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What Was Stan Thinking? The Stanmobile

The styling of a car often represents a compromise between the designer’s dreams and the engineer’s capabilities. What kind of mind would the designer have had to create a “car” like this?  We know one thing: his name is Stan and his car is called the “Stanmobile”. Find it here on eBay in Bay City, Michigan with a Buy It Now of $25,000! Our thanks to Scott Y for this tip.

As they say, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and I hope that Stan thinks this creation is beautiful! Or maybe he is selling it because he can’t stand to look at it anymore! The Stanmobile is currently made from parts from 32 different cars. I’m sure that you can identify some of them.  The hood and grill are from a 1939 Chevy. The headlights are from a Ford LTD. And Stan also claims that the front bumper is from a 1958 Buick but it looks nowhere near heavy and shiny enough to me.

Stan claims that this car was built only using parts and didn’t start with a manufactured body.  I can see that but it doesn’t help your cause, Stan. It is jarring enough to see fins from a 1961 Cadillac grafted onto a vehicle with a split hood from a 1939 Chevy. Perhaps the scariest part is that this list only shows parts from 28 vehicles not 32 as the eBay ad says, and he wants to add more! And speaking of that eBay ad, we could definitely use more information.

Those rear fins almost work with the ’85 Seville trunk lid but from this angle it looks like the front of the car is missing. We know it has a Chevy 350 under the hood so it should have a little grunt. What else is there to say? Let’s take a look inside.

The interior is from a 1964 Ford Thunderbird with a lazy looking dash cover that is likely covering up holes and cuts in that dashboard.  The seats from a 1984 Firebird look completely out of place with that interior, but they look comfortable. The doors are from a Pinto and are the stripes made from painter’s tape? If you look closely you’ll see that the wood grain inserts in the center of the console are actual wood and they don’t fit well. I expect more for $25,000, Stan. This is actually an amazing creation and guessing by the asking price this car is finished and drivable. There’s no doubt that it will turn heads everywhere (maybe from throwing up a little in our mouths). Tell me what you’d do with it!

Comments

  1. Avatar Dirty Dingus McGee

    One mans dream is another s nightmare.

    Like 0
    • Avatar whippeteer

      Everyone else’s nightmare…

      Like 0
    • Avatar F.G. Kaye

      What would I do with this ?

      PART IT OUT ?

      Like 0
      • Avatar Mark-A

        It should have been buried rather than that poor Dino! Only other question is WHY???

        Like 0
  2. Avatar Geebee

    Reminds me of some of the stuff I made with random parts from plastic models when I was a kid.

    Like 0
    • Avatar elrod

      …and then promptly blew up with M80s…

      Like 0
      • Avatar Will

        I used a BB gun into a closet.

        Like 0
  3. Avatar Brendan

    Good job Stan. There are dreamers and there are doers.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Dusty Stalz

    Looks like the guys name is Don not Stan. Stanley is his last name. Very interesting vehicle but I’m sure it’s gonna get a ton of hate here. Btw I wonder how well it stops with those “breaks” lol.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Brent

      Does the Ltd roof mount brake light come on when the brakes break ?

      Like 0
  5. Avatar Will

    How do Caprice electric windows work with pinto doors? Also what frame is it sitting on?

    Like 0
    • Avatar Hotrodr56

      I’m guessing ……….not very well!

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Jeffro

    This is the result of dropping lots of LSD!

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Mike B

    Homer Simpson’s car.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar John

    Is the deal killer going to be the 1972 Pinto gas tank? At least he’s forthcoming in it’s defects.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Steve65

    Johnny Cash wants to compare notes and trade stories.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Bruce Fischer

      Steve65, your right reminds me of his caddy song.LOL.Bruce.

      Like 0
  10. Avatar Poptheclutch

    Is stan a pimp!?

    Like 0
  11. Avatar kathy hooper

    Reminds me of the Johnny Cash song “One Piece At A Time”
    Well, I left Kentucky back in forty nine
    An’ went to Detroit workin’ on a ‘sembly line
    The first year they had me puttin’ wheels on Cadillacs
    Every day I’d watch them beauties roll by
    And sometimes I’d hang my head and cry
    ‘Cause I always wanted me one that was long and black.
    One day I devised myself a plan
    That should be the envy of most any man
    I’d sneak it out of there in a lunchbox in my hand
    Now gettin’ caught meant gettin’ fired
    But I figured I’d have it all by the time I retired
    I’d have me a car worth at least a hundred grand.
    I’d get it one piece at a time
    And it wouldn’t cost me a dime
    You’ll know it’s me when I come through your town
    I’m gonna ride around in style
    I’m gonna drive everybody wild
    ‘Cause I’ll have the only one there is around.
    So the very next day when I punched in
    With my big lunchbox and with help from my friends
    I left that day with a lunch box full of gears
    I’ve never considered myself a thief
    But GM wouldn’t miss just one little piece
    Especially if I strung it out over several years.
    The first day I got me a fuel pump
    And the next day I got me an engine and a trunk
    Then I got me a transmission and all the chrome
    The little things I could get in my big lunchbox
    Like nuts, an’ bolts, and all four shocks
    But the big stuff we snuck out in my buddy’s mobile home.
    Now, up to now my plan went all right
    ‘Til we tried to put it all together one night
    And that’s when we noticed that something was definitely wrong.
    The transmission was a fifty three
    And the motor turned out to be a seventy three
    And when we tried to put in the bolts all the holes were gone.
    So we drilled it out so that it would fit
    And with a little bit of help with an adapter kit
    We had that engine runnin’ just like a song
    Now the headlight’ was another sight
    We had two on the left and one on the right
    But when we pulled out the switch all three of ’em come on.
    The back end looked kinda funny too
    But we put it together and when we got through
    Well, that’s when we noticed that we only had one tail-fin
    About that time my wife walked out
    And I could see in her eyes that she had her doubts
    But she opened the door and said “Honey, take me for a spin.”
    So we drove up town just to get the tags
    And I headed her right on down main drag
    I could hear everybody laughin’ for blocks around
    But up there at the court house they didn’t laugh
    ‘Cause to type it up it took the whole staff
    And when they got through the title weighed sixty pounds.
    I got it one piece at a time
    And it wouldn’t cost me a dime
    You’ll know it’s me when I come through your town
    I’m gonna ride around in style
    I’m gonna drive everybody wild
    ‘Cause I’ll have the only one there is around.
    Ugh! Yeah, RED RYDER
    This is the COTTON MOUTH
    In the PSYCHO-BILLY CADILLAC Come on
    Huh, This is the COTTON MOUTH
    And negatory on the cost of this mow-chine there RED RYDER
    You might say I went right up to the factory
    And picked it up, it’s cheaper that way
    Ugh!, what model is it?
    Well, It’s a ’49, ’50, ’51, ’52, ’53, ’54, ’55, ’56
    ’57, ’58’ 59′ automobile
    It’s a ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’66, ’67
    ’68, ’69, ’70 automobile.

    Like 1
    • HoA Rube Goldberg Member

      Wow, Kath, I’ll give you thumbs up for effort, I like Johnny Cash too. Thanks for the lyrics, but do you like the car itself?

      Like 0
  12. Avatar Anthony R in RI

    The fins are from a 58 Caddy not a 61…. owners list not withstanding.. a minor point on this monstrosity….

    Like 0
    • Avatar tim spann

      Spotted that immediately, as I own (2) 58 Cadillacs. I dont think this guy kept track of his donor list. Overall, I have to say Ive seen worse.

      Like 0
  13. Avatar 68 custom

    wonder if Stan is friends with the guy in Florida who grafted caddy fins onto a Mazda Miata? ill take a picture the next time I see it out!

    Like 0
    • Avatar Dana Friedman

      That I would love to see. Please post pictures.

      Like 0
      • Avatar CarBuzzard Member

        I saw that in Pennsylvania, which I understand is one of several Miatas so, um, I’m at a loss for words.

        Like 0
  14. Avatar Costa

    Going to wash my eyes out with soap now.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Speedo

    The front bumper is not from any ’58 Buick I have known. I suspect they are also Caddy bits. I suppose this is better than having the parts run through the crusher, but not by much!

    Like 0
    • Avatar whippeteer

      I agree. I think the signal pods on the ends are Caddy.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Bill McCoskey Member

      Bumper pods with the oval white lenses are from 1958 PONTIAC, not Buick.

      Like 0
  16. Avatar Adam T45 Staff

    I’m not going to criticise this car (no matter how tempting that may be). I am grateful that I live in Australia which means that there’s little chance that I will have the “pleasure” of viewing this first-hand. All I will say is that I believe that the decimal point in the price may well be in the wrong place.

    Like 0
  17. Avatar MikeG

    Oh my….

    Looks like it was exposed to radiation which resulted in numerous unsightly growths.

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Mark

    Wish I could make anything out of 5 cars that would run and drive and stop. Maybe we should not always destroy these people when they tried so hard do something they loved to do. Ok price is insane. But if I made something like that, I would not sell unless I got a ton of dough. Tons of time and man hours. Bet his family and kids love it. Good job mr Stan!,

    Like 0
    • Avatar Fred W.

      I’m with you Mark! It may be ugly to us, but you gotta give kudos to anyone who can build something this well. Just don’t expect others to see the monetary value in it.
      On another note, I think regular door glass would have helped the looks quite a bit.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Steve65

        I had that same thought about the door windows. Seems like they’d look fine without the overlays trying to change their shape.

        Like 0
  19. Avatar Rick

    Good old Stan. One of Detroit’s famous old Pimp’s. If that car could talk!

    Like 0
  20. Avatar jeff6599

    If only the hood blended in better with the cowl and had that raised stamping flattened. Oh, and the rear bumper brackets need a bit more craftsmanship.

    Like 0
  21. Avatar Rodney

    I think at the end of the day if Stan (AKA Don), was happy spending all of his leisure time building this then who cares? How many people can say, “I thought this up, built it and drove it around and it made me happy”. Very few. Good for you Stan/Don, you are a rare and unique person.

    Like 0
  22. Avatar tom

    “Just because you could, doesn’t mean you should.” Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park.

    Like 0
  23. Avatar Dirks Bently

    Sorry I spent my money buying the johnny cash Cadillac brought home one piece at a time .
    It’s a 61 62 63 64…..

    Like 0
  24. Avatar JW

    From the rear pic it doesn’t look all that bad until you see the side and front pics with the doors and both sides of the hood open. Lot of man hours in this creation but not worth his asking price except to a drug dealer hoping the cops will be laughing so hard they won’t mess with them.

    Like 0
  25. Avatar Dave

    Why bother?

    Like 0
  26. Avatar gord

    looks like the “core” body is a pinto… so not just doors, but the whole “cage” as it were from the firewall including the frame/body as it were around the rear hatch…just my thought… probably on “some” frame of some sort
    the 58 buick… it is just the 2 side pieces right?… well whatever boats your float

    Like 0
  27. Avatar Keith

    Can’t say much for the design, but the skill level is pretty amazing.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Mark Diederich

      it’s the skill level that is truly amazing…

      Like 0
  28. Avatar lawrence

    Cool build – most guys on here couldn’t come close with their junk – eh – unused stuff they have laying around their place !

    Like 0
  29. Avatar DrewP

    Firmly agree with Keith.^
    Pretty seamless assembly really, not like there’s balled up tin foil bridging gaps.
    There could be under bondo, but the surface looks ok.

    Like 0
  30. Avatar Crazyhawk

    From one Stan to another, let me pat you on the back and buy you a beer. Let’s just sit back on a couple of lawn chairs and talk for awhile about that car of yours. I’d probably enjoy your company a lot more than most people I’m stuck with all day…..Thanks, Stan the Man

    Like 0
  31. Avatar Karguy James

    As a car builder with a few of my own creations under my belt, like the one above, I have little room to talk. When I see something like the Stanmobile, I can only imaging the hours upon hours of work this must have taken to achieve that result. I imagine what could have been built using that same effort and cost on a more desirable result.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Jay M

      Does it float?

      Like 0
    • Avatar whippeteer

      Now THAT I would drive!

      Like 0
    • Avatar TriPowerVette

      +Karguy James – When you pull skiers, do they have skateboards or water skis?

      Like 0
  32. Avatar 1990-B2

    When I was growing up I used to watch ” Fat Albert & The Cosby Kids” & this thing reminds me of the Ultimate Pimp Mobile from that show!!!

    Like 0
  33. Avatar BiggYinn

    Man….some parts just should stay seperate

    Like 0
  34. Avatar Adam T45 Staff

    Since my earlier comment I’ve had an opportunity to consider this car further. I’m torn in deciding whether this man is a genius, or whether he possesses a delicious sense of irony.

    The beauty of owning this car would be that in the event of a rear end collision, there is little likelihood that you could be sued by the family of the person now impaled on the Cadillac rear fins, given the fact that you would’ve been prematurely (and spectacularly) cremated by the exploding Pinto fuel tank. I can think of easier ways to avoid a law suit, but certainly none that are as effective!

    Like 0
  35. Avatar ZL-1 Dave

    Simplistic design execution is an indication of pure genius. I’m sorry Stan but this thing looks WAY too complicated to earn that kind of recognition.

    Like 0
  36. Avatar Hide Behind

    If I had ever owned a wrecking yard I might of cobbled together some monstrocities, did a couple without owning yard, but by looks of crafting on this, I envy his skills.

    Like 0
  37. Avatar James

    Asking $25k, well he’s got a great sense of humor! LOL!

    Like 0
  38. Avatar Hide Behind

    Gramps long ago, when giving his talk on the birds and bees said,” There ain,t no woman on earth so ugly that somewhere there is a man who would love her, well he did not say love exactly.
    Same goes for autos, IMHO. And somewhere out there is a guy or gal that would love to own this uh, uh, creation.

    Like 0
  39. Avatar Todd in Ky

    I’d see what it weighs asap. Just to get an idea what I’d get at the local salvage yard.

    Like 0
  40. Avatar lucky

    Great job Stan, you shouldn’t have done what you have done. but you did, that’s what counts here…

    Like 0
  41. Avatar robj Member

    Maybe, just maybe it looks better in person. Still, nice workmanship and I admire that he actually finished his project when so many others do not. Kudos!

    Like 0
    • Avatar TriPowerVette

      +robj – I’m pretty sure he indicates that it isn’t finished.
      May never be.
      Art is like that.
      Still gave you a thumbs up.

      Like 0
  42. Avatar Larry Q

    Wonder how much time was put into it? Not everyone can come up with a vehicle from umpteen vehicles and it be roadworthy! Thumbs up to the builder

    Like 0
  43. HoA Rube Goldberg Member

    I just don’t get it. This is a wonderful creation, I love it ( but I like ratrods too) You people that rip on it, what’s the matter with you?

    Like 0
  44. Avatar Miguel

    Two comments.

    First, in using the ’64 Thunderbird dash which had no turn signal lights designed in, I wonder if he added something to tell him if the signal was ineed on.

    I didn’t see any turn signal lights on the front fenders like the Thunderbird had.

    Also he lists the front turn signals as being from a Ford LTD. They look more like Lincoln Mark IV lights to me. Am I seeing that correctly?

    Like 0
    • Avatar whippeteer

      Maybe he drove it in Florida. No need to know if the turn signals are on or off.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Ringleader5

      Durn Kids, that’s what your left arm is for, not holding the cell phone!

      Like 0
  45. Avatar KEN TILLY Member

    Somewhere between beautiful and fugly, however, the time and effort in building this dream car shows just how much dedication went into actually completing it as against most restos that get put aside soon after the car has been stripped to almost nothing. Also, I think this posting has generated more comments than any other I have seen on BF for a considerable time. Well done Stan!

    Like 0
  46. Avatar MoparMatt

    The fins look like ’60 Plymouth, not Cadillac

    Like 0
  47. Avatar Duffy

    Ninety percent of you people thrashing this vehicle, ask your self, ” Could I have built something like this, that is finished and it drives”? All the cutting and fitting, molding parts in, getting the parts fitted. I say it took a pretty clever person to do this. It may not be what other people admire but by God Stan the man did it. I have been a body shop owner for over 60 years and I know how difficult and the long hours it took to build some thing like this. It had to be a relaxing and frustrating experience. Good job Stan the man, if I was still in business I would gladly ask you to work for me.

    Like 0
    • Avatar PaulG

      Exactly! Stan made the effort, and pulled this off…I agree with everyone who gives Stan two thumbs up. The thrashers, well never mind…

      Like 0
  48. Avatar Rhett

    If someone gave it to me, I’d drive the wheels off it, and I like the workmanship here. The dude made a Seville trunklid look right at home, something Cadillac couldnt even do….Don/Stan, you’re a visionary!

    Like 0
  49. Avatar Another Bob

    The real irony is if he would have spent LESS time on it he would have ended up with something more aesthetically pleasing and way more marketable.

    Like 0
  50. Avatar John K

    I am impressed that someone could incorporate that many different components into a single mass, and yet no component works with any other. I mean, the law of probabilities would seem to dictate that SO MANY different pieces would have to share some common lines, shape, form, flow, etc. Nope.

    I am awestruck. Maybe not in a good way, but still awestruck.

    Like 0
  51. Avatar Dan

    He nailed it.

    Like 0
  52. Avatar leiniedude Member

    Sold for:US $25,000.00 That all I got.

    Like 0
  53. Avatar Metoo

    My eyes ,my EYES!!!!

    Like 0
  54. Avatar Tom Justice

    He got his asking price so there must be one more person who appreciates it.

    Like 0
  55. Avatar AMXSTEVE

    Those tail lights are from a 71 Javelin and are alone worth a pretty penny

    Like 0
  56. Avatar Madmatt

    I probably can’t add anything to these comments,
    other than “MY EYES HAVE SEEN YOU”! therefor
    Iam shocked,dumbfounded,speechless–almost,and hope
    to never see such a creature again!HELP ME RHONDA…!
    GET HER OUTTA MY HEART…..!

    Like 0
  57. Avatar Sideways

    I am OK with, “no profanity, politics or personal attacks” on this message board. But, to show us this unearthly creature gives us no way to express ourselves honestly. You tie our hands, then blind us with this?! What are we to do? I’m going to now step away for a moment and cry a little, then pray to Mary to make it stop, then return…. Ok, I’m back now, and feeling a little better.

    Like 0
  58. Avatar Sheffieldcortinacentre

    That must’ve been one he’ll of a crash!

    Like 0
  59. Avatar jacques girard

    NEVER WOULD BE SEEN WITH THIS, AND ESPECIALLY AT 25 K HAHAHAHAH Wwhat a joke lolllllll
    am i on lsd ? lolll 2 funny
    and the boat car is nice and different , id like a car r boat like that …
    stan mobile should be crapmobile, jees , pinto gas tank eeeeeeeekkkkkkk.
    BOOOOMMMM hahahah sometimes this is 2 much loll
    poor guy , i wonder if hes ever gonna sell it …

    Like 0
  60. Avatar Robert G

    There a lot of talk about this “thing” and everyone has said what I was thinking already, so “ditto” you guys. My thoughts exactly.

    Like 0
  61. Avatar hal

    Yikes!
    I hate to say this stan ……but this car?? Is bone stick ugly.
    A lot of creative ideas for sure…..they just don,t do it for me.

    Like 0
  62. Avatar Cris Carver

    Would be a great car for a very odd superhero.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Steve65

      Hmmmm. Would this be suitable for The Tick?

      Like 0
  63. Avatar Moparman Member

    I’ll just leave THIS here………

    Like 0
    • Avatar Brakeservo

      I think I saw this at P.I.R. one Wednesday night – doesn’t it have a vertical Riley grill??

      Like 0
    • Avatar Cattoo

      Where does this car hang out? I’ve never seen it around town and I would have remembered it if’n I had seen it. It’s kinda snazzy.

      Like 0
  64. Avatar Moparman Member

    And THIS……

    Like 0
    • Avatar Steve65

      Pull off the wing and the Continental kit, and I’m all in. Please please tell me it’s a V12…

      Like 0
      • Avatar Ross W. Lovell

        Steve65,

        I agree with you.

        Different wheels, not a fan of yellow but keep it a two-tone and clean up/tighten that trunk gap.

        Strangely gorgeous.

        Like 0
  65. Avatar camaroguy

    I can’t unsee this

    Like 0
  66. Avatar Duffy

    Stan the Man is laughing all the way to the bank. Just sold for $25000.00. Good job Stan.

    Like 0
  67. Avatar lbpa18

    There’s a story here somehow. Something like a guy with too much to drink makes a claim that he can make a car out of any parts. Someone calls him on it and voila’ – here’s your challenging box of miscellaneous parts. For his sake, I hope he made a $25K bet. Then maybe there could be some sense to this.

    Like 0
  68. Avatar Ed Goble

    Number 13 Breaks: does this mean it has broken several times?
    Number 22 Brake light is correct spelling.
    It does show a flair for his ability to think outside the box or brakes in this case. Must of been a lot of time invested.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Steve65

      When you chose to take cheap shots at other people’s trivial grammar errors, it’s generally best to avoid including any of your own…

      Like 0
    • Avatar Will

      Did you mean “must HAVE been…..”? Jus’ sayin’

      Like 0
  69. Avatar Nrg8

    Just a wrecking yard owner that had been saving choice parts of unpopular cars. Although no one was actually needing said parts. So smush em together and voila.

    Like 0
  70. Avatar George Soffa

    Can’t his family intervene and get Stan into detox ?????

    Like 0
  71. Avatar Craig

    I guess I have to admire the level of skill it took to do this, even though it’s just a crazy idea. To each his own.

    Like 0
  72. Avatar Radarone

    I would like to see it with 26 inch wheels to fill up those wheel wells some.
    Maybe get the stance a little lower?

    Like 0
  73. Avatar Mark H

    There’s no words to say, and be kind, but Stan had way too much time on his hands………like Kathy Hooper above…….my goodness!

    Like 0
  74. Avatar tommy

    Beauty is in the eyes of the beer holder!

    Like 0
  75. Avatar Madmatt

    Wow,we could get over 100 comments going on this article!
    While I may have made fun of its strangeness,ugliness?in an earlier comment,
    I assure you all,that this person had good intentions! LOL,
    And surely did put in a lot of hours on his project,for that alone,
    I have to give him a thumbs up!Even though its still one of the
    strangest mashups that I’ve ever seen!

    Like 0
  76. Avatar 88V8

    Be thankful that you live in a country where someone can still create a car of his own imagining and get to drive it on the road without some Gubmt jobsworth leaping up and waving a huge rule book of what shape the nuts and bolts must be, and telling him it’s daaaaangerous.
    Cos that’s the way it is now, over here in England.
    Not as bad as some countries, France for example where you can’t register a car that’s non-standard. But freedom of the road? Ha!

    And hats off to Stan that he finished the job. If such a car could ever be said to be truly finished.

    V8

    Like 0
  77. Avatar Hide Behind

    I hit every nearby, within 300 miles, car show and many a Friday or Saturday night at burger joints that cater to cruisers and I got a feeling Stand creation would be a hit at those places.
    Might even garner a trophy, I don’t know if they have a weirdest category.
    But gauging comments here by some pretty say car guys, All I can say is , “Whomever got this rig take it to the public.”

    Like 0
  78. Avatar JackT

    On the bright side, no theft alarm needed.

    Like 0

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