BigJon Online.com Just another big mess to deal with…

Ecto-Van Progress

Well, the idea started back a few years ago when I got bored with the look of my van. It’s not much to look at and with it being as old as it is I figured it was good for an identity change until it eventually dies. I started sketching out designs on paper of what it might look like, but actual plans didn’t come to fruition until years later.

When I finally started on an actual Ghostbuster costume I figured it was time to start work on the van. My plan was to deck it out like the Ectomobile in the movies and maintian it as my daily-driver vehicle. Sure, it sounds odd to drive a Ghostbuster-themed vehicle around all day long…but people have done worse to their cars.

After my van was broken into in 2008 (I think, maybe 2009) I ended up having to replace the driver’s side door, thus breaking the “blue stripe” theme of the van. Since the blue stripe was unremovable (without removing large chunks of paint) and I didn’t have more stripes to replace on the new door, I decided to cover the entire stripe with black and yellow caution tape. This would then allow the new door to fit in with the others.

Sometime in 2009 when my plans had been mentioned by myself to friends, a buddy of mine had some “no ghost” logos printed up on magnetic backing for my van. This helped to push me further into the idea. In 2010 I added a red “fin” to the back sides of the van to tie it in with design elements of the movie car. Just last month I also added “we believe you” and a phone number in block letters to both sides of the van.

As it stands, the van still looks very bare with nothing on the top. The movie car had a rack with lights, gadgets, do-dads, and equipment on top. My new goal is to have at least a “starter rack” completed by July 4th.

Last month I purchased a Replicaprops.com sound chip that I rigged up to some switches on the dash to replicate the iconic Ectomobile siren. My current speaker setup, however, is lacking in power and it just doesn’t have enough “oomph” to sound decent. Coming in the mail today, literally, is a 12 volt 40 watt megaphone. Hopefully once that puppy is rigged up tonight, the siren should crank a lot louder. That’s one step closer to completing this project by July.

A group of friends and I are going to be walking in the Columbus Doo-Dah Parade downtown on July 4th. If I can finish my goal and complete the roof rack I hope to drive or have someone drive the van ahead of us during the parade.

I caught a lot of flak already from a certain Ghostbusters costume message board for my van looking “too junky”. My design was meant to incorporate my lack of funds to have the van repaired or repainted by sticking with a more “urban” and “gritty” look. As one friend put it, it’s going to look more like an “exterminator van”. Due to the lack of funds available to purchase a $200+ strobe lightbar for the top, I’m going to look at buying a few sets of $10 fog lights to mount on the top of the rack for a more utilitarian look.

Sure, I would definitely repaint my van with a nice clean white gloss if I had the money required to do such a thing. At the time being however, I’m just trying to make ends meet and work with what I have. It’s at least better than having nothing! The equipment can always be removed at a later time and the paint can be applied and reinstall everything. That will then give me the chance to update the logos and lettering for a nicer set.