For sale right now in Arizona is a deeply, deeply bizarre machine that is apparently somehow street legal. It’s a 2001 Acura MDX that has been hacked up and outfitted with plywood panels in a way that makes the vehicle look similar to Tesla’s Cybertruck. Here, take a peek at this incredible monstrosity for sale on Facebook Marketplace for $2,600.
There has never been a vehicle whose concept debut has led to as many replicas as the Cybertruck’s. It seems like everyone, especially on YouTube, has built some kind of fake Cybertruck, in part to cash in on the viral nature of Elon Musk’s silly angular pickup, and in part because it’s pretty damn easy to make a replica of something without curves. The fact that this person used plywood says it all:
Actually, I have to admit that this is significantly nicer than what I could have built, especially if I had this to start with:
To pull this off, it’s clear the builder went through quite a few sawzall blades, trimming the corners of the C-pillar, lopping off the D-pillars entirely, slicing much of the rear hatch, and deleting much of the roof skin. Here’s a look at where the rear seats would have been;
[Editor’s Note: At this point, David abandoned this post, ending mid-sentence, a lone semi-colon marking his parting keystroke. So it’s been handed over to me, now, with this message in Slack:
So, now it’s Torch talking, so don’t yell at David when I say something stupid [Editor’s note within an Editor’s Note: Or screw up grammar, which JT is wont to do. -DT], which I likely will.]
If the rear of this “Plybertruck” (I can’t take credit for that, the builders came up with the nickname) looks like a place one could sleep if needed, I suspect that’s because people have slept there, since it seems the Plybertruck was built to run the Gambler 500 rally, which usually includes some amount of vehicle-sleeping, and the seller notes that a Queen-sized mattress will fit back there. Actually, it’s worth seeing all the stuff the seller mentions in the ad copy, because it’s interesting, dammit:
I’m cutting down on some of my hobbies so am selling my one of a kind, world famous “Plybertruck” (Google Plybertruck, #plybertruck). This has been in national and international articles, and a couple car shows. Also has been used as recovery for flipped vehicles in dirt races. Everywhere you go people take pictures and love to talk to you about it (seriously… everywhere – even while driving).
Built for off roading for the Gambler 500, a group who cleans up trash from our public lands. Has a push button awd lock so kind of like 4 wheel drive. I’ve never gotten stuck in this thing. This unique vehicle (2001 Acura base) runs and drives perfect with 140K miles. It’s street legal that does hwy speeds easily. Current registration and insurance so that you can take it for a test drive. Clean, notarized title in hand. Will come with maintenance records. The side windows do not have any glass, but it does come with “wooden” windows to use when parked. The interior is stripped and has rzr seats. The back is also stripped, I was planning on making it into a camper. Fits a queen sized mattress! I installed a pull curtain for privacy, or use to cover up the front seats from dust/weather.
The dash lights remain on (all sensor errors from being stripped), all gauges work except gas (I use the trip meter to keep track and comes with 3/4 tank of gas), radio and window sprayer do not work (wipers do), heater works (you can drive it in winter!), has working lightbar. Tires: Offroading Ironman all country AT 245/75/17 with matching spare. Tire on vehicle have less than 800 miles, spare has 0 miles on it. Custom rear tire mount that has anti theft locks (will come with key). I spent over $800 on tires alone. You’ll also get rights to the custom AZ plate “PLYBRTK” (I’ve already released it so you can immediately get it into your name with the title transfer).
This thing is an interesting mix of clearly careful work and pleasingly janky work. Cutting all of those plywood panels isn’t trivial, and neither is getting everything mounted to the frame sturdily enough so the first trip down the highway doesn’t result in everything flying off like leaves from a tree you stuck out of your sunroof.
I mean, really, it looks good! The crease in the door panels, the angles of the front bumper, this wasn’t some half-assed angular rectangle, this was the work of someone who really looked at the damn thing, not an easy accomplishment, really, because, you know:
What makes this great is that depending on your frame of mind, this could be an affectionate homage or a very funny way to take the piss from a lot of overly-smug and often irritating Tesla cultists. I won’t tell you how you should process this hilarious thing, but I will note that this old Acura slathered in wood like some kind of low-rent cybernetic tortoise has likely had a much more demanding and rewarding life than any prototype Cybertruck has had, and, very likely, may continue to have had a more demanding and rewarding life than the vast majority of production Cybertrucks, once they get built.
And I’m sure they’re going to get started building those any moment now, right? Right?
Anyway, if you want what looks like a pretty good vehicular time and a way to irritate some Tesla fans, it’s only $2,600 away. I bet a half-dozen rattle cans of metallic silver paint could turn this thing into something that fools a lot of people from a 30 feet away, too. Just a thought.
All Plybertruck Images by Seller/Facebook Marketplace
Spot on reproduction, right down to the panel gaps.
I wish I could post a picture of the MDX-pikachu locally. Complete with ears and tail.
Albany? I swear I’ve seen it on 787.
I think this concept might just float.
They really went against the grain with this build.
I wouldn’t want to be caught behind it, lumbering down the highway.
They had me right up to window spray doesnt work. You have to have standards. Anyway the build quality seems better than a Tesla. Repairs are easy every body is as close as your nearest hardware store/construction site.
DT to JT, “I’m so board with this story. Wood you please finish it for me? I’m axing nicely. Normally I wood not leaf you hanging like this. I’ll log on later and review it”
If you look real close, you can see a sill plate on the drivers side that states
“Body by Weyerhaeuser” ヽ(Í¡â—• ͜ʖ Í¡â—•)ノ
Does it come with ApplePly installed?
It comes with ApplePlywood installed…..
You can’t fool me, that’s just a ZDX
No MDF.
Came here for this, well done!
It’s pretty bad when DT gives up halfway through with just a semicolon.
This is fucking awesome! I love it.
Cybirchtruck?
Baltic birch costs too much, but that sure would be nice.
Okay, okay, okay. You got my upvote. I hope you’re proud of yourself, Mister.
Get some silver vinyl wrap and rent it out as a prop !!
“Why would you?” Because everyone likes a woody.
That dog sure does!
Somebody has way too much time on their hands. My brain (in 2nd grade), says both examples look like ass. There are no clothes to be had in the kingdom of Elon…
However, we should note that the original “damn thing” is itself a half-assed angular rectangle, so it fits.
Also in the headline, how did you not do this?
You Can Now Buy A 2001 Acura MDX Outfitted With A Plywood Tesla Cybertruck ‘Body Kit,’ But Why
WouldWood You?Thanks, Mario. 🙂
I couldn’t help but notice the dog’s judgemental look in the sixth photo. My guess is he’s not too keen on going for a ride in that thing.
That dog’s got some wood of his own.
It’s like from an alternate history where the government is rationing stainless steel, but also is really, really insistent that Tesla build the Cybertruck for some reason
Well, it’s better than the real thing 😀
Also, it’s already on the road. Take THAT, Tesla 😛
You don’t need solid axles when the body does all the articulating.
Tracy graduates from rust fetish to termite fetish. *sigh*
THIS IS HILARIOUS
TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!
No, it’s an Acura.
This is what you get when you order a CyberTruck off of AliExpress.. which I guess is still more than you’d get (at least in the near term) if you were to order a CyberTruck from Tesla themselves.
==a deeply, deeply bizarre machine that is apparently somehow street legal==
Hey, be cool, Sheryl.
I’m guessing the “street legal” part is highly dependent on state laws, lack of inspection, etc.
Remember, Kari Lake lost the Arizona gubernatorial election by less than 1% of the vote. Sun-baked minds do some inexplicable shit.