What’s it like owning a Cybertruck? Meet the Fort Worth drivers getting all the attention

Dressed in a suit after spending a morning in court, Bryan Wilson’s traditional, buttoned-up appearance is at odds with his Cybertruck’s science fiction-inspired design.

The 38-year-old criminal defense attorney, also known as the “ Texas Law Hawk ,” is one of the Metroplex’s first buyers of the attention-grabbing Tesla — and he’s proud of it.

“I think it looks like an ‘80s space villain vehicle,” he said with a grin.

Since the bulky, wedge-shaped electric trucks began appearing around the city this summer, photo-snapping gawkers have used a plethora of adjectives to describe them. Nothing with four wheels in modern times seems to be as polarizing as the Cybertruck, whether it is because of its angular design, aristocratic price tag or the controversial billionaire who built it.

Love or hate the Cybertruck, it’s difficult not to be curious about the drivers behind the tinted glass — most of whom endured a years-long wait list, and now find themselves the center of attention at every intersection. So the Star-Telegram met some of Fort Worth’s first Cybertruck owners, who shared a glimpse into what it’s like behind the wheel of the most talked-about vehicle on the market.

‘Beast mode’

Born and raised in Fort Worth, Wilson gained fame in the mid-2010s with viral videos he made advertising his Law Hawk practice, often featuring him performing stunts around town. His videos earned him a role in Taco Bell’s 2016 2016 Super Bowl commercial .

Wilson said he spent about $120,000 on his Cybertruck but expects the vehicle to pay for itself. Anytime someone stops to ask about his truck, he gives them one of the many business cards he keeps stashed inside (which is how the Star-Telegram met him).

On a blisteringly hot August afternoon, Wilson took a reporter and photographer for a drive around town.

Cruising down University Drive, the ride was so smooth and quiet it was more reminiscent of a train ride than a drive in a traditional truck.

Inside, the Cybertruck is spacious. A large bench seat in the back can accommodate up to three people, and the almost entirely glass roof makes it feel almost like sitting in a convertible on a sunny day.

Wilson has customized his vehicle a bit; license plates emblazoned with “LAWHAWK” are affixed to both bumpers, and a picture of his two corgis, Muffins and Bear, dangles from the rear-view mirror.

The Cybertruck’s dashboard is spartan. A large touchscreen displays all the controls, and there are no buttons, save for a few (including the turn signal) on the steering wheel. Unlike most vehicles, the Cybertruck has steer-by-wire , a system that turns the vehicle using sensors and a computer instead of a mechanical steering column. Wilson likes the intuitive design.

“Everything is exactly where you think it should be and how it should be,” Wilson said.

Two models are available— an all-wheel drive version starting around $99,999, and the “Cyberbeast,” which is what Wilson owns.

The Cyberbeast’s “beast mode” accelerates the truck from zero to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds, a rollercoaster sensation. Arguably Wilson’s favorite feature, the first time he put the truck into beast mode, it rocketed onto West Rosedale Street and threw the reporter along for the ride back into her seat (and sent her phone flying into a cranny of the car).

The Cybertruck’s small back windshield is almost obsolete; drivers can’t see out of it when the truck bed’s cover is in use. Drivers rely on an exterior camera system to show surrounding traffic and anything else in blind spots. Wilson said glancing down at the truck’s screen before turning or changing lanes was strange at first, but he’s gotten used to it.

Wilson’s Cybertruck was delivered in June — four and a half years after he ordered it. The wait isn’t unusual; most owners have waited in years-long virtual queues. Tesla first began taking orders for the Cybertruck at its 2019 unveiling, but large-scale production didn’t start until last fall at Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas facility in Austin.

Volume is ramping up, though Tesla isn’t likely to hit a production rate of 250,000 vehicles per year until sometime in 2025.

Earlier this month, Tesla stopped taking orders for a planned more affordable Cybertruck , priced around $60,000. Delivery of the cheaper model was expected to begin in 2025. Some experts believe Tesla may have halted orders in an effort to offload existing stock of pricier models .

Tesla has not publicly disclosed Cybertruck sales. A letter from the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration to Tesla regarding a recall issued this summer revealed at least 11,688 vehicles were sold between the start of production and late June. Tesla did not respond to Star-Telegram requests for information.

From meme to cultural phenomenon

Though he’s sometimes flipped-off by other drivers, Fort Worth restaurateur Emil Bragdon said he doesn’t mind negative reactions to his Cybertruck. His kids love it, and he enjoys the curiosity it sparks.

“That’s been the coolest thing, really sharing the experience with people that are genuinely interested,” said Bragdon, who owns several bars in the West Seventh district.

Bragdon thought that the Cybertuck was a joke when it was unveiled and that it looked “stupid.” Now, he’s the owner of an all-wheel drive model. He received his Cybertruck in mid-June, after ordering it about three and a half years prior.

He said the Cybertruck is perfect for road trips, especially six- to seven-hour drives. On a recent trip from Fort Worth to Houston and back, he had to stop and charge the truck only once, which took about 25 minutes.

“It’s just so utility-based, like, it can do anything,” he said.

Like Wilson, the Cybertruck’s steer-by-wire is one of Bragdon’s favorite features. He said the truck maneuvers and turns harder than most of the sports cars he’s owned.

Bragdon had five Teslas before purchasing a Cybertruck, and said he’s owned about 50 cars in his life. The bar owner’s extensive collection was featured last year in regional magazine 360 West .

He likes the Cybertruck’s stainless steel exterior, which matches that of his DeLorean, and doesn’t plan to get his truck wrapped with a vinyl cover, a popular customization.

“I’m not really a typical truck purchaser, but I thought it was just so cool looking,” Bragdon said.

Pickups can be found in every corner of the Metroplex, from city parking garages, to dusty two-lane rural roads. Light-duty pickup trucks make up around 20% of vehicles in Texas .

Although the Cybertruck has spent less than a year on the road, it appears to be gaining ground in the electric truck market. The Cybertruck outsold its two major EV truck competitors , the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Rivian R1T, in the second quarter of 2024.

So, is the arrival of the Cybertruck a death knell for traditional pickups? Probably not, at least in Texas.

Electric vehicles are a tough sell for Texas consumers. Only about 5% of Texans own or lease an EV, according to a 2023 survey conducted by public affairs schools at Texas Southern University and the University of Houston. About 59% of respondents said they weren’t likely to seriously consider an EV when leasing or purchasing in the future.

Wilson, the lawyer, said reactions to his Cybertruck have been mixed. He said one passerby asked if he built the vehicle himself. On a visit to a friend’s ranch, the workers didn’t believe it was really a truck at first.

He said he thinks those pitted against the Cybertruck don’t appreciate it because they haven’t experienced the vehicle.

“I don’t believe they’ve driven one, or been inside one before,” Wilson said.

The Cybertruck is the brainchild of Tesla founder Elon Musk. The vehicle first went viral at its unveiling, when a metal ball cracked the “armor glass” window, which Tesla markets as able to withstand hail or a 70 mph baseball.

Since then, the vehicle’s unmistakable stainless-steel exterior and triangular shape has inspired thousands of memes. Some call the Cybertruck futuristic and cutting edge, while others have likened it to a trash can on wheels .

Social media is teeming with videos of people talking about it, testing its features, measuring its durability and simply showing it off. Cybertruck owners have formed online communities and organized meetups across the country, which sometimes make headlines simply because of the sheer numbers of the trucks they attract to one place.

The Cybertruck has also sparked fervent online debate about Musk. In recent years, Musk has become increasingly outspoken about his political views , and is now a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump. Some have shied away from Musk’s political stances, while others see the X owner as a defender of free speech.

Bragdon said he doesn’t care about Musk’s politics and admires his determination to change the world. Wilson said he always believed Musk would make the Cybertruck a reality.

“I have a lot of faith in Elon Musk. He’s kind of crazy, but at the same time he does get things done,” he said.

‘It’s more than a truck’

Burleson-based Realtor and entrepreneur Michelle Abner said she’s been a fan of Musk for years.

When the Cybertruck was unveiled, Abner thought it looked “crazy” and was Musk’s idea of a joke. She and her husband, Cody, ordered an all-wheel drive model immediately, placing a second order shortly after.

Abner said when the couple picked up their truck in February, they were the eighth people in the Metroplex to receive a Cybertruck. Being an early owner came with a surprising degree of notoriety.

“We literally could go nowhere. I mean, every time we left our house, I’m like, okay, every stop is going to be at least 30 minutes, because we would just get bombarded by people wanting to see the truck.”

So many people approached them, the Abners made stickers to hand out. They wrapped their Cybertruck with the logo for their remodeling company, Big Tex Renovations , and Abner said they’ve already gotten a few jobs from the unorthodox marketing. Like Bragdon, she said the Cybertruck brings people together.

“It’s more than a truck,” Abner said.

She said her three kids love the Cybertruck. Her husband previously drove a Ford F-150, which the couple sold. Now, all of their vehicles are electric.

“We’re definitely Tesla fans, and I can’t see myself driving a different car,” Abner said. “You know, whenever we go out of town and rent a car and it’s gas, I’m like, ‘Oh, I want my Tesla back,’” Abner said.

The couple’s YouTube video documenting them picking up their Cybertruck has racked up thousands of views. Abner’s most popular TikTok, a video describing what riding around in the truck is like , has over 3 million views.

Abner said she never expected her content to go viral.

“I think what made it viral was everybody arguing on it,” Abner said. “I was called a right wing, a left wing, you know, every name in the book, and I’m like, all I did was post a video about a truck,” she said.

Some comments were so aggressive, she considered no longer making content about the Cybertruck. Abner ultimately decided to keep posting; she has continued to rack up views, even collaborating on a video with popular YouTubers Dude Perfect .

Abner isn’t bothered by the mixed reactions Cybertruck content attracts.

“It’s fun to bring a smile to people’s faces, and sometimes you get a middle finger,” Abner said.

Tesla recently notified the Abners that their second Cybertruck order is ready for purchase. Abner said the couple is still deciding whether to buy a second truck — but if they do, she’s considering having it wrapped in Barbie pink or teal vinyl.

“I think it would be fun to have a girly Cybertruck,” she said.