Meet Raazer: It's the Tesla Cybertruck's Unofficial and Gas-Powered Sibling

Some people like to discover the newest tech and get behind the steering wheel of vehicles that boast the best a carmaker offers. Others spend their time looking for oldies that can receive a new slice of life. A very special few, like Elon Musk, can push for the creation of a vehicle that breaks all norms and awakens our inner child.

However, most people wish they would be lucky enough to buy a vintage vehicle and completely overhaul it. Putting your vision to work on canvas is not pricey. But things start to add up when you're going from sketches to the shop. The bills won't stop coming, that's for sure!

Fortunately, a few gearheads have the creativity, the time, and the resources to make one or two of their automotive dreams a reality. That's the case of a person who bought a 1991 Honda Beat in late 2021 for $12,311. The right-hand-drive, rear-wheel-drive roadster is incredibly small by American auto standards, especially the modern ones. But the owner was looking for a mid-engined convertible, and the cute JDM unit was perfect for their project. The donor car was secured.

The buyer drove the tiny Honda home and, after getting some rest, started removing body panels. They took the top, the windshield, and even the hood off. Fret not; the unnecessary parts were sold to a Beat owner.

Knowing their way around computer-aided design programs, the person designed an angular frame from extruded aluminum. They needed several tries, advice from a local welder, and a few clay models. It took time to reach a desirable outcome.

The Beat body with the frame put on top reminded us of the Lo-Res Car. A glance at the images reveals that this owner wanted to create a sharp-looking vehicle with only one other match: Tesla's Cybertruck.

The world's most valuable automaker just recently introduced the pickup truck in production-ready form and opened the order books. The Raazer's journey to a running and quirky-looking vehicle took less than a year, according to what the owner told Bring a Trailer. As such, the project could be considered a preview of what a Cybertruck-inspired coupe might have looked like.

Imagine if Tesla actually gives us the Model 2, looking like the Raazer. Wouldn't that be amazing?

Alas, we can't dream about Tesla putting its special stainless steel alloy and giga press to work for a mass-produced two-door vehicle that looks like an evolved cheese slicer. The marque is barely pushing the Cybertruck out of its factory doors as it is.

Back to the gigawiper-less Raazer, now! The owner explained that they used a water jet to remove the aluminum body panels. They expanded the frame to a tight body with working doors, laminated glass, and LED lights. Titanium vinyl wrap hid the imperfections and gave the car a clean look. The vehicle also received different 16-inch wheels.

The owner, Bill Papke, estimated that the changes added around 100 lb to the curb weight. Most of the work was done at home. Although not road legal, it drives and the A/C works!

You might be wondering why would someone spend time and money to build such a vehicle. After all, it's either spending time on private roads or at shows. Well, the answer is simple and is revealed by this person's preferences: they also own a replica of the stunning Lancia Stratos HF Zero.

The Raazer (Beat) is a nice and witty name. But in the spirit of continuance, maybe we should all refer to this homegrown project as the "Cybercoupe." It has a catchy sound to it. Don't you agree?

Finally, we can't help but wonder: would Nuccio Bertone consider this a tribute?