Picture Car Glossary
concept vehicle in film production
What is a concept vehicle in film production?
Updated June 2026 · Revolution Picture Cars
Also called concept car, or bespoke build.
A concept vehicle in film production is a fictional, one-of-a-kind picture car designed and fabricated specifically for a script with no real-world production counterpart.
Concept vehicles range from near-future modifications of existing cars to fully custom ground-up builds. They are typically designed by the production designer in close consultation with the director, then executed by a specialty fabrication shop. Iconic examples include the DeLorean time machine, the Batmobile, and the Tumbler all purpose-built concept vehicles for their respective productions.
Example
A script calls for a near-future patrol vehicle that does not exist. It is designed with the production designer, fabricated on a donor chassis, and built to drive on set at low speed, with a second shell for the stunt work.
Figures are illustrative, chosen to show the mechanics rather than to quote market rates.
Where you'll see it
Commissioned in prep from a fabrication shop, with a lead time measured in months.
Common mistake
Commissioning a concept build on a shooting-schedule timeline. Design, fabrication, and testing run in months, and a build that arrives untested arrives unusable.
Related questions
- How long does a concept picture car take to build?
- Months rather than weeks, covering design with the production designer, fabrication on a donor chassis, and testing before it reaches set.
- Does a concept vehicle need a stunt double?
- Usually yes. A single one-off build cannot be risked in the action, so a second shell or a VFX version covers the stunt work.
Sourcing picture cars for a production? Find, vote on, budget, and book them in one place with Revolution, free for productions.
See how it works