Get your Trek on: Boldly going places in a Toyota Prius
Click above for more photos of Dr. Yee's Federation Prius-class shuttlecraft
First off, this isn't an April Fool's gag. Dr. Willie Yee is a psychiatrist in Ulster County, New York, but one look at his car tells you that that the man is also a Trekkie -- a serious one at that. Dr. Yee's 2007 Toyota Prius has been transformed from a garden-variety commuter pod into the Federation Prius-class shuttlecraft, Zhang Heng, named for a 1st century Chinese astronomer. The physical conversion involved the application of full Federation markings to the vehicle's exterior and fitting the wheels with a set of moon caps. Inside, a four-person away team can be transported in complete comfort. Dr. Yee has posted extensive documentation related to the Zhang Heng on his website, where you'll learn that it has a top speed of Warp 2 and is armed with a pair of 4-terawatt phasers, among other things (tailgating is not advised).
Kudos to Dr. Yee for keeping things fun. We have to wonder where he gets the dilithium crystals needed to run the warp-enabled car, though. They must be even harder to come by than E85 pumps.
UPDATE: Toyota's Open Road Blog caught up with Dr. Yee, too. Apparently, tinted windows and simulated front-bumper phaser banks are planned future mods.
Gallery: Zhang Heng, Prius-class shuttlecraft
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[Source: WillieYee.info]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Hooper 12:45PM (4/01/2008)
Yes, oh yes, his name is Willie Yee.
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Rick 12:51PM (4/01/2008)
Where can I purchase one of those rear firing 4 terawatt phasers?
Hooper 2:55PM (4/01/2008)
Sheesh, am I the only Johnny Cash fan who commented on this?
http://music.yahoo.com/Johnny-Cash/Cocaine-Blues/lyrics/1761149
mk 12:49PM (4/01/2008)
I just gotta...
"She doesn't have the POWERRR, Captian!"
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DarkKnight67 12:51PM (4/01/2008)
No self respecting Trekker would be caught with their shields down in a Prius.
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icu812ru469 12:58PM (4/01/2008)
NICE !!! Exterior AND interior, he didn't just leave it standard interior. I would have gone with some side warp nacelles too.
FULL HYBRID-speed ahead #1 !!!!
I NEED MORE POWER !!!
I'm givin' her all she's got cap'tin
To go, where no Toyota has gone before.
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allaman 12:59PM (4/01/2008)
What's the deal with the back passenger rim? It is different in two of the pics.
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StickShift 1:06PM (4/01/2008)
It looks like the third picture is just an old one, as the rear passenger wheel in the other pictures has a moon cap too. He probably got the graphics done before adding the hubcaps.
mcheddadi 1:03PM (4/01/2008)
wat
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MemphisNET 1:16PM (4/01/2008)
I always thought minivans would make a suitable shuttlecraft.
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tuna 1:17PM (4/01/2008)
Tacky. And the stereotypical Chinese menu cursive script? Shame on you Yee.
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John R 1:39PM (4/01/2008)
If a Prius is shuttlecraft, does that make the Sequoia the USS Defiant?
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icu812ru469 4:01PM (4/01/2008)
The Sequoia would have to be a big fat Borg Cube. Resistence if futile, we will consume your fuel into our collective !!!
gotsmart 2:20PM (4/01/2008)
NERRRD!
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Guenther 3:58PM (4/01/2008)
I'm sure he wears his pointy ears proudly.
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gschon 4:44PM (4/01/2008)
All hail the new "King of the Dorks!"
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Doc Willie 6:56AM (4/02/2008)
Why thank you all for you review and compliments. I have had a great amount of fun with this vehicle, and use it to promote education about hybrids and to support charity work.
It turns out (I just found this out yeasterday) that there are at least two other Star Trek vehicles in existence, shown on the webpage of a Miama FL Star Trek club. http://home.att.net/~avengership/wsb/html/view.cgi-photos.html-.html
It is nice to know I am not the only crazy person in this universe.
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