It’s one of the most classic routines in the book: A seemingly endless parade of clowns emerges from an impossibly small car to perform wacky antics before piling back inside and making a quick getaway. The trick is so popular and beloved that it’s been parodied endlessly in the decades since its inception. But what’s the secret to this iconic circus gag? It’s not done by magic, but by employing clever engineering and tight comic timing.
Here’s our rundown of how clown cars work, how many performers can squeeze into one, and tips to mastering the hilarious art form. Buckle up!
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It’s just what it sounds like: a car for clowns!—or, more specifically, a tiny vehicle packed full of circus performers. The itty-bitty automobile stops in front of the audience before clown after clown tumbles from its tiny interior. As each one emerges, they show off their costumes and props—inflatables and other soft items that look way too big to come out of such a small space.
The history is rather fuzzy, but sources point to the 1950s as the earliest known appearance of the trick. The story goes that Cole Bros. Circus performer Bob Strehlau (aka Juggles the Clown) felt that he and his fellow goofballs were getting overshadowed by the show’s animal performers—specifically, horses. Recognizing that driving had overtaken horseback riding as the most popular means of transport, Juggles decided that the same principle could be applied to the circus; thus, the clown car was born. The gag quickly became a crowd favorite thanks to its absurdity and its element of surprise.
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In an interview with Car and Driver, Greg DeSanto, the executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, demystified the illusion. “There are no trap doors in stadium floors, and the cars are real cars,” he explained.
According to DeSanto, circus engineers strip the interior of everything except the steering wheel, and any barrier between the trunk interior and the backseat is removed to make way for even more clowns. The driver sits on a milk crate to steer, and their view of their path is limited to a small slot in the windshield. The rest of the car’s windows are completely painted over so that spectators can’t see inside. Mechanics also “beef up the springs” so the car doesn’t drag on the ground from the weight of all the clowns.
Down to Clown? Here’s How to Become a Clown in 6 Steps Then, the most limber of the crew contort themselves to fit precisely inside the stripped-down vehicle, leaving no space unfilled. This is where planning comes into play: Performers need to be able to quickly enter and exit the car without breaking the illusion that this is nothing more than an average clown commute.
How many clowns can fit in a car?
According to Greg DeSanto, the executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center and bona fide “Circus Legend,” most clown cars can fit anywhere from 14 to 21 performers. Though the Guiness World Record for most people crammed into a Mini Cooper was set at 27 participants in 2014, performance clown cars can fit fewer people due to the space taken up by costumes and props—and because the car actually has to move.
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1. Find a car. The vehicle should be small and distinct-looking while also providing ample interior space. It should have a simple design, meaning easy removal of seats, interior panels, and other obstacles so engineers can create a large, open space that’s ideal for clown camouflage. Popular models for the gag include Mini Coopers, Fiat 500s, and Volkswagen Beetles.
2. Strip it down. Everything must go from the interior, “including the door panels and the headliner,” per DeSanto. Only the steering wheel and pedals should be left intact, along with a milk crate for the driver to sit on.
3. Paint the exterior. To maintain the illusion of an endless parade of clowns, it’s vital to paint over the car’s windows. There should only be a small slot left open on the front windshield for the driver to see through.
4. Spruce up the hardware. Car interiors aren’t meant to fit upwards of 20 people, so you’ll want to give your mini-chariot additional support so it can bear all that extra weight. Here’s where a mechanic comes in handy; they can install stronger springs and shocks to accommodate a multitude of performers.
5. Gather your clowns. When you’re recruiting your team, take physical size, flexibility, and abilities into account. Because you’ll be packed tighter than a can of sardines, make sure to choreograph the order and timing in which clowns will exit the vehicle. Everyone involved should wear costumes and use props that will expand and look bigger once they step outside.
6. Plan your routine. While the gist of the bit is obvious, it’s all about the details; you’ll need a funny storyline to accompany the routine. This could be a series of gags, visual puns, or interactions with the audience. You can trick circus goers into thinking there are even more clowns inside the car by incorporating several stops and scattering additional clowns throughout the space.