The Big Banana Car: A Study in Automotive Whimsy
The Big Banana Car is a custom-built motorized vehicle created by Steve to spread happiness and whimsicality. While the car has already traveled across the USA, parts of Canada, and Mexico, the creator's ultimate goal is a global tour to meet people and provide rides to strangers.
Current Status of the World Tour
The planned global tour of the Big Banana Car is currently pending due to three primary obstacles: funding, insurance, and the completion of a secondary vehicle project.
- Funding: The project is funded through the sale of Big Banana Car branded t-shirts and coffee mugs via Printify.
- Insurance: The creator is seeking an insurance partner capable of providing multi-country coverage.
- Concurrent Project: Steve is currently finishing a "Diesel punk" vehicle called the Starfield Dragonwing Intergalactic Speedster, which is approximately 85% complete.
Vehicle History and Construction
The Big Banana Car was constructed over a period of more than two years, beginning in 2008 and reaching completion in the spring of 2011. Since its completion, it has served as a "moving happiness machine," according to one former host who witnessed the vehicle's effect on people during an art festival.
Community Interaction and "Dash Gifts"
To foster interaction with the public, the creator maintains a tradition of leaving small items on the vehicle's dashboard. These items are intended as free mementos for anyone who finds the car parked.
The creator requests that recipients take a photo of the item on the dash and then a photo of it in its new home to share on the project's website. However, the creator explicitly states that his phone is not included in these free gifts.
Public Reception and Observations
Discussion surrounding the Big Banana Car highlights a recurring theme of "automotive whimsy" and the positive psychological impact of unusual vehicles.
Attention and Law Enforcement
Observers have noted that highly visible vehicles often attract significant attention from law enforcement. This is a common experience for owners of unique cars, such as the Suzuki Cappuccino or early Mini Coopers, where officers often pull drivers over simply to ask questions or admire the vehicle rather than to issue citations.
Cultural Context
Community members have compared the Big Banana Car to other famous novelty vehicles, such as the Wienermobile and the Merry Pranksters bus, suggesting that such projects occupy a specific niche of public art and performance on the road.