Smart Car Wrapping

He picked up the car in Pittsburgh this April. It quickly became apparent that the car could be used as advertising while being driven around West Virginia’s capitol city.

After having a few mock-ups drawn for the Smart car exterior, he chose a simple look. It’s generated a lot of attention so far.

“We’re along a nice highway and many people pull off just to come in the store to ask about it. One gentleman had just bought an electric car and we compared notes,” Wells said.

Wells said the unusual car is one of the best forms of advertising he’s done.

“You just have to be different and do different things for the advertising dollar nowadays,” Wells said. “Everywhere I go, everyone wants to know all about it. Families have had their pictures taken with it. Photos have been taken in traffic on cell phones.”

A basic package for the model ends up costing about $16,500, but custom options including leather heated seats ran him a little more, Wells said. The vehicle gets 40 miles per gallon in the city and 45 miles per gallon on the highway.

“I fill it up about once every 10 days. But I get close to 40 miles a gallon on it,” Wells said.

Wells, who is about five feet nine inches tall, said the car - which is made by DiamlerChrysler - has nice headroom and does 70 miles per hour on the interstate.

The Smart that is available in the U.S. is 8.8 feet long, 5.1 feet tall and 5.1 feet wide with a top speed of 90 mph, according to its Web site.

Wells that that the car has helped to signify what he hopes comes across in the spirit of store.

“We’re innovative and if a vehicle can translate that characteristic and hopefully encourage others to be environmentally responsible then so be it,” Wells said.