He Spent $10,000 To Turn a Junked Citroën ZX Into a Real-Life Cyberpunk 2077 MachineMotorBiscuitRahaan MazumderWed, September 23, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleIf you want to build a high-tech, neon-soaked Cyberpunk street racer, you usually start with a sleek, aerodynamic sports car or a legendary JDM chassis. But one incredibly ambitious Chinese automotive builder looked past the classics and chose one of the most boring, mundane economy cars of the 1990s: a completely wrecked Citroën ZX.In a viral documentary-style video featured on the Black Ma YouTube channel, viewers get a front-row seat to a grueling, two-year automotive evolution."In this video, I'm turning this scrapped Citroën ZX—into my Cyberpunk ZX," the builder declares as the battered gold hatchback rolls into view.The Shenlong Fukang CanvasTo understand the scale of this restomod, you have to understand the canvas. "In China, it was called the Shenlong Fukang, selling over 500,000 units during its 1992-2008 production run," Black Ma notes.AdvertisementAdvertisementAt roughly 34 years old, the faded, dented commuter was essentially destined for the crusher. "This 34 y/o car needs cleaning and basic bodywork first," the builder admits before stripping the entire vehicle down to bare metal.Instead of a traditional restoration, the team utilized modern technology to completely reimagine the vehicle's geometry. By "3D-scanning the interior and exterior," the builder secured "accurate data for modeling" a completely new, futuristic body kit.The transition from digital rendering to physical reality was an absolute nightmare, particularly when it came to the car's signature glowing light bars. The builder originally outsourced the housing fabrication, which resulted in a massive delay."The worker insisted on wooden light housings, wasting over a month, no result," the builder laments. "Then we switched to 3D printing and finished them in two weeks".AdvertisementAdvertisementBut creating the transparent resin lenses proved just as difficult. The first casting entirely failed because "the tint ratio made it too dark, while faulty vacuum equipment left many bubbles". A second attempt also came out completely black with "terrible light transmission" before the builder finally nailed the chemical mix.Once illuminated, however, the effort paid off. The front end was completely restructured, as the builder "flattened the hood to fit Citroën's new logo and its outward-extending light bar".Honoring Citroën's HeritageDespite the aggressive sci-fi redesign, the builder intentionally paid homage to classic Citroën design elements throughout the build.The futuristic rear end features a massive structural update: "The C-pillar design references the Citroën BX vents". To give the rear end even more aggressive geometry, the builder "recessed the rear window and built a tailgate frame".Down on the pavement, the car utilizes solid, aerodynamic wheel faces. "The wheel covers reference the BX's solid-dish turbofan wheels," the builder explains, noting that he "3D-printed them in sections and friction-fit them to the lug nuts".AdvertisementAdvertisementTo pull the aggressive stance together, the team completely overhauled the suspension, dropping in front coilovers and removing the rear axle to manually hammer out and rotate the torsion bars. The entire chassis was then sprayed in a stark, metallic finish. "I chose silver because concept cars of that era used it for a futuristic look, and it highlights the car's geometry".A "No Budget" Interior IllusionThe interior is arguably the most "Cyberpunk" element of the entire build, featuring sharp angles, glowing green LED panels, and a chopped steering yoke.To integrate the digital upgrades, the builder "kept the original interior layout, replacing cut sections with redesigned 3D-printed parts". However, the fabrication was again plagued by inexperienced labor. "The worker lacked experience; the filler work took over a month and still looked poor," Black Ma admits.While the custom steering wheel actually "displays brake and throttle input", the massive, futuristic center gauge cluster is just Hollywood magic. "The dashboard is only a demo animation because there was no budget for a working cluster," the builder confesses.The $10,000 TollBuilding a one-off concept car in a tiny shop takes a massive financial and mental toll. By the end of the project, the original creator was essentially out of cash.AdvertisementAdvertisement"I had spent $10,000," Black Ma reveals. To get the project across the finish line, "Black Ma sponsored me to rent a small warehouse and continued with a reliable friend".Via: https://www.caradisiac.comAccording to reporting from French automotive outlet Caradisiac, the completed restomod has captured the hearts of European enthusiasts, with journalists praising the builder for transforming "one of the most bland cars of the 90s" into an absolute DIY work of art.