out "That Car" I and II - Doll Head Extravaganza on wheels by Greg Phelps

That Car #1 By Greg Phelps

Greg Phelps of Columbus, Ohio, is the creator of "That Car" I and II both daily drivers with the same vanity plate THAT CAR because he says everyone shouts, "Check out THAT CAR" when they see it.

That Car #2 By Greg Phelps

That Car I is a 1990 Mazda Miata, covered in toys, plastic, glass, bone and a lot of doll heads all glued on with silicone. He drove it between 1999 and 2006 and is now a part of the permanent collection of the Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft as a functional piece of art.
That Car II, a 1999 Chevrolet Cavaliergot got started in the spring of 2006 and is also covered with plenty of reconstructed dolls, toys, skulls, shells and reflectors that he is always double-checking to make sure nothing goes flying off the car onto the highway. Nice work.