D’oh! Man brings Simpson car to life – KCCI Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa — Homer Simpson’s iconic car, a beat-up blue station wagon, may not be the dream ride for many, but for one Iowa man, it’s a reality, or at least as close as he could get.
In a feat of mechanical brilliance and Simpsons fandom, Jason Phillips from Ankeny, Iowa, spent an astonishing five years painstakingly transforming a 1975 Dodge Colt into a spitting image of the one seen on the show. From the color to the roof rack, the car is a nearly perfect replica, even featuring Homer’s signature “D’oh!” painted on the back bumper.
“It all started when my wife said I should get a car to use for taking my son to baseball games,” said Phillips, whose own love for the iconic animated family fueled the project. “The only car I thought of was Homer’s. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I just loved the look and the fact it represented so much about him.
He started with a regular Dodge Colt, a simple and budget-friendly model that, after some careful research, proved to be a surprisingly similar fit. Then, he began a meticulous and sometimes grueling journey to transform the car, investing countless hours in its re-imagining.
“There were a lot of nights where I didn’t sleep because I had to figure out how to make a specific part work,” Phillips said. “But then, I’d wake up, have my coffee, and jump right back in, just wanting to see this crazy idea come to life.”
Beyond the visual replica, Phillips paid close attention to the nuances that make Homer’s car so distinct. The doors creak open and close just like the animated version. The steering wheel features a simple sticker resembling a Simpsons-themed wheel. He even managed to find a vintage boombox that he fitted with a working cassette player to ensure it’s always ready for Homer’s infamous driving tunes.
The finished product is a stunning ode to the beloved TV family. It’s a testament to Phillips’ determination, dedication, and his passion for the show. The car is drawing attention everywhere it goes, turning heads and eliciting surprised laughs from Simpsons fans, particularly kids, who often point with wonder at the familiar sights of Homer’s beat-up vehicle.
“I get smiles from people when they see the car,” he said. “Even people who are not into cars. The recognition factor is there. They just see it and laugh.”
When he’s not showing it off around town, Phillips enjoys the simpler things, like cruising to local events with his son. He even uses the car to deliver homemade birthday cakes for his wife, making sure the Homer Simpson aesthetic continues even in the everyday.
It might not be a Porsche or a Lamborghini, but Phillips’ creation speaks volumes about dedication and the magic that happens when passion and ingenuity converge. In the world of car enthusiasts, it’s not the speed or luxury that always makes a statement, but the connection it makes, and this Homer Simpson-inspired Dodge Colt surely has achieved that, one “D’oh!” at a time.
