It was bright. Too bright, honestly. When the first trailers for David Ayer’s Suicide Squad dropped in 2015, that neon-purple, metallic-looking supercar screamed for attention. It was the "Vaydor." Most people seeing it for the first time assumed it was some million-dollar concept car from a brand they’d never heard of, like a Pagani or a Koeniggsegg. But the reality is way more interesting and, frankly, a bit more "DIY" than you’d expect for a major DC blockbuster.
The joker car suicide squad fans remember isn't actually a production car at all.
It’s a kit. Specifically, it is a Vaydor body kit designed by Matt McEntegart of Vaydor Exotics. If you’ve got a mid-2000s Infiniti G35 coupe rotting in your driveway, you could technically build this exact car. Well, maybe not this exact one—the movie car had some custom lighting and interior work that probably cost more than the base car itself—but the bones are surprisingly humble.
Why the Vaydor G35 Was the Only Choice
Think about the Joker. He’s chaotic. He’s loud. He’s obsessed with theater. Putting Jared Leto’s Joker in a standard Lamborghini would have been boring. Too "nouveau riche." The Vaydor works because it looks like something an insane person would commission. It has these aggressive, jagged lines and a stance that feels almost predatory.
Matt McEntegart, the man behind the design, basically dropped out of the traditional custom car scene to do his own thing. He wanted a supercar look without the supercar price tag. When the production team for Suicide Squad reached out, they weren't looking for luxury. They wanted a "hero car" that could handle stunts while looking like a fever dream.
The G35 was the perfect donor. Why? Because the chassis is incredibly stiff, and the 3.5L V6 engine is a workhorse. It’s reliable enough to handle repeated takes of a chase scene through the streets of Toronto (which stood in for Midway City). Plus, if a stunt driver accidentally clipped a curb, it was much cheaper to fix a fiberglass kit than a carbon-fiber Ferrari fender.
Breaking Down the Aesthetics
The color is a point of contention among gearheads and comic fans. Some call it "Electric Purple," others call it "Magenta." Under the production lights, it has this pearlescent quality that shifts. It wasn’t just paint, though; the car featured extensive LED strips hidden in the wheel wells and under the chassis. It looked like a PC gaming rig on wheels.
Inside, the Joker's ride was just as obnoxious.
Custom white leather.
More purple accents.
A dash that looked less like an Infiniti and more like a cockpit.
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Most people don't realize that they actually built several versions of this car. There’s the "hero" car for close-ups, which had the nice interior, and then there were the "stunt" cars. If you look closely at the scene where Batman (played by Ben Affleck's stunt double) is clinging to the roof, that car is taking some serious G-forces. You need a car that won't fall apart when a 200-pound man in a batsuit is jumping on the roof.
The Batman Chase Scene Reality
We have to talk about that chase. The Joker is driving, Harley Quinn is screaming in the passenger seat, and the Batmobile is in pursuit. In the film, it looks seamless. In reality, filming that was a logistical nightmare.
- The production used a "pod" system for some shots.
- This means a stunt driver sits in a cage on top of the car or behind it, steering, so the actors can focus on acting.
- The Vaydor’s visibility is notoriously terrible.
The windows are tiny. The pillars are thick. If you were actually trying to outrun a vigilante in a tank, the Vaydor would be a death trap. But for the silver screen? It’s perfection. It captures that "New 52" comic book aesthetic where everything is dialled up to eleven.
The Legacy of the Vaydor After Suicide Squad
After the movie came out, the Vaydor became a cult legend. Before 2016, Matt McEntegart was a niche figure in the Florida car scene. After the joker car suicide squad debut, he was flooded with orders. It changed the "kit car" reputation. Usually, kit cars are seen as cheap replicas of Fiero-based Ferraris. The Vaydor was different because it wasn't trying to be another brand. It was just a Vaydor.
However, the "Infiniti" soul remains. Even with the body kit, you're still looking at a rear-wheel-drive platform with about 280 to 300 horsepower. It’s not "supercar" fast by modern standards. A Tesla Model 3 would probably smoke it at a red light. But as Matt often says in interviews, it’s about the "smiles per gallon." You don't buy this car to set lap records at Nürburgring. You buy it because you want people to stop and stare.
Common Misconceptions
People often think this car was a one-off built by Warner Bros. It wasn't.
People think it costs $500,000. It doesn't (you could build one for under $60k if you did the labor yourself).
People think it’s a Lamborghini. Again, nope.
The irony is that while the Joker is known for his "purple" car, the actual Vaydor used in the film was eventually sold. It’s popped up at various car shows and auctions over the years. Seeing it in person is jarring because it’s smaller than it looks on camera. Movie magic has a way of making everything look massive and imposing, but at its heart, it’s still a Japanese sports coupe from 2005.
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Technical Specs of the Hero Car
If we’re getting into the weeds, the donor Infiniti G35 (V35 platform) provides the 3.5L VQ35DE engine. It’s one of the most celebrated engines in history. Reliable. Loud. Great aftermarket support.
To fit the Vaydor body, the G35 is stripped to its bare chassis. You literally cut the roof off. You weld in a custom roll cage that provides the structural integrity the car lost when the roof went bye-bye. Then, you bolt and bond the fiberglass panels.
- Strip the donor car.
- Install the cage (this is the most important part for safety).
- Fit the fiberglass tub and body panels.
- Paint and interior.
It's a labor-intensive process. It’s not a weekend project. It takes hundreds of hours of sanding and fitting to get those panels to line up. In the movie, the fit and finish looked impeccable, which speaks to the quality of the build team Warner Bros. hired.
Why We Still Talk About This Car
Honestly? It's because Suicide Squad (2016) was such a polarizing movie. People either loved the "Hot Topic" aesthetic or they absolutely hated it. But even the haters usually admit the car was cool. It’s one of the few things from that era of the DCEU that feels like it stepped straight out of a graphic novel.
It represents a specific moment in pop culture. The "Hypebeast" era of superheroes.
The Joker’s Vaydor isn't just a vehicle; it's a character. It tells you everything you need to know about that version of the Joker before he even speaks. He’s flashy, he’s modern, and he has zero interest in subtlety.
Actionable Takeaways for Enthusiasts
If you’re looking to recreate the joker car suicide squad look or just appreciate it more, here is what you need to know:
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The Donor Matters: If you actually want to build one, find a G35 with a clean title and a solid engine. The body doesn't matter since you're going to rip it off anyway. Don't waste money on a "mint" car.
Check the Legality: Because the Vaydor requires cutting the frame/roof, some regions have very strict laws about registering it as a street-legal vehicle. Always check your local DMV or transport authority rules on "specially constructed vehicles."
Focus on the Lights: The Joker car’s "vibe" was 50% paint and 50% lighting. If you’re doing a tribute build, don't skimp on the LED integration.
Understand the Value: A Vaydor doesn't appreciate like a Porsche. It’s a custom piece. Its value is entirely dependent on the quality of the build. A poorly put-together kit is worth less than the stock Infiniti it started as.
The Vaydor G35 remains a fascinating footnote in cinema history. It proved that you don't need a multi-million dollar budget to create an iconic movie car—you just need a bold design and a willing donor car. Whether you love the Leto Joker or not, the Vaydor is a masterclass in visual storytelling through automotive design.
To truly appreciate the engineering, look up the original Vaydor Exotics build videos. Seeing the "bones" of the car before the purple paint goes on gives you a much deeper respect for the transformation. If you're ever at a major comic convention or a high-end car show like SEMA, keep an eye out—the original movie cars still make rounds, and they are worth a close-up look just to see the detail in the fiberglass work.