» Dragon Ball Z » Vehicles

Okay, you've picked up a signal on a Dragon Ball and its moving fast . . . really fast! What's the best way to catch it? Why, with a Capsule Number 991 Plane courtesy of Dr. Briefs and the good people of the Capsule Corporation. In Dragon Ball, it was a major event when a character could fly, later in Dragon Ball Z, fly was natural, but in those early days, people still needed to get around! Luckily, Akira Toriyama was adept at creating unique methods of transportation. Not only did he create modern vehicles, but also mystical and comical ones like the Nimbus and Kid Gamera. Here we'll critique some of Toriyama's best automotive, aerial, nautical, outer-space, and magical vehicles!

Air Cars
Goku's Family Car: After he gets his license (finally), Goku spares no expense (it helps when your father-in-law is a rich king). This air can also be driven on the road with descending wheels. The logo on the front if of the Capsule Corporation, so perhaps this was even a gift from Bulma . . . wait a sec, Bulma gave a gift? Nah.
Ox King's Car: Sen first in Dragon Ball Z, Chi-Chi's dad takes no chances with his car's safety. Installed on the front of this reinforced vehicle are machine guns. He just has to remember not to let his daughter succumb to road rage when she drives.
Western Capitol Taxi: With a ceiling as high as a van and flip open doors, this makes a ride in a New York cab seem pretty bad. Hey wait, they were pretty bad to begin with.
Yajirobe's Car: The "Kia" of the Dragon Ball air cars, Yajirobe's ride is very simple. Two seats (both of which he probably fills up) and basic parts. Nothing fancy, just something to get him from place to place. He uses this to reach Master Roshi's island (at least it gets good mileage).

Bikes
Capsule Number 9 Bike: The second vehicle seen in Dragon Ball and the first one Goku actually rides in. After Goku wrecks Bulma's car, this is her other preferred means of transport. When Goku sees the vehicle appear from a Capsule, he thinks Bulma is a witch, but she assures him that she's a normal girl.
One Wheel Bike: This speedy and sporty one-person one-wheel bike is designed to look like a snail, but it's certainly not sluggish. This is the bike Lunch escapes from the authorities on when she first enters the series.

Mystical
Kid Gamera: Inspired by the giant monster-movie turtle, this little Gamera works like Kintoun (Nimbus), but in a very dizzying style, just like in the movies.
Kintoun (Flying Nimbus): The Kintoun is Goku's main mode of transportation before he learns how to fly. Only a person with a pure heart can ride it. It is a living entity and it can be killed. It is killed by Tambourine and thought to be gone forever, but later, it is discovered that there is actually a gigantic herd of Kintoun and one breaks off, becoming Goku's new ride.
Magic Carpet: Mr. Popo's magic carpet is only used once during the series, at the end of the battle with Vegeta. He uses it to take Bulma to Yunzabit Heights to uncover Kami's Spaceship.

Planes
Blue's Plane: This single-pilot plane looks similar to Yamcha's (see below to Yamcha's Plane). It's extremely fast and can keep up with Goku's Kintoun (Nimbus) for a bit. Unfortunately, Yamcha pays more attention to Goku than the mountain in front of him, which he crashes into.
Capsule Number 192 Plane: This rather unique-looking plane was used to pick up Goku, Krillin, Gohan, and Yajirobe after the battle with Vegeta concluded. On the way home, the bodies of the dead warriors were also picked up and loaded onto the plane. The inside is spacious and comfortable. Plenty of room and fun for the whole family (when you're not picking up dead bodies).
Capsule Number 339 Plane: This huge cargo plane is used to transport the Namekians to the Capsule Corporation when they arrive on Earth. The size of the plane is a bit impractical for normal use and thus is only used once in the series.
Capsule Number 576 Plane: Looking like a VW van with a glass dome stuck on the front and wings, this is the major source of non-flight transportation in the Cell Saga. When characters need to shield their ki, they travel around in this. It also seems to have driving capabilities, but if it does, it is not shown.
Passenger Plane for Papaya Island: A simple passenger plane that takes competitors to the Tenkaichi Budoukai on Papaya Island. It's not exactly the fanciest of planes, but Master Roshi certainly likes the stewardess or . . . is that flight attendant?
Pilaf's Flying Base: This mini-air fortress is owned by Emperor Pilaf. It is where we first see the first 100% evil (literally) villain in Dragon Ball, Piccolo Daimaou. Pilaf flies Piccolo around in this base and acts like he has control of Piccolo, but obviously Piccolo has ulterior motives and ditches Pilaf when he gets everything he needs.
Red Ribbon Small Fighter: The design of this one-man fighter is similar to Ox King's car. Rugged reinforced design and twin machine guns in the front. Nice at getting the job done.
Yamcha's Plane: This handy little plane looks like it was inspired by a bug because of its large jet in the rear. Perfect for what Yamcha loves doing, impressing lovely ladies.
Yellow's Plane: Captain Yellow of the Red Ribbon Army pilots this one-man copter plane. Unfortunately for him, he's not a very skillful pilot and is defeated by Goku in a mid-air battle.

Robots
Battle Jacket: A very large robot suit for beating the tar our of anything. The finishing touch is a missile launcher on its back. Goku fights the Battle Jacket when it is piloted by Red Ribbon's Black Attendant. In the end, Goku busts through the center of the suit and causes it to blow up, killing Black Attendant and the Red Ribbon Army except for that guy named Dr. Gero, but he couldn't cause any trouble by himself . . . right? In the 10th Anniversary Dragon Ball Movie, the Battle Jacket is once again Goku's final nemesis, however, it is far more dramatic battle and the Battle Jacket is far larger and much better equipped: chest laser cannon, missiles a la heavy arms custom, jet boosters, and a load of lethal touches. Not a machine to mess with.
Pilaf Robo: This Voltron-esque trio of robots are each a little dangerous on their own, but they can join together forming a large and rather intimidating opponent. However, when Goku blasts half of the robot off with a Kamehameha, it reveals its final form, a giant chicken.
Shao's Robot: A four-legged robot designed for simple missions. It's piloted by Shao when he steals the Dragon Ball from Goku. Goku thinks he's "killed" the robot when he finds it abandoned down the road.
Time Machine: Designed by Future Bulma, this device enables Trunks to travel back in time to deliver heart medicine to Goku and to warn him of the Androids. It takes 8 months to fully charge the Time Machine and it is not fully known whether this is due to the bleak future's power supply, or if it would normally take that long. In the third future, Cell kills Trunks and ride the Time Machine into the past, arriving in the present, just when Goku defeated Frieza on Namek. This is one of those devices where the old proverb, "a tool for good or great evil," applies.

Ships
Master Roshi's Hover Craft: This simple hovercraft seats four and carries Master Roshi, Krillin, Goku, and Lunch to his training island.
Red Ribbon Submarine: Everything you'd expect from a typical submarine is here. Missiles, launch pods, sirens, you name it, it's got it.

Spaceships
Babidi's Spaceship: An underground tower of terror, Babidi's ship is a 6 level battle stage. Each level of Babidi's ship holds a new challenge. First is a menagerie of low level fighters, second is Pui Pui's level, he's easily defeated by Vegeta. Next is the monster Yakon's territory. He likes to fight in the dark, but Goku devises a bright idea to beat him. finally is Darbura's stage. He battles Gohan, but Babidi calls back his minion after some time because he gets a good idea. The next level has no guardian and the final stage contains Majin Boo.
Capsule Spacechip: Based on the architecture of the ship Goku came to Earth in, this modified capsule is very fast and designed for special gravity training. Vegeta later utilizes the ship's gravity training during the years before the Androids arrive.
Frieza's Spaceship: The bug-like ship is a winding maze of hallways and rooms. The interior is actually rather bright and cheery, which says something nice for Frieza's sense of interior decor. This ship is destroyed with Planet Namek.
Namekian Spaceship: The was to ship used by Piccolo to arrive on Earth. All modern conveniences are available on the ship, you just need to ask for it in Namekian. It travels extremely fast and delivers Krillin, Bulma, and Gohan to Namek in a matter of months.
Round Spaceship: The classic mode of transportation for all deep-space travelers. For especially long trips, there is a cold sleep mode, which lets the passenger rest peacefully while it zips around the universe.

Wheel Cars
Mighty Mouse: Yamcha's tiny car that he rides in early Dragon Ball features old-fashioned framework and design. This antique is more than adequate to accommodate him and his sidekick Puar, not to mention heavy artillery!
Monster Carrot's Car: The leader of the Rabbit gang drives this custom rabbit-style car. Looking somewhat like a Beetle, this is how to drive in style . . . if you're a giant rabbit.
Mr. Satan's Car: Mr. Satan drives in style with this lovely black town car. He arrives at the Cell Game in this expensive beauty, and he's spent extra dough to have his name painted on the roof and sides of the car. Much of an ego?
Oolong's House Wagon: Poor Oolong. After he's debunked from his position as an abductor of girls, Oolong is forced to drive Goku and Bulma through a desert in his double-decker house wagon. It comes equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, and upstairs, a bedroom. Very nice!

Source: Beckett Dragon Ball Z Collector, August 2001 Issue, pp. 4-7, by Greg Werner.