An Automotive Tribute to Star Trek
As a geek who wears many hats (Scifi fanatic, Car enthusiast, stalker of tattooed hipster girls) I’m pleased as punch this weekend (and most like the next few to come) was a successful one for JJ Abrams’ Star Trek reboot. The film takes me back to childhood, as I recall a man who fitted his motorcycle with Enterprise hull and warp nacelles, turning it into a two-wheeled starship. And it got me thinking, what other Trekkers have transformed their cars, bikes or maybe even mobile homes into personal Star Fleet vessels…
USS Enterprise Motorcycle – Location: Southern California
The Captain of this starship, based somewhere in the greater San Diego area, apparently has a leather jacked embroidered with official Star Fleet insignias. I’m not sure if this tri-wheeled motorcycle is a Harley or some unknown modification, but the “Star Trike” was a vehicle which fascinated me growing up.
USS Enterprise: Toyota Prius Class – Location: New York
Across the country, psychiatrist Willie Yee has a passion for not only hard science but science fiction. He combined his two favorite subjects into one fuel efficient ride – a Toyota Prius Star Fleet shuttle. As you approached the car there’s a familiar “ping ping ping” from the original series. There are plenty of decals to make it look more like the real thing. A touch screen navigation is even programmed with Enterprise sounds. 56 miles to the gallon may not be warp speed, but it’s still very fuel efficient!
Star Trek: TNG Shuttle – Location: Burning Man
I’m always surprised that people getting together in the desert once a year to drop acid can actually build something. Art Cars have become big part of the Burning Man festival and Star Trek tends to pop up every so often. This Next Generation shuttle looks to be mobile, and it’s almost as cool as the to scale Original Series Galileo shuttle, also spotted at Burning Man:
Mercedes Tuned SL 65 – Location: Germany
We aren’t sure what type of car Capt. Kirk or Picard would drive on his way to hitch a ride with the USS Enterprise – but a Mercedes is a good get for a high ranking Star Fleet officer. We also aren’t sure if this is a real retro-fit or Photoshopped – but RENNtech wants to get a nice tie-in going this year’s Star Trek movie.
Star Trek Athens Fan Club Car – Location: Athens, Greece
Star Trek goes Greek has a totally different connotation if you think about it sexually – luckily we’re just talking scifi here! The Athens, Greece Star Trek Fan Club has outfitted his car into the Starship Enterprise. Despite the appearance of thrusters on the rear of the car, this hunk of junk doesn’t look like it can start, let alone hit impulse power. Live long and prosper Greek Star Trek Car Guy.
I saw the star trike just the other day it is a Volks wagon Trike that was modified
These are terrific. The best I’ve seen (live) is a black Nissan “Cube” with bumper sticker “Resistance is futile.”
Apr 16th, 2011 at 1:38 am
[...] An Automotive Tribute to Star Trek. These are some beautiful and well done cars. I wouldn’t be caught driving them, but it really shows the intelligence of the people who designed and built them. Congrats! [...]