“The Jetsons” had a brief run as a prime-time cartoon in 1962-63, but the futuristic family’s flying car made a lasting impression, rating No. 1 as the favorite cartoon car for American adults.

So, to keep to the theme, Pepsi recruited legendary East L.A. tattoo and airbrush artist, and top-notch builder of classic lowriders, Mr. Cartoon (Mark Machado), to create a proper car.

To create the DV-13, Spohn started with a 1939 Ford and set about turning it into what almost seems like a cartoon interpretation of a 1950s car. It has all the right elements from the tail fins ...