Well.... All my Playa Vehicles so far have been pedal powered, and these do not require registration. But I have read up on the requirements for motorized Mutant Vehicles, and....
... as I understand it....

The best -- no, the only way -- to go about starting such a project is to read all the information that the BM DMV (Department of Mutant Vehicles) has on the BM web site.
They explain how all MVs must be tentatively approved ahead to time to even be allowed thru the gate, then must be inspected at the DMV office near Center Camp to get a license plate.

The requirements are quite strict -- as they should be. It is important to understand that BM is essentially a no-motor-vehicles event. This is a requirement of our hosts, the Federal Bureau of Land Management. So MVs are exceptions. To be approved for such an exception, the MV must be a worthy work of art that provides much enjoyment/benefit to the entire Black Rock City population. In other words, it must be a work of art that just happens to also be mobile. Vehicles that serve primarily only as the owner's transportation are specifically disallowed. Vehicles that are readily recognizable as a mass produced vehicle are also disallowed. (When you see a "normal" vehicle, it is either a management vehicle or a handicapped vehicle.)

Once you are up on this concept, and embrace it, we can discuss technical solutions. I would suggest starting with your art and interactivity, and then figure out how to make it move.

Here is an example that most of you have seen on the Playa over many years: The Exploratorium -- the blue circular gazebo that seems to move across the Playa as if by magic. Not much magic to it -- there is a Chevy S-10 pickup under the floor. The roof has been cut of, so the driver sits with his head up thru the floor of the gazebo, but otherwise it is a complete pickup truck. Completely invisible.

The opposite approach is to build the chassis from scratch, and install the necessary powertrain. This is not really difficult for people with some mechanical skills. And it makes ANYTHING possible!

Learn the DMV rules, and develop your plan for the art & interactivity. The DMV starts accepting proposals for consideration in mid February.

:-)
Elliot

Think gokart; they're easier to morph than golf carts. Also the DMV has a hair up their ass about inadequately decorated golf carts...

A successful mutant vehicle's contribution to the event needs to exceed its negative impact. Consider that all vehicle traffic on the playa has a significant negative impact on the event in terms of stuff like dust, pollution, traffic, safety, etc. As the quality of mutant vehicle's increases, fewer low occupant motorized transports have been invited unless they have a major visual interest. Mutant Vehicles of minimal passenger capacity should compensate the advantage of motorized power with a big visual image.

tribes.tribe.net/bmmv/phot...5cac80ef71

An exceptional MV is identifiable from halfway across the playa, is enhanced by motion and it's visual or interactive contribution exceeds the creators advantage of motorized transportation. Last year about 300 registered art pieces were placed on the open playa and over 500 Mutant Vehicles were licensed. Less than 1% of the community, a very small but visible percentage of Black Rock City’s population, participate by becoming part of the Mutant Vehicle community. With over 50,000 people and 500 Mutants, the motorized few are in a position to affect the experiences of many.

Perhaps the tipping point is when the number of powered motive creations dwarfs the quantity of static displays?

Check out this album and tribe for an incomplete history of vehicles at BRC

tribes.tribe.net/bmmv/phot...ee4e60dab7