Garage Owner Turns Normal Cars Into Extraterrestrial Vehicles
When you see a strange, UFO-shaped vehicle cruising down the road, you might assume it’s a movie prop or a student’s art project. But for a small group of passionate mechanics and designers across America, building road-legal spacecraft is not just a hobby—it’s a calling.
These custom car creators are taking ordinary donor cars and transforming them into extraterrestrial vehicles that turn heads and spark imaginations wherever they go.
The Pioneer: Michael Vetter and His ETVs
The most established name in this niche is Michael Vetter, a Florida-based master mechanic who has been building “Extra Terrestrial Vehicles” (ETVs) since 1998 . Owner of The Car Factory in Micco, Florida, Vetter stumbled into the business for a surprisingly practical reason: after his daughter was born, he couldn’t fit her car seat into his two-seater sports car and didn’t want to give up his passion .
“I went completely off the deep-end and decided futuristic could work,” Vetter explained . His first ETV was built from a Chevrolet Aveo, and he has since converted everything from a Toyota Prius to a Porsche Boxster into his signature space-age designs .
The transformation process is extensive. Vetter cuts the donor car in half and stretches the chassis to create a longer wheelbase, then builds a tubular steel frame clad in custom fibreglass . All glass must be custom-made, and he fabricates door hinges from scratch . The result is a fully road-legal vehicle capable of speeds up to 100 mph, with prices ranging from $75,000 to a staggering $250,000 .
A Nationwide Tradition
Vetter is not alone. The UFO car—a vehicle shaped like a flying saucer—represents a largely unsung American automotive folk tradition that has persisted for decades . One notable example was created by Steve Anderson, an Indianapolis mechanic and self-described “eccentric” who built his flying saucer vehicle with a friend .
Anderson stripped a three-cylinder Geo Metro down to its drivetrain and constructed a UFO body around it. When he drives through Indianapolis in his creation, he wears green alien sunglasses and even has a green alien riding shotgun . Anderson’s philosophy sums up the motivation behind these builders: “It’s boring to be an adult. I wanna have fun. And I make myself have fun!”
The UFO car phenomenon even has an international dimension. In 2025, a custom-built Z-ROD Strada Glide Prototype UFO, built on a Piaggio MP3 three-wheeled platform, went up for auction through SBX Cars—a road-legal cruiser that Supercar Blondie described as “literally out of this world” .
More Than Just a Car
These builds often combine engineering skill with childhood imagination. Anderson’s inspiration came from a plastic UFO toy, and his decision to build the vehicle reflected a 58-year journey toward living out a childhood fantasy . Similarly, Dean Ing, an aerospace engineer and science fiction novelist, spent over 3,000 hours on the custom bodywork of his 1965 Mayan Magnum, a Volkswagen-based creation that resembles a cross between a futuristic jetfighter and an alien spacecraft .
A Tradition That Continues
The UFO car is more than a novelty; it’s a testament to American ingenuity and the joy of building something that breaks the mold. As The Autopian’s Jason Torchinsky noted, these vehicles are “part of American folk art, as valid as chainsaw sculptures and muffler men” .
Today, Vetter continues his ETV business with a waiting list of clients eager to own a piece of automotive science fiction. Anderson still cruises Indianapolis in his flying saucer, and new builders are constantly emerging. If you see a strange vehicle on the road that looks like it’s from another planet, it might just be a garage owner turning an ordinary car into something extraterrestrial .
About the Author
My name is Dua Qamar, and I am a content writer with a passion for automotive innovation, custom car culture, and the incredible stories behind people who build extraordinary things. I believe the world is full of remarkable creators whose work deserves to be seen and celebrated.
Why I Wrote This Article:
I wrote this piece because the story of people like Michael Vetter and Steve Anderson captures something truly special—the joy of creating without limits. In a world where cars are often seen as appliances, these builders treat them as canvases for imagination.
How I Approached This Topic:
I researched the topic by examining detailed reports from reputable sources covering Vetter’s ETV business, Anderson’s Geo Metro UFO, and the broader tradition of UFO cars in America. I drew on interviews and firsthand accounts to paint a complete picture of the builders and their creations.
Who This Article Is For:
This article is for anyone who loves cars, creativity, and the stories of people who refuse to follow the ordinary path. If you’ve ever wondered who builds the strange vehicles you see on the road, this article is for you.
The Message I Hope Readers Take Away:
The world is full of people building extraordinary things from ordinary materials. These builders prove that with enough passion and creativity, you can turn even the most mundane car into something that looks like it came from another planet.
Written by: Dua Qamar
