Uruguayan artist Joaquin Arbiza creates a life-sized Pagani Zonda art car with 100,000 coins and Lionel Messi’s portrait, unveiled at Miami Art Week.
A one-of-a-kind Pagani Zonda art car crafted from 100,000 Uruguayan coins and featuring Lionel Messi’s portrait has taken the spotlight at Miami Art Week. This unique creation, called the Pagani Zonda Carpincho, is the work of Uruguayan artist Joaquin Arbiza, commissioned by renowned car collector Jorge Gomez.
Though it’s a life-sized replica of the iconic V12-powered Zonda, this car isn’t destined for the road. Instead, it stands as a tribute to Messi, the legendary Argentinian footballer, and a celebration of currency as an art medium. The project took three years to complete, involving over half a million soldering points to meticulously attach the coins, which cover the entire vehicle.
The name “Carpincho” translates to “capybara” in Spanish, a nod to Gomez’s creative vision for blending art, cars, and his cultural roots. The bonnet features a striking portrait of Messi, reflecting Gomez’s admiration for soccer and his Argentine heritage.
Remarkably, this stationary Zonda weighs the same as its functional counterpart—approximately 1,250kg—despite its unconventional materials. This attention to detail ensures it remains a true homage to the engineering brilliance of the Pagani Zonda, albeit in an artistic and symbolic form.
Unveiled during Miami Art Week, the Zonda Carpincho has quickly captured global attention, merging the worlds of high-performance cars, art, and sports. A stunning showcase of craftsmanship, it highlights the extraordinary intersection of automotive and cultural appreciation.
