The mix of futuristic design and innovative engineering reached new heights when West Coast Customs teamed up with musician and tech enthusiast will.i.am to transform a Mercedes-AMG GT 63 into a custom car dubbed the “delor.i.am.” Known for his love of unique cars and passion for technology, will.i.am has a reputation for pushing creative boundaries. For this project, he collaborated with the legendary customization shop West Coast Customs to create a vehicle that combined the aesthetic of a Mercedes with the iconic style of a DeLorean. Dubbed “The Flip” GT 63, the car is a reflection of will.i.am’s visionary personality and an example of how high-end automotive design can merge with pop culture.

The Vision: will.i.am’s Dream Car Concept

will.i.am has always had a deep interest in design and futuristic aesthetics, with cars being no exception. His vision for the delor.i.am was to create something unique that celebrated both the engineering prowess of Mercedes and the retro-futuristic feel of the DeLorean, the car famously featured in the Back to the Future franchise. This project wasn’t just about creating a cool car—it was about making a statement. will.i.am is passionate about technology and innovation, and the delor.i.am is an embodiment of his belief that automobiles can be platforms for both expression and social change.

He chose the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 as the base for the transformation, a car known for its luxury and high-performance capabilities. The GT 63, with its powerful engine and advanced features, provided the perfect foundation for this ambitious redesign. Working with West Coast Customs allowed will.i.am to bring his vision to life, thanks to their expertise in complex custom builds and willingness to take on bold projects.

West Coast Customs: The Perfect Partner for Innovation

West Coast Customs, famous for their custom car builds and popularized by the show Pimp My Ride, has a long history of turning dreams into reality. Known for transforming ordinary vehicles into unique works of art, the team at West Coast Customs has experience working with high-profile clients and taking on projects that push the boundaries of what’s possible in car customization. Their connection with will.i.am on the delor.i.am was a natural fit, combining the celebrity’s creative vision with West Coast Customs’ technical skills and artistry.

This wasn’t the first time that will.i.am had turned to West Coast Customs for a custom car build. In fact, the artist has worked with them on several projects, each time creating a unique vehicle that reflects his personal style and appreciation for futuristic design. West Coast Customs was able to take will.i.am’s idea for the delor.i.am and turn it into a functional, road-ready car that maintained the performance of a Mercedes-AMG while showcasing the retro-futuristic elements inspired by the DeLorean.

Building ‘The Flip’ GT 63: The Transformation Process

The transformation of the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 into the delor.i.am, or “The Flip,” was an ambitious project that required extensive modification and creative design. The process began with conceptualizing a look that combined the sleek, modern lines of the GT 63 with the iconic, boxy shape of the DeLorean. The challenge was to retain the Mercedes’ high-performance characteristics while incorporating design elements that would make it resemble the retro-futuristic car that will.i.am envisioned.

To achieve this, West Coast Customs made extensive modifications to the body of the GT 63. One of the most striking changes was the custom front fascia, which gave the car a boxier, DeLorean-inspired look, complete with rectangular headlights and a grille that mimics the stainless-steel panels of the original DeLorean. The sleek, rounded design of the original GT 63 was replaced with sharper angles and edges, creating a unique silhouette that pays homage to the past while embracing the future.

In addition to altering the exterior, the team also customized the interior of the car to reflect will.i.am’s futuristic style. High-tech features, premium materials, and unique design elements were incorporated to create a cockpit that felt like something out of a sci-fi movie. The steering wheel, dashboard, and control systems were all modified, adding a personal touch that reflected will.i.am’s love of technology and innovative design.

Design Influences: The DeLorean Connection

The DeLorean DMC-12, with its stainless-steel body and gull-wing doors, became an icon thanks to its appearance in the Back to the Future movies. Known for its distinctive design, the DeLorean has remained a symbol of retro-futurism, capturing the imaginations of car enthusiasts and pop culture fans alike. By incorporating DeLorean-inspired design elements into the GT 63, will.i.am and West Coast Customs created a vehicle that celebrates this legacy while adding a modern twist.

The delor.i.am isn’t just a replica of a DeLorean; it’s a reimagining that combines the essence of the DMC-12 with the performance and luxury of a Mercedes-AMG. The goal was to capture the spirit of the DeLorean without copying it directly. This meant adding subtle design cues, such as the boxy front end, unique lights, and sleek metallic finishes that evoke the DeLorean’s aesthetic while maintaining the character of the Mercedes base.

This mix of past and present design elements is what makes the delor.i.am so unique. It’s a car that feels simultaneously nostalgic and futuristic, a blend that reflects will.i.am’s personality and his vision for technology-driven design. The result is a car that looks like it could have driven straight out of a sci-fi movie, embodying the essence of innovation.

Impression

The unveiling of the delor.i.am generated significant attention in the automotive and pop culture communities. Fans of both Mercedes and the DeLorean were intrigued by the car’s unique design, while will.i.am’s followers appreciated his bold approach to merging two iconic automotive brands. The project exemplified how cars can serve as platforms for creativity and self-expression, challenging traditional notions of what luxury vehicles should look like.

The delor.i.am also underscores the growing trend of celebrity-driven car customizations, where artists and public figures use their platforms to create unique, highly personalized vehicles that reflect their identities. By collaborating with a well-known customization shop like West Coast Customs, will.i.am not only brought his vision to life but also highlighted the artistry involved in car customization. The project demonstrates that cars are more than just vehicles—they’re extensions of personality, creativity, and, in will.i.am’s case, a passion for the future.

Innovation Meets Sustainability

Beyond aesthetics, will.i.am has always been an advocate for sustainability and social change, using his influence to support green technology and initiatives. While the delor.i.am doesn’t explicitly incorporate green technology, the project aligns with will.i.am’s broader philosophy that technology and innovation should serve a greater purpose. The car, in many ways, represents a dream for what the future of automobiles could be—a fusion of design and technology that prioritizes innovation.

In interviews, will.i.am has expressed his belief that the future of car design lies in creating vehicles that are both beautiful and sustainable. He sees cars as platforms for innovation, capable of integrating advanced technology that could eventually reduce environmental impact. Although the delor.i.am is primarily a design statement, it serves as a reminder of the potential for cars to become more than just modes of transportation. With companies like Tesla and Rivian pushing the envelope in electric vehicles, will.i.am’s project reflects a broader trend toward rethinking what cars can represent in a modern, tech-forward world.

The Legacy of the delor.i.am and What It Means for Car Culture

The delor.i.am stands as a testament to the possibilities of car customization and a reminder of how personal expression can transform a vehicle into a piece of art. For will.i.am, it’s more than just a car; it’s a statement about creativity, the blending of technology and design, and a nod to the influence of retro-futurism. By reimagining a Mercedes as a DeLorean-inspired machine, he’s demonstrated how cars can carry narratives, evoke nostalgia, and capture the imaginations of fans.

For West Coast Customs, the project is another example of their expertise in pushing the boundaries of automotive design. Their ability to work closely with clients and translate ideas into real-world vehicles has established them as leaders in the customization industry. The delor.i.am adds to their legacy as a shop that doesn’t just customize cars but brings to life the dreams and visions of their clients.

Ultimately, the delor.i.am serves as a cultural bridge between luxury automotive engineering and the imaginative world of pop culture. It celebrates the merging of high performance with iconic aesthetics, demonstrating how vehicles can transcend their original purpose. By crafting a car that looks back at the iconic DeLorean while remaining grounded in the quality and performance of a Mercedes, will.i.am and West Coast Customs have created a truly unique vehicle that challenges our understanding of car culture and what it means to personalize a vehicle.

In an era where cars are increasingly seen as status symbols, the delor.i.am reminds us that they can also be canvases for personal expression and statements of individuality. Through this project, will.i.am and West Coast Customs have created a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, a car that is as thought-provoking as it is beautiful. Whether you’re a fan of high-performance vehicles, a lover of retro design, or simply someone who appreciates the intersection of art and engineering, the delor.i.am stands as a beacon of what’s possible when innovation, creativity, and passion converge in the automotive world.