You may recall in my now-New York Times-referenced Tesla Cybertruck review that I called the truck “cool,” but also flawed. And while I stand by it, there’s one thing about the truck that I don’t really love: It looks mean. And I understand that aggressive styling has become the norm in the auto industry, but the world is already aggro enough; I really would rather my Costco parking lot not be filled with that look like enormous war-bunkers-on-wheels. This is why I can’t stop looking at these Cybertruck wraps — they give levity to a truck that takes itself way, way too seriously.
We see wrapped cars all the time, and unless the color is really bizarre, most of us probably don’t even bat an eyelash. But there’s something about the Cybertruck — maybe it’s the fact that it comes from the factory looking gray and dull, maybe it’s those huge flat panels that accentuate the giant swaths of color, or maybe it’s the contrast between the fun colors and the truck’s rather serious design — that has me mesmerized.
For reasons unknown, I’m in a Cybertruck Wraps group on Facebook, and honestly, I just can’t stop looking at these things:
[Ed Note: David gave me the OK to riff on these wraps (in the captions), and we want to hear your takes in the comments! -Pete]
To be sure, there are lots of wraps that are really cranking up the aggro: matte black, army green, strange tank-like textured-wraps — the whole nine. And those are pretty…interesting, but we don’t kink shame around here, so I’m happy they like their truck. But for me, it’s the smurf-blue and the mango-orange that stand out and actually make the truck look fun. And I think that’s a key ingredient it sorely needs.
The only one I can admit actually looked dope, was the guy that had his sanded and polished to a mirror finish.
Not talking practicality, it just looked hella cool.
I will agree, although the Cybertruck design as a whole does not appeal to me, it looks far less dystopian when polished
It also has the benefit of probably being the easiest vehicle in the world to wrap. Nothing bu flat, smooth surfaces! Anybody should be able to DIY with a little patience.
Yeah, just pick up some contact paper at the dollar store. I’m beginning to think that the wood grain CT I saw a month or two ago was shelf papered because it was only around for a week or so.
David Tracy: *talks about the CyberTruck*
Comments: “How many times do we have to teach you this lesson old man?!”
In all seriousness, these colours make the Cybertruck look like it was pulled directly from Stunt Race FX, a la SNES
maxresdefault.jpg (1280×720) (ytimg.com)
oh no that’s cute.
My thought was Stunts on the PC for DOS.
Great game! That was where I first learned Lamborghini had built a truck.
IMO these all still look astonishingly bad.
Can’t wait to see one in ventablack type paint.
Is that the Starbucks version of Vantablack?
LOL. Grandeblack too
My thoughts clicking this article: “I can’t stand seeing these monstrosities… what a silly design. Surely color can’t improve these.” Scrolls on “Oh, white actually looks nice”
The “teal” one is not teal, it’s light blue. There is not the slightest hint of green in it.
Yes, I see that a lot when teal is definitely more green. It seems like at least half the time I see teal mentioned people are actually talking about turquoise.
idk man, the white one maybe…
I’d like to see one anodized. That way, you get color and surface protection, but keep the graining of the stainless steel!
Titanium and aluminum can be anodized, but not SS.
I was thinking engine turning might be interesting.
Had that thought when it was first teased- Should be anodized aluminum. Would have been so much easier, and lighter. Don’t know how well anodized aluminum holds up long term, full exposure though.
I don’t think anodized aluminum has major weathering issues, but aluminum has major scratching issues, as it is significantly softer than automotive clear coat, and WAY softer than stainless.
David, with yet another pop culture reference!! It’s shocking to see you go from not knowing what “The Jerk” was, to throwing Hardigree level music references on image posts.
Edit: just saw the Editors note – Good work Pete, it didn’t quite seem like a DT reference
I’ve seen two murdered out black ones so far, which makes me think I wouldn’t even notice them if it wasn’t a magnet for flat-brim flexfit types.
Wow, that Halo wrapped truck is pretty good (for car shows).
Cybertrucks are hideous in ANY color or configuration. They are the ugliest vehicles I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a lot of Azteks…
I’ve started seeing these in traffic.
None of the online images or videos prepared me.
It is SHOCKINGLY ugly in person.
The only thing more cringe than a cybertruck is a stormtrooper cybertruck. Horrible aesthetic.
I like the teal one. It looks straight out of an early 90’s arcade racing game. When you select it a booming voice shouts “BRUISER SELECTED” and it starts spinning like it’s on a turntable.
Saw a puke green one in Yosemite a few weeks back. Legit looked like a dumpster.
That said, I do agree the colors in general make the cybertruck marginally less awful. Net positive I guess.
No matter the color, Cybertrucks still look like the lazy scout’s entry in the Pinewood Derby.
the green and orange in particular look like video game renderings. Its true though, the colors add a sense of levity and “i know I drive a cybertruck but I don’t actually take myself too seriously” to the whole matter.
Tesla CybertrucksAll Cars Are So Much Cooler In ColorOne of the cybertrucks in town has a woodgrain wrap. It is quite awesome.
If I had a cyber truck, I know exactly what wrap I would put on it
https://i5.walmartimages.com/seo/Put-Me-in-the-Zoo-Hardcover-9780394800172_d89aa580-1546-4b88-8287-22026497b6cc.4c28cff8cb2f95c35ed840177bee9dfe.jpeg
Nice one. Even single-color large polka dots à la Buddy Guy could be interesting.
_:(´ཀ`」∠):_ You’re kidding, right?
I was starting to come around to the look. Not in a, “I like it” but an “it no longer offends me” kinda way. But these are offensive all over again. The best color is Matte black. Gloss wraps can never match the depth of paint so gloss black is out.
Egh, these(and all other cars) look awful in matte black.
The lack of depth is a lot of what I like about wraps, it’s similar to single stage paint. It has this nice “molded in color” look that I prefer to the “buried under clear coat” look in most circumstances.
counterpoint: no
Concur
Thirded: hard no
Who doesn’t love getting into the crayon box! Besides protecting paint, wraps are fun for vehicles who didn’t get good paint options.
CT didn’t get any paint options.
The issue is, this is a vehicle for someone who eats the crayons.
(I agree that wraps are usually good, though. We need more silly colors and fun graphics on cars.)
Enlisted Marines can’t afford the wank panzer.
Color makes them look extra-super futuristic. They almost look like they don’t really exist. I can’t stop looking at them, either!