Pyramid car turns heads at Antioch High

The exhibitors ranged from the "Defenders of Greyhounds," to a window treatment company touting "green" products.

Hundreds of elementary and high school students checked out nearly 20 groups committed to saving the environment during Antioch Community High School's 7th Annual Earth Day event Tuesday.

The table with the live alligator was popular, but the real head-turner was the plexiglass pyramid-on-wheels parked just outside the gym. The fully electric "Zanis Dreamcar 123" was a highlight for students.

Powered by the wind, sun and 80 lead acid batteries, the vehicle is the brainchild of former-carpenter-turned-inventor Greg Zanis.

"This is 100 percent electric powered," the Sugar Grove man said. "It will top out at 45 miles per hour and is the safest thing on the street.

Zanis, 58, said he conceived the idea when he was 5 years old. "I was making crayon drawings of this thing when I was a kid," he said. "This is a dream come true for me."

With his carpentry business slowing from the recession, Zanis made a bold decision after reading a best-selling book.

"I read 'The Purpose Driven Life' and decided I needed to go after this dream," he said. "I sold my antique cars and a few other things and poured the money into this project."

Zanis is also known for constructing and placing wooden memorial crosses at fatal accident and murder scenes. He placed crosses at Columbine High School in Colorado after students were gunned down 10 years ago. He's been doing this at his own expense since 1997.

The car has been featured on the Discovery Channel and in Popular Science magazine, Zanis said.

Efficiency and safety are central in the design, which features a square base and a pyramid-shaped top. It has a windshield made of bulletproof glass and can make a 360-degree turn on the spot. Twelve-inch steel I-beams frame the outside of the single-seat vehicle. It is street-legal and has an air bag, too.

The car gets a lot of attention during the day, but even more at night.

"I installed a circle of 15-watt neon lights that produce a glow from inside, making it the safest car possible at night," Zanis said.

The car, especially its safety, caught the attention of Antioch freshman Mike Hall.

"If I got into an accident, I'd rather be in the DreamCar than one of those little Smart Cars," Hall said. "That thing is safe."

Zanis said he's spent about $8,000 to construct the prototype. He's "very close" to securing financial backing and hopes to build and sell 30,000 cars in the next 10 years.

"I have an aggressive business plan" he said.

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