We've all had the desire to have a transformer-looking car at some point or another. Where most of us can't do anything about it, some people go ahead and build one. Here's a car from South Africa that looks like it's going to change shape at any moment. Interestingly, the base car behind this Transformer-like car is a very affordable Toyota. But which one? Keep reading to find out. What makes this car even more special is that it looks more like an art project than a technical marvel!
This story is also proof that an exotic car doesn't necessarily mean a Ferrari, or a Bugatti, or a Pagani, or a Koenigsegg, or anything that is virtually impossible to buy for more. This is evident in the case of this Toyota, as it is made up of things like trash cans and laundry baskets. Some might say it looks more like the DeLorean from the Back to the Future franchise than the vehicles from the Transformers franchise. But who are we to complain?
What's underneath this Toyota transformer?
It's a Toyota Tazz. Yes, most of you, like us, would be surprised to hear that, but it is what it is. When Ofentse Mphatsoe from South Africa got his hands on this Toyota Tazz for the first time, it looked nothing like this. What started as a touch-up on the rear spoiler gradually became a work of art. The fact of being a Toyota Tazz made it a very economical idea to begin with., and the use of recycled plastic parts to make it look like what it has got it up a few notches.
The interiors are filled with things like yoga mats and other plastic pieces that make it look like the inside of a spaceship. The steering wheel is also bespoke and, according to Ofentse, when you start driving this car it "sounds like an airplane about to take off". The way this particular Toyota Tazz sounds when moving remember those turbine engines that MTT people put in their motorcycles. It's no wonder people stop looking at the most expensive cars when this Toyota hits anywhere. This car has more custom elements than most cars in the entire world.
What makes this custom Toyota Tazz so interesting?
The fact that it was done without any fixed plan. It was a project that happened by itself and one thing led to another, and the final product was better than anyone could have imagined. Almost everything about this Toyota Tazz is bone, including the 1.3 liter engine, plus the exhaust system that was built to make it sound like an airplane about to take off. This brings our attention back to such constructions that are made in a small workshop instead of a multi-million dollar facility.
If you are still wondering, yes this Toyota Tazz is road legal as it is still a Toyota Tazz in the truest sense. In addition to cosmetic changes outside and inside, almost everything is stock and works exactly as it should. Being able to take something as boring as a Tazz and turn it into something that looks like that is a commendable job in and of itself. It also highlights the fact that you don't have to be a technical genius to go ahead and do something like this, as you're not messing with anything mechanical. It's just you and your canvas and you're free to draw whatever you want. The way you like it.
Why these custom projects are so interesting
Not long ago, we had done a report about a home-made Porsche 918 Spyder by a guy in Vietnam. Unlike the Toyota Tazz here, that Porsche 918 was made only from PVC pipes and the power train consisted of two electric motors. But that's not the point here. My point is that everyone should be able to have the car they dream of. If buying the actual car isn't an option, people should be encouraged to go ahead and build something they'd love to be seen in.
If you have lots and lots of cash, you can certainly walk into a dealership and buy something others can only dream of. And if you don't, go ahead and build one. Such projects allow people to express themselves however you want, without worrying about what others might think. These DIY projects are always interesting to watch and also motivate others to go ahead and build something of their own.
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