Electric Vibes

PHOTO COURTESY OF WRAP OHIO, WILLOWICK, OH

WHAT’S THE CRAZIEST thing you’ve done to show your love for something you’re a die-hard fan of? Maybe you’ve gotten a tattoo or perhaps you’ve named your child after your favorite character. Odds are, you’re probably not coming close to the level of dedication shown by one Cleveland Browns fan this year.

You may have already caught sight of one Browns fan’s extravagant tribute to his favorite sports team on your social media feed. It’s the Browns-themed Tesla Cybertruck that gained viral attention online across Ohio earlier this summer after several public sightings.

The standard Cybertruck already boasts an eye-catching angular design reminiscent of something out of an old sci-fi video game. Wrapped in glossy orange vinyl with a white and brown stripe down its center and smaller vertical stripes on the rear sides, this Browns’ Cybertruck mirrors the traditional Cleveland Browns’ helmet.

Online reactions have varied widely: some laud the truck as an awesome display of team support, while others criticize it as tacky and overly indulgent.

Love it or hate it, 46-year-old Andy Manchen of Bainbridge, Ohio, proudly owns the viral truck and he’s totally OK with how it makes you feel. In fact, he expected it.

“I knew 100%, there’s not going to be a more polarizing situation,” says Manchen. “I could drape a vehicle in [political] flags and it wouldn’t be as polarizing as driving the Cybertruck, especially wrapped in brown and orange. But I love it.”

Manchen initially had no intention of creating what he now calls the “Cyber Dawg” when he first ordered the truck years ago for $79,000. He wanted a normal, environment-friendly Tesla Cybertruck to haul things around as the kids got older. But as more Cybertrucks filled the streets, he felt the need to make it stand out.

To achieve this vision, Manchen turned to Wrap Ohio, an automotive film specialist in Willowick, where he spent $3,000 on the distinctive wrap job. The film specialist used material manufactured in Northeast Ohio by Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions.

Initially considering designs featuring Browns’ logos and the number 19 in homage to his favorite player, former Browns’ quarterback Bernie Kosar, he ultimately chose a more “understated” look.

• Fan for Life
  The super fan said if he could invite four Browns players for a ride in the truck, he would choose former quarterbacks Kosar and Baker Mayfield, as well as defensive end Myles Garrett and tight end David Njoku.
• Not Stopping There
  The film specialist used material manufactured in Northeast Ohio by Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions.
• Durability
  The Cybertruck itself is built for durability with a stainless-steel exoskeleton and armor glass.