Picture Car Glossary

mock-up or mockup vehicle

What is a mock-up or mockup vehicle?

Updated June 2026 · Revolution Picture Cars

A mock-up or mockup vehicle is a non-functional or partially functional picture car replica built to represent a specific vehicle type, era, or fictional design without requiring the actual vehicle to be present or operable.

Mock-ups are used for wide-angle establishing shots, static display scenes, or sequences where a real vehicle would be too rare, too expensive, or too impractical to risk. They are built by the art department or fabrication shop and may range from a simple cosmetic shell over an unrelated chassis to a highly detailed show-quality reproduction.