Jay Ohrberg's Martian Spider

A Martian Spider promo photo. Photo courtesy of California Show Cars.

The radical show car was changed several times over the years, and Jay added a satellite dish, rocket launchers, and even a replica of the Eiffel Tower. Photo courtesy of www.jayohrberg.com.

The Martian Spider as it appeared in 2009, when Bonhams sold it at the Automobiles d'Exception à Retromobile auction in Paris. Photo courtesy of Bonhams.

Photo courtesy of Bonhams.

Photo courtesy of Bonhams.

The Martian Spider is a show car built and designed by Jay Ohrberg. Built in California in 1970, eight wheels and an all-aluminum 1,000-horsepower Sherman tank engine were designed to carry the Spider over the surface of the moon. The wheels are operated with an electric servo-motor and a joystick, like a 1970s video game. The engine has 1100 cubic inches, 18 liters of displacement, two turbos, and a specially designed transmission. Total build cost was reportedly $40,000.

The Eiffel Tower

The radical show car was changed several times over the years, and Jay added a satellite dish, rocket launchers, and even a replica of the Eiffel Tower.

Sold to France

At one time Jay sold his collection of cars, including the Martian Spider. Since then it has been owned by several collectors. In May of 2021, the Martian Spider had been sold to France, and it was currently owned by Fabrice Mejias of Lyon. Fabrice considers selling the car, as he feels it deserves better than to be hidden away in his crowded garage.